Chapter Eight

Kate straggled behind her parents out of the community church they’d started attending, wishing Tori had made it this morning. Kate had been thrilled when she discovered that Tori’s family attended the same service, and she’d hoped her friend might come this morning with the news that her parents had changed their minds. Tori’s father had come, but Tori and her mother hadn’t shown up.

Dad stepped up beside her. “Want to ride home with your mother or walk with me?” Her father had a thing about keeping in shape and rode his bike or ran whenever he could. She forced a smile, not wanting to hurt his feelings by refusing. “I’ll go with you if you promise not to run too fast. I’m not exactly wearing my running shoes.”

He glanced at her feet and grinned. “I don’t see how girls can walk in those stiff-soled things, but I came prepared.” He drew his hand from behind his back, and her tennis shoes dangled from the tips of his fingers. “I was hoping you’d come with me. Mom and Pete will drive home so Mom can get lunch started.”

A real smile tugged at her lips this time. Leave it to Dad to think about grabbing my shoes. “Good thing this church doesn’t mind people wearing jeans on Sunday morning. If I’d been wearing a dress, I’d have to ride home with Mom.”

He ruffled her hair, something he’d done since she was little, and she didn’t have the heart to ask him to stop now that she was a teenager. Besides, a part of her still kind of liked it. He tugged on one of her loose curls and then tucked it behind her ear. “Slip into these shoes and give your mom your good pair. Then we’ll hit the road.”

Kate did as he asked, tossing her shoes into the backseat of the car, then leaning in through the front passenger window. “Don’t eat all the food before I get home, Pete.” She tweaked his nose.

He yanked away from her touch. “Pete’s not a pig. Where’s your horse, Kate?”

She wondered why he was stuck on this new theme. Sure, she’d talked a lot about the thin mare she and Tori had discovered and fed carrots to and had even taken Pete to visit the horse one time. It had to be because he’d heard her disappointment over not getting the job at the barn.

Sometimes she thought her little brother understood a lot more than he let on about the things going on around him. He was smart in so many ways. It was just trapped and bottled up inside, and he needed help letting it out. That’s what it seemed like to her, anyway.

“No, kiddo. I don’t have a horse yet, but maybe someday. How about you keep an eye out for one you think I’d like while you’re riding in the car. Can you do that?”

Pete nodded, and then the humming started again. He slumped down in his seat, almost too short for the seat belt buckled around his thin frame.

Kate waved. “Love you, bud.”

He didn’t reply, just rocked and hummed and stared out the front window.

As the car pulled away, Kate moved back and almost bumped into her dad. She didn’t even realize her cheeks were damp until he ran a thumb down her face and wiped one away.

“It’s hard, isn’t it, honey?”

She knew what he meant without asking. “It doesn’t seem fair that he’s trapped in his own world.”

“But he’s getting better. Remember a year ago when he barely spoke?”

She nodded. “Yeah. He’s come close to looking at me a few times, and he even talks sometimes without me speaking to him first. I guess that’s an improvement.”

“It’s huge, Kate. Keep praying for him. God loves Pete even more than we do.”

Her heart jolted. She’d prayed so many times this weekend about getting her dream job and never once thought about praying for her little brother. That would change. “I will, Dad.”

They struck off across the short parking area and reached the edge of the paved road. Dad increased his pace but didn’t break into a run, and Kate was thankful. If it were up to her, she’d take her time all the way home. As much as she enjoyed spending time with her father, nothing much sounded good right now. Still, she ventured a try. “So, how’s your new job?”

“It’s a job. Not what I was hoping for, since my training is in aviation and business management, but hey, it pays the bills.”

“That’s good. I hate to see you guys worried about money.”

Little ridges formed between her dad’s eyes. “I’m sorry if your mom and I have made you worry.”

“I’m not a baby anymore, Dad. I can handle it.”

“I know you aren’t, but that’s not the point. We’re the parents, and we should keep that kind of stress away from you kids.” He took her arm and moved her farther onto the shoulder as an oversize pickup zoomed past, barely slowing or moving toward the center line. “Let’s walk for a bit. I have something to tell you. I was going to wait until we got home, but your mother said I shouldn’t.”

Kate’s mind skittered, trying to come up with whatever it might be. It didn’t sound like she was in trouble, although he looked awfully serious. “Uh, did I do something wrong?”

“Nothing like that.” He pressed his lips together. “Mom and I have been talking. We feel bad that you didn’t get to take the job when it meant so much to you. We want you to know how proud we are that you stuck by Tori and didn’t go to work without her.”

Kate gaped at him. She hadn’t said a word to either of her parents about not taking the job if Tori didn’t get permission. “Thanks, Dad. But what do you mean about sticking by Tori? Did she say something to you about it?” That would be too weird, since Tori barely knew them. Kate couldn’t imagine talking to Mr. or Mrs. Velasquez without Tori there.

“Not a thing. But like you say sometimes, we’re not completely stupid.” His huge grin took any sting from his words.

Kate laughed. “Yeah, and now that you’re saying it back to me, I might not ever say that again.”

“That works for me. Anyway, I’m guessing you could have had the job there if you wanted it, even if Tori didn’t get permission. You showed her what true friendship looks like, and we think that’s a pretty big deal. We’re not rewarding that behavior, mind you, because it’s reward enough that you did the right thing. However …”—he drew to a halt and touched her arm, bringing her to a stop beside him—“we know you’re disappointed. I called the barn and talked to Mrs. Wilder. She’s willing to hold a couple of part-time positions open for another day or two, in case. And besides that, we made arrangements with her for you to have three group lessons over the next six weeks. If Tori’s parents don’t change their minds, that is. I know it’s not the private lessons you hoped for, but right now that’s all—”

Kate threw her arms around her father. “That is so cool, Dad! Any kind of lessons will be awesome. I don’t care if they’re private. At least I’ll be on a horse.” She relaxed her hold and stepped back. “Ugh.”

“What’s wrong? I thought you were excited.”

“I am. But Mrs. Wilder told me we’d have to take our lessons on Lulu, a pony.”

“She mentioned that, but I told her you’d taken some lessons in Spokane. She said she’d only have you ride Lulu one or two times to judge your riding ability. Then, if you show you know what you’re doing, she’ll move you to one of the full-size horses.”

Kate closed her eyes as happiness washed over her. “Nice. You and Mom are the best parents in the world.”

He laughed and grabbed her hand, pulling her along beside him as he broke into a slow jog. “You think that now, but I hope you’ll remember that the next time you get mad about something.”

Kate huffed. “Whatever, Dad. But seriously, I appreciate it. I just wish Tori could come with me. It’s so much more fun with a friend, and she’s never even ridden a horse. I don’t understand why her mom is so freaked about it. Can we go a little slower?”

Dad shortened his stride. “Has Tori asked her why? Maybe she has a good reason.”

“I don’t know. I suppose she could, but it seems weird to me. It’s not like we’re working at a rodeo and we’re going to be riding wild horses or anything.”

They finished the last ten-minute stretch in silence, but Kate didn’t mind. It gave her time to think about what her father had said. It never occurred to her that Mrs. Velasquez might have a real reason for being afraid. Maybe she’d ask Tori the next time they talked. Kate and her dad walked the last couple of minutes and arrived at their front yard a half hour or so from when they’d left the church.

Dad opened the door and waited for her to enter. Then he followed her across the threshold, calling, “Anybody home? Where’s my favorite wife and son?”

Kate giggled. “Dad, you only have one wife and son.”

“And a good thing, or your mother would probably shoot me.” He bumped her shoulder with his. “Something smells good in the kitchen. Let’s go see what Mom has for lunch.”

Kate traipsed behind her father, passing the comfortable living area and stopping in the doorway to the kitchen. “I’m starving.”

Dad placed a hand on her shoulder. “Me too. Mmm … tacos. Want us to set the table, Nan?”

“Sure. Maybe Kate can get Pete. He’s been in his room playing since we got home. Ask him to wash up and come eat.”

Kate took the stairs two at a time but slowed as she neared Pete’s door. No need to startle him. She turned the knob and stepped into his neat room. No toys on the floor, the bed made. It always amazed her how much her little brother loved order. He couldn’t stand having anything out of place. No Pete in sight. Must be in the bathroom.

She headed down the hall and paused outside the closed door, rapping on it twice. “Hey, Pete, lunch is ready. It’s your favorite, tacos.”

No response.

Kate waited, counting to ten, then tapped again. “Come on, Pete. We’re hungry.”

Still no answer.

This had happened before. Pete had locked himself in the bathroom and wouldn’t reply or come out. She stepped to the top of the landing and leaned over. “Mom? Pete’s in the bathroom and won’t answer me.”

Footfalls sounded on the bottom step, and Dad appeared in the stairwell. “I’ll get him. You go down and help your mother finish up.”

Kate passed him in the hall and bolted down the stairs, her stomach reminding her that it had been hours since breakfast.

Two minutes passed without her dad or Pete coming down. Kate looked at her mom. “What’s up with Pete? It’s not like him to not want to come eat lunch.”

Mom shrugged. “I’m not sure. He’s always quiet, but the last couple of days, it seems like he’s been more bothered than normal.”

Feet thudded on the floor above them. “Nan! Pete’s not here!”