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

facing a whole lot more than an angry family.”
    “Excuse me,” Travis said. “Would you consider releasing him to me? I can continue his schooling and keep him busy.”
    “If Zack is going to stay with anyone, it will be with my mother and the reverend,” Bonnie said.
    “I think not,” Morgan said quietly. “I’m not putting an undue burden on Mama or the reverend. It’s time they took life a little easier.”
    “You’re talking about Zack living with a complete stranger. Besides, it wouldn’t be long. I’ve . . . I’ve decided to send him to a military school back East.”
    Morgan remained unmoved. “That’s a good decision, but he doesn’t need to live with Mama and the reverend until we can make arrangements.”
    “Then let me have him for a while,” Travis said with no display of emotion. “I’d like to try to help. If Zack could change, then he wouldn’t need to leave his family.”
    The room grew silent as everyone waited for Mrs. Kahler to speak. Tears streamed down her face.
    “What about me?” Zack said. “I don’t want to live with no preacher.”
    “You can take him,” she said, regaining her composure. “He can be very difficult, and I am no good at disciplining him. I’m willing to try anything, but I won’t have him mistreated.”
    “I’d not hurt him, Mrs. Kahler.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a clean handkerchief for her. She took it and offered a faint smile, giving him the courage to continue. “I can’t move into my new home until the end of the week—”
    “Both of them can stay at the parsonage until then,” the reverend said. “And Travis can start Zack’s schooling right away.”
    Travis wondered exactly what he’d gotten himself into. Granted, he had nephews, and he knew what the Bible said about raising children, but he didn’t know where to begin with a rebellious, half-grown man. At least he could turn to the reverend and the boy’s uncles for insight into what his relationship had been with his father. Zack didn’t have respect for others, least of all himself. Oh, but the Lord had gotten him into a fine mess.
    A leaded silence filled the small office while the sheriff unlocked the cell. Travis met the reverend’s gaze. He saw frustration and worry etched on the older man’s face. No point in letting the reverend see his own misgivings about handling Zack. Of course, most folks thought Travis was older because of his bushy hair and beard.
    “I’ll stop by the school and inform his teacher,” Mrs. Kahler said.
    “Thank you, ma’am. I promise to do a good job with his schooling.”
    “I won’t stay with that ugly, do-gooder preacher.” Zack shoved his hands inside his suspenders. “Let me come home, and I’ll be better.”
    Travis listened to Zack attempt to manipulate his mother. He had to admit the boy knew what to say and how to say it.
    “You don’t care for me at all, do you?” Zack said. “You’re kicking me out.”
    “I believe you ran away,” she said.
    “Ever since Papa died, all you care about is yourself. Now that I’m in a little trouble, you don’t want me anymore.” Zack clenched his fists and took a step toward his mother, but Travis stood between them.
    “Zack, calm down. Beginning this moment, you won’t be talking to your mother this way.”
    “Amen,” Morgan said. “Good luck, Brother Travis. I’m tired of dealing with him.”
    The boy’s eyes blazed with anger—anger that must have been brewing for more than two years. “Good. Mama’s a bad mother, and the rest of you just want to get rid of me.”
    Mrs. Kahler touched his shoulder, but he shrugged her off. “There’s no need to cite my faults. I know what they are. But above all things, I am still your mother. Say and think about me as you will, but the real truth is I love you. It would be easy to take you home and hire a tutor and go on about our business as though nothing has happened, but that wouldn’t do you a bit of good.