Sweet Sanctuary Read Free Page A

Nicky.”
    Mother crossed to the table and placed her hands on the boy’s shoulders. “Yes, Nicky, stay here with Grammy. Finish your milk. Micah and Poppy will be fine—men are just noisy sometimes.”
    Nicky looked up at his grandmother, his expression innocent. “Like boys are noisy, Grammy?”
    â€œYes, my little noisemaker, like boys are noisy.” Mother smiled and bestowed a kiss on the crown of Nicky’s head. “Your mama will make sure they quiet down,” she added, giving Lydia a meaningful look.
    Lydia rose and hurried to the pocket doors, but she jumped back as they burst open and Father charged into the corridor. His neck and cheeks were mottled, his jaw clenched. The question on Lydia’s lips remained unasked in light of the rage on her father’s face. She swung her gaze to Micah, who looked equally grim. Father kept his back to Micah, his arms crossed, the anger palpable.
    Micah spoke to Father’s stiff back. “Mr. Eldredge, I appreciate your concern. But you must understand this situation is between Lydia and me. She and I will need to be allowed to find the solution.”
    Lydia looked from one man to the other, hoping for a clue. What kind of situation existed between Micah and herself? She hadn’t seen the man for over three years.
    Father whirled, his finger pointing at Micah, but before he could speak, Nicky came racing down the corridor with Mother on his heels. He slid to a stop and wrapped his arms around his grandfather’s knees. Nicky’s bangs flopped across his forehead as he peered upward. “Poppy, I heard you yelling. Why were you being so noisy?”
    Father looked down at the boy, and his expression softened. He cupped the back of Nicky’s head with a tender hand. “Did I frighten you?”
    Nicky nodded, his little forehead puckered. “You yelled at Micah.”
    A brief look passed between the men. They seemed to reach a silent agreement to do whatever necessary to prevent upsetting the little boy. Father stroked Nicky’s tousled hair. “I’m sorry, Nicky. Poppy is a big man, and sometimes big men make big sounds. But I won’t yell anymore.”
    Micah crouched to Nicky’s level, a warm smile lighting his eyes. He was obviously touched by Nicky’s concern, and Lydia’s heart lifted as she watched him interact with her son. Placing a hand on Nicky’s small back, Micah said, “I won’t yell either, partner. Deal?”
    â€œDeal.” Nicky grinned and then released Father’s knees to turn and lean backward against his poppy’s sturdy frame.
    Micah rose, his gaze on Lydia. The warmth in his expression drained away. “We need to talk.” The quiet tone seemed ominous.
    A prickle of trepidation made the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She swung her confused gaze on her father.
    Father, his hands now on Nicky’s shoulders, jerked his head in the direction of the door. “I suggest you take a walk.”
    Nicky angled his head nearly upside down as he tried to see his grandfather’s face. “Can I go, too?”
    â€œNo, you stay with me,” Father said.
    â€œBut I want to take a walk with Micah-my-friend.”
    Micah reached out and lightly tapped the end of Nicky’s nose with one finger. “Tell you what, partner. I’ll take a walk with your mama first, and then when I get back, I’ll take a walk with you. Sound good?”
    â€œYou and me take a walk alone?” Nicky’s wide brown eyes begged.
    Micah glanced at Lydia, and she nodded her approval, her heart turning strangely in her chest at Micah’s kindness to Nicky.
    â€œYep, just you an’ me, partner.”
    â€œHurray!” Nicky suspended himself happily from Father’s hands. “Poppy, Micah and me are gonna take a walk!”
    â€œGood.” Father looked at Lydia, his expression carrying a warning. “Go on