Read Online Gideon's Redemption by Maddie Taylor - Free Book Online Page A

blue that was the Pacific Ocean. Once again, her jaw was gaped open.
    “This is just the first room, babe. Don’t pass out yet.”
    “Mom! You gotta see the pool! You can swim in it while you look at the ocean. It’s tope!” Eli’s delighted shouts snapped her out of her trance.
    “What does that mean again?”
    “A combination of tight and dope—tope. It means awesome, too.”
    “Right.” She wandered out onto the patio, looking for Eli. Gid followed, knowing how little boys could easily get into trouble. “Elijah Hughes! Get down from there this instant!”
    Gideon’s eyes searched the wide patio and found Eli hanging over the stone railing. He was at an area to the far left, where the small yard gave way to a rock cliff with a sheer drop of about 50 feet to the beach below. He saw Eli freeze at his mother’s voice and turn.
    “I’ll take care of this, babe,” he murmured as he strode across the patio to establish some safety rules for his son. He heard her softly say his name, uncertainty in her voice. He didn’t stop, though. She could see firsthand how he planned to deal with Eli. Although not an expert by any means, he liked kids and felt he had some skill.
    Walking up behind Eli, he squatted down to his level. His son, knowing he was in trouble, looked at his feet, as uncertain of him as his mother.
    “Pretty cool out here, isn’t it?”
    “Jimmy Cooper’s pool isn’t a tenth as big.” He glanced up at Gideon through the hair that hung in his eyes. His excitement was building again. “Are me and Mom really gonna stay here?”
    “Absolutely, bud, but I have a few rules. Are you ready to listen to them?”
    “Yes, sir.” His eyes again dropped to his feet, quickly flicking his gaze past Gideon, looking for the safety of his mother. Her shadow passed over the tiles by his feet as she approached.
    Gideon’s lips quirked slightly. He knew he had to tread cautiously here. How he handled this would set the tone for both of them. Putting his hand lightly on his shoulder, he reassured him. “You’re not in trouble, Eli. You didn’t know the rules, so no need to be afraid, okay?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “First, I want you to be happy here, but I need to know that both you and your mom are safe. So, rule number one, no climbing on railings upstairs or downstairs. Rule number two, no swimming alone. Either your mom or I have to be with you. Understand?” He felt Shannon’s hand on his shoulder, and she squeezed. It was her way of giving her support—a united front against a nine-year-old boy.
    “Do I still get to go swimming?”
    “Eli, we’ll talk about swimming later. You didn’t answer Gideon. Do you understand his rules?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Looking back at Gideon, he realized his mistake. “I mean yes, sir.”
    “Good. I have another rule about the security system, but we’ll go over that later tonight. How about we go see your room?”
    Eli nodded, his smile returning along with his eagerness for his next adventure.
    Gideon showed them the rest of the house. The large gourmet kitchen with dining ell had Shannon’s mouth hanging open again. She was fascinated by the top of the line appliances and the island with running water and breakfast bar.
    “Is your mom a good cook, bud?” He was trying to keep the boy engaged with the “boring rooms”, as he’d called them.
    “Yeah, she makes great mac ‘n cheese, and her pizza is good too.”
    “Those are his staples, along with hamburgers, hotdogs, and SpaghettiOs.”
    “And cereal and PB&J’s. I like those, too.” He corrected his mother as he climbed onto a stool and spun around.
    Ruffling his silky brown hair, she said, “How could I forget, baby? I make you PB&J with no crusts every day of the week.”
    He pulled away from her hand and whispered loudly, “Don’t call me that in front of Gideon, Mom. It’s not cool.”
    “Sorry, sometimes I forget how grown up you’re getting.”
    “I like ‘bud’. That’s