Read The Master's Chair (The Chronicles of Terah) for Free Online Page B

right here, and when he asks, we want to be able to give him someone to turn to.”
    “But you’re not going to know her name or where she is,” Pallor insisted.
    “That’s okay. We’ll have you. It’ll be up to you to tell him what he wants to know,” Mr. Johansson said.
    His words were truer than he could possibly imagine. Pallor was at a loss as to how to respond. Finally he nodded and said, “Yes, I imagine the time will come when he’ll have questions, but you must agree not to bring it up yourselves.”
    Both of the Johanssons nodded.
    Then Gladys spoke up. “What does the mother look like anyway?”
    “She has brown hair and brown eyes, and I wouldn’t really say her skin is dark, but she’s not as pale as most Scandinavians.”
    Gladys nodded. “And the father?”
    Pallor paused. “I haven’t asked, so I don’t really know.”
    “I take it that it’s not you then,” Gladys said quietly.
    “No,” Pallor said as he shook his head. “I’m not related to the child in any way.”
    “Then why are you willing to commit yourself to being involved in this boy’s life for the next twenty-some years?” Gladys persisted.
    Pallor hesitated and then said, “Because she asked me to, and she’s a very dear friend of mine.”
    “But not a lover?” Gladys asked.
    Pallor shook his head again. Gladys nodded and sat back.
    “I understand that you travel quite a bit. What arrangements are you planning to make for the child while you’re away?” Pallor asked, directing the question to Mr. Johansson.
    “Gladys will oversee things, but he’ll have a nanny, too. We’re really too involved in our careers at this point to be able to spare the time that an infant will take,” Mrs. Johansson answered. “Later, when he’s old enough, he’ll accompany us when he’s not in school.” She smiled and got a dreamy look in her eyes. “I’m really looking forward to taking him to some of the places we’ve been. It’ll be so refreshing to see things through his eyes as he sees the wonders of the world for the first time.”
    Mr. Johansson nodded and took her hand. “As you can see, we have a lot to offer a child: financial security, the excitement of life in New York, unlimited travel, the best education that money can buy, anything he needs, and he’ll be free to explore any area that interests him.”
    Pallor nodded. “I take it you’re thinking in terms of private schools.”
    “Of course,” Mr. Johansson said. “He can attend any of the schools in the city that he wants to and live here with Gladys, or he can go to a boarding school if he’d prefer. It’ll be completely up to him. Of course, we’ll play a big role in his life on weekends and vacations, but when school’s in session, Gladys will be the main caregiver.”
    “And this is all right with you?” Pallor asked, looking directly at Gladys.
    She nodded and said, “I’ve been looking forward to raising Christina’s child for a long time. I have to admit I was sort of hoping for a girl, but a boy will be fine.” Then she grinned and said, “I love kids. They bring such a life to the kitchen, and they’re so much fun to cook for. Baking cookies, cupcakes, brownies, cakes, decorating for all the different holidays. Much more fun than tossing a salad.”
    Mrs. Johansson laughed and said, “You’re not going to spoil him, Gladys.”
    “Humph! Cookies and milk after school didn’t do you any harm.”
    “No, I’ll have to agree with you on that one.” Mrs. Johansson looked at her housekeeper with genuine affection.
    “Well, I think I’ve about covered everything,” Pallor said as he stood up. “Thank you for allowing me to take up so much of your time, and thanks for the delicious lemonade. Now, unless you have something you want to ask me, I’ll be on my way.”
    “I would like to know what you think,” Mrs. Johansson said. “Are we going to get the boy?”
    “I don’t know,” Pallor said honestly. “All I’m doing is