Read Redemption for Free Online Page B

just out of his sight, he heard the back door open stealthily and his hackles rose.
    “Mr. McPherson! I know you’re in there. Come and open this door.”
    The woman had a voice loud enough to wake the dead, he thought, his ever-present anger fueled by the demanding tone. His chair rolled across the parlor floor and into the hallway. The doorknob turned at his touch and he looked up at the Widow Blaine’s furious face.
    “Your boy has really done it this time!” Mrs. Blaine announced, her nostrils flaring, her teeth set rigidly. “If you don’t do something about him, the law is going to get involved.”
    Jake sat glumly in his chair, wondering what Jason could possibly have done to infuriate the woman so. He raised his hand to cut her off mid-tirade.“What did Jason do, ma’am? And when did he do it?”
    “What did he do? ” Her voice elevated with each word.
    “That’s what I asked you,” Jake said softly.
    “I don’t need to listen to your smart mouth, Mr. McPherson. I worked in this house. I know the sort of man you are and what you expect of your help. And I certainly know that your son is capable of any number of pranks.”
    “What did he do?” Jake asked again, his voice a bit stronger, his anger beginning to match that of the woman before him.
    “He tore up my vegetable garden. That’s what he did. The tomatoes were just about ready to put in mason jars and the corn was ready to pick.” She took a deep breath. “On top of that, he tore down my scarecrow.”
    “When did he do this?” Jake asked mildly, hoping against hope that Jason was not the culprit, and fearful that he was.
    “Just about an hour ago,” she said.
    Relief ran through his veins. “How do you know it was my son?’ he asked.
    She sniffed, her gaze triumphant. “I saw him myself, a boy with a blue shirt and brown hair. Watched him run from my backyard, I did.”
    Jake smiled grimly. “I’ll warrant there are a number of boys Jason’s size with blue shirts and brown hair.”He looked back over his shoulder, and his voice rose as he called his son’s name. “Jason? Come out here.”
    Wearing a brown shirt, Jason came through the kitchen door and down the hall.
    “Did you tear up Mrs. Blaine’s garden?” Jake asked him.
    “No, sir,” the boy answered. “I’ve been here since school got out.” He looked at the Widow Blaine. “You can ask my teacher. She was here and we was talkin’ for a long time with my Pa.”
    “Did you change your shirt within the past thirty minutes?” Mrs. Blaine asked, her eyes moving over the boy’s form.
    “No, ma’am,” he answered politely. “I’ve worn this one all day long. Yesterday, too.” He thought for a moment. “Maybe the day before, too.”
    Jake winced at that revelation. “Does that answer your question, Mrs. Blaine?” he asked, motioning Jason to step closer. From his chair he drew the boy to his side, his long arm circling the narrow shoulders, his hand gripping Jason’s upper arm. “You’re welcome to check with Miss Merriweather if you like. I think you’ll find she’ll verify my son’s story.”
    “Well, I know what I saw,” Mrs. Blaine said with a good amount of righteous indignation. Turning on her heel, she stepped from the porch, almost tripping over the broken step. Only a quick grab at the railingstopped her from landing head over heels on the sidewalk.
    She turned back and shook her finger at Jake, a good imitation of a schoolmarm if he ever did see one. “This place is a disgrace. You need to get it fixed up.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” Jake called after her as she stormed off. “Just as soon as I get my new legs I’ll do that very thing.”
    “What new legs, Pa?” Jason asked softly, bending to look into his father’s face.
    “I was being sarcastic,” Jake told him. “Joking.”
    “You never joke around, Pa.” The boy looked dubious and Jake reached up to touch Jason’s face with his fingertips.
    “Do you know that I love you, son?”