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The congregation of Piney Grove A.M.E. Church emerged from the small white building single file into an unusually warm winter day. The clouds that harried the countryside with drizzle for two days had cleared, leaving the sky clear and the air crisp. Zeke walked the empty pews, making sure the parishioners left their seats clean and searching for any forgotten belongings. Reverend Pete had delivered another exceptional sermon, one that filled the church with energy and caused more than a few folks to get the Holy Ghost. He scanned the last pew then rested his hands on his waist.
"I guess that's it," he said to himself.
"And none too soon."
Reverend Pete waddled down the aisle. He was as tall as Zeke but twice as wide, a victim of too many Sunday dinners at too many homes. He and Zeke had been friends since childhood. It was the reason Zeke was a member and a deacon.
"You better get on out there before Miss Rose loses patience."
Zeke smiled. "I don’t know, Petey. Sometimes I think it might be better if she goes on home alone. I'm not the man she thinks I am."
Pete placed a hand on his shoulder and shook him. "I tried to tell her that but she won't listen."
Zeke gave Reverend Pete a mock scowl then they both laughed.
"Well, I'm working on getting better,” Zeke said.
Pete's face suddenly became serious. "Are you really, Zeke?"
Zeke took Pete's hand off his shoulder. "I'm here, ain't I?"
"Yes you are Zeke, but you ain't committed."
Zeke ran his hand over his head. "Don't start, Pete."
"Give it up, Zeke. Put the guns away and do what's right."
Zeke sat down. "You know I can't Petey. Mama and Daddy left me with a whole lot of land and a whole lot of debt. By the time I could get enough crops out the ground to pay everything the bank would come and take it all."
Pete rubbed his chin. "Must be another way."
Zeke stood. "Well, when you figure it out, let me know. I'm going to speak to Miss Rose now."
"Be a gentleman with that woman," Pete advised. "She’s right fond of you. She could barely drink her communion wine trying to look at you."
Zeke grinned as he left the church. Miss Rose sat in her wagon under the bare persimmon tree, a smile as bright as day on her face.
"Well there you are!" she said. "I thought I was going to have to leave without speaking."
"How are you, Miss Rose?"
Pauline batted her pretty eyes. "Much better now. I have a fine supper prepared at my house just waiting for a man that looks just like you to come share it with me."
Zeke walked up to the wagon leaned against the buckboard. "I'm not sure that's a good thing to do, Pauline. Knowing how we feel about each other we might find ourselves doing something sinful."
"You been talking to Reverend Pete again. I wish that man would stay out of our business.” Pauline said. “Look, Zeke, I ain’t no young girl. I'm willing to take that chance."
"I'll go get my horse," Zeke said. He was about to head to the hitch post when he saw a familiar horse and rider lurking under the red oak a few yards away.
"Excuse me, Pauline. There's someone I need to talk to."
Zeke sauntered over to the finely dressed man.
"What the hell you doing here, Horace?"
Horace winced then rubbed his temples. "Not so loud, sir! Mr. LaRue sent me. He needs to see you immediately."
'I'll see him tomorrow," Zeke answered. "I'm about to take this young lady home for supper."
"It's very urgent," Horace said.
"If this wasn’t holy ground I'd shoot you out of that saddle," Zeke said. "You know I don't conduct business on church grounds. Now you get on out of here and tell Pierre I'll see him first thing tomorrow morning and not a minute before. You got that?"
Fear filled Horace’s eyes as he nodded. "Yes, monsieur. I do."
Horace spurred his horse and galloped away. Zeke shook his head as he went to retrieve his horse. Pierre must be in big trouble if he sent Horace to Piney Grove for him. But whatever he wanted could wait. Zeke liked the notion of Pierre afraid.
"Who was that?" Pauline asked.
"Business." Zeke secured his horse to the wagon then climbed in beside Pauline.
"Now let's go have some supper."
Pauline placed her hand on his thigh. "Yes, let's do that."