Read Online Tides of Truth [02] Higher Hope by Robert Whitlow - Free Book Online Page A

she said. “They’re so soft to eat you wouldn’t think they would stick so hard to the pan. Things don’t always react to heat and pressure the way we think they will.”
    I waited, not sure about the connection to Zach, or me. I wiped off the container of chicken livers on a paper towel. Mama held up the skillet and inspected it.
    “He seems to be an honest man, which is a lot better than a chameleon that changes to suit his surroundings. And you find out where you stand pretty quickly with Zach Mays.”
    “That’s the way he’s been with me from the beginning.”
    “But the question is what people are like when real difficulty comes.”
    “What do you mean?”
    She dried the skillet, placed it on the counter, and faced me.
    “What kind of trouble?”
    “Tammy Lynn, you’re in the boat leaving home behind. Storms will come.”
    “Did you see anything ahead?” I asked.
    Mama sometimes had glimpses into the future. She’d known the twins were coming when they were no bigger than the period at the end of a sentence.
    “That’s not for me to say.” Mama reached out and put her hand on my arm. “You’re a spiritual woman. Stay pure and your heavenly eyesight won’t get blurry.”
    She opened the cabinet and returned the skillet to its customary place.
    “Have a good time fishing. Try to keep the girls out of the poison ivy on the west side of the pond.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “And don’t worry if you don’t catch enough fish. There is a roast in the refrigerator that can be eaten tonight or cooked on Monday.”
    I walked slowly upstairs. Mama had seen more than she told me. I was sure of it. But I had no idea what it might be. God knows the past, present, and future, all at once, and sometimes he lets people like Mama have a peek. The rest of us have to walk by faith—and hope we don’t stumble beyond recovery.
    The twins were folding their clothes. They’d already made their beds. I opened the door of the closet we shared. Everything was neat and tidy.
    “We’re almost done,” Emma said. “We’ve begged Daddy several times to take us fishing, but we haven’t been all summer.”
    “It’ll be fun going with you and Zach,” Ellie said. “His hand is strong and friendly.”
    “We were supposed to be praying,” Emma said, “but since we came upstairs, all she’s been talking about is Zach’s hand. I’m going to sit next to him at supper so I can feel it and find out myself.”
    “Have you held his hand?” Ellie asked me.
    I pushed Mama’s comment about storms out of my mind.
    “Why would I do that if I didn’t have permission from Daddy and Mama to court him?”
    “Is that a ‘no’?” Ellie asked.
    “I haven’t held his hand,” I answered with a slight smile. “And you sound more like a lawyer than I do.”
    “I’ve thought about being a lawyer,” Ellie said seriously. “But Emma is better at arguing than I am.”
    “Not,” Emma retorted. “It’s just that you’re more stubborn.”
    “If you want to go fishing, stop arguing.”
    “Okay,” Ellie said. “But maybe you should sit next to Zach at supper and hold his hand. It’ll change your life forever.”
    “Forget about being a lawyer. You should write romance novels.”
    “About Christian girls who find the perfect husband and live happily ever after,” Ellie sighed.
    BEFORE GOING DOWNSTAIRS, I changed into an older dress and put on tennis shoes that I wouldn’t mind getting dirty. However, I left my hair on my shoulders. Mama came in. The twins watched anxiously.
    “I can tell when Tammy Lynn is home,” she said, putting her hands on her hips.
    “We did it,” Ellie protested. “Even the closet.”
    “She’s right,” I said. “All I did was help fold some clothes.”
    “Okay,” Mama said, leaning over to look under the bunk bed.
    “You can go to the pond as soon as someone fishes out the sock that’s been hiding in the dark under there for who knows how long.”
    Emma wiggled under the bed on