Until Angels Close My Eyes by Lurlene McDaniel

Author:Lurlene McDaniel [Lurlene, McDaniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-77646-4
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2014-08-20T04:00:00+00:00

In the barn Leah found Ethan and Neil inspecting the cars. Several of the tarpaulins had been pulled back, exposing the fine old machines. Looking keenly interested, Ethan told Leah, “These are very beautiful.”

“Not like Amish buggies, huh?”

“Did you pacify your mother?” Neil asked.

“For the moment.”

“Ethan explained to me what happened.”

Leah studied Neil’s face. He looked thinner. “Do you believe us? We weren’t doing anything wrong, Neil.”

“I believe you both. And don’t be hard on your mother, Leah. She’s just concerned for you.”

Leah said, “Mom and I have some things to work out. But it has nothing to do with you. I’m sorry about her crack about me not being your daughter.”

“I know she didn’t mean it.”

“Which is a big part of her problem. She often says things before she thinks. It hurts people’s feelings.”

Neil gave Leah a sympathetic smile. “It’s a problem for most adults. Especially when they love their kids.”

Leah didn’t feel like arguing the point. She stared hard at Neil, studying him for a long moment. “Mom said you haven’t been feeling great.”

“A little tired,” Neil said. “Lingering effects of the chemo, I guess.”

“It made me tired too, but once it was over, I snapped right back.”

“You’re younger,” Neil said with a grin. “It takes a little longer these days.”

“When do you see your doctor again?”

“End of the month.”

“Maybe you should—”

“Oh, quit your worrying,” Neil patted Leah’s hand. “I’m fine. I just need a little rest.” He turned toward Ethan, who was listening intently to the conversation. “I know you didn’t come all this way for a New Year’s Eve party, Ethan. Why did you come home with Leah?”

“I want to find my brother.”

Ethan explained his situation; then Leah explained how she was hoping Neil could help him. “There’s no big rush,” she added. “And we’ll do all the work. But we don’t even know how to begin.”

Neil looked thoughtful. “I’ll have to give it some thought myself.”

“Not right this minute,” Leah said hastily. Neil looked exhausted. “I figured Ethan could stay in the basement, in the extra room down there,”

“And I will work, sir,” Ethan said. “Anything you need done around your property. I’m a good worker. Plus, I’ll get another job to pay for my room and food.”

“Oh, I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”

Ethan shook his head. “No. I must work.”

Neil nodded. “We can talk about it later. Don’t think I didn’t notice the clean walk when we drove up. You did a good job.”

“Thank you,” Ethan said.

“There are lots of little things around the house that need doing. I can do them, but … well, my energy level isn’t up to par.”

“I will do whatever chores you want done.”

“Keeping the cars up is important to me.

“All you must do is tell me how.”

Neil smoothed his hand over the fender on the nearest car. “I’ll be glad to. Forgive an older man’s vice, but I love these big hunks of metal.”

“I feel the same affection for my father’s horse and buggy.”

Neil flashed Ethan a big grin.

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