The Promise of Hope Shelter by Sarah Hadley Brook

Author:Sarah Hadley Brook [Brook, Sarah Hadley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 2017-07-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

December in Missouri was always cold, but this year, Mother Nature did her best to break records. Jacob stomped the snow from his boots and shook off his gloves before he walked through the front door.

The storm had hit hard the night before and Jacob had spent the last hour shoveling the drive. He was sore everywhere and needed coffee desperately.

“Jacob!” The call came from the kitchen. Of course.

He pulled off his boots, leaving them in the entryway, and tossed his coat, hat, and gloves on the back of the recliner as he strode to the kitchen. “Yes, Peter?” he asked, holding back his irritation.

“Shelby won’t help do the dishes!”

Jacob closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, and fought the urge to yell. He was getting particularly tired of the continuing drama between Shelby and Peter. Jacob counted to ten and opened his eyes.

Peter stood in front of him, one hand on his hip, while Shelby sat at the table, smirking.

“Sit down, Peter,” Jacob ordered.

“But—”

“Now. And Shelby, wipe that look off your face this second.”

Shelby’s eyes opened wide and he sat up straighter as Peter slid into the chair next to him.

Jacob marched to the counter to make coffee, choosing to keep silent until the task was done. Once he hit the button to start the Keurig, he turned and leaned against the counter, his arms folded. “For a while now, the two of you have been at each other’s throats.” Jacob gazed between them. Peter began to protest, but Jacob held up his hand. “Let me finish.”

Peter slunk down in his chair, arms also folded as he leaned away from Shelby.

“I am not exactly sure what’s going on here, but it’s getting old. You both need to pull your weight with your chores and quit being complete asses to each other.”

Shelby gaped.

“Sorry,” Jacob offered and shook his head. “You’re both great kids, but for some reason when you’re around each other, you’re hateful. It seems you’ll do anything and everything to push each other’s buttons.”

Peter blushed, and Shelby closed his mouth.

Good, looks like I’m on the right track.

“You guys are going to have to deal with people you don’t get along with all your life. You need to work this out. I’m tired of refereeing. If you can’t deal with each other, then stay apart.”

The boys gave each other sidelong glances before Jacob got his coffee. He added a little cream, then took his first sip, smiling as he felt the caffeine burst into him.

“Here’s the thing, though. You two could be great friends. If you work out these issues, you could be great supporters of the other. You’ve been through a lot of the same things and landed here. It’s time to find a way to work together and be supportive.” He paused to sip more coffee and watch the boys. “Now, I’m going to head up to my office to get some work done. I want you to clean the kitchen, then I expect you to spend at least a half hour together in the living room.

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