Read Online A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel by E. Ayers - Free Book Online

enough to know that his chance of survival is slim, and
if this surgery doesn’t work--”
    “No. From what Tate has told me, this surgery will
work. He’s got the best possible team of doctors. If he doesn’t
have this surgery, he’ll die. We’re all going to die eventually,
but I don’t think we’re supposed to bury our children. Hold tight
to the hope of a normal life for him.”
    He shook his head as he picked up his coffee, then
drained the cup. “I am. It’s hard, and I try to make every minute I
have with him count.”
    “Let me take him to the beach. We can build
sandcastles and collect seashells.”
    “You don’t understand. I don’t have money to repay
you or even pay a portion of the expense.”
    “Aside from gas and food, there won’t be much expense
if we stay at the Makowllen’s. They aren’t wealthy people, just
comfortable, and they want to do this for Shawn. Karen Makowllen
was honestly upset that she wouldn’t be there to provide for us.
She loves children and playing hostess.”
    “It does sound like fun, and I’m sure Shawn would
love it.”
    “Then say yes.”
     
    ***
    All Cassie wanted was for a simple commitment from
Trent, but he failed to give one to her. Deep inside, she knew his
resolve was eroding. It was only a few hours drive and the thought
of lounging on the beach beckoned like the bright beam from the
lighthouse.
    Not wanting to make too many plans for the short
visit, she immersed herself in her work. She had the school board
meeting Tuesday evening, and she had to have everything organized
for her presentation. There was no reason why those classrooms
could not eventually be used, and in the meantime, she did have two
smaller rooms on the main floor that would suffice.
    Totally absorbed in the project,
time flew. Pushing her shoulders into the chair and reaching as far
as possible above her head, she stretched. Panic ran through her as
the time on the clock registered. Oh,
no! She grabbed the phone and called
Trent.
    “Hi, Shawn, It’s Cassie. May I speak to your
father?”
    “He’s in his woodshop. I’ve got to go get him.”
    “Before you do, was there anything in particular that
you wanted to do today?”
    “Nope!”
    Quickly she asked, “Ever been fishing?”
    “Nope. But Daddy has. He’s got fishing poles and
everything in the garage.”
    “Really? Do you think he’s got three of them?”
    “Oh, he’s got a whole big bunch of them.”
    “I know there’s a nice lake at the State Park. Think
we could talk him into going fishing?”
    “He said you’ve got to have a license to go fishing,
and that costs money.”
    “I don’t know for sure, but I think it’s only a few
dollars. And I guess we’d need bait, but I have no idea what the
fish at the lake would like to eat.”
    “Worms. Isn’t that what goes on the hook?”
    She grinned. “I have an idea. Why don’t I hang up and
make a few phone calls to see if I can buy fishing licenses today.
And while I’m doing that, you can ask Daddy about what we need for
bait. Tell him I’m going to call him back in about thirty minutes,
and if we can work this out, we’ll all go fishing. If not, you’ll
need to think of something else we can all do.”
    “Okay. Do I hang up now?”
    “Yes, Shawn. Goodbye.”
    The little voice on the other end of the phone said a
hurried bye.
    She pulled the city directory from
a drawer and began to make a few phone calls. It took several calls
before she found a place to buy fishing licenses. Shawn wouldn’t
need one, as he was under the age of ten. She was also pleasantly
surprised to discover that the licenses were only a few dollars,
and she could buy bait at the same place. I’ll pack a few sandwiches and we’ll have a
picnic.
     
    ***
    “Hello,” Trent answered.
    “Hi, did Shawn tell you what we were discussing?”
Cassie asked.
    “I can’t spend a bunch of money.”
    “Just how much is a bunch?”
    “You know what I mean.”
    “Seriously, Trent, the