Deep in the Heart of Dixie

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  Jake found himself drawn to the window, a moth to the fire in Dixie’s hair. She was perched on the edge of the porch, hugging her knees. The slightest tremor ran through her body. She took a moment to wipe her eyes before standing up. She straightened her back and walked purposely down the road. He wondered what her story was. One thing he was certain of—judging by the light in her eyes, this job meant the world to her. He’d bet his last dollar that he’d hired well.

  “Granville, get your sorry butt off my premises and don’t come back. The only reason I kept you around this long was because of Laura. She’s gone now and so are you!” The manager at the lumberyard shouted at his employee. Generally an easy going man, it was the first time he’d lost his temper with one of his workers.

  Owen was still bleary-eyed from the drinking binge that had begun the day of the funeral. His face was covered in stubble, his clothes rumpled and dirty. He certainly wasn’t faring well on his own. Red in the face, he was shaking from uncontrollable anger, no longer held in check nor did he have his regular outlet at home to use for a punching bag. He drew his arm back, ready to let his fist fly at his boss’ face.

  Gary Thomas Jones had been a military man and survived a tour in Viet Nam. He definitely could handle a good for nothing drunk. He easily blocked the oncoming blow then twisted Owen’s arm and yanked it behind his back. “I told you to get the hell out and I mean now!” He willingly gave the man assistance, turning him in the right direction and sending him out of the gate with a forceful shove. “Make sure you don’t set foot on my property again or I will call the police.” He turned his back and slammed the gate shut, leaving Granville sprawled in the mud as rain began to pelt down on the disgruntled man’s face. Nothing put out the fire of Owen’s anger. Jamie Ann Ray was to blame for the state he was in and she would pay.