Redemption by Carolyn Davidson Read Free Book Online Page B

windows were barren of covering. She looked at them in surprise, noting the shadow of a man in a chair almost out of sight.
    Edging past the broken step, she climbed the stairs and crossed to the front door. Before her knuckles could rap, announcing her presence, the door was opened wide, Jason standing before her. His hair was combed, still wet from the dousing he’d given it, marks of the comb he’d used still apparent. That thepart was crooked and the dark locks hung to his shoulders was of little matter; the boy had made an effort.
    “Come on in,” he said. “My pa’s in the parlor.” He lowered his voice and bent closer. “I don’t know if he’s happy about this or not, ma’am. He looked kinda cross when I told him you was bringin’ supper with you.”
    “It will be just fine,” she said, offering assurance and wishing she felt some of the same. The basket was heavy and she sought for a flat surface upon which to deposit it. A library table stood near the door and she placed her bundle there and then turned to face Jake. “I hope I didn’t intrude with my offer,” she said, addressing the man with a confidence she did not feel. “Jason thought a picnic would be nice.”
    “I don’t go outdoors,” Jake said flatly.
    “We’ll have it in here,” she answered. “Jason and I can sit on the floor on a quilt and you can join us from your chair.”
    “You’ve got it all figured out, haven’t you?” he asked, and she took note of the burning resentment in his dark eyes. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re a managing woman?”
    “Yes, as a matter of fact, I’ve been called even worse than that.”
    His mouth twisted in a sardonic grin. “It doesn’t bother you?”
    She met his gaze head-on. “Do I look bothered?” She turned to Jason and issued an order. “Please go and find a quilt we can sit on. I’ll get the food ready.” That she’d brought napkins and plates was probably a good thing, she decided. Three forks and a salt shaker made up the rest of her supplies.
    Jason carried a folded quilt into the parlor. “This was in the airing closet,” he said, breathless after his jaunt up and down the stairs. Eyes glowing with anticipation, he spread it on the floor and sat on one edge. “Now what?”
    Alicia arranged the small tablecloth she’d brought, then placed the bowl of chicken, the potato salad and the carrots and sliced tomatoes in the middle. A loaf of bread, freshly baked only this morning and sliced into thick slabs, was wrapped in a clean dish towel, and she opened it, tucking the edges beneath the offering. Butter in a small bowl completed the arrangement.
    “Oh, dear. I forgot to bring knives for spreading the butter,” she said softly. Her gaze flew to Jake’s. “May I send Jason to the kitchen?”
    He nodded curtly, and Jason rose, almost trotting from the room, so anxious did he seem to get this meal under way.
    “Don’t spoil this for him,” she said, warning Jake quietly. She bent to arrange the food on their plates.
    “I do own some semblance of courtesy,” he told her harshly. “I don’t need a lesson in manners from the schoolmarm.”
    “Well, that’s encouraging,” she shot back, looking up as Jason skidded to a stop just inside the parlor door.
    “Here you go,” he said, a grin bringing to life a dimple in his left cheek, something she’d never noted up until now. He handed her the three knives and she inspected them with a cursory glance and deemed them clean enough to be used.
    She sat on the edge of the quilt, across from Jake’s chair, and folded her hands in her lap. “Shall we say grace?” she asked, and then at Jake’s snort of disbelief, she offered a glare in his direction. “You needn’t join us,” she said politely, “but Jason seems to understand the concept.”
    For indeed the boy had folded his hands nicely, waiting for her to speak the words. “My mama used to pray before we ate,” he told her, and then looked up at his