Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers)

mother had just been declared dead and Annie had given the social worker her aunt’s name. She heard the social worker begging her aunt to take Annie, but her aunt had refused. She said she wanted nothing to do with her sister or her sister’s bastard child.
    Now, here she was on her way to yet another home, driving through the beautiful countryside outlined with black and white, four-board wood fences surrounding horse farms with rolling hills, horses grazing, and grass that appeared slightly blue. After all these years, she was just two hours away from the only family she had left, and the only thing she felt was anger.
    “I believe you’ll find Keeneston very different from Miami. But, I think it’s a good thing. I grew up in Keeneston, so if you need anything just let me know.”
    “Thanks, what is Keeneston like?”
    Annie looked out the window, and since they were traveling around ten miles per hour, got to enjoy the scenery that was slowly changing from open fields to houses on big lots filled with old trees. In front of them on the narrow country road was a huge green tractor. Unlike the Kenney Chesney song, she did not find the tractor sexy.
    “Well, we’re coming up on Main Street. It has everything you need.”
    Annie tried to see around the tractor but gave up. Within a minute, a picturesque town with its old buildings painted in whites, yellows, and tans came into view. Barrels of pink, purple, yellow and white flowers lined Main Street. Some people stood talking on the corner and waved at Margaret as she drove by. There were little shops that sold antiques, a stately courthouse and more people waving at her.
    “That’s the Blossom Café. If you ever need something to eat, their food is amazing.” Margaret pointed to the restaurant on her right where a thin woman in a flower print dress was sweeping the sidewalk. “That’s Daisy Mae Rose. She and her sister Violet run the Café.”
    As they drove by, Margaret honked the horn, and Daisy raised her arm to shield her eyes from the sun. Her eyes narrowed as she looked into the car and saw Annie. In a split second she called something into the open door of the Café, and people started walking out to stand on the sidewalk. Some had sandwiches in their hands, some just had cold drinks, but they were all looking at her.
    “What are they looking at?” Annie asked.
    “You.” Margaret rolled down Annie’s window and leaned over. “This is Annie Hill. She’s our new guidance counselor.”
    Annie felt her eyes go wide as twenty people started saying hello at once. She didn’t really know what to do, so she smiled and waved back. It seemed to placate them and they turned to hurry back into the Café.
    “We are a small town. There is no hotel, but St. Francis just built a new rectory for Father James, and the Church is renting out the old rectory. I’m sorry, it’s very small. Only has one bedroom, but it’s clean, cheap and close to the school.”
    “Sounds good to me.”
    Annie watched as they drove past a bank, a law office and a boutique before finally turning into St. Francis’ parking lot. The church was old, with a beautiful rose window above the old oak front doors. At the far end of the parking lot sat a tiny little house with a statue of the Virgin Mary out front by the steps that led up to the wood porch. An elderly priest with graying hair stood on the porch and smiled at them.
    “That’s Father James,” Margaret said as she got out of the car, “Hello, Father!”
    “Hello Margaret. And this must be our new tenant. It’s so nice to meet you Miss Hill.”
    Annie shook the older man’s hand and smiled. It wasn’t very often she met someone she instantly liked, but Father James was one of them. He was kind of portly, balding on the top of his head and had a smile that made you want to sit down and tell him your whole life story. He could be trouble.
    “It’s nice to meet you too, Father.”
    “I put some groceries in the refrigerator for you. There are clean linens on the bed. If you need anything, I’m right across the street on the other side of the church. And, here is your key, young lady.”
    “Thank you,” Annie said, and for once meaning it.
    “Well, I better be going too. I have to get dinner on the table for the family. I will see you at the school on Monday.”
    Annie stood on the old wooden porch and waved good-bye before heading inside to check out her new home…for now. She closed the front door and