Free When Grace Sings by Kim Vogel Sawyer Page B

Arborville for a while, we ought to be able to find time for you to take a ride in the Camaro.”
    Actually, making friends with the boy could help with his article. He could press Danny for authentic feedback about living the simplistic lifestyle. Kids were less likely to mask their thoughts and feelings. Briley pinched his chin, pretending to think deeply. “In fact, if your dad could hold those polesout the window, since they’re too long for my trunk, I could give you fellows a ride to your house right now. Whaddaya think about that?”
    Danny turned his eager face to his dad. “Can we, Dad? Huh? Huh?”
    Aldrich looked at Briley, his expression doubtful. “You’d have to take us to town, and you seem to be leaving it. Weren’t you heading somewhere?”
    “Just nosing around. Getting familiar with the area.”
    The man nodded as if the explanation made sense.
    “I did some exploring yesterday, but I didn’t see a lake.” Briley nodded toward the poles. “Maybe you could show me where it is. In case I’d like to do some fishing.”
    “It’s not a lake. Just a pond,” Danny said.
    Aldrich added, “And it’s on private property, but the Heidebrechts have always let people from town come out and drop a line. They won’t mind us taking you out there if you’re really interested.”
    Briley had never experienced a desire to drop a line. Not even from one of the boats that left the piers in Chicago on daylong fishing expeditions. Fishing was an activity shared by fathers and sons. He’d never known a real father, and he had no desire to raise a son. But if the townsfolk frequented the pond, he ought to take a few pictures of it. “I’d like to see it.”
    “It’s not far, but you’ll have to drive a pretty rough road.”
    “I’ll go slow.”
    “And we’re a little, er, ripe from our afternoon of catching and releasing.”
    Ripe was an understatement. “I’ll leave the windows down. The wind ought to chase the smell right back out again.” It’d also bring in a lot of dust, but he’d deal with it.
    Danny apparently lost patience with the delays. He shoved his pole at his father. “C’mon, Dad. Let’s go!” He darted to the passenger side and opened the door.
    Aldrich stood for a moment with both poles in his hands, looking uncertain. But then he shrugged, offered a grin, and followed his son. Danny clambered into the backseat, which was little more than a narrow bench. But hedidn’t seem to mind. He plopped in the middle, rested his elbows on his knees, and leaned over the console, his smile broad. It tickled Briley to please the kid so much.
    Aldrich had some trouble juggling the poles and the door, but he managed to settle himself in the seat and extend his arm out the window with the poles held away from the car. Briley would be sure to drive slowly so those poles wouldn’t bounce against the sides of his Camaro. He doubted there was anyone in Arborville who’d know how to buff out scratches.
    Briley flicked a grin at Danny as he shifted into first gear. “All right, navigator, tell me where to go.”

    Sommerfeld
    Anna—Grace
    Anna—Grace loved the time of fellowship after worship on Sunday, but she also liked the time when the dishes were done, the guests had departed, and she could savor a few precious hours with Steven. The rest of the week their time together was either with a group of friends or taken in such short snatches it left her dissatisfied. Her parents still sat across the room, actively participating in the conversation, but she wouldn’t complain. Sitting beside Steven, holding his hand, not having to share him with a dozen others was enough to make her happy.
    After their company left, Mom had sent Sunny to look at picture books in her bed. In the quiet that followed, it seemed the house relaxed beneath a blanket of calm. Then Dad, as if he’d been waiting for the opportunity, opened a floodgate of questions concerning Steven’s plans for the future.
    Steven