Read Online Something Old, Something New by Beverly Jenkins - Free Book Online

off.”
    â€œThat’s fair, but sometimes you have to keep offering the olive branch.”
    â€œOlive branch? What’s that got to do with this?”
    â€œStands for peace.”
    â€œAnybody ever get smacked with one?”
    Over on the couch, Devon and Zoey were signing back and forth, and it looked as if they were having a pretty heated argument. Bernadine had arranged American Sign Language classes for everyone who wanted to better communicate with Zoey. Reg, Roni, and Bernadine were very good, but Trent was a long way from mastering it. Devon, however, ruled. Trent asked Amari, “What’s going on over there?”
    Amari watched them for a moment. “Not sure, they’re moving too fast, but whatever it is, Zo isn’t feeling it. She’s saying, ‘No, you dummy!’ ” Amari laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair.
    Trent grinned, too. “Devon,” he called. “What’s up? What are you and Zoey arguing about?”
    Devon turned to Trent, “I told her it’s time for us to go to her house now.”
    â€œAnd what is she saying?”
    Zoey quickly held up her hand in a silencing motion and scooted off the couch. She walked over to Trent’s cluttered desk, where she picked up a pad of sticky notes and a pen and took a moment to write something. Done, she handed it to Trent and waited while he read: I want to stay here and work on cars!!
    He looked down at her determined face and matching folded arms. “Yep. When you grow up you are going to fit right in with these wild women around here. Has to be in the water.”
    â€œWhat’s it say?” Amari asked.
    Still looking down into the pleased brown eyes of Miss Zoey Raymond Garland, he handed the note to his son.
    Amari read her words and crowed, “Go ’head, Zoey. Can she help, Dad?”
    â€œI don’t see why not.”
    Trent looked over at Devon. “Ever worked with your hands, Devon?”
    â€œJust to preach the Word and to pray.”
    â€œGood grief,” Amari mumbled under his breath.
    â€œYou might like working on cars.”
    â€œI can’t get dirty.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œI have on my suit,” he pointed out, as if no other explanation was necessary.
    Trent could see Amari watching him and waiting to see how he’d respond. “I don’t think you’ll get that dirty. Take off your coat, and you can work over here with me. Amari, you get Zoey.”
    Amari responded with, “Cool. Grab that bucket, Zoey, and then I’ll get you some gear to put on. Safety is top dog around here.”
    It pleased Trent to hear Amari introducing Zoey to the work with such concern and care. Rocky’s father had once owned the garage, and she had worked with him on everything from fancy sports cars to big rigs. He’d have to remember to tell her that Zoey appeared to be following in her footsteps.
    Devon, however, was a whole different model. He was removing his jacket, but if his tight-set jaw was any indication, he wasn’t liking it. That was okay with Trent. At least the boy was showing some emotion. Like Lily, Trent respected Devon’s desire to spread the Gospel, but he also agreed that the kid needed to work on being a kid first.
    Amari returned with Zoey, now decked out in gloves, safety glasses, and a long apron. Everything was way too big. If her interest in cars proved true, Trent would get her some gear that fit. “Looking good, Zoey.”
    She shot him a grin and held up her gloved hands.
    Amari handed Devon an apron, gloves, and glasses, too. “Put ’em on.”
    Devon studied the pile of items in his hands, looked up miserably at Trent, and woodenly followed Amari’s instructions.
    â€œYou’d think I was making you face a dragon, son.”
    â€œI don’t want to do this, Mr. Trent.”
    â€œI get that part, but life is about trying new things, Devon.”
    â€œI