Page 93 of Gideon

“I’m looking forward to what God has for all of our futures,” he said.

“Me too. It’s good to be meeting together like this.” She pushed past several people before she finally reached Gideon and noticed his dad was behind him with a funny grin on his face, like he was at a fair and enjoying every second.

“Gideon,” she said, glancing between him and his dad. “Hi, Mr. Stone.”

“Mornin’,” Joey said, then let his eyes rove around the room.

“It’s crowded,” Gideon said.

“Yeah. Uh, I’m glad to see you, but I thought you’d left. I thought Peters was after you.”

“Yeah. I was on my way out when I heard what Fairfax was doing to everyone. I didn’t make it past my dad’s place.”

“Is it safe for you to be here?”

“I’m keeping a low profile. My truck’s out of sight, so as long as I keep my head down, I should be fine.”

“Should be?” She was overwhelmed that he was here, but if it meant his life was in danger?—

“Nice place you’ve got here,” Joey said. “Sturdy. I expected the walls to cave in.”

“Why?” Nikki said.

“Because of my blackened soul.” He grinned that amused smile again.

“God can handle a lot worse than you, trust me.”

“You don’t know everything there is to know about me, kiddo.”

“I don’t have to.”

“What’s your mom doing over there?” He nodded toward the table where people were lined up.

“With people losing businesses and homes, there is a lot more need than ever. Everyone’s come together to help how they can. Kind of like in biblical times, I guess. Giving what they can to help those in need.”

“Will it be enough?” Gideon said.

“Not without a miracle. We have limited resources, but I know God doesn’t. I just don’t know how He’ll do it yet.” She hoped Gideon brought that answer but was afraid to ask.

“I’ll do what I can to help. My dad wants to be a part of things too.”

Joey had wandered over to Beth and was looking over her shoulder at the lists that were spread across the table of what had been donated.

“Your dad wants to help? Really?”

“Well, he hasn’t run screaming yet, so that’s a start. He says he’s doing it to see Fairfax come unstuck, but I’m not so sure. Or maybe that’s wishful thinking.”

“Can’t blame him if that’s all he wants out of this. We all know who’s responsible for burning down his house and almost killing him, but I don’t know.” She looked over at him. “I think he might be softening up.”

“Or he likes the attention your mom is giving him.”

“You don’t think he’d get any ideas.”

“No, I don’t think so. You wouldn’t know it looking at him, but he’s got a warped sense of honor. I don’t think he’d go there. Not that I could blame him.”

“Don’t say that. That would be too weird.”

Gideon laughed. “I think he likes being pampered.He likes having dinner made for him. Looks like you guys have done a lot in a very short time.”

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