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

pronounced.
     
    “Jah
, I am,” Titus replied.
     
    “What about your job with Matthew?” Zach questioned. “I wonder how he’s going to take this news.”
     
    “After I made my decision, I called his cell phone and talked to him about it.”
     
    “What’d he say?” Dad asked.
     
    “He gave me his blessing and said, since work’s been a little slow in his shop lately, he thought he could get along without my help until he can find someone else to take my place.”
     
    “You won’t make it in Kentucky.” Mom shook her head. “You never stick with anything, Titus.”
     
    “I stuck with Phoebe—until she dumped me, that is.”
     
    “That’s true, but sticking with her is nothing to brag about. Phoebe wasn’t good for you,” Dad said with a scowl.
     
    “Well, I’m hoping Kentucky will be good for me, because I’ve made up my mind, and that’s where I’m planning to go.”
     
    Mom planted both hands on her ample hips and whirled around to face Dad. “Abraham, don’t just stand there; do something!”
     

C HAPTER 3
     

Hopkinsville, Kentucky
     
    T his town isn’t as big as some, but I think you’ll find everything you need here,” Allen told Titus as he pulled his truck into a gas station in Hopkinsville. “There’s a hospital, doctors, dentists, chiropractors, restaurants, and plenty of places to shop—including a big Walmart. Most of the Amish who live in the area hire a driver to bring them into town, and I’ll make sure you get the names and phone numbers of a couple of people who drive for the Amish.”
     
    “I appreciate that.” Titus yawned and stretched his arms behind his head. It had been a long drive, and he was tired.
     
    Allen eased his truck up to the pumps and turned off the engine. “As soon as I get some gas, we’ll head toward Pembroke, which is where Isaac Yoder’s woodshop is located. Once you agreed to come here, I left a message on Isaac’s voice mail, letting him know when we’d be leaving, so I’m sure he’ll be expecting us soon.”
     
    “I hope so. Sure wouldn’t want to barge in thinking I have a job and then find out that he didn’t know anything about me coming.” Titus would never have admitted it to Allen, but he felt nervous about meeting the man he hoped would be his new boss. Starting over in a new place with new people was an adventure, but it was also frightening. What if he messed up? What if Isaac Yoder didn’t like his work?
     
    Allen gave the steering wheel a couple of taps. “I’ve gotten to know Isaac fairly well in the short time I’ve been here, and I’m guessing that even if he had no idea you were coming, he’d roll out the welcome mat.”
     
    Titus chuckled, hoping his nerves wouldn’t show. “He sounds like my twin brother, Timothy. He’s about as easygoing and friendly as anyone I know.”
     
    “After we leave Isaac’s place, I’ll take you to the trailer I bought as an investment a while back—mostly for the property, though,” Allen said. “My real estate agent said the place is fully furnished, but I’ve only seen the outside, and it’s nothing fancy. So I won’t charge you much rent, and at least you’ll have someplace to live while you’re getting settled into your new job and learning your way around.”
     
    “Sounds good.” A sense of anticipation replaced Titus’s nervous thoughts. He’d never been this far from home and realized that this was a good chance to prove his worth to his folks—and to himself.
     
    While Allen pumped the gas, Titus leaned his head back and closed his eyes, letting his thoughts wander. He could still see the pathetic look on Mom’s face when he’d said good-bye to her and Dad yesterday morning. She’d pleaded with him not to go, until Dad finally stepped in and told her that they needed to let Titus lead his own life and that he was a grown man and had the right to live wherever he pleased. Mom had tearfully hugged Titus, saying she wished him well, and