Chapter 10

Leota sat in the middle of the church, in the middle of the pew, with Annie. Hands folded in her lap, Leota gazed at the stained-glass windows along the east side. Early morning sunlight came through, making the rainbow hues glow with color bolder than life. At the front was an old, rugged cross mounted on the wall. Banners hung to the left and right proclaiming, King of kings and Lord of lords in exquisite, silken designs of gold and purple.

Men and women of various ages and skin colors all garbed in maroon, white-collared robes sat in the choir just below the cross. The pastor, not the one she remembered, sat off by himself to the left of the pulpit in a throne-like chair. He looked solemn, dressed as he was in a long, black robe and embroidered stole.

How many years had it been since she had stepped foot in this old church with its grand edifice and beautiful windows? How long had it been since she was surrounded by fellow parishioners? Six years? Ten? It wasn’t even the same denomination—not that she was bothered much by that. There was a good feeling in this place, a warmth that permeated the people. In addition to the two greeters at the door, a dozen or more people had smiled or said hello to Leota and Annie.

The last time Leota had come here, she’d been so tired and depressed, she’d known it was her last time attending church. Old age—and its limitations—had caught up with her. The walk to the bus stop had been fatiguing. The wait had been stressful, especially when several young hoodlums eyed her purse, seemingly waiting for possible witnesses to walk away and leave her vulnerable. Luckily, the bus had arrived before she was mugged.

The ride had gone smoothly, but by the time she reached the church, she had been in dire need of using the restroom, which was downstairs. Two or three steps were easy enough to manage, but a flight of stairs in a narrow, curving passageway was risky. She had been bumped several times by children racing down to Sunday school. Holding tightly to the railing, she had moved slowly, afraid of falling and breaking bones. The younger, more able-bodied folks had to squeeze around her.

By the time she went down the stairs, into the restroom, and back up those stairs to the sanctuary, she was exhausted. She’d sat in the back of the church, distressed and unnoticed, barely able to hear the sermon. In her sad state, the service had passed in a blur. All she could think about was the long journey home. How long would she have to wait for a bus? Who might be waiting at the bus stop to threaten her? She’d been so tired at that point, she sat fearful of how she would make the four-block walk on the flat section before coming to the hill on which her little house was built.

It had all been too much for her. Life was stressful enough without adding to it. After that day, she hadn’t gone back to church. The first few Sundays she’d stayed home, she’d tried to console herself with services on television. Surely the Lord wouldn’t mind. Yet breaking the long habit of attending church every Sunday had been heart wrenching. And what a lonely proposition those television evangelists were, with their dramatic presentations, professional singers, glitzy environments, and guilt-grinding appeals for money. They’d made her feel so bad at times that she’d thought about sending a big chunk of her Social Security check.

Instead, she turned her television off.

The saddest part was that no one missed her. She’d been attending the same church for years, and when she stopped going, not one person called to find out why. She supposed if she had been more involved, perhaps her absence would have been noticed. As it was, she hadn’t been involved in anything. When she left, no one cared.

For a time, she had met God in the garden. And then that precious time was stripped away as well. She wondered if it was the same with Him as it had been with the church. God certainly didn’t need her. With all the thousands out there serving Him mightily, what did one uncommitted little old lady matter?

She stopped speaking to Him for a while. Then she started in again. Whom else could she talk with on long, lonely days?

Leota looked around surreptitiously, searching for familiar faces. None that she could see. The congregation was mixed now, more black than white, a few Asians and Hispanics scattered about. Just like her neighborhood. Some people were dressed in fine suits and dresses, while others were in jeans and T-shirts.

She felt comfortable, far more comfortable than in past times. Maybe it was having Annie sitting next to her. Yet, she felt it was something more than that . . . there was a spirit in this church that seemed to bind the people together. It didn’t matter what race or cultural background. They all seemed to know one another and greet one another with affection.

Wasn’t that the way it was supposed to be? Where else could one go in this world to find such a sense of peace among all peoples but before Jesus Christ? This was the first time she’d been in a church that felt that way. It seemed a silent proclamation: We are one in Christ, brothers and sisters all.

Lord, I don’t know any of my neighbors anymore, but I sure feel I know everyone in this church. Not by name, but by Name. Jesus is shining right out of them. Most of them, anyway. That pastor could sure use a smile on his face, but maybe he’s talking with You before he talks to us.

Everyone stood and sang “Amazing Grace,” and the tears flowed unexpectedly down Leota’s cheeks. She hoped Annie wouldn’t notice and be embarrassed. The poor child would wonder why her foolish old granny was crying.

Oh, but, Lord, I can’t help it. It feels so good. It feels like I’ve come home. Hearing this old hymn is like a taste of heaven. And yet, it’s a mixed feeling, Jesus, because I know Annie and I will walk out of here in a little while, and it might be a long time before I stand and sit and pray and sing in a church again. Oh, Lord, maybe this will be the last time. Period. Unless Annie comes back for another weekend visit. But I can’t count on that, can I, Lord? I can’t count on anyone or anything. It’s not my right to do so. She has her own life.

Leota’s throat closed so that she couldn’t sing at all. She continued to mouth the words so no one would notice her lapse should they happen to look. She could hear Annie singing; her voice was clear and lovely. Eleanor had probably had her in voice lessons. Eleanor had desperately wanted voice lessons when she was a teenager, but there had been no money. Leota had suggested Eleanor join a church choir, but her daughter had thought that was the cruelest thing anyone had ever said to her.

Others were noticing how well Annie sang, too. A young black woman turned and looked back at Annie, smiling as she did so. Pleased, Leota looked at her granddaughter with pride. Annie wasn’t noticing a thing because she sang with her eyes closed.

Oh, Lord, she’s lovely, isn’t she? And such a blessing. I know I ought to be thankful for the little time I have with her. I shouldn’t expect more. And I am grateful, Lord; I am. But You have to know how much this hurts. She’ll go back across the bay in a few hours, and it might be a long time before I see her again. I know I should relish the moment, enjoy it for what it is. Help me not to think about tomorrow . . .

There were times, though she hated to admit it, when she wondered if it wouldn’t have been better had Annie never come. It’s just like when the feeling comes back into your foot after it’s been numb. Hurts so much. Oh, God, life hurts. I forgot how much.

She and Annie sat again. The pastor began his sermon. “‘There is a time . . .’” As he read from the Bible, Leota’s mind raced ahead of him, remembering the Scriptures: “There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes. Written by an old king who had squandered his years in vain pursuits. The pastor read only a portion of the passage before starting to build his point about Christians becoming involved in the community, making their voices heard about the way the government was run, being active rather than passive.

Leota tried to concentrate, but her mind wandered. She would hear a few words and off her mind would go again, into the past, wandering down tunnels like a rabbit racing through its warren. She was familiar with the book of Ecclesiastes. She knew the passage very well. Yet none of what the pastor said seemed to apply to her. She wished he had stuck to the Scriptures instead of going off on what everyone ought to be doing to change the world. If she had learned one thing in her long life it was to put less stock in what the world was doing and more in getting right with the Lord. It took God to change a heart. A changed heart meant a changed life. Enough of them and then, maybe, God willing, the world would change.

Yet it seemed unlikely. From all she had read in the Bible over the past years, the world was winding down. Nothing was going to get better. It was going to get a whole lot worse. And then it would end in fire.

She supposed this young pastor was talking about the meantime. He wanted everyone to work hard to try to change things for the better while the world waited for Jesus to come back.

The thought exhausted her.

She was past the age of being involved, being active, making any difference in the world. The truth was, she didn’t care anymore. Let the fire come. She was closer to a time to die than anything else. She didn’t fault the young pastor for his zeal, for his great hope of seeing a cleaner, safer, more loving community. But hadn’t he read Revelation?

“‘There is a time . . . ,’” he quoted again. He used the words like a bell tolling. As indeed it was.

Leota’s mind wandered again. “A time to plant and a time to harvest. . . .” The trees were pruned now, for the first time in years. There would be fruit when summer came, fruit in abundance to be canned and given away. Would Annie want to learn how? Would Annie turn the soil in the victory garden and plant vegetables? And what about the flowering shrubs and perennials? Leota let her mind drift in memories of color—pink, blue, red, purple, yellow. Oh, the yard around the house was lovely, Lord. Wasn’t it? You remember. Leota could see it all again in her mind’s eye, the way it had been, the way it could be again. The garden had burned bright in a blaze of rainbow colors. Fiery bright colors . . . colors more beautiful than any stained-glass window.

Will Annie see it as I did, Lord? Will she feel Your presence there as I did? Or will it be boring work, as it was for Eleanor?

Hurtful words came flooding back in the echo of Eleanor’s angry voice, bringing a wash of pain with them.

“You’d rather garden than spend time with your own daughter!”

“Join me, Eleanor. Come outside with me and see through my eyes, if only for an hour. . . .”

“I hate gardening. I don’t want to have ugly hands like yours, with dirt under my nails and calluses. I want to have hands like Grandma Helene’s. . . . I hate being on my knees. Grandma said you can’t make me . . .”

Oh, God, why couldn’t Eleanor see? Why couldn’t she feel the joy I felt? Why did she hate everything I loved?

“‘A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. . . .’”

Leota’s family was torn down. Destroyed. Can I rebuild what I had with my children when they were small, Lord? Is there any chance for me and Eleanor? And what about George? Would that I could tear down the walls around him with my bare hands! He’s so much like Bernard I want to shake him out of himself, but he won’t let me get close enough. He doesn’t even realize how much like his father he is.

Oh, God . . . was that it? George was like Bernard. Father, why is my son hiding? What is he afraid to face? Failure, perhaps?

“‘A time to cry and a time to laugh. . . .’”

Leota had cried enough tears for a lifetime. She wanted to laugh again. She wanted to stop grieving over the might-have-beens. . . .

I want to dance before I die, God. I want to embrace life the way I used to. What happened to all that strength I used to have? I was so sure of You, so certain everything would turn out fine. “God will take care of me.” I always told myself that. Isn’t that what they always say in church? God will make it turn out right. I have felt forsaken.

There was a stirring within her, like a soft whispered kiss.

Yes, I know. Now, there’s Annie. Thank You, Jesus, for Annie. I don’t mean to be ungrateful. But I still yearn for my daughter and my son, Lord . . .

Images flooded her mind, pictures of the days when Eleanor and George were little and she could hold them close and kiss them and love them freely. It was so long ago, before surviving got in the way. Her children had never understood why she’d had to work, and she couldn’t explain without hurting others. She’d thought in time . . .

“‘There is a time . . .’”

Leota closed her eyes against the tears. I thought when they grew up, they would see more clearly. They would finally comprehend the sacrifices. They would ask questions. . . . “Why?” “What happened?” “How?”

It hadn’t happened. They’d never cared enough to ask. Not to this day. And still they don’t know.

When will they ever know the truth, Lord? When will they ask why things were the way they were? When will they see through my eyes? Or is it Your will that the truth die with me? Is that it, Jesus? Surely that wasn’t God’s way.

“I am the truth. . . . Truth sets you free. . . .”

The truth would hurt. Eleanor was so wrapped up in herself, and George had closed himself off from Leota. Could it be . . . ? Was he doing the same thing to his wife and children? The same thing Bernard did so many years ago? Was George’s pain as great? Was his heart broken?

Over what, Father? Oh, Lord God, I ache for my children. I love them so much. I want them back. I know I ask too much. I’ve always asked too much, Lord. I wanted so much for them. I wanted them to receive all You have to offer. Why wouldn’t they accept anything? Was it because it was offered with my hands? Is that what I did wrong, Lord?

Her throat choked; tears burned her eyes. She’d failed them.

“‘A time to search and a time to lose. . . .’”

Leota closed her eyes. Oh, Lord, my lambs are lost. Will they even recognize Your voice when You call to them? Will they cry out in relief and run to You? Or will they turn a deaf ear? Will they hear, but run away in fear? Will they go on slapping away the hand that reaches out to rescue them?

She had tried so hard, and yet it had all come to nothing. And here was this exuberant, young pastor saying, “Do . . . do . . . do . . .” Well, she’d done all she could do, and nothing good had come of it. She never had enough time. Days, weeks, years slipped away.

Annie took her hand. Startled, Leota looked at her. Her granddaughter smiled, a tender look of concern in her eyes. Blinking back tears, Leota smiled back, hoping none of the anguish she was feeling showed. Annie’s eyes filled with tears, too, and she took Leota’s hand in both of hers, holding it tenderly on her lap.

Leota closed her eyes again. I have done nothing good, Lord, and yet, here I sit seeing what You have done. Maybe there is hope yet. If she could let go. If she spoke truth. If they would listen . . .

“‘A time to keep and a time to throw away. . . .’”

The gentle words filled her.

Oh, Lord, I will hold tight to my love and not let go. I will throw away all the cruel words flung at me. I will cast away anger and hurt and despair. I won’t think on the false accusations, the slights, the long silences, and the rejection. I will think about You. I will think about Annie. I will think about the flowering fruit trees. I will think about the perennials and annuals that will come even without care. Flowers don’t grow if it doesn’t rain, and it’s been raining, Lord. Oh, it had been raining such a long, long time.

“‘A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.’”

Leota pressed her lips together. She would tear down the walls and mend the fences. She would be silent no more. Oh, Father, it is time, isn’t it? It’s time to speak of the past, to make the truth known. I have loved long and hard, but it’s time to hate the evil that has held my children away from me. I will go to war for Eleanor and George, whether they like it or not. The battle is not over until I draw my last breath. I have waited and waited, and I will wait no more. I will shake them with what I have to tell. I will shake them to their very souls. Maybe that will be enough to tear down their altars and smash their idols and turn them once and for all to the living God who made them to be His children.

“Glory be to the Father,” the congregation sang out suddenly, and the rafters seemed to ring with the sound. “And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, so let it be again . . .”

As Leota stood again with the rest of the congregation, she didn’t remember a word the pastor had said, but she felt refreshed. She made no attempt to join in the singing, but let the words rain down upon her. Lord, cleanse me again. Wash me with Your living water and hyssop. By Your blood I am made white as snow. Heal my wounded heart and make me whole. And then, Lord, give me Your sword.

Four men went forward, and a prayer was said before the offering plates were taken up. A young black woman sang. Leota recognized the name of the hymn printed in the program, but what the girl was singing didn’t much resemble what Leota remembered. The melody was almost lost in the fancy scales up and down, the warbles and trills. She supposed this was what people called soul music, but it made her want to shout, “Just sing it plain like it was written! Sing it plain!”

Annie was smiling. She and everyone else in the pew seemed to be enjoying the music. That was plain enough to see. Leota could see for herself the young woman was putting her entire heart into that hymn. The girl reached a high note, and Leota felt goose bumps. It reminded her of the day she had watched the children next door bury that bird. They’d all sung a hymn in the same style. Quieter, because they were burying a bird . . .

By heaven, it wasn’t the same woman, was it? She did look vaguely familiar.

Leota noticed the offering plate coming closer and felt acutely distressed. She dug in her purse, trying not to think about how many days it would be before another Social Security check arrived. All she could find was nine dollars. Nine dollars! What a pittance that was to offer the Lord of the universe, the Creator of all. Embarrassed, she folded the bills and kept them in the palm of her hand. When the plate was passed to her, she tucked the bills beneath the white offertory envelopes already filling it and passed it on.

The old familiar doxology was sung as the men carried the plates forward and placed them on the altar. The pastor said one last prayer, asking that the Lord would empower all present to go out and do something bold for Jesus. As he left the pulpit, everyone began singing again, one last rousing song with a Jewish-sounding melody accompanied by much hand clapping. Shocked, Leota stood limp and silent. This display of zeal was far from the solemnity of past services. And these people were nothing like the placid-faced parishioners who used to fill these pews.

When the song ended, everybody started talking and moving about. Some crowded into the center aisle and headed for the door, where the pastor was waiting to greet them, but the rest seemed in no hurry to depart. They clustered together in small groups, smiling and talking and laughing.

Things had certainly changed.

She and Annie hadn’t taken two steps when the young black woman in the row in front of them turned around to greet them. Her name went right in Leota’s right ear and out the left.

“This is my grandmother,” Annie said, “Mrs. Leota Reinhardt.”

“Well, I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Reinhardt,” the young woman said. “Are you and Anne from out of town?”

“No. I attended this church for over twenty years.”

The woman looked confused. “Now, I’m embarrassed. I thought I’d met everyone who attends here.”

“I haven’t come for a few years. Too hard to get here from where I live. I used to ride the bus.” She slipped her hand beneath Annie’s, needing support. So many people milling around made her nervous. She moved stiffly. She didn’t want to get bumped and fall on her face and make a fool of herself. Annie put her hand over Leota’s.

“Where do you live, Mrs. Reinhardt?”

“In the Dimond District.”

“I’m familiar with the area. What street?”

Annie told her.

“Well, you don’t say. Arba Wilson lives on the same street. You must know her.”

“I don’t know anyone on my street anymore.” Leota wished they could leave and save her further embarrassment. Arba Wilson. Well, she finally had a name to put to the face of her next-door neighbor.

Annie looked at her, perplexed. Her granddaughter must have felt the discomfort radiating from her because she started to move. Besides that, it was clear the lady greeting them didn’t know what to say. Extending her hand, Annie shook the lady’s hand and said they were very pleased to meet her, but they had better be going.

Others said hello as they made their way to the door. The pastor shook Leota’s hand as Annie made swift introductions. His grip was strong enough to make Leota wince. “I hope you put a visitor’s card in the offering plate,” he said.

“No, I didn’t.” She had noticed it upon sitting down but hadn’t thought to fill it out.

“Oh, well, I hope you enjoyed the service, Mrs. Reinhardt.”

“It was different from what I’m used to.” In fact, everything had been different. And refreshing.

“You liked it, though, didn’t you, Grandma?” Annie said with a smile.

“I didn’t say I didn’t,” Leota told them both.

“Well, that’s good,” the pastor said.

“I thought that young woman was going to sing the roof right off.”

The pastor smiled, eyes shining this time. “She surely does sing in the Spirit, ma’am.”

“You look much better when you do that,” she said without thinking.

“Do what, ma’am?”

“Smile.”

“Grandma!” Annie said with a laugh. “I think we’d better go.”

The pastor laughed. “Just be sure you bring her back, Miss Gardner.” He turned to greet another behind them.

Annie was chuckling all the way to the car. “What?” Leota said, faintly annoyed.

“You are really something, Grandma.” Annie laughed as she tucked her into the front seat and strapped the seat belt on her. She kissed her cheek and then shut the door, making sure it was locked.

A familiar black car was parked in Leota’s driveway when Annie drove up the hill. What on earth was Corban Solsek doing here on a Sunday? He came down the front steps and waited on the sidewalk as Annie parked in front of the house.

“Hi, Corban,” Annie said as she got out of the car and came around to help her grandmother.

Leota fumbled with the seat belt, trying to find the release button herself and having no luck.

“I’ll get it, Grandma,” Annie said, leaning into the car and over her. The belt snapped free, and Annie drew it carefully around her, allowing it to retract.

“Back for more yard work, are you?” Leota said to Corban as Annie helped her out of the car. She could tell by the look on his face that he thought she was serious.

Annie laughed softly. “Be good, Grandma,” she said under her breath. “If you give him a rest today, maybe we can get him to help next weekend.”

Leota chuckled. Here was a girl after her own heart.

“I just stopped by for a few minutes,” Corban said.

So he was making his excuses before he stated his purposes. “Well then, hello and good-bye.” Her hand firm on Annie’s arm, Leota passed him by. He had to step onto the lawn to get out of their way.

“I guess I’ve worn out my welcome,” he said wryly. “Annie, can I get your phone number?”

Leota stopped and looked back at him. “What for? I thought you already had a girlfriend.” She had never seen red flood a face faster.

“I do, and I’m not asking Annie for her number to ask her out.”

“Well, then why do you want her number?”

“Because I thought if anything happened to you, it would be good to have the phone number of a close relative.”

She looked him in the eye and saw him shift uncomfortably. By now, he should know better than to lie to her or think she would let him get away with it. “Are you planning on knocking me down my front steps anytime soon?”

His eyes flashed, and the blush receded. “Any day now.”

She chuckled. “Well, then come on along. If you’ve got more than a minute, you can come inside. I’m tired and I have to use the bathroom.”

“She’s different when you’re around, Annie. More open,” Corban said while the old woman was out of hearing. He explained his project quickly. “I learned more about your grandmother yesterday than I’ve learned in weeks.”

“Does she know you’re doing this report?”

“She knows. I didn’t tell her about it to begin with. Big mistake.”

“I can understand that, can’t you? It would seem to her you came on false pretenses.”

He thought that a hard remark but conceded. “I suppose.”

“She must’ve forgiven you.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

Annie smiled up at him. “She likes you.”

“Yeah, right. Me and the black plague.”

Annie laughed. “I haven’t known my grandmother very long, Corban, but I know she says what she thinks. If she didn’t want you here, she’d tell you to leave.”

“Maybe she’s just being polite.”

Annie chuckled. “She’s frank. We were at church this morning, and she raised a few eyebrows.”

“She didn’t like it?”

“I think she loved it, but the service wasn’t what she expected.”

“I didn’t know she was religious.” He made a mental note. “What denomination is she?”

Annie sighed. “May I make a suggestion?”

“Sure. Shoot.”

“Forget about interviewing Grandma and get to know her as a person.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do, Anne.”

“Are you? Really?” There was something in her eyes that reminded him strongly of Leota Reinhardt. She was looking beyond everything he said to something deeper. Did she know what motivated him? Sometimes he wondered if he knew himself. Unlike the old lady’s, however, there wasn’t the least hint of unkindness in her expression.

“I’m trying to do good with what I learn from her.” He wanted Anne to understand. Her clear blue eyes held his in an unwavering, uncompromising look, and his conscience twisted. Anne Gardner might as well have said, “Please don’t use her.”

“Okay.” He nodded. “No more notes, mental or otherwise.” Maybe if Anne knew what his ideas entailed, she would be more sympathetic to his cause and give him some assistance. “I’d like to take you to coffee and explain . . .”

“We can have coffee right here,” Leota said from the doorway. “It might be good for you to spill all your beans on the table and let Annie examine them. Let’s see what she has to say about the government projects you want to see come into fruition for us poor old folks.”

Corban took the challenge. Mrs. Reinhardt had made him think a few things over, and he now had more concrete ideas about what kinds of recreational activities might be available in the elder-care facility. Maybe the amendments would be more to her liking.

Anne sat listening without comment.

Mrs. Reinhardt heated water and mixed fancy cappuccino for her granddaughter, then brewed a pot of regular coffee for him. The old lady said nothing during the half an hour he talked, though he expected her to jump in and make her objections known. She served them both and then sat in the chair nearest the windows, gazing out at her garden while he talked.

When Corban finished, he waited for Anne’s approval, knowing it would carry weight with her grandmother.

“It sounds as though you have very admirable intentions,” she said.

He waited for more, but she just looked at him with a perplexed frown. Her gaze moved to her grandmother and back to him.

Her placid neutrality annoyed him. “What’s wrong with the plan?”

“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “There’s just something about it that troubles me.”

“Explain what you mean.”

“I can’t explain. It’s . . .” She shrugged.

“It’s what?”

“Visceral.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, Corban.”

The old woman turned from the window and patted her granddaughter’s hand. When Mrs. Reinhardt looked at Corban, he saw tears in her eyes. She smiled at him, and it was the tenderest of smiles, one like he had never seen before in all his life. “Why don’t I make us some lunch?” She put her hands flat on the table and pushed herself up.

“Oh, Grandma, I’ll do that.”

“I’ll take out the fixings.”

The doorbell rang as Mrs. Reinhardt moved to the cabinets. “See who that is, honey, would you, please?” Corban had never heard her use that tone before. “Honey.” Sweet, warm, a melting fondness.

Anne left the kitchen. A moment later, Corban could hear voices and laughter in the living room. Company, he thought, annoyed. So much for his afternoon alone with Mrs. Reinhardt and her granddaughter. So much for getting into their reasons for not liking his ideas. The day was going to be a complete waste.

Anne came back into the kitchen followed by a punk-looking girl and a man a few years older than Corban. “Grandma,” Anne said, “this is Susan Carter, my best friend and roommate—”

Roommate? Corban looked the girl over. She was looking back at him with one eyebrow up and a half smile curving her mouth. Anne was oddly matched to this hip girl with her dangling earrings, black-dyed hair, tight jeans, black spandex top, and come-hither look.

“—and her brother Sam. He’s a student at San Jose State University. Criminology.” Sam had his sister’s dark hair and eyes. He looked like half a million other college students Corban saw every day: Levi’s, brown sports coat, white T-shirt, deck shoes, and no socks. Grinning, Sam extended his hand to the old lady. As Mrs. Reinhardt placed her hand in his, he lifted it with great ceremony and kissed it like a European count. Corban sneered inwardly.

“This one’s a rascal.” The old woman actually sounded pleased!

Susan laughed. “She’s already got you pegged, Sam.”

Corban rose as Anne introduced him to the two. “Corban is a friend of my grandmother’s.”

Corban stepped forward to shake hands. “Pleased to meet you both.”

Sam’s eyes were cool and assessing as they shook hands. His grip was slightly harder than necessary. Corban smiled slightly. He could guess whom this joker wanted to impress, and it sure wasn’t Mrs. Reinhardt.

“Corban’s a student at Berkeley,” Mrs. Reinhardt said. “He comes by and walks with me to the supermarket once a week.” She gave him a mischievous look. “And he has some bright ideas about how to manage the elderly.”

“We were just going to make some lunch,” Anne said quickly.

“Good. We arrived just in time,” Sam said.

A look of distress filled Mrs. Reinhardt’s face. “I don’t know if—”

Susan grinned. “No need to worry, Mrs. Reinhardt. We didn’t come to mooch. We stopped by the deli on the way. Sam bought enough to feed an army. Sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw, dill pickles, chips, and carrot cake.”

“Oh, well, in that case, you’re welcome,” Mrs. Reinhardt said, and they all laughed.

All but Corban. “I wish I could stay,” he said drolly. He looked between Sam and Susan. “My girlfriend and I have plans for later this afternoon.” He saw the hard gleam leave Sam Carter’s eyes.

Susan gave a dramatic sigh and rolled her eyes. “Well, my goodness, that was certainly to the point.” She put her hands up and drew back as though his announcement had just made him a pariah. “No need to worry.”

He gave a humorless laugh and held his hand out to Mrs. Reinhardt. When she placed hers in his, he didn’t kiss it. He put his other hand over it. “I’ll see you on Wednesday, Mrs. Reinhardt. Thanks for the coffee.” Releasing her, he looked at Anne. “Can I talk to you for a minute alone?”

She followed him into the living room, where he lowered his voice so the others couldn’t hear. “Watch out for that guy.”

“Sam’s harmless.”

“Yeah, right. Do you think you’ll be spending weekends with your grandmother?”

“It’ll depend on my work schedule.”

“Where do you work?”

She told him. “I’ll be over to see her as often as I can.”

“Would you mind giving me your phone number?”

“Not at all.” She looked around and spotted a notepad beside her grandmother’s chair, then jotted her number on a slip of paper. Tearing it off, she handed it to him. “I just hope you won’t have to use it.”

Corban could feel the heat coming up in his face. He felt as though he had just been slapped.

She frowned slightly, searching his face. “I’m hoping I can get to know Arba Wilson.”

“Who?”

“The lady next door. We saw her at church this morning. It’s kind of you to want to keep an eye on Grandma Leota, Corban, but it really would be better if she got to know her neighbors. Besides, you only come on Wednesdays. If anything happened . . .”

So she had believed his reason for wanting her phone number. “I think you’re right.”

As he turned away, she put her hand on his arm. “I appreciate what you’ve done for my grandmother, Corban. She was alone until you came to help her.”

He heard laughter in the kitchen. “She’s not alone anymore.” The house was too full for his comfort.

“I think there’s room for one more. Or even two if you’d like to bring your girlfriend by sometime.”

His mouth tipped. Now there was an idea. “Maybe.”

“He’s good-looking,” Susan said when Annie came back into the kitchen.

Annie laughed. “I’m not surprised you noticed, Suzie.”

“And he’s taken,” Sam said pointedly. “He made that clear.”

“So what?” Susan said. “Men change their minds, too, you know. How many girlfriends have you had and dumped?”

Sam’s eyes darkened. “Dumped isn’t the word I’d use.”

“Discarded? Left mooning for the sun, moon, and stars?”

Annie could see Sam didn’t appreciate Susan’s ribbing. “It’s a pretty afternoon. Why don’t we have a picnic in the backyard? Would that be all right, Grandma?”

“I think that would be a splendid idea. There’s more room to fight out there.” Her dry comment drew a surprised chuckle from both Carters. “You’ll find an army blanket in the guest room closet, honey.”

Sam carried one of the old, American steel chairs out to the lawn for Leota. “Where do you want to be, ma’am?”

“Right there is just fine.”

Annie thought her grandmother looked darling sitting in the sunshine wearing a battered straw hat. Flapping open the army blanket, Annie spread it on the grass. Sam caught the other side and smoothed it for her while Suzie set out the cellophane-wrapped sandwiches and plastic deli containers. They’d even thought to bring a package of paper plates and packets that each contained a napkin, a plastic fork, spoon, and knife, salt and pepper, and a wet wipe.

Sam surprised Annie and said a blessing. When he raised his head, she looked into his eyes, hoping he hadn’t done it just to make a good impression on her. Suzie reached for a plate. “What would you like, Mrs. Reinhardt?”

“A little of everything, except a sandwich. Those big rolls are too hard for me to eat.”

Suzie grinned. “My grandmother can’t eat them this way either. She says she’s worried her store-bought teeth would come out.”

“It happens.”

“Not to worry.” Suzie opened a sandwich and forked the fixings onto a plate. She cut half of the roll into bite-size pieces. “There you go, Mrs. Reinhardt. You can’t beat the taste of San Francisco sourdough.” She handed the plate to Annie.

Annie added salads, garnishes, and chips and gave it to her grandmother. Sam’s hand brushed hers as she reached for a sandwich of her own. “Sorry,” she murmured, withdrawing her hand.

“Don’t be.” Sam held the sandwich out to her, a sultry look in his eyes.

“Sam said he couldn’t get anywhere with you Friday night,” Suzie said, dark eyes dancing at them over an open soda can. “So he thought he’d give it another try today.”

Annie blushed. “You didn’t have to go to such lengths, Sam.”

“You mean, all I’d have to do is ask and you’d go out with me?” His mouth tipped.

Annie could feel her grandmother watching them. “No, I didn’t say that.”

Sam gave his sister a rueful look. “She doesn’t trust me.”

“Probably because she’s been hearing about your antics since we were in grade school.”

Sam looked at Annie. “People change.”

She could see he was in earnest. “I know they do.” She had no doubt his life was much different from his wilder days, but that didn’t change her mind about becoming involved with him. She didn’t want to become involved with anyone right now. She didn’t know enough about herself to move into any kind of relationship. She was vulnerable. It would be too easy to make a serious mistake.

“I’m cute, aren’t I?” A hint of devilry was back in his eyes.

“Yes, you’re cute.”

“Entirely too cute,” her grandmother said, drawing laughter from brother and sister.

When Sam looked at Annie again, she lowered her head. He was attractive, disturbingly so, especially when his attention was focused on her. She had things to work out, things to think about deeply. If Sam’s life could change so much, perhaps other lives could as well. Starting with her own.

Sam leaned toward her, reaching for a sandwich. “Relax, Annie. I’m not as bad as you might think.”

“This yard must have been beautiful,” Suzie said, looking around.

“Nice thing to say,” Sam said under his breath.

Suzie grimaced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it came out, Mrs. Reinhardt.”

“Don’t apologize. You’re exactly right. A pity you two didn’t come by yesterday.”

“Why?” Sam said.

“We would have put you to work. So far, Annie’s trimmed the front bushes, mowed my lawn, and pruned the fruit trees.”

“Corban helped a lot,” Annie said and took a bite of her sandwich.

“Yes, he did, but he’s gone now, and there’s a lot more to be done. I think this young gentleman is so eager to woo you, we could enlist his help.”

Annie gulped down the bite of deli sandwich. “Grandma!” Her face was hot.

Sam laughed. “Consider me enlisted, your ladyship.”

“All right, young man. We’ll see if there’s more to you than charm and good looks. Eat your sandwich. You’re going to need your strength. As soon as you’re finished, Annie will show you where to find the tools. And then I’m going to tell you what to do and where to do it.”