“Whoever did this hurt God more than us,” Miss Scott said. “I remember how difficult Zack was in school, and I haven’t decided if he’s really living for the Lord or not. But the truth is clear. Zack or someone hurt God’s house.”
“What are you suggesting?” Travis said.
“I’d much rather answer to one of you than anger God. If Zack’s guilty, God will deal with him. And if he’s guilty, he’ll resume the same type of behavior, and the next time none of us will have any doubts. Like Brother Travis, I’d like to give him another chance.” She smiled, causing Travis to question whether her position was because she believed in giving second chances or because she wanted him to think better of her.
“We’re the ones who need to decide,” Jake said. “I’d like for us to drop the charges. About half of the hymnals are all right. Folks like me can’t read ’em anyway, with the print being so small. And we got along just fine before Lester bought those fancy windows, although I do feel sorry for him.”
Eli stood. “Yer wrong, Jake. That boy’s guilty as sin. I think we ought to take a vote.”
Travis silently prayed for God to direct his flock to the truth. “That’s fair, Eli. First let’s have a few moments of silent prayer. Then we’ll have a show of hands to decide whether we drop the charges against Zack. If the vote goes for him, then he returns to my home. If the vote goes toward his guilt, then he stays at Morgan’s ranch until the judge decides what should happen. Would a paper vote suit you better?”
“I’m not ashamed of how I feel,” Eli said.
“Me, either,” Jake said.
“But none of Zack’s family can vote in this. You, either, Brother Travis. We already know how you folks feel. This is church business.” Eli raised his fist as though he had the confidence of the Almighty.
The prospect of having two old men fighting in the middle of church crossed Travis’s mind. Both men had long since determined never to agree on anything, and this matter was no different.
The reverend and Pete Kahler, Zack’s other grandfather, stood at the same time. “We agree.”
The prayer time seemed to last for hours instead of minutes. Finally, Travis asked for those who believed Zack was innocent to raise their right hand. He purposely didn’t ask for those who believed he deserved a second chance. He wanted Zack free of any accusations.
The show of hands was three over half. Travis’s shoulders lifted.
Praise God.
“He’ll be murderin’ us in our sleep.” Eli shook his fist. “Mark my words.”
Chapter 27
Travis closed his Bible and grasped his sermon notes for the following morning. He’d wrestled all week with what to preach about. Forgiveness? No, that meant Zack was guilty. Love thy neighbor? That sounded too obvious—like beating his congregation over the head with a Bible. However, Travis worked hourly on trying to love Lester, but he’d rather wash pigs. Excuse me, Lord. That wasn’t necessary, just honest.
Travis reached for his coffee and downed the lukewarm brew. Topics from tithing to taking care of widows and orphans had plodded through his mind, but every reflection reminded him of Bonnie or Zack. He’d finally settled on a sermon about God’s miracles and the birth of John to Zechariah and Elizabeth. Certainly fitting for the season. He reread his notes and the Bible passage.
He pulled his pocket watch from his trousers. Ten forty-five. The weekly Kahlerville Times would be ready by now. He stood and made his way out onto the back porch where Zack was gathering and stacking wood.
“Zack, want to walk with me after the newspaper?”
“Yes, sir. I want to see what it says about the church.” He laid an armload of wood in a dry corner of the porch and swiped his hands together. The two walked around to the front of the house and then toward town and the newspaper office.
Morgan had brought Zack back on Thursday morning. Travis had missed him more than he imagined, and the thought of his one day returning to his mother’s ranch left a dent in Travis’s chest. Fortunately, Zack and his cousin Chad had renewed their friendship, and the Christmas holiday promised to be full of fun—and probably with a little mischief between the two boys. Travis shook his head in rebuttal of his own thoughts. Zack and Chad were no longer boys. They were young men.