Page 92 of Gideon

At a T intersection, Joey stopped and looked at Gideon. “Which way?”

“You don’t know where the church is? Everyone knows where it is.”

“I made a point of not knowing.”

“So, youdoknow, you just won’t acknowledge that you know.”

“Left or right?”

Gideon sighed. “Left. I told you you didn’t have to come.”

“Too late now. But if the roof caves in when I walk inside, it’s not my fault. I mean, it is. But I won’t take responsibility for it.”

“Got it. Turn right up here, then it’s about 500 yards on the left.”

From a distance, Gideon could see the parking lot was full. Cars were parked everywhere, even though it was only eight in the morning. He wondered if they’d slept there. Those who had lost their houses might not have any other choice soon.

“Looks like they started without you,” Joey said as he picked out a shady spot under a tree in the yard since there was nowhere else.

“I don’t think they ever finished. You sure you want to come inside?”

Joey’s eyes narrowed. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re embarrassed by me.”

Gideon couldn’t help glancing down at his dad’s ripped jeans.

“Hey, they’re clean,” Joey grumbled. “What more do you want?”

“It’s not your clothes. No one will care. You’ve just never wanted anything to do with faith before.”

“This has got nothing to do with faith. I want to see the look on Fairfax’s face when we ruin him. And if it’s going to take the big guy upstairs to take out that megalomanic, then I’ll happily join His team. But can I give you a word of advice?”

Gideon had reached for the car door but settled back into his seat and prepared himself for the worst. “Yes, Dad?”

“Have a plan ready to go when you get in there. Even if you make it up. You can’t go in there with nothing to give them. They’re already afraid as it is.”

His dad was right, and he did have something. But it wasn’t much. “We should get in there.”

“What do you think they’ll say when they see me?” He hooted a soft laugh as they neared the building. “You think anyone will have a heart attack?”

“That’s poor taste.”

“What’d I say?”

“Nikki’s dad died of a heart attack.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Poor guy. But you get my gist.”

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

Chapter 24

Nikki liftedher head when the room echoed the “Amen.”

“Feel free to hang around as long as you want. My mom and Mae will be at the table at the back to answer any questions about food and accommodation. If you need—” Her words caught when she saw Gideon enter. “Uh, if you need anything else, let them know, and we’ll see what we can do.” She waited a beat for everyone to start moving, then hurried off the platform. But as she tried to wind her way to the back, people stopped her to give her a hug or shake her hand.

“Thank you for all that you’re doing,” one woman said. She had bags under her eyes.

“We’re all in this together.” Nikki tightened her grip on the woman’s hand in affection before moving on. “Good to see you, Tom,” she said to a man who stopped her. He’d been one of the lucky ones who’d remained unscathed by Fairfax but had come to help.

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