“Be careful you don’t lose all your money.”
“I won’t. I have most of it in the bank. I’m not as stupid as Father.”
“Gary, that’s hardly called for. Just be patient. I’m sure in time Father will come to his senses and see that Uncle Harrison has been right all along. It’s hard, as we both know, to see our own folly.”
“You always think the best of everybody, but there are people out there who just want to hurt you. They don’t care about your well-being.”
“You talk like someone who knows.”
“We both know. We were both hurt by Father and Mother.”
“But they are our parents, and we should honor them as the Bible says.”
Gary gave a loud huff and headed for his bedroom. “I think even God would agree they don’t deserve honor.”
“Why won’t you tell me what’s bothering you?” she pleaded.
He looked at her and started to speak, then closed his mouth and shook his head. “It won’t change things, so why bother?” He walked away, not waiting for her reply.
Susanna watched him until he closed the door. When she turned, she saw that Uncle Harrison was standing in the open doorway of her living quarters. She didn’t know how long he’d been there.
“Are you ready to go to the house?” she asked.
He frowned and nodded. “I presume your father never showed up.”
“No. But I didn’t mention that you were here, so he probably thought I just wanted him to watch the hotel.”
Uncle Harrison shook his head. “I fear this has all been in vain.”
“I was reminded earlier that we must have hope—that God has changed even more difficult people.”
“I suppose that’s true, but I’m not sure I’ll live long enough to see it. I may have to let Herbert fail. We may both have to let them go their own way.”
Susanna frowned but knew her uncle spoke the truth. Unless she was prepared to lose everything she owned, she would have to let them do things their own way. Could she do it? Could she watch the parents she loved make bad decisions and do nothing to help?
Susanna and her uncle walked to the little adobe house. It was nearly six o’clock, and she knew her parents would just be sitting down to supper. What would they do when they saw Uncle Harrison? Would her father confess what he’d done, or had he even done it? Were they misjudging him?
Susanna knocked lightly, then opened the front door. “Mother, Father, it’s me, and look who I’ve brought to visit you.” She stepped into the open area where her parents sat at a small dining table. “Uncle Harrison has come.”
Her mother looked up and scowled. “What do you want?”
Susanna’s father said nothing and stared at his plate of food.
“We thought we’d join you for supper. Lia said there was plenty. Here, Uncle Harrison.” She pulled out a chair. “You sit, and I’ll get some plates.”
“We didn’t invite you to stay,” Mother protested.
“Perhaps not, but we must insist,” Susanna’s uncle declared. “There is much we need to discuss.”
“I have no desire to discuss business over dinner,” Mother replied, turning her nose up in a smug manner.
“Then we’ll eat first and then talk,” Susanna said, placing a plate in front of her uncle and another at the empty spot between her mother and father. She dished up pot pie and salad for both Uncle Harrison and herself. She noted her father drinking coffee and her mother’s glass of iced tea. “Would you like to have coffee or iced tea, Uncle?”
“Coffee would suit me well.”
Susanna nodded and went to pour him a cup before her mother could make a comment. The tea was already on the table, so for herself she merely brought a glass. She placed the cup and saucer to the left of her uncle, then took her seat and poured herself a glass of iced tea.
“Why didn’t you let us know you were in town?” Father asked as he began to pick at his salad.