Free Be Still My Soul: The Cadence of Grace, Book 1 by Joanne Bischof Page A

tree, the liquor warming him. “You ain’t never had a drink in your life and you know it.”
    Charlie set his jaw, and with a brave glint in his eyes, the sixteen-year-old took a sip. He choked and coughed but managed to swallow. “I have now,” he said, eyes tearing.
    “Give me that.” Hollis yanked the jar from Charlie and plunked it down on a rock. He settled the drink between his boots and shook his head. “Sissy.”
    Charlie shoved his hands into his coat pockets, his face still screwed up from the taste.
    “So tell me …,” Hollis began.
    “I don’t want to talk about it if that’s what you’re getting at.” Gideon stared straight ahead.
    “Aw, c’mon. You’re the first one to get married.”
    Gideon tossed a leaf toward the creek. “Yeah, so why am I hangin’ out with two ugly bachelors?”
    “Good question,” Hollis murmured before taking another sip. He handed it to Charlie. “I’ve seen that Lonnie Sawyer.” The whistle that slipped past his teeth sent a wave of irritation through Gideon.
    “It’s O’Riley now,” Charlie blurted as he swallowed and passed the jar back.
    “Shame. Shame.” Hollis shook his head and traced his finger along the mouth of the jar. “Pretty thing.”
    “Watch it,” Gideon said flatly. But Hollis’s implication bothered him more than he liked. He crossed one boot over the other.
    Hollis plunked the moonshine at his feet. He lifted his hands palms up, his freckled face the picture of innocence. “I’m as saintly as they come.”
    “Sure.” Gideon tried to push Lonnie out of his mind.
    “Oh, I see.” Hollis dragged out the words slowly. “And here I thoughtyou was just bein’ a gentleman.” He grinned. A snaggle tooth caught the afternoon sun. “I see what’s gotten ya all moody.” With the tip of his finger, he poked his hat back. “Nothin’ happened.” He leaned forward. “Did it?”
    Gideon’s eyebrows clamped together. “What makes you think I’d tell you?”
    Hollis seemed to study him. “And all these years I had you pinned as some ladies’ man.”
    “Shut up.” Gideon stood.
    “Aw, don’t get your socks in a twist.” Hollis screwed the lid on the jar.
    “It’s none of your business.” Gideon motioned for his brother to stand.
    “Well, I sure won’t be gettin’ the cold shoulder on
my
weddin’ night.” Hollis’s laugh grated.
    Gideon waved off the comment and tucked the paper beneath his arm before striding down the path. Charlie followed behind, his steps uneven. Gideon grasped his brother’s arm and led him toward home.
    “The moon looks mighty fine from up here,” Charlie said, tipping back. He fell with a thud on the seat of his pants.
    With a groan, Gideon retraced his steps. “First of all …” He crouched down. “You’re not up there, you’re down here.” He flung Charlie’s arm over his shoulder and, setting his jaw, heaved his brother to his feet with a grunt. “ ’Sides. That’s the sun.” His ma would skin him alive if she saw Charlie in this state.
    He helped his brother stumble up to the farm and left a near-snoozing Charlie leaning against a tree to sleep off the moonshine. Judging by the sky, there were still a few hours left before supper. Gideon studied the chimney with its thin trail of smoke. The door opened, and he watched as Lonnie walked toward the chicken coop, a basket in thecrook of her arm. Hollis’s taunt came to mind, and Gideon ran a hand over the back of his neck.
    He’d never been rejected before. Not once.
    Until the night Lonnie had socked him in the jaw.
    He ran knuckles over the spot, remembering the ache that had lingered there for two days. He’d felt the same dejected feeling the night before. It wasn’t that he liked her, but he knew a scared girl when he saw one, and last night, Lonnie had clearly wanted nothing to do with him. He couldn’t have cared less when it was just between Lonnie and him, but after what Hollis had said, a fresh bruise was forming