Tides of Truth [02] Higher Hope by Robert Whitlow

sure how that helps the case, but he’s convinced it will give us an edge. On the practical side, I’m going to help Myra Dean with the investigation. The whole thing made me uneasy because I’m not sure Mrs. Dabney is as bad as our client claims. Who knows what he or his partners may have done to her? For all I know, they may be the bad guys.”
    “Did you see anything she wrote about the client?”
    “Paulding says it’s all verbal except for a letter to his wife.”
    “A letter to his wife? What did it say?”
    “I’m not even sure we have a copy, which seems odd. Paulding provided a lot of background information. But most of the case will be based on phone calls, conversations, et cetera.”
    “Slander, no libel. That’s going to be hard to prove.”
    “Yes.”
    Zach pulled a long blade of grass and put it between his teeth.
    “It’s good that Mr. Carpenter considers you his resident expert on religious fanatics. Every lawyer has to have a niche.”
    AS THE SUN CLIMBED HIGHER in the sky Ellie and Emma each caught another fish. The red streaks on Zach’s hand began to retreat. We stopped fishing to eat cheese, crackers, and green grapes packed in the wicker basket. The grapes were tart and juicy.
    “What kind of wine would these grapes make?” Zach asked, biting into one. “A Chablis?”
    “Don’t go there,” I warned.
    “Does your family drink wine?” Ellie asked.
    “Not very often,” Zach said. “My mother never drinks. Her father was an alcoholic so she avoids it totally. I can live without it, especially if I have a cup of cold water like this one.”
    “Our water comes from a well in the backyard,” Ellie said.
    “It tastes great,” Zach answered, holding up his paper cup.
    “That’s because it has trace minerals in it,” Emma said. “As a science project we boiled some water and tested the residue to find out what was in it.”
    “There are underground rivers all around here,” Ellie added. “The water in this pond comes from a spring near the spot the butterflies like. You can see the surface of the water bubbling.”
    “Okay, Zach’s lesson is over,” I said. “Back to fishing. We need to catch at least two more big fish if we’re going to have enough for a decent fish fry.”
    The twins went to a different part of the pond. I threw my hook in the water, then returned to the quilt and shook the water jug. Almost all the ice packed in it had melted. I handed the last cluster of grapes to Zach.
    “Why did you say that about wine?” I asked. “You knew it would be controversial. It’s one thing to challenge me, but the twins are so young.”
    “And very smart, just like their sister. I’m just asking questions. Isn’t that the way your mother taught you?”
    “Yes.”
    “And one thing that makes you attractive is the strength of your convictions. Your goal in life is to be a godly woman. What Christian man in his right mind wouldn’t want to get to know someone like that?”
    My faith had been a turnoff to boys for so long that it was hard to imagine any other response.
    “Even if your legs are a bit pale,” Zach concluded.
    I pulled down my dress. “Quit looking at my legs.”
    “It’s too late,” he answered with a smile. “The image is etched forever in my memory.”
    “I’ve got one!” Ellie called out.
    By the time we reached the girls the fat catfish was flopping in the grass. I removed the hook and put it on a second stringer. As soon as I finished, Emma had a bite. She leaned back against the weight of the fish as she reeled it in. It looked like the other fish’s twin. The sun was nearing its zenith.
    “The sisters have caught sisters,” I said. “Let’s go home before it gets too hot.”
    I dipped the blue bucket in the pond and put the catfish in it.
    They slapped against one another. The water would keep them fresh until supper. I set the bucket on the grass and folded the quilt. Ellie peered into the bucket.
    “Do you want to name them?”