Read Online Blood Lines by Mel Odom - Free Book Online

get back to that church soon?” Tyrel asked. “Must be an evening prayer or something you gotta give.”
    â€œWe’re not having service tonight till seven,” Don said. “I wanted families to have time to spend the day together.” He paused. “Do you mind if I sit with you, Daddy?”
    Tyrel hesitated for a moment, and Don thought he almost looked over. “Suit yourself. You’re a grown man.”
    â€œYes, sir. Thank you, Daddy.” Don took a chair beside his father. As he looked at Tyrel, he realized that the years were marking him harder. Don couldn’t help wondering how much longer his daddy would be with them.
    Then Don felt miserable because his daddy had never truly been with any of them.
    That’s not true, he reminded himself. Daddy was always there for Mama.
    All throughout the time he was growing up, though, Don couldn’t remember much softness between his parents. Tyrel had worked from sunup to sundown, and he’d been early to bed after he’d washed the supper dishes for his wife.
    Don could recall nights he’d sat by the fireplace and listened to Rachel McHenry read from the Bible. They were always stories from the Old Testament, filled with wars and fearful things, because those were the ones Tyrel tolerated best.
    The stories of David from the books of 1 and 2 Samuel were Tyrel’s favorites. Don could remember his mama asking his daddy one night why he liked those stories so much.
    Tyrel had thought long and hard about his answer before he gave it. That was usually his way. Tyrel had always taken longer to answer deeper questions. Responses to general questions about right and wrong, about the code Tyrel McHenry lived by, came lightning quick, but things beyond mending fences and how a man should react in everyday situations took him longer.
    â€œI like that book,” Tyrel had said, “because even though David did a powerful lot of wrongful things, God still loved him. It just seems uplifting. Can’t see how it would be true, but I like those stories.”
    Don had read the books several times to try to figure out what drew his daddy to them. He’d finally given up in frustration. Whatever secrets lay in those pages had eluded him.

    >> 1654 Hours (Central Time Zone)
    â€œYou want something to drink?” Tyrel asked.
    â€œNo, thank you, Daddy. Katie’s bringing me a soda.”
    At that moment, Katie appeared, placing a cocktail napkin and the soft drink glass in front of Don.
    Tyrel smiled in disbelief and shook his head. “Come to a bar to drink a soda pop. Don’t that beat all.”
    â€œI got to deliver a sermon tonight, Daddy. I’d rather not do it with beer on my breath.” Don took a sip of his drink.
    On the screen, the Rangers turned a double play against the Yankees. Their success spurred a spate of happy curses from a couple of the men.
    â€œAnd I didn’t come here to drink a soda pop.” Don looked at his daddy, who had yet to turn his full gaze on him. “I came here to be with you.”
    â€œI came here to be alone,” Tyrel said.
    â€œIf you’d wanted to be alone, you’d have stayed at home.”
    â€œBut you already been by there, ain’t you?”
    Reluctantly Don nodded. He’d gone by the Rafter M Ranch first and found only Gonzalez snoozing on the porch. Gonzalez was nearly Tyrel’s age, but Tyrel took care of the other man and gave him lodging and payment for his help around the ranch.
    â€œI wanted to ask you to come to church tonight, Daddy,” Don said.
    â€œI’m not interested in church,” Tyrel replied. “What happens between me and God stays between me and God. Don’t need to go airing it out in public.”
    As always, that bit of insight into his daddy’s spiritual affairs made Don relax a little. His daddy was a believer or was at least paying belief lip service. That was a start.
    â€œIt’s