A Southern State of Mind

By Elynda Robert

A Southern State of Mind-a lighthearted, contemporary Christian romance-takes place in the fictitious town of Mullerton, Mississippi, located between Jackson and Hattiesburg. It is the story of the Willis family who own prosperous Willis Farms. Matriarch Olivia Willis, not wanting to be responsible for such a large enterprise after the death of her husband, divides up the farm, giving it to loyal family members who have worked there for so many years. After receiving an unwelcome proposal at work, granddaughter Rose Ann Willis is not sure she can continue working at the prestigious Pausey and Associates Law Firm in Jackson. Since her lifelong dream has been to own her own restaurant, maybe it is time to try her hand at running a business. Grandmother Olivia helps make this a reality by providing some of the necessary finances for a Southern State of Mind Café. While remodeling the house that will serve as the new restaurant, Rose Ann is surprised to see her close high school friend, Landon Cummings, who has returned to Mullerton to repair the family home after his grandfather caused a fire at the house. He volunteers to help her get her new endeavor off the ground. Will he stay in Mullerton or go back to his girlfriend and fancy career in New York? Rose Ann and her best friend, Ava-Lynn Watson, both single, are ready for new directions in their lives. What does the future hold? Can they both find love? The answers lie in A Southern State of Mind!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644718940

Book preview

Chapter 1

Southern Hospitality?

Rose Ann Willis looked up at the clock on the wall and pushed the swivel chair back from her desk at Pausey and Associates Law Firm in Jackson, Mississippi, rubbing the back of her neck. Even before looking at the clock, she knew that it was way past time for her to be heading home to the town of Mullerton, about forty-nine miles away. Her weary eyes and aching shoulders gave away that fact. One good thing about leaving work later, however, was that she would not encounter quite as much work traffic, as many travelers had already begun their regular evening trek home and were getting out of her way.

Twenty-eight-year-old Rose Ann really enjoyed her job as research assistant at Pausey, as it kept her quite busy most of the time, doing research for the lawyers and filing away everything that came across her desk, although she literally hated the tedious journey to and from her home each day. To help pass the time alone in her Toyota twice a day, she had various routines to keep her mind occupied while she traveled. If she weren’t listening to music or the Bible on her iPod, she was listening to her favorite radio stations, sometimes even popping an old Talking Book CD into her CD player. She read many books this way, audiobooks that she checked out from her local library or some that she had downloaded from the Internet.

Today, Thursday, she was especially weary and eager to get home. Slinging her handbag across her shoulder, she proceeded to lock up her office for the day, when one of the Pauseys, having heard her, called her into his nearby office. Shucks, she thought, frowning, wonder what Curtis wants now.

Straightening her gray jacket and the purse on her shoulder, she hurried to the office of one of the major partners in the law firm. Curtis Pausey’s father had founded the law practice many years ago, and it was only natural for Curtis to follow him into the business. His son, Curtis Jr., had also followed his grandfather and father into the practice of law.

Several times, Curt had asked Rose Ann out on a date, but she had always been able to come up with an excuse for declining, except the one time when they were both staying late to work on a specific case. That evening, she had accompanied him to dinner at one of the finest steak houses in Jackson. Even though she bonded with everyone at the firm as far as work was concerned, she just did not want to get involved with anyone there on a personal level. Furthermore, Curtis Jr. really seemed to be quite boring, as well as self-centered. Yes, Mr. Pausey, she began as she entered his masculine office. Did you need something before I leave tonight?

Looking up, yet not standing, he motioned for her to sit in the leather chair opposite his huge oak desk. Positioning the fingertips of both hands together under his chin, the distinguished, middle-aged lawyer looked at her for a moment before he spoke. I know it’s late, Miss Willis, he began, but I just wanted to ask you a few questions and make a few suggestions about your work here.

O-okay, she hesitantly responded, not sure what he had in mind, thinking that everything was going just fine between her and the firm.

Do you like your job here, Rose Ann? the graying, senior law partner asked bluntly.

Yes, Mr. Pausey, she replied, looking him directly in the eyes. This is a wonderful place to work.

And you’ve been here, what, three years or so?

Uhhh, she stuttered, last week I made my four-year anniversary, sir. Then, hesitating further, she queried, W…why? Am I not doing a good job? My annual evaluation was most outstanding, sir.

No, Rose Ann, your work is exceptional. I was just thinking that you might want to start thinking about your future with the firm and what you can do to work yourself up in the organization. He got up from his chair and moved over to the edge of the desk near where she sat. He ran his hand down her long, straight brown hair, resting it on her shoulder, before continuing.

You know, a pretty, sexy young lady like yourself might be just the person to enhance the firm’s relationships with some of its male clients who are in town for one night and need someone to show them around, perhaps take them out to dinner and…you know what I mean…show ’em a little Southern hospitality. The pay would be well–worth your while. Then, perhaps, if things work out, a nice apartment could be provided for you in the city—paid for by the firm, of course—and you wouldn’t have to travel all the way to your little hick town every day.

Rose Ann’s skin crawled at Curtis’s suggestion, with his coffee-cigarette breath and the hand that still rested on her shoulder. Realizing that nobody else was still around, she immediately jumped up from the chair, quickly scooting it away so that she could put some distance between herself and her boss.

Not knowing how to respond, she decided that she had better get out of the situation as soon as possible. Uhhh, Mr. Pausey, she stammered, this is so unexpected. I’ll have to think about it. Now I must get home. It’s already very late and quite dark. Good night, sir. She grabbed her purse and started from the room as he called after her.

Think about it, Rose Ann. It’s the best deal you’ll ever get. Believe me! Oh, and you might want to reconsider dating Curt Jr. He’s quite fascinated with you. Good night, Miss Willis.

Rose Ann could not get to the elevator fast enough, her heart pounding as if it would explode. She had planned to go to the restroom before being summoned to Pausey’s office but totally forgot that task until she reached the garage where her car was parked. I’ll just have to try to make it—at least until I get to the McDonald’s outside of town, she thought, twisting a shoe heel, as she threw herself and her purse into the car and started the motor. Kicking off the damaged high-heeled shoes, she left the parking garage.

Fortunately, the traffic was not that great, and she was able to get on the road to Mullerton in short time, heart still panting from the conversation with Curtis Pausey. She must have put the pedal to the metal because, before she realized it, she was turning off the main road and heading into Mullerton. She had not even plugged in her iPod, which was unusual for her, nor stopped to use the restroom. All along the way, she had prayed, cried, and realized that she needed to talk to someone.

Why me? she pondered to herself, taking her frustrations out on the steering wheel, which she pounded with great force. I have always done a superb job, gotten good evaluations, and truly enjoy working at Pausey and Associates. I should not be treated like a common call girl! Why, I’m a college graduate—Ole Miss, no less! And I even have a master’s degree!

Please, God, help me get through this! she added aloud, wiping the tears on her jacket sleeve.

As luck would have it, she had to pass her friend Ava-Lynn’s beauty parlor before she reached her own home, and, as it was Thursday, Ava-Lynn’s late workday, she just might still be working. As she neared the shop, she saw that the lights were indeed still on, and Corabelle Taylor’s Town Car was parked in the driveway. Thank you, Lord! she breathed as she pulled into the driveway beside the other car. Looking into her visor mirror, she made sure that her smeared makeup was wiped away before she exited the car, then retrieved her broken shoes.

Ava-Lynn had heard Rose Ann’s vehicle turning onto the rocks and looked out into the darkness to see who was arriving at such a late hour. Rose Ann, is that you? she started in her normally shrill voice, as Rose Ann made her way up the steps and into the door. What are you doing still out at this late hour of the night? Why, it’s almost eight o’clock! Come on in while I finish up Corabelle’s perm. I’m almost done.

Hi, Ava-Lynn! Hi, Corabelle! I just stopped by for a minute. I really need to use your bathroom. Rose Ann greeted the two ladies as she threw her purse onto a chair and hobbled her way into the back room of the beauty shop.

Ava-Lynn immediately realized that seeing Rose Ann at this late hour was quite unusual, and there must be some good reason why she was just getting home from work. She even looked as if she had been crying. While you’re back there, Ava-Lynn called out in her Southern twang, fix yourself a glass of sweet tea. There’s some just made. Corabelle and I just finished a glass.

Ava-Lynn had almost finished with Corabelle’s perm, but, wondering why Rose Ann had really stopped by and why she was limping in those high-heeled stilettos, she put a move on and was done picking out Corabelle’s hair in no time.

Trying to lighten her own spirits as she returned to the front room with her glass of tea, Rose Ann complimented Corabelle’s freshly done hairdo. Mrs. Corabelle, you always have the prettiest hair in town. Maybe I need to cut my hair short and have Ava-Lynn do it like yours.

Wouldn’t work on you, Rosie, Ava-Lynn responded as she put Corabelle’s check into a money bag. You don’t have the same kind of hair.

Thank you, Rose Ann, but your long hair looks fine just like it is, Corabelle addressed the younger woman before turning back to her beautician. I’ll be back at my regular time next week, Ava-Lynn. Now you girls don’t stay here too late. You need to be getting along home. Good night!

What’s going on, Rosie? Ava-Lynn looked at her friend over her cat-eye reading glasses after Corabelle had left the shop. It’s not like you to stop in here on your way home from work. I know you didn’t stop just to use my toilet! Want a shampoo while you tell me why you’re here?

Rose Ann shook her head, tears forming in her eyes as she tried to start her response. Ava-Lynn grabbed a tissue nearby and handed it to her. I knew something was wrong when I saw that your face looked like you had been crying, what with all the smeared makeup. Now tell me everything. And Rose Ann did.

Ava-Lynn could not believe her ears. "That’s sexual harassment! You have been at that law firm ever since you got out of grad school. What’s with this guy? Is that what he calls Southern hospitality? Can you still continue to work there?"

I don’t know, Ava-Lynn. She grabbed her friend’s hands. I’m just so glad you were still here tonight when I passed by. I needed someone to talk to, and I don’t want to tell Dad about this—at least not yet. She blew her nose on the tissue that Ava-Lynn had provided.

Well, I know what we have to do first! Ava-Lynn started. We need to pray. And with that statement, she grabbed Rose Ann’s hands and prayed for her friend, asking the Lord to guide her in making the right decision about this job and giving her the strength to go back and face her bosses with her head held high. She also prayed that, if God had something else in mind for Rose Ann, he would reveal it to her and help her to accomplish his will in her life.

Chapter 2

Olivia’s Dilemma

Petite Olivia Rose Willis walked out her back door into the bright early October sunshine, a cup of coffee in one hand, a wicker basket in the other, and a flowery straw hat on her head. Just as she did most mornings, she walked down the porch steps and strolled through the huge floral garden that covered her backyard. For as long as she could remember, she, with the help of efficient and knowledgeable gardeners, had grown the most beautiful and fragrant flowers and greenery in all of Mullerton. Even in the wintertime, there were usually flowers in Olivia’s garden.

Many times throughout the years, she picked gigantic bouquets of the seasonal masterpieces to place in the church for special occasions, even donating arrangements to the local hospital or to any other organization that expressed an interest. It was not uncommon for her garden to provide the flowers for weddings in the area. Olivia’s love of flowers was the reason she had started the Mullerton Garden Club.

Before leaving the house for her morning stroll around the grounds, Olivia usually snagged the pair of floral cutters that hung beside the back door in the kitchen, always making a special effort to cut enough flowers to fill vases in almost every room of her house. These floral arrangements enhanced the décor in her twenty-five-year-old home, a most immaculate and spotless dwelling decorated with the most elegant accessories and furniture available in the local area. Yes, the homegrown flowers added elegance to an already-splendid location. There was even a greenhouse at the back of the yard for winter plant preservation.

On this particular day, the seventy-five-year-old Southern lady was somewhat depressed and in a dilemma. Her husband, Craig, had died about two months ago, leaving her with his gigantic business empire, Willis Farms. Even though he had always employed the best workers and foremen and had run a very efficient farming industry, Olivia still felt the pressure that had befallen her upon his death. She was in charge now but realized that the farms were her husband’s pride and joy, not hers. She did, however, like the amount of financial freedom owning such a large business entailed.

Craig David Willis had certainly loved his farms, she reminisced. As an only child, he had inherited a small farm from his parents when he was still quite a youngster, adding surrounding acreage through the years as it became available. Being the businessman that he was, he had built up his farm into quite an enormous empire. He would walk over the many acres each day, riding sometimes, always aware of what was going on at any particular location, whether at the produce truck farms, the cattle or pig farms, the dairy, the orchards, or the chicken and egg farms. He was so involved in his work, slaving long hours for so many years, that perhaps, he had worked himself to death, as he did die of a massive heart attack at the age of seventy-seven. I’ll have to speak to Walter and Patrick and make sure they take care of themselves, eating right and going for regular checkups, she breathed to herself as she sat on the bench beneath the gigantic magnolia tree in the yard. No use in them dying at an early age too, like their father.

After cutting her fresh flowers and placing them throughout the house, her thoughts came back to why she was so sad this morning. I cannot keep up with the business of running Willis Farms, she mused. I’ll just go over to the farm office later and speak to Walter, then go and see my lawyer, but first, I’ll pray. Yes, pray! Why didn’t I think of that sooner?

After her prayer, she walked into her husband’s office, a room that she had pretty much left just the way it was when he died. She knew that a copy of Craig’s will was in the top left drawer of his desk, so she reached in and pulled it out. She would need it, if she did anything with the farm.

Before she closed the drawer, something else caught her eye. A paper—in Craig’s handwriting—lay in the drawer beneath the will. Laying the will on the desk, she sat down and pulled out the strange paper, a letter dated two weeks before his death, which she read from start to finish. A chill rushed all over her body as she read. It was as if her deceased husband was speaking to her directly from the grave.

Why haven’t I noticed this letter before? she wondered. Lord! Is this the answer to the prayer I just prayed? she asked aloud, rereading the letter again.

My Darling Olivia Rose,

I know you will have no interest in continuing to run Willis Farms after my death. I also know that our older son Walter will not be interested in taking over the whole operation but will probably agree to continue working with you in the business end of the operation, overseeing the books and taking care of the farm’s computer system. His son Eldon will most probably be glad to take over ownership of the summer truck farms that he and his father have worked for years. He’s a born natural. His children may even follow in his footsteps.

I don’t think our Patrick has an interest in the big job either. Perhaps he would want ownership of the fall truck farms that he now manages. I know his son Joel already has his career, but maybe Jonathan would want to help Patrick run his farm, as he does work there already. Our Sara and her family are already proficient in running the chicken farms. They may as well have ownership.

Your brother Thomas will be content to continue to oversee the equipment department that he has run efficiently for many years. Give him the orchards as well. The overseer that manages them is quite efficient, and Thomas will not have to do any more work. Your other brother Joseph and his daughters will be delighted to have ownership in the small dairy and cattle farms as well as the pig farm.

When I was hiring these family members in the past years, I chose sections of the business that I thought they’d enjoy. You have my permission to divide up the farms as I have suggested above or as you see fit.

Good luck, my darling. I love you.

Craig David Willis

Chapter 3

Rewarding the Family

I wonder why Grams is calling us to the big house today, Dad, Rose Ann quizzed her father Walter as they got into the car after church the next Sunday morning. What could the summons to her grandmother’s house for Sunday dinner mean? she pondered. Granted, her grandfather had recently died. Is she ill too? She wasn’t at church this morning.

Do you know, Dad? Or are you just not saying? You can tell me. She started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot at Mullerton First Baptist Church, heading for her grandmother’s house at Willis Farms outside of town. Rose Ann and her father usually rode to church together as Rose Ann still lived at home, even though she was finished college and had a job. Her brother Eldon and his family, who also lived at Willis Farms, waved as they waited their turn to pull out behind them.

Your grandmother will tell you why you have been called; or maybe she just wants to get the family together for a nice October Sunday dinner. Don’t be so impatient, child.

Walter Craig Willis, fifty-two, was the eldest child of Craig David Willis and Olivia Rose Hodges Willis. From an early age, he had worked alongside his father on the farms, which his father had created as a young man. However, when he finished high school, he felt that he would like to pursue other avenues of work, deciding to attend college instead of working on the farm. He chose to major in business administration with minors in agricultural management and economics. His business degree had opened the door for him to get employment in several businesses, including management of a tractor supply company and as a crop insurance adjustor.

But when he was introduced to computers, Walter was sold and began to learn as much as he could about the newfangled devices. The more he learned, the more work he was able to secure and eventually had to concentrate on repairing computers, a job that he truly enjoyed; however, it was becoming too much to handle, as so many people needed work on their computers. All the while, he helped his father manage Willis Farms, glad that he had the management expertise so that he did not have to do the manual labor in the fields, barns, and gardens. His father had put him in charge of the summer truck crops, but he had turned that operation over to his son Eldon a number of years ago.

***

Rose Ann was her father’s only daughter, and she knew that even though he loved her brother Eldon just as much as he loved her, she was the apple of his eye. She was quite fond of her dad as well and had always had a great relationship with him, as well as with her mother before she died. Walter had not been severely strict with her and Eldon, but he did expect them both to toe the line and grow up to be reputable adults. Both children were encouraged to go to college and get at least one degree, which they both did. Rose Ann even earned a master’s degree in business administration, in addition to her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. Upon returning home to Mullerton after her college stint at Ole Miss in Oxford, she went to work for the Pausey firm in Jackson, about an hour’s drive from home.

***

Rose Ann and her father pulled up to her grandmother’s house about the same time her brother Eldon and his family arrived. She noted that they were the first family members to reach the farm. However, she really didn’t know if Grams had invited any other family members or not.

Eldon’s children, upon seeing their aunt Rosie and grandpa Walter, hopped from the car and ran to meet them, at least seven-year-old Heather Olivia and nine-year-old Perry Joseph did so. Chase Jordan (pronounced Jurden), on the other hand, was eleven and, of course, thought himself too old to be running up to his aunt and grandfather, even though both relatives still spoiled him rotten.

About that time, others began arriving. Her father’s brother, Patrick David Willis, and his family arrived next. Rose Ann dearly loved Uncle Patrick and his wife, Aunt Ella Kate, and was most glad to see that family, which included her two grown handsome cousins—Joel, who was around her age, and his younger brother Jonathan.

Grams’ older brother, Thomas Hodges, pulled in next. Uncle Thomas, a widower, lived right next to Walter and Rose Ann’s backyard. His wife had been dead for a number of years, and they had never had any children. After retiring from the construction business, he did the repair work on the tractors and other equipment around the farms and sometimes worked in the orchards.

Before everyone could get their hugs in, Grams’ daughter Sara Ruth’s SUV pulled up, driven by her son Kermit George Butler, or K. George, as everyone called him, since he was named after his father but didn’t want to be called Junior. Out piled Aunt Sara and her husband, Uncle Kermit, along with their daughter, Georgia Mae, her husband, Conner White, and their two unruly, spoiled-rotten kids.

Rose Ann usually enjoyed visiting with K. George, but her spirit was dampened when she saw her cousin Georgia and those two children. Grams’ house was always spotless, but when Georgia’s family visited, it invariably became a catastrophic mess. Georgia Mae, about five years younger than Rose Ann, usually turned up her nose at Rose Ann whenever they met, even though Rose Ann had two college degrees and a great job in Jackson. Georgia Mae frequently spouted off that Rose Ann wasn’t getting any younger and still didn’t have a husband and children.

Well, Rose Ann responded to herself, not wanting to hurt her cousin, if I had children as terrible as your two, I’d watch my mouth. At least I didn’t get pregnant as soon as I finished high school.

Rose Ann’s brain was racing. Mercy, she thought to herself as she made polite pleasantries, I just came from church, and I have these awful feelings about Georgia Mae. Forgive me, Lord!

We’ve got a good crowd, Rose Ann whispered to her father as another vehicle, an old pink Cadillac, stopped in the driveway. She recognized the vehicle immediately. As everyone else turned to see who was arriving, tall Ava-Lynn Watson, in a light pink blouse and long dark gray skirt with a slit up one side, slid sexily from the driver’s side of the classic automobile.

"What’s she doing here?" Georgia Mae snorted.

Ava-Lynn had been best friends with Rose Ann’s mother, Clara, since childhood and had helped take care of her friend when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had been such a blessing to the family at that serious time, not only to Clara, but to Walter and Rose Ann as well. Almost everyone in the family knew