Page 17 of Whispered Southern Secrets

“Are you saying I’m not a gift, Preacher Man?”

“We’re all gifts. We all have gifts. Stop twisting my words. And stop worrying about girls for you and me.”

“But you’re allowed to…ya know. I mean you’re a preacher but you’re not like a priest or monk, right? Are you sworn to a life of celibacy? That would suck.”

“Again. You’re fifteen.”

“Clearly you had poor game at fifteen.”

“I can date. I’ll choose to wait until marriage before I share myself.” This is painfully awkward. Worse, I hear the guys behind us snort. Whatever. I’m being an example and I’m going to live a better life than what I was.

James nods and looks over his shoulder at Honey and then back to me. “Then why are you sleeping on that, bro?”

“It’s complicated.”

He rolls his eyes and I can’t help but agree. Such a lame answer. The truth is I don’t know if Honey wants to get involved with me. I don’t know if it’s because she’s felt our eyes on her, but Honey comes over to our table.

“Hey, you two.”

“Hello,” I say while James gives her a nod and smile that I’m sure he thinks is smooth and charming. Maybe it works on twelve-year-olds.

I clear my throat and ask, “How’s your puppy? Did you end up keeping him? Little Stinker?”

James eyebrows pinch together but he remains quiet. Honey pulls out her phone and shows us a photo of the puppy freshly bathed and wrapped in a blanket on a couch.

“I appreciate you remember the name Little Stinker, but Pepaw was not a fan of that name and convinced me to give him a solid name. And yes, I checked. He is all boy. We came up with the name, Cash.”

“Like Johnny Cash?” I guess. Makes sense since I know she loves music, especially classic country.

“Right!” Her smile is so bright that it takes my breath away. “Plus Johnny Cash had been through some shit, and so had my puppy.” She turns to James. “I waded through a ditch for him. That’s where I found him. Or rescued him. I saved his life.”

“You’re a hero,” James tells her, and she nods enthusiastically.

“I know, right.” The bell above the door rings and she waves bye to us to hurry off and help the new comer.

James stares at me. “I don’t know if I can trust you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re an idiot if you’re not going to lock that down.”

Lock that down?I don’t even know what that means. However I feel like I get the meaning behind it. He might be right.

Chapter Eight

Honey

J.D.’s sermons plays a repeat in my head all day. I don’t even hit my snooze button in the morning because I’m already awake. Lying in bed as his words resonated with me and the sight of him still gives me butterflies. I don’t want to still be attracted to him. Only now it’s worse. I think he’s inspiring and genuine. Life was easier when I thought he was hypocrite and a man whore. I feel like the biggest pervert lusting after him, especially since he’s in a profession that doesn’t mix business with pleasure. He only has one flaw—he’s forbidden. Not that he can’t date. Just not me. I’m a past mistake. I slept with the old him. I’m sure the new him on his spiritual journey doesn’t want to backtrack by being with me.

I should be terrified that I’m in my twenties, confused, lonely in the romantic sense, and living with my grandparents, but after pondering J.D.’s sermon some more, the idea sends a little thrill up my spine. I’m pushing forward on my own journey. And at the appropriate time, I’ll learn exactly what that it is. The smell of coffee gives me the motivation I need to get out of bed. “Caffeine,” I moan as I wander into my grandparent’s kitchen.

A few hours later, Cash and I are out for a walk. More like he tugs on the leash, rolls around, gets tangled, sits down, and chews on the leash. I spot James painting one of the neighbor’s fence.

“Whatcha doin’?” I stop and ask him.

“Preacher Man gave me a list of fences to go around painting or staining.” I nod, prepared to tell him good luck, have a nice day, whatever. But then he smirks. “Ya know, he’s coming right back. Went to go get us some coffee. I’m sure he’d like to see you.” The mischievous twinkle in his eyes has me laughing.

A smooth deep voice from behind startles me. “Well there’s trouble.” I spin around to see J.D. standing there with a cup holder of coffee. He takes one out and he hands it to James. Then he holds one out before me. “Here you go.”

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