Secrets in the Sand by Carolyn Brown

            Clancy reached across his lap to hold her left hand and draped his right arm around her. I hear you loud and clear, Granny. A smile tickled the corners of her mouth. But it’s kind of hard to keep my mind on God or the sermon with Clancy this close.

            When Dillon finished his sermon, he asked Tom to deliver the benediction. Tom stood up, bowed his head, and thanked God for the wonderful day, for good fellowship, and for the love that bound the church family together.

            Angel took an extra second after he had said the final amen to give thanks for giving her a second chance with Clancy. When she opened her eyes, several folks were gathering around Tom and Meredith to congratulate them. Afterward, many of them shook her hand and told her how good it was to see her again. By the time the four of them left the church, they were the last ones to shake hands with the preacher.

            “Angela Conrad, I remember you. You were super smart, much too intelligent to be hanging around this guy.” He grinned at Clancy.

            “I don’t know about all that. I hear from a friend of mine that he’s wasting his talents on teaching,” Angel said.

            “Helping people is never a waste,” Dillon said. “You come on back to see us again. We’re glad to have you.”

            “Thank you, and it’s good to be back for a visit.”

            “You ready for this?” Clancy asked as he opened the back door of his mother’s Cadillac for Angel to get into the vehicle.

            “Are you?” she asked.

            “Oh, yeah.” He slid in beside her and took her hand in his. “I couldn’t be more ready to show the whole town what a lucky guy I am.”

            If Angel was sleeping, she damn sure didn’t want anyone to wake her up. “Smile pretty,” she said as she held up her cell phone and took a selfie of the two of them. Then she sent it to all five of her friends with a note: We haven’t killed each other, and I’m staying until my two weeks are up.

            Tom parked in the garage, and the four of them went out onto the patio through the back door. “Oh my!” Angel gasped. “I thought this was going to be just a small affair.”

            “We didn’t invite the whole town, even though it kind of looks that way,” Meredith assured her with a hug. “It’s just that we have so many friends that we didn’t want to leave anyone out.”

            Lace cloths covered round tables that had been arranged around the pool. Bouquets of fresh roses and daisies decorated the middle of each table, already set with silver wrapped in crisp white linen napkins. Just outside the dining-room doors, a long table held barbecued brisket, chicken, and ribs, baked beans and potato salad, along with several trays of fresh fruit, cheese, and raw vegetables. The three-tiered wedding cake, topped with a pair of porcelain lovebirds sitting in an orange blossom nest, was the centerpiece for the longest table, with a silver coffee service on one end and a matching punch bowl on the other.

            “This looks pretty formal to me,” Angel whispered to Clancy. “I should change into the only party dress I brought along. I didn’t think I’d be needing anything formal at the beach. Or Tishomingo.”

            “You look fabulous.” Clancy gave her a hug and kissed her on the forehead.

            “Thank you”—she smiled—“but I wasn’t fishing for compliments. I was serious.”

            “I know a beautiful woman when I see one.” Clancy kept his arm around her shoulders. “I thought I was going to die before I could get another kiss. It seemed like Dillon preached for hours this morning, and then all those folks wanting to talk to Mama and see you again. I was feeling pretty puny.”

            “Clancy, you are full of bull—”

            He put his fingers over her mouth. “Here comes Wilma Jones. If she hears you say that entire word, she’ll drop down on her knees and commence to praying for your soul right here and now,” he whispered in mock seriousness, then turned abruptly. “Oh, hello, Mrs. Jones. Do you remember Angela Conrad? She lived here when we were in high school.” Clancy brought Angel around to stand beside him with his arm still around her shoulder.

            “Nope, can’t say as I do.” Mrs. Jones shook her head. “Pretty woman, though, Clancy. If you had half a brain, you’d keep her close to you. There’s some bachelors in the crowd who are already eyeing her. Now, where is your mother? I want to offer my congratulations. Some folks is talking about her marryin’ up with Tom, but they’re just jealous because they don’t have someone to treat them that good.” The old woman shook her finger under his nose as if she were preaching him a sermon.