Page 7 of Make Me Crazy (Loco, Texas 2)

She pulled into the church parking lot and went inside the big doors, sneaking past a group of women yammering and giggling. One of them looked up and called, “Oh, Miranda, how are you doing?”

Rand winced at the use of her name in that sweetly sick tone that reminded her of every sharp dig she’d been hit with in high school and turned to face Kimberly Taggert. The short blond woman should have grown out of bullying after graduating high school, but for some reason, she continued to draw pleasure from tormenting Rand.

“I heard about your predicament. It’s really unfair of your granddaddy to put so much pressure on you, bless your heart. I mean, who could find a husband in three months, let alone someone like you,” Kim asked, feigning sympathy.

Rand wanted to sock the fake little tart. “How did you know about my granddaddy’s will?”

Kim’s smile was sweet as honey, but her eyes twinkled with malicious glee. “Why, I heard from my mother, who heard it from Greta Johnson, who was told by Mr. Cranston’s secretary, Mabel.”

Rand wanted to throttle all of them, starting with Kim. Swallowing her natural urge to call her something as vile as she was, Rand simply stated, “Well thank you for your concern, but I’ll be just fine.”

“Oh I’m sure you will be.” She said it reassuringly, but Rand knew she was just setting up for the kill and wasn’t surprised when she continued, “After all, you always have Earl Humphries. We all know how much he adores you.”

Rand clenched her fists and stepped toward Kim. Earl was in his fifties, and about as friendly as a cotton mouth. Most of the town avoided him, but she loved the cranky old goat like a father. The harpies could pick at her all they wanted, but if they started getting on Earl, she was going to make them sorry. Church or not,

God would understand. “I’d be lucky to have him. Earl’s a good man.”

One of the other women piped in. “You mean ornery and mean. No wonder you two are so close. Like is attracted to like, I guess.

Rand was ready to leap at them when a strong arm slipped around her shoulders and a deep voice said, “Guess that means me too, since Rand and I are such good friends.”

Rand didn’t normally enjoy being rescued, but, as she was an inch from starting a brawl in church, she let Jake handle the vicious twits.

Kim stepped forward, looking contrite. “We were just teasing Miranda, Jake. You know how we girls play.”

“Oh yes, I know how you can be, Kim.” His brittle expression changed as he looked down at Rand and she felt better as he guided her around and inside. “Red and I saved you a seat.”

She didn’t even bother turning around, just gave the group of women a very unflattering gesture, causing gasps of outrage. A satisfied grin spread over her lips and she slipped her arm around Jake’s waist. “Have I mentioned lately that you can be a pretty okay guy sometimes?”

He squeezed her close. “Only okay sometimes? I’m awesome all the time.”

She rolled her eyes as he led her to her seat between Red and him. She had to step over Jake’s mother to get to her seat and Karen Hansen squeezed her hand as she passed. “Good Morning, Miranda.”

Jake’s mother had always been kind to her, and she squeezed her hand back. “Morning, ma’am.”

When Rand flopped down next to Red, he asked, “What kept you?”

“Kim Taggert wanted to congratulate me on my upcoming nuptials,” she said tartly, still burning with frustration that she had never been able to put that woman in her place.

“What a witch with a capitol B.” Red said, patting her leg comfortingly. The touch made Rand smile. As much as Red tried to be obnoxious and sometimes even a little sexist, he had always taken her side. Even when she’d kicked Ray Bartman in the balls for telling her she couldn’t play football with them because she was a girl. Ray had tackled her, and pulled back his arm to pop her one, but Red had picked him up and body slammed him. After that, Ray had left her alone.

He usually ruined these glowing moments of sweetness though and sure enough, he added, “Of course, next time she starts something, make sure you wait for the hair pulling and shirt ripping until I get there.”

Rand didn’t even get to respond before a gloved hand whacked Red from the other side. “Ow! Ma!”

Hannah Calhoun scowled at her only son and hissed, “You apologize to Miranda and hush your mouth.”

“Sorry, Rand,” he muttered.

Jake chuckled on the other side of her and his mother pinched him. “Rudeness is never funny, Jacob.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he acknowledged.

Rand caught the twinkle in his eye and hid a smile. Everyone always called her the mischief maker in their little trio, but Jake could stir up as much if not more trouble; he was just really good at charming his way out of it.

The sermon began and Rand did her best to stay awake. Glancing around the crowded church, she caught site of Doctor Jay sitting next to his veterinary assistant, Jamie Sullivan. Jamie and she had always been friendly, if not friends. It helped that they were the black sheep of the town, the weirdoes that didn’t quite fit. Jamie’s brown hair was piled up on her head, strips of platinum and pink racing through the dark strands, and on top of her head was a tiny top hat in fire engine red.

Rand grinned. Jamie didn’t give a tinkers damn what anyone thought and Rand appreciated that quality in her. She wished she could see more than the back of Doctor Jay’s light blond head, but maybe afterwards she could catch him outside.

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