the doctor for a checkup, but without his cooperation she doubted it would work. “Not everyone would care,” she murmured, realizing this man had chosen to get involved in her and her son’s life when a lot of people, having witnessed what happened on stage, would run the other way.
“But that’s not what Christ taught us.”
Kathleen started to reply when she heard, “Mom. Come on.”
Shrugging, she said, “I’d better go.”
Jared followed her the rest of the way and offered his hand to Mark while he introduced himself. Her son limply shook it, his fingers barely touching Jared’s.
“I’d love to see you at the youth group meeting this Sunday evening. You probably know some of the guys who attend. Your cousin is one of our leaders.”
Mark avoided eye contact with Jared. “I don’t know if I can make it,” Mark mumbled to his chest.
“We’re going to plan a fundraiser, then continue our volleyball tournament. I can always pick you up if you want or you can come with your cousin. What do you say, Mark?”
Kathleen marveled at the persuasive tone in Jared’s voice and hoped her son agreed.
“I’ll think about it,” Mark mumbled, this time lifting his head and looking Jared in the eye for a few seconds before dropping his gaze again.
“Good. Summer around here can get long and boring without some things to do.”
Mark yanked the door open. “Let’s go, Mom.”
Over the top of the car Kathleen mouthed, “Thank you,” then slid behind the steering wheel.
After pulling out of the parking lot, Kathleen stopped at the corner and studied her son’s slumped posture and sullen expression. “I can take you if you want Sunday evening.” Her son had refused to get his driver’s license three months ago when he’d turned sixteen.
With his gaze glued straight ahead, Mark tensed. “I said I’d think about it.”
Kathleen eased her foot onto the accelerator and maneuvered the car out into the flow of traffic. At least her son hadn’t flat-out refused. There was hope. In fact, because of Jared Matthews she felt more hope than she had in a long time. Maybe this move home was going to turn out for the better after all. She needed to believe in something again. After John’s death she had lost faith, her prayers had gone unanswered. Then the recent events concerning Mark had found her drifting even further away from God.
Parking in her driveway, she curled her fingers tightly around the steering wheel and watched her son’s quick escape into the house. “I am not alone. I have my family here and someone who may be able to give me some insight into what’s going on with my son.” The words whispered in the quiet confines of the car reassured her for a moment until she saw her son come to his bedroom window and lower the black shade he’d insisted on having.
Lately Mark preferred to live in the dark, but she wouldn’t. No matter how much she wanted to do everything on her own, she couldn’t refuse help—not now when her son’s health was at stake. If she had an ounce of strength left in her, she would discover with Jared’s assistance what was wrong with Mark.
Chapter Two
Kathleen sat at her table in the kitchen looking out her bay window into the backyard. A green blanket of lush grass extended to a rock garden where a stone bench and birdbath beckoned. Watching a male cardinal land on a branch of her maple tree, she thought about her encounter the night before at the church with Dr. Jared Matthews. There was a presence about him that gave her some hope he might succeed where she hadn’t been able to with her son. Maybe he would be able to reach Mark.
As she brought the cup of hot tea to her lips, the doorbell rang, startling her from her musings. She checked the clock on the wall and noticed it was still early in the morning—eight. Quickly, before the person rang the bell again, she hurried to the door. Mark hadn’t been asleep long and she didn’t want anyone waking him up. He had been so tired after the talent show, and yet she’d heard him roaming around until a few hours ago.
When she opened the front door, she blinked several times, surprised to find Jared Matthews standing on her porch, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
Dressed in navy blue running shorts and a white T-shirt, he smiled, dimpling both cheeks. Sweat glistened on his brow and dampened his shirt. “I was on my way home from jogging in the park and thought since I wasn’t too far from you I would stop by and see how Mark is doing after last night.”
“He’s asleep right now. Would you like something to drink? Water? Coffee? Tea? I was having a cup of hot tea, but I can fix you some coffee if you like.”
Shaking his head, he swiped the back of his hand across his forehead. “Anything hot right now doesn’t sound too appealing, but I’ll take a tall glass of ice water.”
She stepped to the side. “Come in.”
He didn’t move. “I’ve been jogging.”
She laughed. “Believe me, my kitchen table has seen worse than a man who’s been jogging sitting at it.”
He opened the screen door and came into the house, his large frame filling the small entry hall. He took a deep breath. “Something smells good.”
“I’m baking bread.”
“Baking bread? People still do that?”
“I’d do it even if I didn’t like to eat it just for the smell.”
“My mom used to bake bread, but that was ages ago. I haven’t had freshly made bread since I was a young kid.”
“I have one loaf finished. I’ll cut you a piece if you want.”
“There’s no way I’ll turn down that offer.” His smile grew, deepening the two dimples in his cheeks. “This is my lucky morning.”
Jared trailed her into the kitchen and took a seat at the glass table. She brought him some ice water, then returned to the counter to cut several slices of bread.
“Do you like to cook?”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Yes. You could call it one of my passions.”
“One?” He arched a brow. “What other passions do you have?”
The question caused her to pause. Tilting her head, she thought about it, realizing so many of her passions had been tied up with John. They had loved to hike and camp as a family. They had taken pride in fixing up their old house room by room until it had been stamped with their personalities throughout. “You know, besides cooking, I suppose I like to read just about any type of book.”
“You don’t sound very convinced.”
“So many things that I used to do were connected with my husband and son. Since my husband’s death there’s been a void that’s been hard to fill.” Kathleen finished slicing the bread, then brought the plate to the table and sat. “You probably know what I mean. Didn’t your wife die recently?”
A
