The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek Read Online Free PDF Page A

headed toward the bench and sat: the Lions stunned and the Billy Goats elated.
    “What happened?” Janey asked.
    “I think Hector’s shot didn’t count,” Adam answered. “Time ran out.”
    As the officials attempted to move the fans toward the seats, the announcer said, “Folks, that last shot came after time ran out. We have another overtime.”
    Moans came from the Lion fans while the Billy Goat faithful celebrated. Both teams headed back to the locker rooms.
    With the departure of the teams, everyone looked at the court. The closest fans had a few scraps of paper in their hair—more covered the scorers’ table—but the floor was heaped with drifts of multicolored paper scraps. It looked like a fanciful winter scene, the Hill Country covered with pink and blue and mint-green snow. Then two janitors stepped on the court, each with a trash barrel on wheels, push broom, and enormous dustpan.
    “Folks, it’s going to take a little while,” the announcer said. “Just relax.”
    It might have, except the citizens of Butternut Creek surrounded the court, undaunted by the task ahead and the possible collateral damage to their clothing. With precision, they moved inward, picking up handfuls and armloads of paper and dumping them into the barrels. Wastebaskets and plastic bags were brought to the court. Others took the filled bags and containers outside and returned to pick up more.
    In only minutes the fans had nearly cleared the floor; the custodians made quick work of sweeping up the last bit. With the court clear, both teams returned to cheers and hoopla.
    Sadly, during that last overtime, both Bobby and the sophomore center fouled out. Bayou City won by five. While the Billy Goats celebrated the victory, the Lion players sat on the bench with towels over their heads until Coach Borden reminded them to congratulate the other team.
    It’s only a game played by high school kids , Adam told himself, but the words didn’t make him feel any better and he knew how disappointed Hector would be.
    Not that he had to worry about what to say to him right away. Bree and Hector and Bobby and whatever girl Bobby was dating would go someplace after they cleaned up. No reason to wait around.
    Janey watched her brother, her chin quivering. He and Gussie held Janey’s hands between them as they slowly made their way out of the stands, through the gym, and out to the parking lot. They walked Gussie to her car, which she’d had to park on the street about a block away.
    “Hope you’re still coming to the parsonage,” Adam said.
    “With all the overtime, it’s late.” Gussie glanced at Adam.
    “I’d like to see you and you’re hungry.”
    “Which one’s more important?” She waved her hand. “You convinced me. Meet you there.”
    Janey dropped Adam’s hand but kept hers in Gussie’s. “Can I ride with Gussie?”
    Good idea for them to go together, just the two of them. “I’ll see you there.” He watched two of the people he loved most get in the car and take off. Then he headed back to the parking lot to find the Miltons.
    “Where to?” he asked Yvonne, who sat in the passenger seat.
    “Let us off at our place,” she said. “We old folks need our rest, and you need time alone with Gussie. If Hector hasn’t polished them all off, there are plenty of leftovers in the fridge.”
    An hour later, after they’d eaten a few pieces of cold chicken and some biscuits and Janey had headed up to bed, Gussie leaned across the table. “Janey told me about her dyslexia.”
    “Oh? What did she say? She’s very private.”
    “I know. That’s why I felt honored. We just discussed what was going on. Was this the reason for the conference at school last week?”
    “Sorry I couldn’t tell you. Janey worried everyone would look down on her.”
    “She said it felt good to know what was wrong and that she wasn’t alone or stupid.” Gussie stood and began to clear the table. “My friend Clare is dyslexic so I know some