Read Online A Cherry Cola Christmas by Ashton Lee - Free Book Online

weeks for a decision on my request to take a bus over to Oxford for a Faulkner field trip, but just like my hardheaded, former headmaster, he’s having none of it. So, I’m back to square one.”
    â€œYou didn’t lose your temper, I hope,” Maura Beth said between sips of her wine. “Please tell me you didn’t.”
    â€œNo, I managed to hold it together. Last time I lost my temper over the issue, I almost bought the farm in my little Volvo out on the Natchez Trace.”
    Maura Beth leaned over and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. “Although something good did come of your little accident with that deer. It brought us together once and for all—we both realized we couldn’t make it as a couple with you living up in Nashville and me down here in Cherico.” She took another sip of wine, savoring the bouquet for a moment, and then took a deep breath. “So, what’s your next move with Hutchinson going to be?”
    His exasperated tone suddenly disappeared. “I’m thinking I get the parents all excited about this. Maybe e-mail or even call them all and suggest they each pony up a few bucks so the school can cover the costs. And we’ll need chaperones, so I’m thinking I could hook a few of them that way, too. I know, I’ve learned my lesson about being patient and not flying off the handle so easily. Now, I won’t lie to you—there were a few moments there where I felt like telling him off the way I did Yelverton about his shortsightedness. But the good news is that I didn’t. I kept myself under control this time. You would’ve been proud of me.”
    She chucked him on the arm playfully. “There you go. Sounds like a plan to me. Oh, and for the record, if you ever do get that trip to Oxford lined up to tour Rowan Oak and have lunch at one of those fantastic restaurants around The Square, you can absolutely count me in. Believe it or not, I haven’t made the time to go over there in all the years I’ve been up here in Mississippi, and I’m a bit ashamed of myself that I haven’t.”
    â€œHey, don’t be too hard on yourself. Having Councilman Sparks in your face all the time hasn’t left you much wiggle room for side trips. I doubt Triple A even has suggestions to keep him at bay.” Then he frowned and snapped his fingers. “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Johnnie-Dell Crews and I were in the faculty lounge this morning having coffee and doughnuts when she told me some news you’re not gonna like too much. She said she’d heard through the grapevine that Cherico Tresses was going to be moving to Corinth in the next month or two. That’s where you get your hair fixed up, right?”
    Maura Beth quickly put her wineglass down and gave him an incredulous stare. “What? Where did she hear that? She doesn’t even get her hair done, Miss Voncille told me once. Last time I kept my appointment, Terra Munrow didn’t say a word to me. It was just business as usual. I’ve been going to her practically since I came up from New Orleans, so I can’t believe she wouldn’t tell me something like that!”
    â€œI’m just repeating what Johnnie-Dell said. You can call her up if you want. I’ve got her number.”
    Maura Beth took her cell phone out of her pocket and punched up a couple of digits. “I’d rather call Terra and get it from the horse’s mouth.”
    But she only got through to Terra’s voice mail for her trouble and left a hurried message: “Terra, this is Maura Beth. Please call me as soon as you can and tell me about these awful rumors I’ve heard that Cherico Tresses is moving away, God forbid. Thanks.” Then she put the phone down on the counter and exhaled forcefully. “What next? With all these businesses closing, plant prospects turning us down, and everyone worried to death about thieves running around town,