Chapter 36
He got into the car with a smile and both waved at Josephine as he backed the car out of the drive. The forty miles to Kingwood passed much too quickly for the two that were holding hands and listening to music on the radio. It was almost as if they were afraid to talk to each other on the ride for fear one or both of them would start crying about their parting. As they pulled up at the revival tent, AJ said, "I'll come up every night to see you."
"Since this is my last weekend as a single girl I should probably spend it with father. He will need to get used to the idea of me getting married."
"So you don't want me to come up?"
"Oh, I want you too, but I just think that this weekend I should devote to father."
"Ok, but I'll be here bright and early Monday morning. If you get a chance call me over the weekend."
"But AJ, I don't have any money, father handles it all."
AJ reached into his pocket and pulled out a five-dollar bill. I'm sorry it's not more, but I'm a bit low on cash right now."
"AJ, you don't need to give me any money, I'll be fine."
"But I want you to call me. Remember the truck stop up the road? I'm sure there'll be a pay phone there," reaching into his pocket and pulling out a hand full of loose change he added that to the money in her hand.
She smiled and thanked him, pocketing the money. Leaning over to give him a kiss she said, "I'll call you all three days."
AJ helped her out of the vehicle and quickly grabbing the produce and Grace's overnight bag they headed for the trailer. Once there, Harold opened the door and saw all the produce, he smiled and said, "I see you have not only brought my daughter home, but something good to eat."
"Yes, Sir, it is from my mom's garden, and I hope you'll enjoy it."
"Father, I had a wonderful time with the Chegwidden's. Thank you for letting me spend time with them."
"Well I'm glad you had a good time, but your vacation is over now, and you need to go into the trailer and get ready for the meeting tomorrow night. Where did you get that little ball of fur?"
Grace said, "AJ bought her for me." She turned and nodded at AJ and then went inside the trailer taking Angel with her and shut the door.
"I can take those things, young man," Harold said reaching for the suitcase and box of produce AJ had.
"Sir, if you have a moment, I'd like to speak to you about an important matter."
"Alright," Harold said. "Just let me put these things in the trailer."
AJ let them go and Harold placed them inside. He came and said, "Okay, what's so important?"
"I asked your daughter to marry me, and she said yes. We'd like to have your blessing, Sir, and would like to have you there for the ceremony."
"Oh, so you're not asking for her hand?"
"No, I'm asking for your blessing, not your approval, Sir. Grace and I are going to be married whether you approve or not."
"Well, I don't approve! And you will not be marrying my daughter! She is not to see you again."
"You can't stop her, Sir, she is twenty years old."
"I can do anything I please with my daughter, and she WILL NOT see you again!"
"We're going to be married on Monday, Mr. Foster. I hope you'll change your mind by then."
"You'd better leave now, before I call someone to throw you off this property," warned Harold.
"I'm leaving now, but I'll be back on Monday."
"We'll be gone by then," replied Harold.
"Then I'll be here Sunday night after the show to pick Grace up."
"You'd better not show your face here. I'll make sure to have people to protect her."
"She doesn't need any protection from me, Mr. Foster. I love her."
Glaring at AJ, Harold turned and walked away without another word.
AJ drove home worried at how Harold would treat Grace this weekend, and praying that she would be able to call him tomorrow, so he'd know how she was.
To be continued…..