Free Diana Anderson - Entering Southern Country 01 - Famous in a Small Town by Diana Anderson

well as forensics.”
    The cook called out through the window. Janie retrieved his order and slid it in front of him. She reached underneath the counter, grabbed napkin-wrapped dinnerware, and handed it to him. He unrolled it. He forked a bite of chicken and dressing.
    “Guess you saw Mrs. Wallace?” She smirked.
    He chewed a moment, swallowed, and eyed her. “Are you trying to ruin my supper?”
    She laughed. “Late lunch or early supper?”
    “Both, I’ve been busy.”
    “Well, is she still after you?”
    “She’s after every man who’s willing.”
    “Are you, Cal?”
    “Not this man. Never have been and never will be.”
    “But her daughter thought different.”
    “I can’t help that.”
    “Maybe if you tried to explain what really happened?”
    He took a drink of tea and then set down his glass. “In my line of work, I deal in evidence every day. No matter what, it’s always evidence. If the evidence is there against the accused, then no matter what the accused says, it always comes out they’re guilty. She had enough evidence, and nothing I had said could prove me innocent.”
    “If she really had loved you.”
    “Don’t you think that’s why she was so hurt? That’s why she left.”
    She harrumphed. “She wanted to leave for many reasons, Cal, but what happened that day,just gave her guts enough to do it.” She grabbed the tea pitcher and refilled his glass. She set the pitcher down and looked hard at him. “Her mother set you up, and if I know that and you know that, then she knows it too. She’s known her mother longer than either of us put together.” She walked away to wait on another customer.
    He finished his meal but hadn’t tasted much. He grabbed his hat off the bar, fished a toothpick out of the toothpick holder, stood up, and walked toward the end of the bar where Janie talked with a customer. She saw him and stepped out from behind the bar. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek.
    “Supper was great. Thanks, Mom.” He went out the front door, onto the sidewalk, and stood. He placed his hat on his head, popped the toothpick in his mouth, and watched the traffic.
    Carl’s truck drove by at a slow speed. The oldest boy, Thomas, sat on the passenger side by the door. He caught sight of Cal and his eyes widened. The other boys peered around their brother and eyed Cal. Cal waved. The two younger ones fell back in the seat. The older one looked away.
    Cal chewed on his toothpick and pondered on that as he watched the truck move on down Main Street and head out of town.
     

19
     
     
    “Get that dog out of my house!” Callie said.
    “If the dog goes, I go,” Raven said.
    “Whatever! I’ve had it up to here with your smugness and nasty attitude toward me.”
    Raven had the dog on a leash that she’d purchased on her way home. She’d go back later for the dog food she’d bought and left it in the trunk of her car. She had been heading toward the stairs when her mother had accosted her.
    “Fine. I’ll get my stuff packed.” Raven turned toward the staircase.
    “She’s not going anywhere, and the dog stays,” Ted said as he walked into the room.
    “What?” Callie pointed toward the dog. “He’s filthy, he’s a mutt, and she’s no better. Look at her. She’s covered in dirt.”
    Raven turned toward Ted. “It’s okay. You don’t have to bother.”
    “It’s no bother. This is my house, and as head of the household, I have the final say.” He walked over to stand in front of Raven, reached down, and scratched the dirt covered dog behind his ears. Ted then looked into Raven eyes. “Raven, please stay.”
    He’d called her Raven, and because he’d stood up to her mother and wasn’t appalled at the dog’s condition or hers, she’d made up her mind.
    She smiled at him. “Thank you, Ted. I’ll stay. But right after the funeral, I’ll be heading back home.”
    Callie turned on her heel and left the room.
    Raven led the dog upstairs.
    She got the