The Grand Scheme

The drone of deep voices in Jewel's Cafe turned to silence. Grayson Knolls lifted his gaze to the front door as Rue Kessler came inside and stomped the March snow off his boots. Grayson fiddled with the bill of his cap and pasted on a bland expression.Too bad you didn't get run over by a truck on the way over here.He found the thought amusing. "There's my future son-in-law." Elam Griffith pushed back his chair and stood, a broad smile appearing just below his mustache. Rue did a double take and seemed surprised to see the EG Construction crew sitting around several tables that had been pushed together. Grayson figured it was an act. Elam shook Rue's hand and pulled him into a half bear hug. "I lured you here under false pretenses. I just got through telling the crew that you've agreed to be our project manager. It's official. Congratulations." For what? Being handed a job he didn't earn? I'm the one who deserves it. The crew applauded, and then Joel Myers got up and shook Rue's hand. "I'm looking forward to working with you." "Thanks, same here," Rue said. One by one the others got up and offered congratulations. Grayson waited until last, then with his fabricated expression still intact, he stood and offered Rue a hearty handshake. "Congratulations. Guess therearefringe benefits to marrying the boss's daughter." Rue laughed. "I never thought of it that way. You know she's my son's mother, and we're finally gonna be a family, right?" "Yeah, I heard." Elam patted Rue on the back. "I'm thrilled for Ivy. But I'm excited about having someone in the family as passionate about this business as I am." Grayson took his seat at the table, wrapped his hands around his mug, and imagined how good it would feel to slap the stupid grin off Kessler's face. "So when's the wedding?" Joel asked. "I assume my dad's going to perform the ceremony?" "Yeah, Saturday morning, June 7. I told Pastor Myers that if I had my way, we'd elope. But Ivy has her heart set on Woodlands Community Church." "So is your kid going to be in it?" Grayson asked. Rue nodded. "Ring bearer. We're only having a best man and matron of honor stand up with us. The ceremony's gonna be simple." "But the receptionisn't," Elam said. "We're having it out at our place, and Carolyn wants to do it up big. We only have one daughter and plan to marry her off in style. Rue, sit down. Have some coffee and decide what you want for breakfast. You're the man." Still wearing that annoying toothy grin, Rue pulled out a chair across from Grayson. "Life's pretty terrific right now." "No kidding," Grayson said. "You've got your entire future nailed down. Not bad for a guy who arrived here seven months agofresh out of rehab on a temporary work program." Grayson knew the instant he said it that he shouldn't have. Heat scalded his cheeks in the awkwardness that followed, and he took a sip of cold coffee, waiting for Rue to put him in his place. "I can hardly believe it myself." Rue's tone was surprisingly nondefensive. "I just thank the Lord for it." Elam's eyes narrowed as he homed in on Grayson. &aHerman, Kathy is the author of 'The Grand Scheme', published 2008 under ISBN 9781590529232 and ISBN 1590529235.