Read The Light of His Sword for Free Online Page A

forced
herself to meet his gaze saying, “Everyone is smiling and having a
nice time and the waitress keeps bringing so many different
dishes.”
    Gabe leaned back in his seat and said, “I
guess the food at the compound was pretty basic?”
    “Yes,” Alyssa answered, “We grew our own
food. We canned or froze the fruit and vegetables for winter. We
even butchered our own cattle. Everything was fresh and unseasoned.
The food out here seems very salty.”
    “That’s probably true, we Americans tend to
over salt everything.” Gabe glanced around the room, “We’ll have to
stop for dinner tomorrow at an Italian restaurant. You haven’t
lived until you’ve had and Italian style salad, spaghetti and
cheese garlic bread.”
    It wasn’t long before Julie returned with
their food. Alyssa’s mouth watered when the aroma of the pot roast
reached her. She gingerly tasted the tender meat and vegetables;
they melted on her tongue. Samantha dug into her grilled cheese and
applesauce with eager delight. Gabe ordered Samantha a hot fudge
sundae when the meal was over and excused himself while she and
Alyssa sampled the scrumptious dessert.
    “I’ll meet you outside, I’m going to grab a
few things for the trip.” Gabe announced and disappeared into the
store attached to the restaurant.
    When they were finished Alyssa looked for
the waitress intending to ask her how to pay for the meal. When she
didn’t appear Alyssa took Samantha to the register and said, “I
need to pay our bill.”
    The young man at the register glanced up at
her and said, “Oh yeah, you were at Julie’s table. An older woman
paid your bill, so you’re good.”
    “What older woman?” Alyssa asked frowning at
him.
    The youth pointed behind her, and Alyssa
turned around to find an older woman with dark brown hair standing
near the front doors. Alyssa smiled and waved at the woman. The
woman stared at her then turned and walked out the door. Alyssa she
grabbed Samantha’s hand. Walking to the door, Alyssa gazed outside
searching for the woman. She found her standing by a stack of
propane tanks.
    Alyssa came up to her and said, “Thank you
for buying us dinner. Are you a friend of Gabe’s?”
    The woman turned to gaze as Alyssa. Her face
was blank; her gaze was hollow. She spoke is a soft monotonous
tone, “Happy to help my dear. I know you think you are safe with
that man. But all men want the same thing. Eventually, you will
have to pay for his kindness. Prepare yourself.”
    The woman turned and walked away. Alyssa
stared after her. What just happened? How did that woman know she
and Gabe were strangers? She glanced down at Samantha considering
the woman’s words. Would she have to pay for his kindness?
    Gabe appeared beside them and asked, “What
are you looking at?”
    “Nothing,” Alyssa answered jumping slightly,
“Are you ready to go?”
    Gabe glanced through the glass doors and
said, “Yes, I bought you both a couple of sweatshirts and a blanket
for Samantha.”
    He held out a plastic bag and Samantha took
it digging inside. “Oh mommy, look! It’s pink, and it’s so
soft!”
    Alyssa couldn’t smile; a cold feeling rushed
through her. “That’s nice.” She answered in a hollow tone and
followed Gabe to the truck.
    The climbed into the truck and pulled out of
the truck stop. The sky darkened into shades of blue and purple as
the night sky pushed the light toward the distant horizon behind
them. Samantha cuddled up with her blanket on the bench behind them
and fell asleep. Alyssa glanced out the window as the last trace of
the small town behind them disappeared, replaced by large evergreen
trees as the landscape began to change.
    The two-lane highway they travelled wove
through the low hills as the road began to slope upward into the
mountains. Alyssa glanced at Gabe as the last of the daylight sank
behind them, casting large shadows inside the cab. Finally, she
said, “Thank you for the sweatshirts. These cotton dresses don’t