Page 48 of Meet Me on Greenwood

Her eyes widened. "Oh Lord no! I mean my parents tried but I’ve successfully run all the eligible men around here out of town. That was what I was supposed be doing at Lane College but, it wasn’t meant to be."

I was beginning to understand. "Like Pride and Prejudice."

She smiled. "Every single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. That is what Edmund wants and I will continue to make it clear that he will need to keep his search up elsewhere. I am content as I am."

I had more questions but the organ sounded and we were encouraged to pull out the hymn books and sing.

After service, Rita had no qualms introducing me to everyone including the men who worked in the oil fields, farms, and those who owned banks. She made a quick exit when Edmund approached. "You clean up nice," he said with a wink. "Greenwood agrees with you."

"Thank you, Edmund, or should I call you Mr. Acme?"

"Edmund is fine." He leaned in close. "Acme isn’t even my real last name. It sounds smart though, don’t you think?"

I smiled. "Like Wile E. Coyote," I said before I could stop myself.

He cocked his head. "Like who?"

Shit. Of course, Looney Tunes hadn’t been created yet. I shook my head. "Nothing. It is nice to see you."

He bowed slightly. "Don’t be a stranger. The boss misses you I think," he said with a wink before walking off.

My breath caught, but I didn’t have time to process his words before the next person greeted me.

"You sure look pretty." I turned around and smiled in delight as Lettie’s round face came into view. "I knew the Alderman’s would be a good fit. Do you like them?"

"Very much," I assured her. I meant to ask after Dr. Whitaker but a child grabbed at my skirts.

"Is it true that Negros can go to the same schools as white kids up north?" a child asked.

"That’s a dumb question," his older sister said. "Of course they can’t."

I felt compelled to answer, even though I hadn’t personally lived through it. "Some do, but many still prefer to attend our own schools, where they feel more accepted."

The child took in my answer, unleashing a whole new string of questions. "So they can go, but they aren’t wanted there?"

"I think that Gema has endured enough questions today," Camille said stepping in.

"Thank you," I mouthed.

I waved goodbye to Lettie, promising to sit next to her at the next gathering before Camille ushered me away.

As beautiful as the service was, I was exhausted. I had never been introduced to so many people in my life.

"Are you up for one more introduction?" Camille asked.

"I don’t know," I said tiredly.

She gave me a pitying look. "We will make it quick. My father, the reverend, wants to meet you. He’s been very moved by your story and is going to reach out to our sister churches throughout the country to find your family, but he wanted to meet you first."

Camille brought me to what looked like a study. She knocked, and after a moment, we were invited in by the man in robes I recognized from the sermon. He was tall and lean but slightly bent over like his body couldn’t accommodate his spine. He was shaking hands with another, stouter man with a mustache and tailored clothing.

Camille smiled. "Mr. Stradford. It is good to see you at church this evening. It has been a while, hasn’t it?"

"Your father said the same thing. I’ve been working night and day to open my hotel."

"I heard it is a sight to be seen."

He replaced his top hat. "It is to be sure. I want you and C.J. to be one of the first to experience it."