Free Blood of the Impaler by Jeffrey Sackett

isn't foul language, you know."
    She laughed. "No, I know it isn't."
    "Malcolm and I are going to mass tomorrow afternoon. I'm sure he would like it if you were to come with us. Are you Episcopalian?"
    "No," she said. "I'm a Methodist. Sort of, I guess."
    "Well, that's fine. My mother was a Methodist, until she married my father, that is." He smiled at her. "Please don't think me pushy, but it would make my old heart glad."
    She returned his smile. "Oh, I'd love to come along. I've never been to an Episcopal service before"— I haven't been to any church in years, as a matter of fact , she thought—"but I've heard that they're very beautiful."
    "I think they are," he said, nodding, "but of course I've grown up with them. Well, we'll see you at twelve noon, then?" He began to struggle to rise from the chair.
    "I'll be here," she said, "and please don't trouble yourself to get up, Mr. Harker. I can let myself out." On an impulse she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
    "My, my!" He laughed. "That was the most fun I've had in years!"
    She laughed along with him, finding him utterly charm ing and delightful as only the serene elderly can be. "I'll see you tomorrow. Good-bye, Mr. Harker."
    "Good-bye, my dear," he said, watching as she walked out into the foyer and left the house.
    Rachel Rowland was in the room in an instant. "I heard that, Grandfather! What on earth is the matter with you? That girl isn't acceptable, not acceptable at all!"
    "Oh, hush up, Rachel," he grumbled. "I know what I'm doing."
    "But she isn't right for him! She isn't what he needs!"
    Quincy shook his head. "I don't agree. I think I made a mistake with Abraham, forcing him to marry that prune of a woman. I think it was that more than . . . more than the other thing which led to his downfall. I think Malcolm needs someone lively and in love with life."
    "Oh, Grandfather, for pity's sake!"
    "Rachel, leave me be!" he snapped. "I've had crosses enough to bear in my life. I don't need you adding to the weight with your constant harping!"
    She drew herself up, a portrait of affronted dignity. "As you say, Grandfather. But believe me, it will take more than a pretty smile and a 'love for life' to counterbalance 'the other thing,' as you call it!" She spun around on her heel and marched from the room.
    "I know, Rachel," he muttered. "I know that full well." And then he began to pray.
     
    H olly Larsen knocked on the Harker door at five minutes to twelve the next day, a clear and beautiful Sunday in May. She had taken care to dress in an attractive but not flashy manner, even to the extent of wearing a hat that matched her purse and shoes. She rarely wore hats but had fished around in her closet until she found an appropriate ensemble. She knew that no matter what she wore, it would make a bad impression upon Rachel and Daniel, but she did not care. She wanted old Quincy Harker to like her, and she reasoned that proper attire for church was a step in that direction.
    It was Malcolm who opened the door and admitted her, smiling at her warmly, kissing her lightly, and saying, "Holly, I'm so sorry about this. I had no idea Gramps was gonna pressure you into going to church with us."
    "He didn't pressure me at all, Mal," she said cheerfully. "He just invited me along, that's all. And I thought it was a sweet thing for him to do."
    "Well, that's good," he said, unconvinced.
    "You look a lot better than yesterday," she observed, noting that the neck brace was off and the swelling on his face was somewhat reduced. "Your color's better, too."
    "Yeah, I feel better," he agreed.
    She frowned at him with mock austerity. "Maybe this will teach you to behave yourself!"
    "Oh, it has," he said, laughing. "It has. Let me gather up Gramps and then we can go. The mass starts at twelve-fifteen."
    "Aren't your sister and brother-in-law going?" Say no , she wished.
    "No," he complied to her great relief. "They go to the nine-o'clock service." He led her into the sitting room and