When It Rains (The Potter's House Book 2 Read online

  Pausing, I looked up at her. “Yeah, but then we couldn’t have fun talking all the way there.”

  “Oh, yeah. Lots of fun.”

  After we got the car up onto the trailer, we thanked the youth group and then we got into the cab of the U-Haul, setting out for the open road.

  We were two hours into our drive when Kayla pulled out her ear buds and put them in the front pocket of her backpack. Turning to me, she said, “Mom?”

  “Yeah, dear?”

  “I’m sorry about the other day.”

  Without her detailing what she was apologizing for, I knew it was for the behavior on the night when she and Matt broke the news to me about her pregnancy. She wasn’t happy about leaving Matt and her friends behind in Arizona, but I knew she was realizing quickly that I was the only person in the world she’d know in Washington.

  “I forgive you. Hey, do you want to put on that CD that Matt gave you?”

  “No, not really.” Her gaze turned out the window. “Tell me about this Mac guy we’re going to be sharing a house with.”

  I laughed. “We’re not sharing a house with him. We’ll have our own quarters in the ranch’s guest house. He’s old, I know that much. Oh, and very grumpy.”

  “Is he like a cowboy?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know much about him.”

  “Does he have internet?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “These are important things to know, Mom. He could be a serial killer with no internet, and we’re just going to live with him? Really safe, Mom. Jeez.”

  Smiling, I shook my head. “You worry too much. It’s going to be a good change. After all you and I have been through these last two years since Dad left, I think it’s overdue.”

  She got really quiet. Which wasn’t a surprise to me. She didn’t like talking about Jonathan. It hurt too much for her to dwell on her father. I didn’t blame her for that. I couldn’t imagine the torment her soul was still going through with the fact that he had picked the other family over ours. Picked his other children over her. He promised to visit her a lot when he moved to Florida after the divorce, but she had only seen him once since he’d left. She needed her father, and his actions showed he couldn’t possibly care less. It broke my heart to see my little girl struggle without having a father in her life. No child deserves to be without a father.

  “Where are we stopping tonight again?” she asked a few minutes later.

  “Idaho Falls, Idaho.”

  Chapter 5- Luke

  CHANGING THE BLOODIED GAUZE FROM my father’s leg wound, I winced at the sight. He was too old to keep getting hurt like this. He had fallen down again, this time outside, right off the front porch. He had cataracts and couldn’t see very well. Mac had lain in the dirt for three hours until I just happened to come out and visit him. If I hadn’t been there, he would have certainly bled out.

  My father was a hard man to live with growing up. He suffered from PTSD in the Korean War and self-medicated with whiskey for most of my life. It wasn’t until the summer of 2009 after losing his wife, Rita, my mom, to breast cancer that he finally put the bottle away. I was already grown and had already learned from him what not to do and what kind of man I never wanted to become.

  “You could be a little gentler, sonny boy,” he said as I redressed his wound.

  “Yeah, and you could be a little less stubborn and take the cell phone I bought you months ago.”

  “I don’t need technology. I’ve lived a full life without it.” Pushing himself up, he leaned against the wall his bed was set against in his bedroom.

  The bedroom, along with the rest of the house, was made of oak. The oak was logged from up on the hill just a few miles away on another patch of land he owned.

  Taking the remnants of trash from the nightstand, I left the bedroom and went down the hall. Pictures of Victor, Mom, Dad, and me lined each wall, highlighting our family from a different time in our life. The pictures that hung on the wall told a different story from what my brother or I would tell. Pictures in front of the church on Easter didn’t show my father’s hangover from the night before. The pictures only caught glimmers of the surface, nothing below. I hardly ever stopped in the hall and looked at any of them, with the exception of the one of my mother at the far end. I missed her. It was of her and us boys. I was twelve at the time, Victor just over six, and she looked happy.

  Arriving in the kitchen, I opened the cupboard below the sink and tossed the garbage away.

  My phone rang in my pocket and I pulled it out.

  It was Victor.

  “Hey. How is he today?”

  “He’s grumpy, as usual.”

  He laughed. “When’s that woman getting there?”

  “Hannah is arriving tomorrow sometime.” Crossing the kitchen floor, I went over to the table and sat down, looking out at the field where cows used to graze. I longed for the time I didn’t have to continuously check up on my dad’s wellbeing.

  “Did you warn the gal about Dad?”

  “Of course. I already feel bad enough for the gal. She has a daughter coming with her too. On the phone, she told me that her husband left her a couple of years back. She’s had a rough go of it, so this might be a good thing for her, like it will be for us, not having to come check on him.”

  “Tread carefully, brother. Sounds like she’s damaged goods, and I know how you like to be a knight.”

  “Don’t be crass.”

  After getting off the phone with Victor, I walked out the back door and went over to the fence. The sun was just starting to set, and I took in the beauty of the array of colors painted in the sky. Leaning against the white-washed boards of the fence, I clasped my hands together and bowed my head in prayer.

  “God, please let this woman and her daughter work out. I know my dad is a jerk, but he needs to see Your love again in his life. He needs Your love to soften his heart before the end comes. If You can find it in Your will for this to happen, it’d be greatly appreciated. Amen.”

  Chapter 6-Hannah

  AFTER CHECKING INTO OUR HOTEL in Idaho Falls, Kayla and I ventured across the street to stretch our legs. As we journeyed down the walking path along the river, we could see the Mormon temple across the river. It stood taller than the hotels or any of the other buildings along the river and looked to be crafted with a detail unmatched by anything I’d seen before.

  “What religion is that for?” Kayla asked, pointing it out.

  “Mormon.”

  “Oh. Elise from school was a Mormon. They’re Christian, right?”

  “Some might be, but their doctrines are not Christian. They don’t believe in the same Jesus as we do. They believe He is separate from God, not in the trinity. There’s a lot more differences between Biblical Christianity and Mormons. I actually have a book in one of my boxes if you really want to know more.”

  She shook her head. “That’s okay . . .” Looking around, and then forward, she said softly, “I miss my friends.”

  Stopping, I turned to her and grabbed both of her hands in mine. Peering into her eyes as the soft sound of the falls were only a few steps further up the path, I wanted to assure her of the future. “I know you have a lot of pain inside right now. Lots of hormones whooshing around, lots of confusion too, and I appreciate your doing your best to seem okay, Kayla.”

  “Okay.” Her word was soft, but the pain could be heard in the tone.

  I continued. “Life is going to get better for you, Kayla. I know you miss Matt, and I know you’re hurting because of it, and moving away from all of your friends is hard, but I promise things will work out. God has a plan for you, Daughter.”

  “It’s just so hard to believe that when my life is a train wreck, Mom.” She started to lightly cry, and her hand found her belly. “I’m only sixteen and I’m pregnant. I have to go start in a new school, and everyone is going to make fun of me and stare at me.”

  “Would you rather do your schooling online and at home?”
r />   Her eyes widened. “You’d let me do that?”

  “Absolutely. I couldn’t imagine going to a school, let alone a new school, pregnant and sixteen. I’m here to help you.”

  She frowned, then smiled, and frowned again. Then she stepped toward me and hugged me. It was the perfect hug in a moment of uncertainty as we were halfway between our old life and our new one in Washington.

  There was no way to know for certain how the future would go for the two of us, but I knew God was with us and He was watching out not only for our wellbeing, but for our hearts too. God knew that hug was exactly what I needed. God’s love for me overwhelmed my emotions as Kayla hugged me. My eyes watered.

  Wiping our eyes, we continued onward to the falls. Coming up a slope of cement, we arrived at a metal railing. The falls were about three feet in height and tumbled lightly over and into the water. They weren’t impressive enough to justify a name for a town in my mind, but they were pretty, I guess.

  “Mom?” she said, as we held onto the railing, looking out at the falls.

  “Yeah?”

  “These are the ‘majestic falls’?” she asked, a laugh to her tone as she did.

  Smiling, I laughed. “I guess so.”

  Chapter 7-Luke

  I’D TRADED IN MY COWBOY boots for dress shoes a long time ago and became an investment banker at Young’s in Spokane. Essentially, I helped businesses make a lot of money. Whether it was buying up other companies and dissolving them or raising funds for an upcoming research and development, I’m the guy people called when they were ready to make a big decision, and I never made mistakes.

  “Corey, calm down.” Standing up with Corey Saks in my ear piece, I walked over to the window of my office and looked down upon the cars driving the street below. Corey Saks was the owner of Bing Bong Toy Company who had just received their quarterly reports and found out they’re down three-quarters of a percent because of new business that was gobbling up a portion of the toy market with a new product. “Listen, this is what we do. We buy them out.”

  “But that’s no small amount of money, Luke!”

  “Neither is the loss here in the long run. The board will approve it. I’m telling you it’s the right move.”

  He took a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll talk to the board and let you know.”

  “Remember to breathe, Corey.”

  He laughed. “I know, I know. Thanks.”

  Hanging up the call, I walked over to my bookshelf and picked up my baseball. It was the baseball I had hit in my college days, senior year, to be exact. I’d slugged it out of the field and closed out our undefeated season. A proud moment for myself. Tossing it up, I caught it and walked with it over to my desk. Pressing my desk phone’s button to reach Cindy, my receptionist, I said, “Hold my calls. I’m taking an early lunch today.”

  “Pamela called again. You’re going to have to talk to her, Luke.”

  Ignoring her, I asked, “So, can you hold my calls?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thanks.”

  Leaving my baseball on my desk, I grabbed my jacket from the back of my chair and headed out to grab a bite at my favorite place down the block—Antonio’s, a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant with the best Carne Asada steak burrito in town.

  As I walked down the sidewalk outside the high rise of my office, my cell phone rang.

  It was my dad’s new resident, Hannah.

  I answered the call via my Bluetooth device in my ear. “How’s the road trip going?”

  “It’s all right. I’m a couple of hours out of town. Can you meet me there, or does Mac know about us showing up with a U-Haul?”

  Checking my watch, I said, “He knows about you. Just go knock on the front door and introduce yourself, then start unloading your stuff into the guest house. I’ll be out there this evening to make sure everything is okay. I wanted to come sooner and help, but I have a meeting I can’t get out of. Some people from the church out there will be there to help unload as soon as Mac tells them you are there.”

  “Oh, wow. Really? That wasn’t needed. Kayla and I can unload.”

  “No, no. I told the pastor all about you, and he volunteered the help. These people love new people and helping.”

  After a moment, she said, “Okay. I can’t turn down free help. Thank you.”

  Arriving at the front door of Antonio’s, I paused with my hand on the door. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you tonight out at the ranch.”

  Chapter 8-Hannah

  SPOTTING THE DRIVEWAY THAT ABRUPTLY dropped off to the right of the road and onto a gravel road under an oak tree, I knew we had arrived. Luke had given me the address along with a note about how it dropped off the road quickly. Suddenly, my stomach jumped into my throat as we started down the bumpy road, the final stretch of our journey.

  We passed under the shade of large towering trees covering both sides of the gravel road.

  “You okay, Mom?” Kayla asked, noticing my unease.

  I nodded. Nothing like a long road trip to rekindle my daughter’s fondness for me. While I appreciated her concern about my wellbeing, I couldn’t shake the fears that were rising within me. What if things don’t work out? Where would we go? What if Mac is too mean? What if the guest house is a junk shack? These were all issues I couldn’t let my daughter worry about.

  Then the trees broke away from the road and we came into a wide-open area. Fields on both sides and a mountain set not too far in the distance. It was more beautiful than the pictures online could capture.

  “Look, a mountain!” Kayla said, smiling as she looked out the passenger window. It was as if she was ten again and fascinated by the simple things in life.

  I smiled. “Yep, pretty neat, and the neighbor next door has a horse.”

  “Can I ride it?”

  Shaking my head, I said, “I’m not sure. We’ll have to see.”

  We drove down the gravel crescent-shaped driveway and parked in front of the guest house.

  Climbing out of the truck, Kayla said, “I’m going for a walk. I need to move my legs after that long road trip.”

  “Okay. I’m going to go meet Mac.”

  Traversing over toward the house, I noticed the sound of crickets humming in the distance as I took in the beauty of the property. This place was going to be a blessing to my daughter and me. I just knew it.

  Up on the porch of Mac’s house, I opened the old wooden screen door and gave the door two strong knocks.

  Letting loose of the screen, it creaked shut. I turned around and watched Kayla as she stopped at the fence line and peered over at the mountain. I felt that this was the kind of place where a person could reconnect with God and experience the beauty that life has to offer.

  A rugged, hoarse voice startled me from behind. “What are you doing on my property? I told you Jehovah’s Witnesses to leave me alone!”

  Jumping, I quickly turned to see a set of worn eyes looking out through the screen door. He had a head of white hair, but not much of it.

  My heart raced.

  “Luke didn’t tell you about me?”

  “Who is me?”

  “Hannah.” Slightly turning toward the yard and fields, I pointed. “And my daughter, Kayla.”

  “Right. The help.” He grunted.

  He pushed open the screen door and hopped out with his crutches.

  “Name’s Mac.” He extended a hand, his other arm busy holding him up with one crutch.

  Reluctantly, I reached a hand out and shook his. “Hannah.”

  “I know that. You already told me.”

  Not saying a word, I nodded as I lifted a prayer to God to help me with the fruit of patience in my heart.

  “I only have one rule while you live here—don’t make me mad or you’re outta here. I know my son probably told you I need a lot of help, but I don’t. I bathe myself, I clothe myself, and I can cook. You’re mostly here to keep an eye on me because I keep having accidents where I fall down. My eyes are bad is all. I�
��ll be done with these crutches once I heal up here shortly. My boys just worry too much about me.”

  “Okay. Although I would prefer to cook. That way, I earn my keep somehow.”

  His eyes turned to Kayla at the fence and his face softened for a second before turning hard again. “Fine. That your girl?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where’s her father?”

  Shaking my head, I glanced down. “Florida.”

  “That’s too bad. I’m sorry to hear that.” He turned and headed back inside his house. Stopping, he turned his head and said, “I’ll let the pastor know you’re here, and he’ll head over with the youth to help unload.”

  “Thank you. I look forward to getting to know you more.”

  He nodded, then went inside, and I walked out to take in the sights with Kayla.

  “Look at that, Mom.” She pointed toward the guest house and to what looked to be the remains of a garden of some sort. There were rows of dirt, but they were overgrown with weeds. I’d had a greenhouse and a garden back at the old house with Jonathan. I grew all sorts of fresh vegetables and even a few flowers. I missed the feeling of the soil in my fingers as I planted and tended my garden.

  “I wonder when was the last time someone gardened it?” I asked, turning to her to carry on the dialog.

  “I’m sure you could turn that heap of old dirt and weeds into something beautiful, Mom. You were so good at it.”

  I smiled and put my arm around her as we turned back to the fence line and the mountains. “Should we go check out the new digs?”

  “Did you just use the word ‘digs’?”

  We both started to laugh.

  Chapter 9-Hannah

  KAYLA AND I WERE ABLE to unload boxes until the people from the church arrived at almost four o’clock that afternoon. Walking out from the guest house and on my way back to the U-Haul truck, I saw an old pickup truck driving up the gravel road. Stopping, I shielded my eyes from the sun as I tried to get a good look at who our help would be.