Read Online Lakeside Reunion by Lisa Jordan - Free Book Online

selfish?”
    Tyler shrugged. “I guess not. I still wish I knew why He took Mommy to Heaven now. Why couldn’t he have waited until I was all grown up?”
    â€œWe don’t know why God allows certain things to happen. He knows what’s best for us. He has a plan for each of us, but we need to trust and have faith in Him at all times, even when bad things happen.”
    â€œDo you hate God for taking Mommy?” Ty chewed on his bottom lip.
    â€œNo, I don’t. And neither should you. When Mom was sick, we didn’t know what she was feeling or how much pain she was in, but God knew. Maybe Mommy was in so much pain that God knew by taking her to Heaven that she wouldn’t have to suffer. Heaven is a great place, and I know Mom is happy there.”
    â€œWhy didn’t God heal her? I prayed and prayed for Mommy to get better. Why didn’t He hear me?” Tyler’s voice choked. Burying his face in Stephen’s chest, Tyler gave in to a new surge of tears.
    Stephen rocked the kid in his lap while blinking away his own rush of tears. “I don’t know, Ty. God heard all your prayers, but He had to do what He knew was best. God is smarter than you and me. Our hearts hurt because Mommy isn’t with us anymore, but remember she’s not sick in Heaven. And someday you will see her again.”
    â€œI love you, Dad. I hope God doesn’t need you for a long, long time because I need you more.” Tyler looked at Stephen with watery eyes. Wrapping his arms around Stephen’s neck, he squeezed hard.
    Stephen blinked several times. He waited a minute to talk because if he spoke now, he’d lose it. He tightened his hold and whispered in the kid’s hair. “I love you, too. And even though I’m a grown-up, I still need you. Don’t forget that.”
    â€œDad?”
    â€œYeah?” Stephen loosened his grip, but still kept Tyler in his lap.
    Tyler rested his head against Stephen’s chest. He traced one of the buttons on Stephen’s denim shirt. “That lady? Lindsey? She said her dad died and she misses him a lot, too. She said he was a police officer. Did you know him?”
    â€œLindsey’s dad was my former partner. He was Mrs. Grace’s husband.”
    â€œDo you hate that mean kid who shot him?”
    Stephen lifted Tyler out of his lap and leaned over the tub. He tried to form an answer as he filled the tub with warm water. Steam rose and kissed the tile surround. Being careful of Ty’s injured arm, Stephen removed his son’s shirt. “ Hate is a strong word. Yes, at times, I hate the guy who killed Thomas, even though I know I’m not supposed to. What he did was wrong and I want him to be punished for what he did. Hating him is wrong, too. Jesus wants us to love our enemies.”
    â€œThat’s tough.”
    â€œYou’re right, pal. It is.”
    â€œDo you think he’ll ever be found?” Tyler pulled off his jeans and climbed into the tub. He reached for an orange can of foamy soap and squeezed citrus-scented foam in his hands.
    Stephen threw Ty’s wet clothes in the overflowing hamper. Laundry—another thing to add to tonight’s to-do list. “I hope so, Ty, because I don’t want him to hurt anyone else.”
    â€œI don’t want you to get shot.” Ty made a foamy orange beard.
    The kid looked at him with serious eyes, but the bubble beard…well, it was hard to keep a straight face. “That’s something you don’t need to worry about. Let’s get your hair washed.”
    â€œAm I still in trouble?”
    Stephen lathered Ty’s hair with some fruity kids’ shampoo they picked up at the grocery store. “Dude, you’re not skating out of this one. Leaving the yard without my permission was wrong, and because of that, you will not be allowed any TV or video games tonight.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I just wanted to see