Read Online Lightning and Lace by DiAnn Mills - Free Book Online Page A

together. “All right. I imagine Morgan will have some ideas. Maybe Chad’s seen him.”
    “I really would like to help, but I understand,” Travis said. Despite their differences, she was a lovely woman. But a pretty face had once gotten him into a heap of trouble. “I’ll be right here with Frank and praying for you.” His attention focused on Eustes Arthur, the town sheriff, making his way toward them at a fast pace.
    “Mrs. Kahler.” Sheriff Arthur frowned.
    She whirled around and greeted him with a pleasant smile.
    “This isn’t a social call,” he said. “I’ve got your boy in jail.”
    Mrs. Kahler’s face blanched, and her shock yanked at Travis’s heart. Zack needed a firm hand, a man’s hand.
    “He’s just a boy.” Her voice rose. “And you’re treating him like a criminal.”
    “Your boy was caught red-handed, stealing a saddle at the livery. Where was he going to put it? And you know what’s done to horse thieves in this part of the country.”
    Her hand flew to her mouth, then she took a deep breath. “I’m sure there’s been a mistake.” She turned to the reverend. “If you would kindly get Morgan, I’ll walk over to the jail with Sheriff Arthur.” Her skirts swished by as she stepped down from the porch. In the next instant, the sheriff followed.
    The reverend threw Travis a wary glance, and he understood exactly what was expected of him. Hurrying back into the house, he found Frank. “I’ve got an errand to run. I’ll be back as soon as
    I can.”
    When he caught up with Mrs. Kahler and the sheriff, she tossed Travis a look that would have stopped a cornered polecat.
    “I don’t need your help, Brother Whitworth. This is family business.”
    He ignored her dismissal and kept step beside her.
    “You are one stubborn man,” she said barely above a whisper.
    “I’m a man of God. We go where we’re led, even when we aren’t wanted.”
    “Obviously.”
    Inside the jail, Mrs. Kahler nearly crumpled at the sight of Zack sitting in a cell.
    “What have you done?” she said.
    Good. Don’t let him get off with this easily.
    “It’s all a mistake.” Zack stood and peered at his mother with the same woeful eyes that Travis had seen that first day in town. “I walked most of the night and fell asleep in the livery. I was using the saddle for a pillow.”
    “I don’t know if you’re telling the truth or not.” She turned to the sheriff. “Please unlock the cell. My brother will straighten this out.”
    Sheriff Arthur blew out an exasperated sigh. “Mrs. Kahler, you’ve got to get your son under control. If he’s like this at twelve, what’s he going to be like at thirteen, fifteen, or seventeen? Mark my words, if you don’t get ahold of Zack, he’ll end up in prison—or hung.”
    She stiffened. “Right now, I demand you release him. I will handle his discipline if the situation calls for it.”
    The sheriff had long since turned a vivid shade of red. “Not until you tell me that something’s going to be done about all the trouble he’s getting into.”
    “How dare you talk about my son this way? Why, if his father were alive, you wouldn’t be talking to me like this.”
    “If Ben were here, none of this would be taking place. Zack’s mean streak would have been taken care of behind the woodshed.”
    “Zack knows what’s going to happen because of his behavior.”
    “No!” Zack backed up until he was against the cell wall. “I’d rather stay here.”
    Anger grew between mother and son, much like corn bread and milk on a sour stomach. Zack attempted to look brave, but Travis saw more than an angry boy. He saw a cry for help. A nudging in Travis’s spirit made him want to head back to sanding floors with Frank, but he’d stay and do whatever was needed.
    Within the hour, the reverend and Morgan joined them. Neither man looked a bit happy over the circumstances.
    “My job is to keep the law,” Sheriff Arthur said. “If this boy were grown, he’d be