Chapter 11
Introducing his mother to them, AJ added, "You might remember her from the revival meeting."
With a gentle smile, Grace said, "Yes, I do, it's a pleasure to meet you again, Mrs. Chegwidden."
Then AJ introduced his sister Adele to them.
Josephine said, "It's a pleasure to have both of you in my home. I have been including Grace in my prayers ever since she healed me. You are truly blessed to have such an incredible daughter, Mr. Foster. Breakfast is almost ready why don't you come in and have a seat? What can I get everyone to drink? I have coffee, milk and orange juice."
Once everyone had their drinks and was settled at the table, Josephine brought out a large platter of scrambled eggs, and Adele brought out the biscuits. AJ carried in the gravy. "This all looks wonderful, Mrs. Chegwidden," said Grace, wondering why her father had said nothing at all.
As the food was passed around and everyone prepared his or her plate, Josephine asked Harold if he would do the honor of blessing the meal. Smiling, Harold asked everyone to bow their head and then he blessed the food. Digging into his food, Harold looked up in astonishment and said, "Mrs. Chegwidden, this is the best biscuits and gravy I've had since my wife passed away. Ma'am you certainly can cook!"
Josephine blushed at the compliment, "Thank you, Mr. Foster, I'm pleased you like the food."
"It must be wonderful traveling around and seeing so many beautiful places like you do," said Adele.
"We do get to see a lot of the county side," Harold told her. "But since we're doing the Lord's work we aren't doing it for fun."
"Doing the Lord's work, like we do, is lonely work," replied Grace. "We rarely get invited into people's homes like this."
Josephine placed her hand over Grace's and said, "We would be honored if you would stay and visit with us for a few days, Sister Grace."
"You have to understand, Mrs. Chegwidden, that I am very concerned for my daughter's virtue, since you have an unmarried son here in the house."
"FATHER!" Grace exclaimed and blushed furiously.
"I raised him to respect women, Mr. Foster, and I can assure you that Grace's virtue will be safe in this house."
"Well, if I have your assurance, then I guess she can stay for a few days," replied Harold.
They all ate a hearty breakfast, and then Grace walked out to the trailer with her father to retrieve her old and worn out suitcase that she had packed in the hopes her father would allow her to stay. Grace was so grateful for her father for allowing her this visit she gave him an unaccustomed hug and thanked him. Reluctantly returning the hug, Harold once again admonished her to be in Kingwood by Thursday afternoon. "I will, Father," she promised as she waved him away.
Taking her battered suitcase from her hand AJ said, "I'll show you to the guest room."
His mother gently corrected him, "No, son, we will show her to the guest room. I made a promise to Mr. Foster, and you and Grace will not be alone in her room."
The three of them went back to the guest room and AJ was putting her bag down when Grace went over to the bouquet of flowers and said, "Oh, how beautiful," and inhaled deeply of their fragrance.
Eager to take credit for her pleasure AJ said, "I picked those from mom's garden this morning, just for you."
Blushing she shyly said, "Thank you, AJ, that was very kind of you. The flowers are very lovely, Mrs. Chegwidden, I would love to see your garden sometime."
"Please call me, Josephine, dear, I loved my husband very much, but he gave me a last name that is certainly a mouth full. You can see my garden anytime you like, dear, I usually spend my afternoons out there unless I have errands to run."
"Please let me be of help while I am here I don't want to be treated like a guest," replied Grace.
"But you are a guest, dear, and we don't get many, so you'll just have to let us spoil you," replied Josephine.
To be continued…..