Save Her Child by CJ Lyons (best historical biographies txt) 📗

it disrespected the family, meaning the Reverend. If their behavior reflected poorly on the family—for example, if they attended the religious college where generations of Harpers had excelled with honors and they were expelled—then they were responsible for bringing dishonor to the entire family. A crime punishable by virtual exile.

Harper should know, because she was still serving her sentence, a decade later. Well, on parole at least, given that Rachel, thanks to Jonah’s urging, had been allowing her to attend Sunday dinners for the past few months. But being allowed back also meant being expected to place the family’s needs above her own, no matter what.

She sighed. She should never have dared to hope. She was better off on her own anyway—hadn’t the last decade proved that?

“Sorry, Mom. No.”

“Naomi Harper, I expect you to grow up and stop being so rebellious. We are your only family and we deserve—”

“I can’t. Please don’t ask me—I can’t.” Harper hung up before Rachel could make her feel more of a traitor than she already did.

Seventeen

Luka glanced over to see Leah blinking back tears after Emily’s outburst. Emily’s words had hurt her more than the little girl could ever know. The grief of missing her husband was obvious—as was the even deeper pain that she might have failed her daughter.

He searched for words but found none. When he checked the sideview mirror, he saw that Nate had buried his face in his phone, although he occasionally flicked a glance at Emily, waiting for her to calm down. Once her sobbing eased, Nate put his phone down and took her hand in his, saying something in a voice too quiet for Luka to hear, but which made Emily nod and seemed to soothe her.

By the time they reached Jericho Fields the car was filled to bursting with a silence wrought with grief and guilt. Nate tumbled out of his seat and ran around to Emily’s side of the car to help her out of her booster seat. Rex, the scraggly mongrel that Nate had saved from an abusive home several months ago, came galloping up to greet the kids, ignoring the adults as unworthy of his attention.

As the children played with Rex, Leah sat still in the driver’s seat, both hands clenching the steering wheel as if it was taking all her strength not to let go of her emotions. After a long moment, she sniffed, then finally turned to face Luka.

“I’m sorry about that,” she said. “But you should know, Ruby said that Nate won a special honor with his photo of Pops. Plus, she said one of the judges teaches art and gave Nate her card, said you should call her.”

Despite his sadness over Leah’s pain, Luka couldn’t help the pride that swelled his chest. “He won?” he stammered, not realizing until that moment how worried he’d been that the rest of the world wouldn’t see Nate’s talent and potential like he did.

“Ruby said the judge wants to invite Nate to her classes or something. Anyway, I’m sorry I wasn’t there to see it myself—and that Emily is acting out.”

“I guess that’s normal at her age.” He tried to sound as if he actually knew anything at all about seven-year-old girls. He glanced at Emily and Nate, the dog between them. Nate was on his knees while Emily stood, their foreheads practically touching as they spoke. She was so petite and Nate was so tall that Luka marveled at the study in contrast the two supplied. So very different and yet also both children of violence and grief, struggling to find their place in a suddenly uncertain and frightful world. It was good they’d found each other.

“I’m not sure we’ll ever find our new normal, not since Ian…” Leah’s voice drifted off. “Every time I think she’s doing better, making progress, something else sets her off. Anyway, I’m sorry. Nate should be proud of his accomplishments and I know, once she’s calmed down, Emily will tell him that and apologize.”

Luka imagined how proud Pops and Janine would be when they heard that Nate won a prize. And a teacher was interested in his work. First time putting himself out there and the kid hit a home run—how amazing was that? But then he looked more closely at Leah, saw the dark smudges below her eyes and the rigid tautness of her neck muscles. It’d been six months since her husband was murdered and he’d thought she was doing okay, despite the challenges of juggling a new job with single parenthood. But clearly, she was still struggling. “Everything okay?”

“Me?” Her shrug was a study in nonchalance. Luka wasn’t fooled, but also knew she wouldn’t talk until she was ready. Nate was the same way, always needed time to mull things over for himself before he could share anything with the outside world. “I’m fine.” She left to retrieve his crutches. Together, they joined the kids.

“Emily, I think you have something to say to your friend before we go,” Leah said in a firm, parental tone.

Emily instantly appeared chagrined and remorseful. She touched Nate’s cheek with her palm and gazed directly into his eyes. “I’m glad you won. Your pictures were very good—I would have given you the blue ribbon instead of the white one.”

“And—” Leah prompted.

“And… I’m sorry I didn’t win like I told my daddy I would.” Emily leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest, daring Leah to try to get anything more out of her, such as admitting that her tantrum was uncalled for.

Leah’s spine grew rigid. “How about apologizing to Nate for screaming in the car when you should have been celebrating with him?”

Emily frowned at Leah, her lower lip protruding in a stubborn pout. “I won’t. And you can’t make me.”

Leah’s lips tightened and her face flushed. Luka realized that as hard as he had to work to help Nate, what he faced was nothing compared to what Leah was dealing with after the trauma Emily had been through.

Nate