you here to see me on business?” she said.
Mrs. Rainer nodded at Travis. “Brother Travis asked me to accompany him. Sir, I guess you are to answer my daughter’s question.”
He nearly laughed at Mrs. Rainer’s bluntness, but he did appreciate her ways. “I wanted to see how you are doing in Zack’s absence.” His words were partially true.
“I worry about him, but I’m keeping busy with Michael Paul and Lydia Anne.” Bonnie glanced at her mother. “Mama, don’t you dare leave until she wakes up from her nap. Anyway, Thomas is re-acquainting me with the ranch. Lydia Anne is learning to ride, and Michael Paul has taken a new interest in the cattle business as well as the piano. I’m looking forward to watching him grow up.” Her shoulders lifted and fell daintily. “We are doing well, but we miss Zack. Or rather, we have missed the old Zack for a long time.”
“I’m praying he’ll return to you soon.”
“But he must abandon his anger,” she said. “I cannot threaten military school and not be prepared to follow through.” She stared into her cup. “Has he opened up his heart to you?”
Travis hesitated. “I’d rather not say until we spend more time together.”
“You’re thinking he might stretch the truth about things?”
The thought of hurting her with what Zack and Lester had said clawed at his heart. “I want him to trust me with everything. Then he and I can sort out the truth and work through his troubles.”
Sadness shadowed her delicate features. “A boy should be able to come to his mother with the things that burden him. I pray that day comes soon.”
“It will, Mrs. Kahler. God is faithful.”
Dear Lord, don’t let this kind lady suffer too long.
Within the half hour, Lydia Anne woke and was delighted to see her grandma.
“Can I show you the horses?” the little girl said to Mrs. Rainer. “Mama lets me ride by myself.”
“Oh yes, show me.” Mrs. Rainer stood from the table and reached for her granddaughter’s hand. “We’ll leave your mama and Brother Travis to talk and drink coffee.”
Once the two left and Juanita excused herself to tend to something outside, Travis realized the utter helplessness of being alone with Bonnie Kahler.
“Now that we are without other ears, is there anything you need to tell me about Zack?” The earnest look in her face nearly made him speechless—and he was a preacher.
“I think any preconceived ideas or notions I might have need more time.”
She tilted her head and glanced into her cup. “I’ve made many mistakes as a mother. I deeply regret them.”
She’d said this before, but her past must really be bothering her. “God forgives our misdeeds, and I have plenty of my own.”
“You’re an answer to prayer, and I’ll forever be indebted.” Her soft voice reached down into his soul and gave him confidence that perhaps he could help her son.
Without another spoken word, she reached out and touched his arm. If not for his shirt and jacket covering it, he’d surely have been burned.
*****
“What do you think about taking a walk this morning to the parsonage?” Travis said to Zack a week after he’d visited Mrs. Kahler. “The reverend and your grandma asked us for breakfast. He and I have a few things to discuss afterwards.”
Zack’s face brightened.
“From the look on your face, you don’t mind giving up a couple of hours of schoolwork.”
“No, sir. Or your cooking.” He yawned.
“Very funny. Do you miss your school friends?”
A strange look swept over the boy’s face, one Travis couldn’t quite read. “Miss Scott hates me.”
“I hardly think she hates you. More like she had her fill of your behavior.”
“Same thing. Both of you say exactly what you think.” Bitterness tipped his words.
“That’s right. She doesn’t like the trouble you caused in her classroom. Has nothing to do with the young man inside of Zack Kahler.”
“You’re talkin’ in riddles.”
“One day you’ll understand what I mean.”
The anger and rebellion surfaced in Zack’s eyes. Travis regretted the miserable state of the boy, but he’d been there—and not so long ago.
“All right, let’s go,” Travis said. “Along the way, we can talk about this morning’s reading—King David putting Uriah in the front lines to get him killed.”
“Are you thinking I’ll say it was all right ’cause he was the king?”
Travis picked up his Bible and opened the door, motioning for Zack to step through. “I have no idea what you think. That’s why I asked.”
“I don’t understand why God didn’t hit him with a bolt of