Page 40 of Gideon

“You mean like when I refused to pay Cole at the markets, and you said I could go to jail?”

“I remember.”

“Good. And come to think of it, I may know a few others who’d like to help.”

“I don’t want to bring anyone else into it.”

“There are others like me who are desperate for change but have been too afraid to do anything. Those totems must weigh a ton, and you’ll need to get in and out quickly. Chainsaws would be the fastest, but they’ll make too much noise. You need help.”

“We’d be breaking the law. Destroying public property.”

“I know.”

“All right. I can’t believe this is happening. I hope I’m getting this right.”

“Two seconds ago, you were convinced.”

“I know. We’re fickle creatures, aren’t we? Do you think God gets frustrated by that?”

“I’m sure He does. But the Bible says over and over again how long-suffering he is. Besides, are we really that bad when compared with the Israelites? They gave God and Moses so much trouble, but He persevered with them.”

“I’ll need some time to work out a plan. And if things go wrong, I’m the one who will carry the consequences and no one else.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s the way it has to be. It was my idea.”

She wouldn’t bother arguing with him, but if things went south, she knew she’d be prepared to take whatever came at them. “I’ll gather the troops. Where do you want to meet and at what time?”

“We can meet at the motel I’m staying at after dark.”

“This is really exciting.”

“I’d choose other words for it.”

“You’re worried?”

“Aren’t you?”

“Sure, but God doesn’t expect us to only do things that are comfortable.”

“I’d say this is beyond that.”

“And I’d say I’m okay with that.”

Chapter 11

Gideon stoppedhis truck at the edge of the town square, and Nikki jumped from the back.

She didn’t hurry for the sidewalk. With her hands tucked in her pockets against the cool night, she walked like she was out for a midnight stroll in case anyone was watching. But when she entered the dark edge of the sidewalk, it was almost impossible to see her as she slunk along.

Gideon drove around the block and dropped off a stocky man with arms like barrels before driving back to the park and up onto the grass, where he stopped in front of the totems that loomed thick against the dark sky, blotting out the stars with their bulk.

Gideon and another man, slim and a little older, climbed out of the cab and grabbed the axes from the truck bed.

“We’ll wait for Nikki and Gunther to catch up,” Gideon said while he surveyed the park. “You’re certain you want to do this, Ty?”

“You asked us all that several times back at the motel.”

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