LITMIR.BIZ

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usual last night. There was a break-in at the baseball field.” He directed his gaze toward Peter, who stood next to Rebecca.

      She looked from the man to the boy, wondering if something was going on. Could Peter have been involved with the break-in? She hoped not, because if that was the case she had a bigger problem than her child not liking Oakview. “Peter, did you do anything else last night besides egg Chief Stone’s house?”

      The boy’s bottom lip stuck out, and he stared at a point by his shoes. “What do you think I am? Stupid?”

      “No. On the contrary, I think you’re very smart,” Rebecca replied, realizing her son hadn’t answered her question. From his expression she also realized she wouldn’t get an answer out of him.

      “Come inside while I put some coffee on. I have to have at least a cup before I can start functioning in the morning.” Gabriel moved to allow them entrance into his home.

      Rebecca hesitated. She had only come with Peter to make sure he showed up. After a confrontation in his bedroom, she couldn’t be sure of anything with her son.

      “My coffee isn’t as good as Rose’s, but it’s not too bad.” Gabriel waved them inside.

      Rebecca picked up Josh and followed Peter into the house, trying to dismiss her eldest son’s anger. When she’d grounded him for shouting at her earlier, he had laughed as though what she had said meant nothing to him.

      “Have you all had breakfast?”

      “Granny won’t let anyone leave without a proper start to the day, as she refers to breakfast.” Rebecca held Josh close, comforted by his presence.

      “Has she fixed you her cinnamon rolls yet?”

      “Last Sunday. When I woke up, the house smelled of cinnamon and baking bread.”

      “What a wonderful way to start the Lord’s day.”

      Rebecca glanced around at the house as she walked toward the back. His living room looked comfortable, with a navy and burgundy plaid couch, large pillows and stacks of magazines and books. She pictured him stretched out in his navy blue recliner, reading a book while a fire blazed in the fireplace and soft music played in the background. His home reflected the man, comfortable and laid-back.

      “Have a seat while I put the coffee on.”

      Rebecca settled herself at the kitchen table, made of sturdy oak with enough chairs to seat a family of six. She placed Josh on her lap, pleased to see her youngest son show interest in his surroundings. Light streamed through the large window over the sink. She smiled, thinking it was appropriate for a lawman to decorate in red, white and blue.

      Peter remained by the doorway into the kitchen, such anger on his face that Gabriel wished again for a magic answer on how to help the Michaels family. Keep the faith. God has His own timetable, he reminded himself as he sat across from Rebecca. The answer will come when the time is right.

      “If you want to get started on the cleanup, Peter, I have a bucket and a scrub brush in the garage through there.” Gabriel pointed toward a utility room.

      Peter shot Gabriel a look full of anger, then stomped toward the garage, muttering something that Gabriel was glad he wasn’t privy to. There was a limit to every person’s patience, and with Peter he was afraid he would need an extra dose.

      Gabriel looked at Rebecca, who was watching her son leave. The sadness in her eyes contracted his heart. “Physical labor will help him get rid of some of that hostility.”

      While her gaze connected with Gabriel’s, Rebecca hugged Josh closer, as though he could shield her from heartache. “He’s so full of anger. I’ve tried talking to him about it, but he won’t say anything.” Again the scene in her son’s bedroom swamped her with feelings of inadequacy. Peter was a different child from the year before.

      “Have you tried counseling?”

      “Yes. He just sat there, determined not to say a word to the woman.”

      “How about the minister of your church?”

      Rebecca shook her head.

      “Ours is very good with young people.”

      “No.” She answered so quickly she surprised even herself. “I’m sure he wouldn’t respond to a stranger,” she offered in explanation.

      Gabriel noticed the firm set to Rebecca’s mouth, the tension transmitted in the rigid lines of her body, and knew she would reject any coaxing to get Peter or herself to talk with Reverend Carson. “Then let me try to help.”

      “I can’t accept—”

      Gabriel held up his hand to stop her flow of words. “I’m worried about Peter. I think he might have vandalized the baseball-field house. I found a broken egg by the front door. I don’t believe in coincidences.”

      Rebecca closed her eyes for a few seconds. She adjusted Josh in her arms and kissed the top of his head, drawing strength from her youngest. “He might be innocent. You don’t know he did anything.”

      “What do you think in your heart?”

      She rubbed her cheek against Josh’s hair, then peered at Gabriel, her eyes glistening. “What do I do?”

      “Let me help. I’ve dealt with troubled children before, and not as a lawman.”

      Again she shifted Josh in her arms, looking away from Gabriel.

      “May I hold Josh?” The need to hold the child ran deep in him. Gabriel had missed so much with his own son.

      Her gaze returned to his, confusion deep in her eyes. She hesitated, then rose and handed Gabriel her child. Josh’s big brown eyes focused on his face. A tightness threatened to close his throat as he stared at the small boy in his embrace. He supported Josh in the crook of his arm. Smiling at him, Gabriel found himself making silly faces to get the child to grin. And when Josh did, Gabriel’s heart swelled with pride.

      “How are his ears today?”

      “Last night he slept through the night for the first time in several weeks. I think the medicine is finally working. At least I hope so.”

      Gabriel tore his gaze from the child and looked at Josh’s mother. Holding Josh only underscored for Gabriel what he was missing. The emptiness inside pushed to the foreground.

      “So do I. It’s not easy going without sleep,” he finally said, realizing an awkward silence had descended.

      She sighed. “Something I’m quickly finding out.”

      “What are your plans now that you’ve moved to Oakview?” He had dealt with his loss and didn’t want to renew the feelings of anguish.

      “I need to get a job soon.”

      “You know I might be able to help you with that.”

      A closed expression settled over Rebecca’s features. “You’ve already done enough.”

      “Nonsense. What are friends for? Let me ask around. What are your qualifications?”

      When she laughed, there was no humor in the sound. “I don’t have any.”

      “Everyone has qualifications.”

      “I’ve been a mother and wife for the past ten years. I suppose I can clean houses, chauffeur and organize PTA meetings.” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, and I have some computer skills. We had one at home.”

      “What will you do with Josh when you go to work?”

      She cocked her head. “Frankly, I don’t know. I can’t keep staying at Granny’s house and not contribute to the finances.”

      “I’m finished. Can we go now?” Peter announced from the doorway into the utility room.

      “You still owe me some of your time.”

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