Away From the Dark (The Light #2)(61)

I waited to be told where to go before I looked up; however, we weren’t directed to do anything. Instead we were left standing while Father Gabriel remained silent. When I gazed upward and my eyes met the piercing blue of my memory, my head tilted questioningly to the side, and then I shook my head, so fast it would be almost imperceptible, and lowered my gaze.

“Brother Jacob and Sister Sara,” Father Gabriel began, “is there anything you’d like to say?”

“No, Father,” Jacob replied.

“Sister?”

My breaths became shallow, and the room spun. “No, Father.”

Dylan stood and stepped toward us. Just as quickly Jacob pulled my hand, moving me behind him as he stepped in front of me, blocking Dylan’s path. Though Jacob didn’t speak, from the way his body tensed and the closeness of their shoes, I envisioned the two men standing chest to chest. I was sure Jacob was taller than Dylan, but after what had happened yesterday, I feared that wouldn’t stop Dylan from being the aggressor. As the silence grew, I closed my eyes and bit my lip.

“Gentlemen,” Father Gabriel said, breaking the quiet. “That is not why I asked Brother Jacob and his wife here this morning.”

At the phrase his wife, Jacob’s grip loosened.

“Dylan, you’ll have plenty of time to speak with Sister Sara. First we have business.”

“Father, I’d prefer for Sara—”

“Brother Jacob,” Father Gabriel interrupted, “I told you yesterday that I had questions. Dylan”—his tone became impatient—“sit down or leave.”

I swallowed.

Why am I here? Why am I involved in this?

When Dylan sat, Jacob stepped to the side and pulled me forward. Once again we were standing side by side. Raising my eyes, I kept them locked on Father Gabriel.

“Brother Jacob,” Father Gabriel continued, “since your entry into The Light, I’ve been impressed with you and your ability to learn quickly. You’ve known that, though, haven’t you?”

“I’ve done my best to please you, Father.”

“I spoke to Brother Michael.”

Who is Brother Michael?

“He said he was pleased with the delivery,” Jacob replied.

“Yes, he did. He told me the same. He also said that you refused the offer to stay the night at the Western Light.”

“Yes, I had flight plans to fly into Lone Hawk.”

“Did you fly into Lone Hawk?”

“Yes, I did. I borrowed the airport manager’s truck and drove to Whitefish, and although I’d alerted them that I was coming, their inventory of supplies was shamefully low.”

“Therefore, after completing one of the biggest shipments you’ve ever been entrusted with delivering, you took it upon yourself to change your prescribed flight plans, the same flight plans you weren’t willing to alter for a Commissioner to stay at the Western Light.”

I didn’t understand what was happening or what they were saying. Maybe I should’ve asked more about his delivery and the envelope. Then again, my not knowing was the way it should be.

Jacob shifted, standing taller. “Yes, as an Assemblyman, I took it upon myself to decide that securing supplies for the nearly five hundred people at the Northern Light was most vital.”

“And yet you called Brother Daniel.”

“Yes, he’s my overseer. I call him often.”

“And Brother Benjamin?”

Shit!

“Father, if you’re asking if I spoke with Brother Benjamin, I did, and Brother Luke, and Brother Abraham, and others on the Assembly. I wasn’t aware that was a problem. If it is, I can certainly discontinue.”

“It’s no longer an issue.”

What the hell does that mean?

My hand flinched, but Jacob secured his grip.

“Brother,” Father Gabriel continued, “tell me where the envelope is that Brother Reuben gave to you.”

“I’m most certain it’s at the Northern Light. I apologize. I was distracted once I returned to the Northern Light.”

“Distracted?” Dylan asked.

When Jacob didn’t respond to Dylan, Father Gabriel told him to explain. Now Jacob was going to have to relay our cover story, in front of Dylan.

Jacob turned to me and let out a deep breath. “As you can see, Sara’s been corrected.”

“Yes,” Father Gabriel replied.

“It happened Thursday night. Brother Benjamin called me on Friday after I’d left the Western Light to inform me that Sara had not been to work. When I arrived back to the Northern Light, as a husband, I needed to concentrate on my wife and why she’d missed work.”

“Sister . . .”

My heartbeat raced. It wasn’t Father Gabriel speaking to me. It was Dylan. When I didn’t respond, he repeated himself.

Finally Father Gabriel said, “Since your husband obviously isn’t going to give you permission to reply, I do. Answer my nephew.”

Nephew, there it was.

I lifted my gaze to Dylan. “Yes, Brother.”

“No . . . I’m not . . . never mind. Why didn’t you go to work on Friday?”

“I was embarrassed that I had a visible reminder. I didn’t want people to think poorly of my husband.” I looked up at Jacob. “He’s a good man.”