Free Clifton County Fireworks by Joannie Kay Page B

the lumber mill, and had done so even when he was still in school. 
“You didn’t need to spend a whole ten dollars for lunch…”
    “Yes I did.  I wanted everyone to
know that I consider you my girl, Jennie Rose.”
    She laughed happily, and then opened
the basket and took out a nice, new tablecloth she’d hemmed herself, and once
it was spread on the ground, she took out napkins and dishes and then laid out
food.
    “This looks good.”   Johnny’s green eyes were bright. 
“You fixed enough for several lunches.”
    “I enjoy cooking and baking.”   She insisted, serving him a plate heaped
with fried chicken, potato salad, pickled beets and eggs, and a small portion
of slaw.  She took much smaller servings for herself.  “Do you like
the fried chicken?”   She asked,
fishing for a compliment when he took a bite and put it back on his plate.
    “It’s crispy on the outside.”   He said, trying to be truthful without
complaining that it was raw inside.  He wasn’t about to eat it and get
sick.
    “What is wrong with it?”   Jennie Rose could tell he was hedging.
    “I’m used to Ma’s fried chicken.”   Johnny smiled at her.  “Are you
going to enter the talent contest?”   He asked, trying to change the subject while he choked down a bite of
potato salad.  The potatoes weren’t done, and the dressing was
salty.  The pickled beets were too sour, and the slaw was the only thing
edible on the plate.  “This slaw is wonderful, Jennie Rose!”   He said sincerely.
    “And you don’t like anything else,
right?”   She was insulted.
    “Well, I’m sure you’re still learning
to cook, and when you get to be Ma’s age, you’ll have it perfected.”   Johnny tried hard to be diplomatic. 
    “Tell me what I did wrong!”   She ordered angrily.
    “Well, taste it, Jennie Rose. 
Your chicken is raw inside.  The potatoes aren’t done in your potato
salad, and the pickled beets are too sour.  But, you did a great job on
the slaw.”   He assured her.
    “I didn’t fix the slaw!”   Jennie Rose got to her feet, took the jar
of lemonade she’d brought to share and dumped the contents all over Johnny’s
red head.  “I’d rather not go to the dance with you tonight, Mr.
Picky!”  She started to walk away, only to have him jump up and grab her
and whirl her around.
    “You’d best apologize for that stunt,
young lady.”
    “I will not!  You insulted my
cooking!”
    “I told you the truth.  If you eat
that chicken, you’ll get sick.”
    “Then don’t eat it!  I don’t
care!”   She yelled at him, drawing
the attention of everyone sitting close by, enjoying their lunches.
    “You didn’t need to dump lemonade on
me.”   He growled, his own temper
flaring.
    “I’ll do as I damned please!”   She retorted.
    “You need a spanking!”
    “I do not!”   She indignantly denied.  The look in
his green eyes warned her he was seriously considering doing just as he
said.  “You wouldn’t dare!”   She
hauled off and kicked him on the shin, just as hard as she possibly could.
    Johnny immediately released the little
redhead to jump on his other foot while he grabbed his leg and groaned in
pain.  “You little hellion.  Your Daddy should have tossed up your
skirts a few times instead of babying you!”  He glared at her, and then
announced, “Maybe it’s not too late for someone to do just that!” 
    He reached for her and Jennie Rose
turned tail and ran.  She could see his intentions clearly in his snapping
green eyes, and she was positive it would go badly for her if he got his hands
on her.  Her only hope was to get to her father, who would never let
Johnny touch her.
    The problem was that Johnny Tanner ran
as fast as she did…maybe even faster!  She was having a terrible time
staying out of reach, and with all the people about, she was forever bumping
into someone.  She decided to duck inside the Mercantile and hope that he
wouldn’t see her.  She