Angel Falls (Angel Falls Series, #1) by Babette Jongh (inspiring books for teens txt) 📗

that rifle alone, you hear? That gun is not a toy, and you’re not to have anything to do with it unless there’s an adult right there with you. Got it?”

“Yes’m.”

“Mom,” Ray called from the living room, his voice raised above the sound of the gun cabinet being opened and then closed again. “Can we go to the canal?”

“I believe I mentioned something about you coming into whatever room I’m in before you talk to me.” Angela waited until Ray peered around the corner into the kitchen with an exaggerated look of obliging patience on his face. Then she looked out at the window at the heavy gray clouds that promised another day of rain. “Not today, son. It’s been a rainy season, and an even rainier week, so the canal will be dangerous. Y’all take your bikes out. Go for a walk or something.”

“Aw, Mom. The canal isn’t bad at all. It’s already drained from last week.”

“Aw, Ray,” Angela mimicked. “Thanks for the canal report. I’m sure it has drained from last week, but now it’s filling up again. Y’all go on and find something else to do. But be back by blue-day.”

I smiled at my mother’s familiar expression.

The teakettle whistled. Angela got up and took it off the heat then poured the boiling water into the teapot. Jake slunk past to join Ray in the living room. A second later, we heard the front door close. The sky had already started spitting rain. The poor kids wouldn’t get much time to play outside before they’d be cooped up for the rest of the evening. “I guess Ray got that rifle he wanted for his birthday.”

“Yeah. Milk and sugar, right?”

“Yes, please.”

Angela put milk and sugar into our teacups then topped them up with the hot tea. “He’s been dying for Carl to take him to the shooting range for target practice, but it’s been so rainy.” She brought our tea to the table. “How are things with you and Ian?”

I took a sip—ow, too hot—then set the cup aside. “I don’t know, but maybe I’ll find out later tonight. He said he’s coming for Christmas vacation, but I’m not holding my breath.”

Angela paused for a minute before she slipped in the trick question. “Has he told you yet that he loves you?”

“Yeah.” But it didn’t mean anything unless he was willing to stay.

“I knew it.” She patted me on the hand. “I knew from the minute I saw that man sitting on our porch he’d be the one for you. Didn’t I tell you?”

“Well, no, Angela. Actually, you—”

“Of course, it was obvious. The walls are pretty thin around here.”

“What?” My face heated at Angela’s implication. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you know.” She looked under her lashes at me. “For a while, I thought you’d end up with Ben, after Melody and all, but... well, it’s just... Like I said, the walls are thin.” She pulled her chair closer with a scraping sound against the linoleum. “Ben comes over, we never hear anything but the TV or the stereo in the living room. Ian comes over, and, well... our bedroom backs up to your bedroom. If you know what I mean.”

“Oh, Angela.” I was mortified to the bone. “You never said...”

“What should I say? Landlady, you’d better not holler so loud when your boyfriend comes over?”

“Angela.” I knew my face had turned three shades of red. “I am so sorry.”

She laughed. “Don’t be sorry. It’s not a problem. I told Carl he should try to make me holler like that.”

We were both hooting with laughter when Maryann came charging in, her clothes soaked, her hair a wet tangled mess hanging down her back.

“The boys went to the canal on their bikes, and they wouldn’t let me go, too.” She put her hands on her hips. “They said girls aren’t allowed to go into the canal. That’s not true, is it?”

I looked out the window. “Those little toads!” Surely they wouldn’t actually go down there after we’d forbidden them to.

Angela jumped up. “Damn that boy! He’s gonna get skinned alive. At least he didn’t take that gun with him.”

“Yes ma’am, he did,” Maryann said with smug assurance. “I told him he shouldn’t, but he said you wouldn’t mind.”

“Wouldn’t mind,” Angela steamed, “wouldn’t mind, my hind foot! That little so-and-so. When I get him home safe and sound, I’m gonna kill him.”

“I’ll go get them, Angela.” I knew I wouldn’t be able to sit here and wait. “You stay with the girls. Maryann, do you know where they went into the canal?”

“No’m. But they said they were going past the new house.”

“The bridge steps by the hospital.” I sighed. “I know Ben has to be at the house to supervise the movers, but I should let him know what’s going on.”

Angela nodded. “You’re going to need his help. I’ll take the girls to the new house, and we’ll supervise the movers.” She followed me to the front door and watched while I pulled on my mud boots. “If Carl weren’t making a run to Greensboro today...”

I put on my rain jacket and checked my cell’s battery. Thank goodness, it was full. I squeezed Angela’s arm to comfort us both. “I’ll bring them back safe, then we’ll tan their behinds.”

I put my head down and ran through the rain, my heavy boots sloshing and sliding. When I got into my car, I called Ben, not sparing time for greetings. “Jake and Ray have gone down into the canal. They’ve got Ray’s rifle. I don’t know what kind of shape the canal’s in right now, but...”

“I can see it from here. It’s not bad yet, but it will be soon. Where do you want me to meet you?”

“My guess is the limestone steps by the hospital bridge.”

“I’m on my way. Don’t go in there without me.”

“All right, I’ll wait. But hurry.”

I knew I’d guessed right when I saw the boys’ bikes propped against the bridge rail. I parked on the wide gravel and grass