[Kentucky Brothers 01] - The Journey Read Free Page A

questioned.
     
    Allen nodded. “Of course, I had to be licensed and bonded first. Even though I continued to do some of the carpentry on the new homes I built, I hired a paint contractor, an electrician, a plumber, and … well, you get the picture.”
     
    Zach glanced at Allen’s pickup, sitting in the driveway. “The sign on your truck says W ALTERS’S C ONSTRUCTION , H OPKINSVILLE , K ENTUCKY . Is that where you’re living now?”
     
    “That’s right. After my girlfriend, Sheila, was killed by a drunk driver near the Tacoma mall, I felt like I needed a change.”
     
    Zach’s eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t know about that. I’m sorry, Allen.”
     
    “It happened six months ago, and it’s my fault for not letting you know. I grieved so hard at first, and then when my cousin Bill, who lives in a small town near Hopkinsville, suggested I move there and start up my business, I jumped at the chance.” Allen ran his fingers through his thick curly hair. “I’ve been working there for the last five months, and since I had some business in Pennsylvania this week, I decided to come see you.”
     
    Zach smiled and thumped Allen’s shoulder. “I’m real glad you did. I’ve missed all the times we used to spend together.”
     
    “I’ve missed them, too,” Allen said with a nod. “Which is why I’m hoping you might consider the offer I’m about to make.”
     
    Zach leaned forward with an expectant look. “What offer’s that?”
     
    “I was wondering if you’d like to move to Kentucky and work as a subcontractor for me, painting the houses I build.”
     
    Zach clasped his fingers behind his head and squinted his dark brown eyes. “That’s an interesting idea, but I was away from my real family for over twenty years when I was living in Washington as Jimmy Scott. There’s no way I could move away now and leave them all. Besides, our painting business is doing real well, and I sure couldn’t leave Arthur in the lurch.”
     
    “I understand, and I’m not trying to pressure you.” Allen tapped his fingers along the edge of the table and glanced over at Titus. “I’m also looking for a carpenter who’d be willing to work for one of the Amish men I know in Kentucky. The man has his own woodshop and does quite a bit of my work, but he’s got arthritis pretty bad and can’t use his hands for woodworking anymore.”
     
    “Allen’s already talked to me about this, and I said I’d go,” Titus spoke up.
     
    “Go where?” Mom asked as she and Dad joined them at the picnic table.
     
    “To Kentucky,” Titus replied without hesitation. “Allen knows an Amish man there who needs a carpenter. He phoned the man awhile ago, and when he told him about me, the man said he’d be willing to give me a try.”
     
    Deep wrinkles formed across Mom’s forehead as her dark eyebrows furrowed. “Why would you want to leave your job here and move to Kentucky?”
     
    “Phoebe and I broke up today.”
     
    Mom’s brown eyes widened, and her mouth formed an
O
.
     
    “She’s going to California with her friend Darlene,” Titus explained.
     
    Dad grunted.
“Em Phoebe sei belaudere mehnt net viel.”
     
    “You may think Phoebe’s talk doesn’t mean very much, but I believe her,” Titus said with conviction. “I don’t think she’s planning to come back, either.”
     
    Titus noticed the look of relief on Mom’s face. She was obviously glad that Phoebe was leaving.
     
    Dad’s steely blue eyes stared intently at Titus. “Just because you and Phoebe broke up doesn’t mean you should move to Kentucky.”
     
    “I’d like a new start—go someplace where I’m not reminded of Phoebe. I think moving to Kentucky’s the best thing for me right now. Allen’s agreed to rent a horse trailer so I can take Lightning along. We’ll be leaving in the morning.”
     
    “You can’t be serious!” Mom’s voice rose to a high pitch, and her face tightened, making her wrinkles more