Theres a reason women are called the weaker sex, he said.

If he wasnt holding that revolver, I might have quibbled. I probably had five inches and twenty-five pounds of muscle on the pencil-necked reverend.

I tried to reason: Listen, youve got Jim Alberts money and the hurricane cash. You can lock us in the supply shed and just go. By the time were found, youll be long gone.

Great plan. And I did intend to go, until I saw that some idiot in a Volkswagen pulled behind the truck and blocked me in.

The sun was melting the gel in his hair. He dabbed as a glob slid down his brow.

I thought that truck was Emma Jeans, I said.

It is. I rode over here with her and your mother. I was in the back of the cab the whole time, crouched behind the seat under a blanket. He spoke to Mama. It was hot and I had to listen to you yammer the whole way. You talk too much.

She pulled herself to her full staturefour foot eleven inches. Theres absolutely no call for you to be insulting.

Heaven forbid hed insult us, I thought. Kill us, maybebut not insult us first.

Ill give you the keys to the Volkswagen, I said.

Dont worry, Ill take them. Just like I took your mothers extra set from her neighbors when I needed to dump Jims body. Too bad for you Alice and Ronnie arent more suspicious.

He wiped at his neck again. He was unused to the Florida heat, which was taking its toll.

Ill have to shoot you first, of course. You should have paid attention to those notes and backed off. Curiosity killed the cat, you know.

But we had no idea, Mama said, her hand fluttering to her throat.

It was only a matter of time until you linked me to Emma Jean, and then both of us to Jim Albert. Emma Jean was this close to confessing the whole plan to you on the phone, Mace. He held his left thumb and forefinger apart a fraction of an inch. I cajoled and sweet-talked and convinced her to fake her own disappearance in the swamp instead.

He examined his hanky, looking for a dry spot. I took the opportunity to scan the ground for anything to get us out of this messa big rock, a sharp stick, even a snake sunning itself. I know how people are about snakes. Tossing him a serpent might spook him and let us get away.

When I looked up again, black rivulets ran down the pastors forehead from his hairline. He obviously washed away his gray. He closed his eyelids, patting gently at the stinging dye.

Continuing my survey, I finally spotted something in the tall grass: Paw-Paws gun. Emma Jean must have tossed it as she ran. It was ten feet away, on my left. I gripped Mamas hand tighter. Cocking my head ever so slightly over my left shoulder, I whispered. Bang.

She looked and shook her head once, a nearly imperceptible No. I answered with a tiny nod of my own. Yes.

We all have to do what we have to do, Pastor Bob. I addressed him, but the message was for Mama.

Nodding at me, she squeezed my hand and closed her eyes. Her lips moved in a silent prayer. I joined her, a little rusty, asking God for strength and guidance.

Suddenly, a distant shout shattered the parks quiet.

Police! Get down on the ground, Emma Jean. It was Detective Carlos Martinez. Get down!

Bob Dixon spun toward the command coming from the far trees. Mama and I glanced at each other. Now or never. I ran, diving into the grass. Her leather-hard foot delivered a sharp kick to the reverend right where it counted. I bolted up from the ground, aiming the antique gun. Pastor Bob dropped his weapon and doubled over, cupping his crotch with both hands.

I whistled, loud enough to call a cab south from New York City. Over here, I yelled. Ive got Emma Jeans accomplice at the business end of a shotgun.

I was watching before. The reverend spit out the words between painful breaths. I saw it jam. It wont fire.

You dont want to test that, I said, lowering the barrel from his heart to his groin. This old gun is just like a woman. You have to know how to handle it right.

Martinez came crashing from the woods, pistol raised. His face lit with relief as he took in the scene: Mama and me, still dripping, but safe. Pastor Bob, cradling his family jewels. And my granddaddys shotgun, aimed and ready to do more damage if need be.

I heard the distant sound of police sirens. My eyes flickered to Martinez for a moment, just long enough to see the hint of a smile steal across his face.

Rosie! A bellow like an escaped bear from the Bronx zoo thundered from the woods. Dont worry, honey. Im here now.

The expression on Sals face was priceless as he lumbered into the clearing. His weapon was ready. But the bad guys were already in handcuffs, on the ground.

Looks like your backup is a little late, I said to Martinez.

I dont know what youre talking about, chica. His face was a mask.

Cmon, its over now. You can admit it. Sals a cop, too, isnt he?

Retired, Sal said, holstering his weapon. His face was as pink as his golf shirt from jogging over to us in the heat. Thirty years, New York City Police Department.

He leaned down to kiss my mother. Howd you know, Mace?

Well, there was the way you spoke about Detective Martinez and the police. You were awfully admiring, for a mobster. Then you called the rest of us civilians, like cops always do. I put it together just now, seeing the way you ran over with your revolver drawn. I nodded toward Martinez. He wasnt at all surprised, so he must have been expecting you.

Im sorry, Sal said. I couldnt talk about it. When I was on the job, I was undercover. Jimmy Albrizio, a.k.a. Albert, was a link to one of my last cases. His eyes scanned the tree line, like he was searching for something there. A good friend, my first partner on the force, died trying to protect that weasel so he could testify in court. His face got hard. Mama reached up on her tiptoes to stroke his cheek.

When Albrizio moved south, I followed. I hoped hed lead me to the people who killed my buddy.

Martinez said, Sals cover was convincing. Even I thought at first he was linked to the mob and Albrizios murder.

When you found out otherwise, yall became cigar-puffing pals, I said.

You got that right. Sal clapped Martinez on the back, man-to-man. And now, wed better worry about getting these two booked.

The two young officers whod arrived after Martinez seemed uncertain about what to do next. Emma Jean was sobbing softly on the ground. Bob Dixon looked like hed kill any one of us if given the chance.

Emma Jean will go in with them, Martinez nodded toward the two cops. Ill be taking the good reverend in myself, along with the murder weapon, his .38.

Pastor Bob had clammed up as soon as Martinez arrived. Mama and I filled in the blanks, telling him what the minister had revealed to us.

I stole a glance at Emma Jean. Donnie Baileys words ran through my head: theres hardly a woman in jail who doesnt claim some man put her there. Poor, desperate Emma Jean. Shed wanted Dixons love so badly, she went along with his murderous plans to get it. I hoped my cousin Henry could refer her to a really sharp defense lawyer.

Sal handed over a cuffed Emma Jean to the two cops. Martinez hauled Pastor Bob to his feet. As our little group walked toward the entrance, two more squad cars came screaming into the park. A caravan of other vehicles trailed them, bump-bump-bumping over the bridge.

Donnie Bailey was in his brothers white pickup, with Police Chief Johnson riding shotgun. The chief had apparently dressed quickly. Dabs of shaving cream dotted his face. Maddie drove her Volvo. Marty leaned forward in the front seat, clutching the dashboard so hard her knuckles were white. Mamas neighbors, Ronnie and Alice, craned their necks from the back of a custom-colored purple Chevy. The driver was Betty Taylor, Mamas beauty shop boss and fellow Abundant Hope worshipper. Bettys towering bouffant scraped the plum-colored upholstery of the roof. Behind Betty, nearly all the other cars from the church breakfast were rolling in.

The Himmarshee hotline had been busy. The 911 call I made from the park office about Mamas kidnapping had sent the country town telegraph into overdrive.

I glanced at my waterproof watch, still running after the dip in Ollies pond. It was 9:15, forty-five minutes before opening. I hoped my boss, Rhonda, wouldnt be mad that Mamas supporters had gotten in without paying the two-dollar park fee.

Martinez stared at the convoy, shaking his head. And I thought the crowd was bad that first night at the police station.

Yeah, life with Mama is a circus, and Im the reluctant ringleader. I leaned down to kiss her on the top of her patchy, platinum hairdo. And I wouldnt have it any other way.

___.

Two weeks later, Mama dragged my sisters and me to her church to hear Delilah give her first sermon. She stepped up after her husbands downfall. She was pretty good, believe it or not.

I have an announcement, she told the congregation at the start of the service. If its all right with you, Id like to change the name of our little church.

There was a low murmur from the metal chairs. I leaned around Mama to raise my eyebrows at Marty and Maddie.

Ive been doing a lot of thinking since Bobs arrest. About all the things that transpired, including my own behavior. I havent always been kind. And some of you may know I strayed in my marriage. I lost respect for my vows, which are supposed to be sacred.

Several men shifted in their seats. A few women picked that moment to search their purses for one thing or another.

Delilah continued. A cornerstone of our faith is forgiveness. I need it. Some of you may need it, too. I propose we call our church Abundant Forgiveness, because thats what I want to offer here. I intend to live my life that way. And I hope you will, too.

I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. What do you say, Mace? A whisper came from behind my right ear. Do you think theres enough forgiveness to go around?

I turned my head to see Jeb Ennis in the seat behind me, hat in his lap, hair soaked with sweat at his forehead and temples.

I see that ACs still broken in your truck, I said softly.

It is. He flashed a nervous smile, looking like the shy choirboy hed never been. Can I talk to you outside for a few minutes?

As I slid out of our row, Maddie whipped her head around to see what was going on. Her harrumph followed Jeb and me all the way to the door.

Outside, Jeb put on his hat and hooked his thumbs into the front pockets of a clean pair of blue jeans. They were tight as ever. They still looked pretty darned good.

I just wanted to make sure were okay, Mace. His eyes searched my face. Im leaving for a while. I didnt want to take off with hard feelings between us.

The knot in my throat surprised me. I really hoped I wouldnt cry.

Were fine, Jeb. I already told you Ive forgiven you for lying to me. And I hope youve forgiven me for suspecting you in Jim Alberts murder.

He let me stand there and squirm for a moment before he answered. You know, Mace, you couldve just called me and asked about the windows in my truck that day at the park. Maybe you can understand how I wouldnt have thought right off about rolling them down as I was pulling out, even though it was hot.

I fiddled with a loose thread on my sleeve. Truth is, I wouldnt have believed any excuse from Jeb Ennis. Id already tried and convicted the poor man in my head. When Jeb got no response, he continued.

Maybe I was a little upset that afternoon, seein as how the girl I used to lovewas startin to love againhad just pointed me out as a suspect to that smart-ass detective from Miamuh.

I stared at the ground. Yeah, I regret that, Jeb. Im sorry.

Anyway. Im packing up; taking a little camper on the road. Im going back to rodeo for a while. Cindy and I are together again. Shes agreed to come along. Old as I am, she can help bandage me up and fetch my crutches after I ride.

But what about your ranch?

Im leavin my foreman in charge. Hes a good man. Hes stuck with me through everything. In six months, were gonna sit down and evaluate. I might come back; I might decide to sell to him. I just need to make things simple again.

And the gambling?

Now it was Jebs turn to study the ground. He toed a crack in the sidewalk with his boot. Im getting some help on that, he finally said. Theyve got a group just like Alcoholics Anonymous, but for people with my problem. Ive got a sponsor and everything. And I found out theres a few guys I can talk to on the rodeo circuit, too.

But you owed so much money Im gonna pay back what I borrowed from my family and the other ranchers. But that biggest debt died with Jim Albert, so far as I can tell. That doesnt mean I dont wake up every day waiting for one of his buddies to come kicking down my door.

He took off his hat and squinted into the distance. The heat was starting to rise in waves off the street in front of the church.

Anyway. He put a hand on my shoulder, leaned toward me, and gently brushed my lips with his. And there it was: that tiny shiver of desire. Fainter now, but still there. With a first love, does it ever disappear?

I rested my hand on his cheek and watched his long lashes close over his gold-flecked eyes. Then I dropped my arm to my side and took a step back. Hey, well see each other again, wont we? Ill come and cheer you on this winter at the Seminole rodeo. Youre going to ride at the Brighton reservation, arent you?

Hope so. He brushed his hat against this thigh and stuck it back on his head.

Good luck with Cindy, I said, and I think I meant it. Any woman who will live with a guy in a travel trailer is a keeper.

Yep. Shes a good ol gal.

Jeb sounded like he was describing a favorite horse instead of the woman of his dreams. Then again, he always was passionate about horses.

Happy trails, Jeb. Take care of yourself, hear?

You, too. So, are we all forgiven, like that lady minister was preaching?

Abundantly, I answered.

Well, I for one was impressed. Maddie lectured us over the top of her reading glasses. That Delilah Dixon really blossomed once the police hauled her husband off to the hoosegow.

Mama, my sisters, and I had gathered at the Pork Pit after services at the newly christened Abundant Forgiveness church. Id already filled them in on Jebs farewell. Now, wed moved on to Delilahs performance in the pulpit her husband had disgraced.

Im happy for her. She was just glowing up there, Marty said. She wet her napkin in her water glass and wiped a streak of barbecue sauce from Mamas chin. Has anyone heard what will happen to Emma Jean?

Maddie raised her eyebrows at me over the dessert menu, echoing Martys question.

Henry says the prosecutor might go easy on her, I said. Theres that whole history with her boy disappearing. Her lawyer will probably try and argue that Bob Dixon held some kind of psychological sway over her. Fact is, she didnt actually kill anyone.

Maddie tsked-tsked. The woman ran you off the road into a ditch, Mace.

Once all the danger was over, wed confessed to Mama that we kept that from her.

Dixon was there, egging her on. He had Emma Jean convince Sal to meet with me at the golf course, and then call up with that fake story about Mamas heart giving out in jail. That way, Id be out on that road all alone.

Mama decided not to wait for her own dessert. She slid Martys half-finished bowl of banana pudding to her placemat. Well just have to wait and see how Emma Jeans case goes, she said, dipping in her spoon.

Hmph! Maddie said. I think her case should go right to Death Row.

Maddie, were your ears plugged during Delilahs sermon on forgiveness? Martys voice was as sweet as ever, but the words had some sting. And thats my pudding, Mama. As Marty took the pudding back to her own placemat, Maddie stared at her for a long moment. She might not approve of the new Marty, but I was getting a kick out of seeing our little sister fight back for a change.

You know, youre right, Marty. Im sorry. I could use some forgiveness myself.