Free The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad Page A

hammer would not have been foreign to the Lord. Jesus would have known what it felt like to make something with your own hands, to see it take shape, and to see it finished. He would understand the joy of doing one’s best, and Nick felt a kinship to that. But most of all, Jesus would have known what it was like to take a rough piece of wood, smooth its edges, and make it into something usable.
    Just as the Lord had done with him.
    His musings came to a halt when he spotted Mr. Thorton heading to the lunch counter. Nick flagged him down. God had worked this out perfectly. The last thing he wanted was for Lilly to see him talking to her employer.
    The heavyset man met him on the Midway paving. “What can I do for you, Mr. Perrin? Everything okay with your meals?”
    “Absolutely, sir. This arrangement has been stellar. Mrs. Hart is an excellent cook, and as I told you, good food makes for good workers.”
    Mr. Thorton patted his round belly. “We men do like our food.”
    Nick chuckled and reached for his wallet tucked in his jacket pocket. “But I’d like to pay you extra to see to it Mrs. Hart and her son are both given meals.”
    “You don’t need to pay me. Their meals are included.” A deep scowl marred Mr. Thorton’s usually jovial face. “You don’t think I’d do otherwise, do you?”
    “I didn’t mean to imply you wouldn’t take care of them. Mrs. Hart said three meals a day are included in her salary.”
    “That’s right, and I expect her to eat them.”
    “What about her son?”
    “Well, of course, I thought she’d feed him. I said she could keep him there with her, and she isn’t going to let him starve.”
    Nick shook his head. “No, she’d starve herself before she’d keep her son from eating.”
    “Are you saying . . . ?”
    “I don’t know anything for sure, but I’ve noticed her not eating on a few occasions, and Levi shared a couple of other things that had me thinking. I believe she’s a proud woman and an honest one. If you told her three meals, she’d take no more. At least my own mother wouldn’t, and I think Mrs. Hart may be a lot like her.” Nick opened his wallet. “So I want to pay you for Levi’s meals. You shouldn’t have to bear the burden.”
    “That’s generous of you, but not necessary. She’s the best cook I’ve ever had. I’ll treat her right.” Mr. Thorton rubbed his hand over his beard. “Tell you what. I’ll make it clear to her today that both her and her son’s meals are included in her salary.”
    “But you won’t mention I spoke to you?”
    “It’ll be our secret.” Mr. Thorton held out his hand.
    Nick shook it. “Thank you, Mr. Thorton. My men would be mighty upset if she fainted dead away from malnutrition.”
    A chuckle rumbled from Mr. Thorton. “And what about you, Mr. Perrin?”
    “Naturally, so would I.” Even if she is treating me like yesterday’s wash water.

    “Levi!” Lilly stood on the stoop of the lunch counter, shielding her eyes from the afternoon sun. After she’d washed up the dishes from the noon meal, Levi had helped her mix some cookies. She’d promised him one when they came out of the oven. “Levi! I’ve got your cookie.”
    She waited, but he didn’t appear. Scanning the area, she spotted the cast-iron hook and ladder wagon toy he’d been playing with lying overturned near the crate where he kept Flower. Stepping closer, she eased the board off Flower’s crate and peeked inside to see if the snake still remained. The only thing visible was one of the diner’s checkered napkins. Would Levi have covered Flower up? He had been worried about how cold the snake was at night.
    Not wanting to check but afraid not to, Lilly leaned forward and took hold of the corner of the napkin. She lifted it an inch, but no hiss greeted her. She eased the cloth back. Relief washed over her. No Flower.
    As quickly as the relief came, it vanished, replaced by growing fear. Where had Levi taken the snake? He’d never