Precedent: Book Three: Covenant of Trust Series by Paula Wiseman Read Free Book Online Page B

okay with you, I think I’m gonna go to Katelyn’s and spend the night.”
    “ At Kara’s or John’s?”
    “ Her dad’s.”
    “ You have plans?”
    “ Not really. We may catch a movie.”
    Good. Good girl. Getting out. She needed that. They sat in silence for a moment, watching a rabbit hop across the yard and squeeze through a hole in the fence. “Are you still mad at Jack?”
    “ How’d you know? Did Dad tell you?”
    “ I told Dad. I’ve been a mom for a long time. You’re not going to get much past me.” Bobbi smiled at her daughter, then she grew serious. “Shannon, blame is a dangerous game.”
    Shannon never moved her gaze from the back fence.
    It was too soon. Bobbi wouldn’t press her now. She turned to face Shannon and waited for her daughter to look at her. “Dad and I decided to give Brad’s car to Jack.”
    “ Of course.”
    “ What does that mean?”
    “ It’s what I expected.”
    Shannon was lying. She saw some injustice in giving Jack the car. “Did you want Brad’s car? Because—”
    “ Mom, no. Just . . . it’s okay.”
    “ That means you can have the little Ford all to yourself.”
    “ So can I drive it tonight?”
    “ I don’t see why not.”
    “ Great. I’m gonna go ahead and go.”
    “ Dad will be home soon. Don’t you want to wait for him?”
    “ I’ll see him later.”
     
    * * *
     
    Jack heard the gentle knock at his door but couldn’t find the will to get up and open it.
    “ Dad’s home. Why don’t you come down for dinner?”
    What excuse would his mother buy? Then he heard the squeak as the door opened.
    “ Jack?”
    “ I don’t feel like eating.” When in doubt, go with the truth.
    “ I don’t either. Would you please, for my sake?”
    The last thing he wanted to do was to make things harder on her. He pushed himself up to sit on the bed. “And I guess I’ll go back to work at the store Monday. I talked to them today.”
    “ I’m glad they were understanding.”
    “ I would have quit if they hadn’t been.” He stood and dragged himself toward the door.
    “ Sweetheart . . .”
    “ I know, I shouldn’t be a quitter.”
    “ I don’t think you’re a quitter. You just don’t realize how strong you can be. You can do this, I promise.” She put a hand over his heart. “It’s all in there. Get it out, and use it.”
    “ What about you?”
    “ Don’t worry about me,” she said. “Dad wants to talk to you.”
    Dad wants to talk. Well, Jack, it’s been a week. It’s time we discussed your responsibility for Brad’s death.
    He wanted to drop back on the bed, or crawl under it maybe, but his mother was watching so he shuffled to the kitchen. His dad sat at the table and smiled at him. “Hey, Jack, sit down.”
    He smiled. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? Jack dropped into a chair and his mother took the one beside him, like she was on his team. Definitely a good thing.
    Then his dad stood and set a cardboard box on the table. “These are Brad’s books. I think you should have them.”
    Brad’s books? Jack stood and began pulling out thick volumes. Theology . . . Greek . . . Old Testament. “These are all his seminary books.” Then Jack carefully lifted Brad’s black leather Bible from the box. He opened it slowly, as if he were handling an ancient text. He turned page after page, each covered with Brad’s notes and marks in the margins. “This is . . . Wow, I don’t know what to say. Don’t you guys or Joel want this?”
    “ No, there was no question,” his dad answered. “You should have it. I’m sure Brad would agree.” His dad shifted so he could reach into the front pocket of his jeans, and he pulled out a key ring. “Here. We want you to have Brad’s car.”
    “ What if I wreck it?”
    “ Then we’ll collect the insurance money,” his dad said. “Jack, it’s a thing. Take it, use it. If you don’t want the car, I’ll sell it, but I thought you would appreciate having it. That it would mean more to you