Read The Harvest (Book 1) for Free Online

Too stubborn. And he comes from a long line of…”
    “Champion stock. Ain’t no one has long livin’ genes like a Taylor.” Lucas finished for him. It was the same thing he’d said from his hospital bed while fighting for his life after his first heart attack, and the same thing he would repeat every time the subject of his health became a topic of conversation.
    “Well it’s the gosh durn truth. Anyway, enough about hogwash medical nonsense. What about you and Emma? You heard from her since she went to Hollyweird?”
    Lucas shook his head, turned away from his dad’s piercing gaze. He didn’t want to discuss Emma with his dad or anyone for that matter. She was out of his league and he never understood why she’d bothered with him when she could have any guy she wanted.
    “You called her yet?” He demanded.
    “No sir. I’ve been busy.”
    “Busy? You’re nineteen. You ain’t old enough to be busy.” He snorted at the thought. “You’re chicken shit is what you are.”
    “No I’m not.”
    “Then call her.”
    “I’m not gonna call her. Besides I have a girlfriend.”
    “Who?”
    “You don’t know her. She’s a cheerleader and…”
    “A cheerleader? What! I bet her daddy don’t own half the south and then some. I bet she ain’t smart like that Emma neither.”
    “Is that why you care so much about me callin’ Emma? Cuz her family’s got money?”
    “Didn’t say that.” He looked down hiding his red face. “It don’t hurt none though. And Emma is an only child.” He added, not too ashamed to point out the obvious.
    Pam returned in time to hear the end of his comment. “What’re you two talkin’ about?” His mom set a basket full of clean folded clothes next to Luke and eyed the bacon pate with suspicion.
    “Thanks mom. And he’s harrassin’ me again about Emma.”
    “Oh! Have you heard from her? I just love that girl. She’s a bit young right now, but smart as a whip. Bet she could run circles around your little cheerleader friend.”
    “Mom! Kirsten’s smart.”
    “What’s her major? Home Economics?” Luke senior bellowed out, finding his comment funnier than anyone else did.
    “That’s not even a major. And she’s studying biology if you have to know.”
    Pam placed her arm around Luke’s shoulders. “I’m sure she’s very nice. You just make sure to use protection.  I’m not ready to be a grand momma just yet.”
    Lucas almost choked. “Gah mom. I gotta go. See you clowns on Saturday.” He kissed his mom on the cheek, playfully punched his dad’s arm.
    “We’ll be the ones wearing purple and yellow.” His dad gave him a soft punch in return.
    “Oh yeah. You’ll be real easy to spot.” Luke grabbed his clothes and headed out the door.
    A restored older model Mustang sat in the driveway. He reached in to set the clothes basket in the back seat and his hand passed through a rainbow of light. Setting the basket down to check it out, he moved his hand in and out of the light, following its path out the rear window.  His eyes grew wide.
    Luke back peddled into the house, his eyes on the sky the entire time. He entered the house and backed into his mom. “Oh sorry mom.”
    “Did ya forget somethin’ honey?”
    Luke stood in the open doorway. “No.  But ya’ll gotta see this.” He walked out letting the door slam behind him.
    Outside, Luke’s parent’s found him standing in the middle of the lawn, staring at the horizon. They exchanged a worried glance, and turned their attention to the sky.
    “Oh my Lord. What is that?” Pam clutched her hands over her heart.
    “Well darlin I’d say it looks like three damn suns.  Or one big sun and two half suns. Or somethin’ to that affect.” Luke senior shook his head. He’d learned a thing or two in his fifteen years working for NASA. He knew there were plenty of phenomenons that existed in this world. He’d seen his fair share of those that had explanations and those that did not. One thing he decided