Sacred Ground

“Have you met Sam Williams yet?”

“He came over and had breakfast with us. He’s a very interesting man.”

“He and Mr. Zeke were good buddies.”

“So I understand. He didn’t want the garden to die and today he showed Drew how to care for it and Drew seems to be interested.”

She laughed. “That sounds just like him. It was good talking with you, Gabe, and I hope to see you around.”

“Thanks for the call, Makima. I appreciate it.”

She’d been wrong and had seen it after she’d calmed down. Not everyone, however, would have called to apologize. Especially a pretty woman. So he truly did appreciate it.

It was a big plus mark for her.

Even so, he wasn’t going to let himself be drawn in by her good points or her physical attractiveness.

Been there, done that, and had been badly hurt.

Drew was his family now and that was all he needed.

Chapter 8

The sky was overcast and March winds had started to blow. Makima was glad she’d worn a pair of warm black pants and a long-sleeved red sweater.

“I’m going out for lunch, be back about one,” she told Eugenia Palmer, the program director, who sat at the receptionist desk when Makima wasn’t available.

“Have fun,” Eugenia said as she opened her lunch bag. Her sprouts on low-carb bread, plus an apple and a thermos of green tea were guaranteed to bring down her weight if she persevered and she was determined to make it work.

Fun wasn’t exactly what Makima anticipated, but she did enjoy her weekly lunch hour at her parents’ home as long as she could avoid certain subjects.

Today, only her mother greeted her. “Dad’s not going to be with us?” Makima was disappointed as it had been two weeks since she’d seen him.

“He had to go to Swinton to see someone. Said to tell you he’s sorry to miss you.”

Odessa Lines had been raised in the genteel home of a prominent minister. When the neighbor boy, Arthur Gray, had begun courting her, Reverend Lines had refused consent until Arthur had a steady job. Arthur and Odessa had both become teachers, but when Makima arrived, Odessa stayed home to raise her children. Arthur went into administration, rising steadily until he became principal of the high school.

Odessa closed the door behind Makima. “You warm enough, honey? It’s turned chilly so I made your favorite—vegetable-beef soup.”

Makima followed her mother into the spacious kitchen where the table was set for two.

“No wonder it smells so good in here,” Makima said appreciatively.

Her mother set two steaming bowls of soup on the table where there were already thick chunks of crusty bread and butter.