Ghost River, Jon Coon [ebooks online reader TXT] 📗

the big snake into her lap and gently stroked its head. “Especially when they are concerned about the safety of loved ones. Lots of stories of unexplainable rescues or warnings. If he’s still here, he wants you to know it, and I expect you’ll see him again. For certain, Gabriel, there’s something he wants from you. I expect you know what that is.”

“Yeah, I’m afraid I do.”

CHAPTER 4

0800

The Evans Family Kitchen

Clear and cool

Though Carol had asked him to spend the day, Gabe hoped a short visit would be better than none. When he arrived, Emily and Paul were up, but Carol was still sleeping. Captain Bright had been called back to Texas. Eleven-year-old Emily poured a cup of coffee for Gabe and asked, “How is it? I made it.”

Gabe had a habit of looking for single words to describe people. Precocious came to mind for Emily. Her quick, inquisitive mind often let her comments escape before the implications were considered. But then there was her affectionate, cuddly side. She was happiest in the arms of her mom or dad, soaking up their adoration like a young puppy. Not an easy word choice for that one. Perhaps precocious would do until something better came along.

Gabe nodded his approval mid-sip. Emily put the pot back on the counter, then joined Gabe and Paul at the kitchen table. Seventeen-year-old Paul, on the other hand, was easy. Lanky and usually in need of a haircut, Paul was a debater and a politician. Always ready to assert his opinion as the authority on whatever subject was under discussion. Autocrat, meaning a dominating, self-willed person, fit Paul well.

“How could you say that?” Paul asked as Gabe put his hot mug on a coaster.

“Say what?”

“You know, the stuff about angels carrying Dad off to a heavenly reward. That’s ridiculous. I don’t believe any of it.”

Emily scolded her brother. “Paul, don’t talk to Gabe like—”

Paul cut her off. “If my dad was all those good things you said and if there is a God, how could He let this happen to us—to my dad? He didn’t deserve to die like that. Not now when we still need him. What’s going to happen to us now? To my mom?”

Gabe looked at Paul with a compassionate smile and thought sometimes this godfather business wasn’t all that much fun. “Okay, one question at a time,” Gabe began. “When you both were baptized, I stood with your parents and promised to be your godfather. Now we all know no one will ever be able to fill your dad’s boots, but as long as I am able and to the extent that you’ll let me, I intend to keep that promise to watch out for you as best I can. Is that okay with you?”

Without speaking, Paul looked down at the table and slowly nodded. Gabe asked him again and got a feeble, “Okay.”

“Good, now as part of being a great dad and responsible husband, with his pension and the extra insurance he bought, there’s enough for you to live comfortably, stay in this house, go to college, and make sure your mom is well cared for. You are extremely fortunate. So within reason, money’s not something you have to worry about. Got it?”

“Guess so . . .”

“Now, as to God’s part, I’m not nearly smart enough to understand why horrible things happen to good people or what His plans are when those things happen. But this I do know. It’s not what happens but how we deal with it that’s important. Losing your dad like this can ruin your life, but only if you let it. That pain may never heal, but you have to live with it and move on. And I know from experience God can help with that part.” He looked over at Emily who nodded her approval.

“Dad told us that,” Emily said. “That what really matters is how we play with the hands we’re dealt.”

Gabe stroked her hair gently and smiled. Then he refocused on Paul. “Paul, I don’t know exactly what happened, but I do know that your dad’s death wasn’t an accident.”

“What—”

“Let me finish. There’s an old steel bridge beside the newer concrete interstate bridge. It shouldn’t be there. The steel bridge should have been salvaged years ago. And it was booby-trapped. Explosives that should have gone off before it hit the water, but someone wired them with detonators and trip wires. It looks like that’s what killed your dad.”

“Why—”

“Not done yet,” Gabe continued. “When I found your dad, he was close enough to the new bridge that I discovered a huge problem. The river has scoured away the bottom. At least one huge pier, which should be supporting the bridge, is just hanging off the span. It’s a very dangerous situation, and a lot of people could get killed if that bridge collapses. And again, because your dad was in exactly the right place, we will be able to save a lot of lives. I don’t believe much in coincidences, so I don’t think that was an accident. Our guys have finished the inspection, and a repair crew is moving on to the site.”

“Wow,” Paul said softly.

“Yeah, wow,” Gabe repeated. He shifted in his chair to be closer. “Now this is the last part, and it’s the hardest. How could I possibly know your dad was taken to heaven by angels? The first way would be if I was there and saw it happen. I doubt that you will believe that, so here’s the second way. Do you believe in electricity?”

“What do you mean?” Paul asked, puzzled.

“We see what it does, so that’s easy to believe in. But have you actually ever seen the real stuff, pure unadulterated, in the wire, out the outlet, light the light bulb electricity? No, and no one else ever has either. But you do believe that when you hit the switch the lights come on, and the reason is that electricity is doing the work, right?”

“I guess