Page 98 of Love in the Wild

Gage bowed his head. He didn’t always join everyone for meals, but praying before eating was one thing that always happened. He’d been paying attention lately, since Hadley started talking about God and church.

He’d always been at odds with the church. The people there looked down on his family and didn’t approve of the way the Howards lived. Now, he was starting to understand the rift. More importantly, he was beginning to care that there even was a rift.

A few people in the room echoed Brett’s “Amen” and picked up their burgers. The room was quiet for a few minutes save for the sound of chewing, but Jacob broke the silence when it was too much to take anymore.

“So, what’s up?” the kid asked.

Dawson took a sip of his drink and rested his burger on the plate. “Russell Porter’s apartment building burned this morning.”

“Didn’t Lyric used to live there?” Beau asked.

Asa glanced at Jacob, who was still eating. “Yeah. She moved in with Mom after Russell kicked her out.”

“Kicked her out? I didn’t know that was why she went to live with Granny,” Jacob said.

“She didn’t have enough money to pay rent. When someone owns a building with lots of rooms in it like Russell does, they let people pay to live there.”

“And he kicked her out?” Jacob repeated, still shocked at the revelation.

“Yep. It all worked out. Granny had an extra room, and she let Lyric live there for free.”

“That’s what everybody should do,” Jacob said.

“Some people make money that way,” Dawson explained. “He wasn’t trying to be mean, but she couldn’t pay to keep living there.”

“Now the building is gone? What about the other people who live there?” Jacob asked.

Olivia looked up from her barely-touched burger. “We don’t know yet. They need a place to stay, and Russell needs his building rebuilt.”

“What are we gonna do?” Jacob asked.

Gage took another bite and listened to the group as he chewed. It wasn’t Jacob’s problem, but the kid had already taken it upon himself to help people he didn’t even know.

“I was thinking about a bake sale or a car wash,” Olivia said.

“We could have a taco bar after church on Sunday. Ooh, or a potato bar,” Dawson suggested.

Jacob’s back straightened, and his eyes widened. “Potato bar!”

Olivia started to perk up. “We have so much to do. They lost everything, and they need a new place to live.”

“Then we can help Russell rebuild his apartments,” Jacob added.

Asa rested a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I think he needs licensed contractors for that.”

Jacob’s brows lowered. “I don’t know what that means, but I know how to help.”

Olivia pulled a small notebook out of her purse. “You sure do. So, are you volunteering for all these things?”

“Yeah! It’s gonna be so much fun.”

“Who else is in?” Olivia asked as she scribbled things in her notebook.

“I’ll pitch in the potatoes, and I’ll bring my pressure washer for the car wash,” Beau said.

“Count me and Thea in to work the potato bar,” Brett said. “I’m not sure she’ll be able to help with the car wash yet with her ankle, but I’ll be there.”

“Lyric and I will pitch in the meat for the tacos and anything else you need for that,” Asa said.

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