Free The Gatekeeper's Secret: Gatekeeper's Saga, Book Five (The Gatekeeper's Saga) by Eva Pohler

photo of Richard and Lynn and me on the other,” she explained. “It’s even waterproof, so she can swim without taking it off, if she wants.”
    Than knew Therese would be pleased. “She’ll cherish it,” he said.
    “I hope so. She’s not easy to buy for anymore.” Carol pointed ahead. “Mind that stop sign!”
    Than slammed on the brakes, causing the car to fish tail for several feet before coming to a stop in the middle of the intersection.
    “Sorry about that,” he said. Luckily the only other car in sight was ahead of them.
    Carol patted her chest with one hand, calming herself. “That’s okay. I should have warned you it was coming.”
    He eased his foot onto the accelerator and continued toward town, trying not to get flustered by the prayers she unwittingly sent to him
    Please don’t kill us, Than. What was I thinking asking you to drive?
    “The reason I asked you to come with me to the jewelry store is so you can help me decide how she would most like to wear the locket. I noticed she already wears one around her neck.”
    “My aunt, Athena, gave it to her.”
    Than knew better than anyone how much Therese treasured her locket. She never took it off, and he couldn’t imagine ever looking at her and not the round, golden object hanging just above her heart.
    “It’s lovely,” Carol said. “Therese showed it to me once. I’ve forgotten what it says.”
    “The most common way people give up their power is by believing they have none,” Than recited.
    “That’s right,” Carol said. “I like that. So inspirational.”
    “It’s helped Therese,” Than said. “It reminds her of her inner strength.”
    “Well, since she wears it around her neck, I thought I should give her something other than a necklace. Like maybe a bracelet or a ring. They make these really cute ring charms. What do you think?” Then she added, “You do see that truck ahead of us, don’t you?”
    Than eased on the brake pedal, and Carol sighed with relief.
    “I think a bracelet or a ring would get in her way while she’s doing her work,” Than said, thinking specifically of the way Therese drew her bow and shot her arrows. A dangling locket at her wrist or on her hand could be cumbersome.
    “You mean with the animals?” Carol asked.
    “She uses her hands a lot. I’m afraid the locket wouldn’t be easy to wear every day if she had to wear it on her wrist or finger.”
    “Oh, dear. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea after all.” Carol frowned. “Oh, turn left at the next light, but slow down a bit more, maybe.”
    “Her locket from my aunt reaches her breast bone,” Than said as he yielded to oncoming traffic before making the left turn. “Why don’t you have your locket fitted onto a shorter chain, so that it would sit higher, near her throat?”
    “You don’t think she would mind wearing two lockets?” Carol asked.
    “She would love them both,” he said, this time feeling as confident as he sounded.
    “Turn into the next parking lot,” Carol said. “You’ll have to slow down if you don’t want to donut.”
    When they reached the jewelry store, Carol took his hand and squeezed it. “I really like you, Than,” she said. “I’m so glad you’ll be a part of our family.” Then she wrinkled her nose. “But, if it’s okay with you, I’ll drive us back home.”
    ***
     
    Jen opened the oven door, lifted the lid from the roasting pan, and checked the ham.
    “It looks good, Mom,” Jen said. “I think it’s ready.”
    Her mother stood over the counter mashing sweet potatoes. “Did Therese say we would eat at six, or to arrive at six?” her mother asked.
    “Eat at six. We should probably get there earlier. Like five, maybe.”
    “Will you be ready by then?” Bobby said from the sofa. “You haven’t even showered.”
    “Don’t you sass me, Bobby,” Jen said. “Not from where you’re sitting while I’m in here cooking.”
    “Now, now,” Jen’s mother said. “No fighting on Christmas