RECLAIM MY HEART(70)

Judge Taylor gazed at Zach for a few drawn-out seconds, nodding. “Excellent.”
Something in the man’s voice made Tyne look his way. An awkward smile cracked a fissure across his marble-like features.
Then the judge murmured, “Wonder if this Uncle Jasper of yours would mind if I sent a few dozen young people his way.” He picked up the forms and typed pages that made up Zach’s file and tapped them smartly on his desk. “I’m satisfied by what I’ve heard.” He directed his attention to the prosecutor. “Is the State satisfied?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” the woman said.
Judge Taylor nodded. “I’m going to file your case on the stet docket. What that means, Zachary, is that if you keep out of trouble for a full year, then these charges will be automatically dropped and expunged from your record. If you get yourself arrested, however, you’ll face whatever charges you’re up against plus these charges. Is that clear?”
“Yes. Sir.” Zach let his hands fall to his sides. “I understand.”
The black-robed man closed the manila file and handed it to the clerk. “I’m feeling good about this one. I don’t think I’ll be seeing you again, Zachary, so you have a good life. That’s all.” He rapped the gavel.
On their way out of the courthouse, Lucas slid his hand in Tyne’s. They paused just outside the door and watched their son descend the concrete steps.
“Damn,” Lucas whispered. “Would you look at him? His head is high, his shoulders are square.” He looked at Tyne. “This feels good.”
She smiled. “It does, doesn’t it? He did a good job in there.” Nothing in the world could beat being proud of her son. Well, almost nothing. Being able to share that proud-parent feeling with Lucas was pretty damn great too.


EPILOGUE
“Perfect day for a wedding,” his uncle said, adjusting his navy tie. “You nervous?”
“Not a bit.” Lucas smoothed his hands down the lapels of his jacket. “If anything, I feel like this has been too long in coming.”
A fresh crispness snapped in the cool spring air. Crocuses and yellow daffodils bobbed their colorful heads in the large planters placed strategically along the street. The two rounded the corner and Lucas’s step slowed when he saw the plain black buggy sitting outside the Oak Mills Courthouse. Jasper lifted his hand in greeting to the woman sitting inside.
“I’m going in to find Zach and Tyne,” his uncle said. “You have plenty of time.”
“Thanks,” Lucas murmured, then veered toward the street.
The horse nickered and bobbed its head when he approached.
“Ruth?” He was too surprised to smile. “Thank you so much for coming. I sent the invitation to let you know what was happening. I have to say, I never expected you to attend.”
“I thoughmy or“Thant of contacting you. I’ve written you half a dozen letters.” Ruth Yoder captured a wayward strand of hair and tucked it neatly under the white band of her pleated cap. “But then I decided a surprise would be better.”
She reached her hand out to him and he took it. The full skirt of her black cotton dress billowed slightly and he glimpsed her sturdy, polished shoes as he helped her down onto the sidewalk.
“Your father?” Lucas asked.
Her mouth went flat. “He went to be with his Maker. Six weeks back.”
“I’m so sorry.” Then an age-old Lenape sentiment came to mind and he murmured, “May your heart find peace.”
Her hazel eyes filled with sad resignation. “He was very ill there at the end.” She took a deep breath and gazed up at the courthouse, swallowing back her grief.
“I brought you something,” she said, turning so Lucas could look into the back of the buggy. A beautiful quilt sat folded on the back seat. “It’s a wedding ring pattern.”
Lucas’s throat constricted. “Thank you so much. Did you make it?”
She lifted calloused hands. “Amazing what these rough old things can do, isn’t it?”
He stepped forward and leaned in, gingerly touching the colorful fabric. “It’s amazing. Tyne will love it.”
“Now,” Ruth began. She tugged at the waistband of her dress. “You said I have a grandson. Will I meet him today?”
“Oh, yes. I’m sure he’s inside. With his mother. And his grandparents. And my uncle.”
“That was your father’s brother?” she asked.
Lucas nodded.
“I hope I get to talk to him today.”
“I’m sure you will. Tyne’s parents have planned a small reception at their house later this afternoon. You’re welcome to come.”
“I’d love to.” She reached inside the buggy and slid something from the floorboard. “I brought this for your son.”
The small, leather-bound album looked worn. Lucas opened it and sucked in his breath when he saw the yellowed newspaper clippings. Unexpected tears sprang to his eyes.
The first was an article that depicted him as a boy of eight. He was holding a certificate and wearing the medallion he’d been awarded in an elementary school science competition. Lucas still remembered the weather display that had won first place in the event.
Another was a group shot that had been taken when he and a group of his friends had raised money to help pay the hospital bill of a local boy who had been injured in a fall. Chase had lingered for weeks, but in the end, he hadn’t survived. The sound of Mrs. Halloway’s heart-wrenching sobs at the funeral were forever emblazoned in Lucas’s mind.