Page 25 of Gideon

“We’ve had our own little church service here.” Beth said, looking lighter than Gideon had seen her.

“It has been, hasn’t it?” Nikki said. “We haven’t stopped talking about God. It’s really been refreshing.”

“That’s good to hear,” Gideon said, but he kept his eyes on Eric. “What brings you to town?” He couldn’t help but feel an itch of suspicion. Fairfax had eyes and ears everywhere, and Gideon wouldn’t put a ruse like this past the man. Especially knowing Nikki was a thornin the mayor’s side. “I take it you didn’t just come for church?”

“No,” Eric laughed. “Although I try to make it to a service on a Sunday no matter where I am. I’m not staying long.”

“Where’s home for you?”

“Everywhere and nowhere. I’m on a journey of sorts. And the road has brought me here.”

“I’m afraid we don’t have a lot to offer here in Asher. You would have noticed things have gotten quite depressed lately. With the drought, people don’t have much to give.” Just in case he had ideas about swindling anyone.

“That is the way things appear, yes.” Eric squinted. “But there’s more here than meets the eye. You just have to know which way to tilt your head.”

Gideon looked at Nikki to see if her reaction was similar to his, but she was focused on Eric, absorbing everything he said.

“You’re very philosophical.” Gideon didn’t hide his dismay. He knew when Eric’s eyebrow lifted a fraction that he’d caught Gideon’s meaning and hopefully also his threat. Mild though it may be. Whether Eric had bad intentions or not didn’t matter. He wouldn’t let Beth or Nikki be lied to. “How long are you planning on staying?”

“Not long. I have a couple of things to complete, then I’ll be on my way.”

“Complete? That’s an odd choice of words.”

Nikki cleared her throat. “I noticed the railing onthe steps at the church was fixed. Do you know anything about that, Gideon?”

“The railing?” Beth said. “That had a wobble in it when your father was—Anyway. It’s had a wobble for a long time. Is it fixed now?”

“I stopped by yesterday,” Gideon said. “I knew you were still meeting for the Bible study there but figured no one besides you was looking after the place. I wanted to make sure it was safe. Let me know if there’s more work that needs doing.”

“I thought you were a mechanic,” Beth said.

“I am, but I do have other skills.”

“It’s nice what you’ve been doing around town. I don’t get out much, but the few people I’ve spoken to are very grateful for your help.”

“What’s he been doing?” Eric asked, but the question sounded rhetorical.

“Nothi—”

“He’s been secretly running a mechanical business,” Beth interrupted, leaning into the table so she could lower her voice. At home, she’d looked tired, but here at the table, talking about what they were doing to help the town gave her a sparkle in her eye.

If he hadn’t been worried about Eric’s loyalty, he would have encouraged him to extend his visit. “It’s my dad’s business. I’m helping get it organized to suit his condition and helping where I can.”

“Secretly?” Eric’s mouth quirked on one side.

“It’s nothing. It’s not a secret to anyone anymore that I’m a mechanic. I’m just helping people out.”

“That’s how you have to do business around here ifyou want to keep your money,” Nikki said. Gideon tried to give her a warning look, but she either didn’t notice or didn’t care. “You have to keep it quiet. Otherwise, you get robbed blind.”

“What about this diner?” Eric had an amused, quizzical look on his face like he was asking a leading question he already knew the answer to. “We’re not hiding in here, and this is a business.”

“That’s because Fairfax owns the place,” Nikki said. “Katrina and everyone else in here barely make enough money to survive. But please don’t say anything to anyone. It’s the only way this town survives.”

“And you all let him get away with it?”

“Of course not. If we knew how to stop him, we would, but nothing works.”

“Nothing at all?”

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