At least it had been so far.  It was unlike her to invite him to lunch on a Wednesday and he worried she had a problem she needed him to solve.

        At precisely eleven-thirty, Judith walked through the dining room entrance.  Spotting her father, Judith turned away from the hostess and made her way to his table.  He stood as she approached and she gave him a peck on his cheek.

        “Good afternoon, Dad.  How are you today?”

        “Fine.”  He took a quick assessing look at her.  “You’re looking especially lovely today.”

        She blew out a breath that ruffled her wispy bangs.  “Thank you.”

        They passed a few minutes exchanging small talk and ordering their food.  When an uncomfortable silence fell between them, Judith said, “Thank you for accepting my invitation to lunch, Dad.  I know you usually don’t have time during the week.”

“I’ve always made time for you, Judith.  Is there anything special you wanted to talk about?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact there is.”  Judith cleared her throat and took a swallow of iced tea.  “I received a letter concerning my mother from a lawyer in San Augustine.”

        That had certainly come out of the blue.  The last thing Aaron had expected was to talk about his late wife.  “Your mother?  We haven’t talked about her since you were a little girl.”

        Judith’s eyebrows drew together in a way that made Aaron go on the defensive.  He knew his quiet, reserved daughter had a temper.  “I’m aware of that, Dad.  In fact, this letter makes it clear that you haven’t always been a hundred percent truthful about my mother’s family.”

        He was still in control, Aaron thought.  She wouldn’t make a scene in the country club dining room.  “Come to the point, Judith.”

        “You told me my mother’s parents were dead.”

        “Yes, your maternal grandmother died before I married your mother.”

        “But my grandfather, Isaiah Beecham, was alive until last November.”  Judith withdrew some papers from her purse and passed them across the table.  “According to this letter, my grandfather left me some property.” 

Aaron unfolded the document and read the highlighted section.  “The sum total of four hundred seven acres of land and all buildings on said property.  Four hundred acres?  In Piney Meadow?”       

        At least she was interested in his side of the story.  “Your grandfather blamed me for your mother’s death.  He said that if I hadn’t taken her so far from home, she wouldn’t have died.”

        “That doesn’t make any sense.  My mother died in a car accident.”

        “In the middle of the Dallas freeway.  Isaiah said that if she’d stayed in her hometown, she’d never have been in such an accident.”

        Their food arrived and Aaron used the interruption to let Judith compose herself.  When he saw she was calm enough to eat, he felt it was safe to tell her more.  “With all the bad blood between your grandfather and me, we eventually stopped talking.  Then, it was just easier to tell you your grandfather was dead.  It may not have been the right choice, but I was afraid he’d upset you.”

        Judith ate in silence, obviously absorbing what he’d told her so far.  “You’d think he’d want to get to know his granddaughter.”

“I think he must have regretted his decision to shut you out.  Why else would he have left his property to you?  My advice is that we drive over there and take a look at this land.  I’ll order an appraisal and then you can sell it.”

        Judith stopped eating and fixed her gaze on the outside landscape.  She’d always followed her father’s advice when it came to matters of business, surely she’d do the same now.  But Aaron knew his daughter had a stubborn streak to go along with her temper; and it showed itself at the most inopportune times.  Then Judith said the words Aaron didn’t want to hear.

        “I don’t want to sell it, Dad.”

        “Why not?  What could you possibly do with four hundred acres in east Texas?”

        “I don’t know.  But I won’t do anything until I go down there and investigate my grandfather and his gift to me.”

        So be it, Aaron thought.  He could give in to this much.  “I won’t be free to go until next month.  We’ll go then.”

        But Judith had made up her mind.  “No, Dad.  I want to do this on my own.”

        “By yourself?  Judith, you don’t know what you’re saying.  You don’t have any experience with real estate.  And Piney Meadow is a far cry from Dallas.  I can’t imagine you out in the middle of nowhere east Texas all alone.”

        She leveled her gaze at him and he knew he’d lost the argument.  She was twenty-seven years old, an adult in every sense of the word.  It was her property and she was free to do whatever she wanted with it.

Judith’s voice was calm but stern when she answered.  “It’s rare for me to disobey you, Dad, but I’m determined to do this on my own.  You didn’t want me to know my grandfather and, although I’m sure you had your reasons, it seems as though you didn’t try very hard.  Now, my grandfather has done something to make sure I knew about him.  This is for me to do.”

                            ***

        Jacob Fraser stood in the clearing, studying the burned remains of what had been the All Saints Community Church.  It was a miracle the flames hadn’t touched off the undergrowth in the forest, but the steady rain of the previous week had protected the surrounding land.  He walked slowly around the perimeter of the burn area, noting the obvious clues.  The arsonists had left gasoline cans and rags, not even trying to hide the fact it had been a crime of hate.

        Jacob turned at the sound of an approaching car and saw Henry Washington, the leader of the All Saints Community Church get out of his car.  The sixty-something African American pastor called to him.

        “Mornin’ Jacob.  I appreciate you meeting me here.”

        Jacob wiped his hands on the leg of his jeans, then shook hands with the older man.  “Was anyone hurt in this fire?”

“No, we were blessed in that regard.”

“I saw the sheriff at the diner this morning.  He said to tell you he was investigating the fire.”

        Henry shook his head in disgust.  “Everybody knows who did this.”

        Henry was right, Jacob thought.  “Well, the sheriff insists on evidence.  And you know how hard it’ll be to get anyone to testify against Piney Meadow’s version of the KKK.”  Jacob bent to pick up the charred remains of a book, then realized it was a Bible.  “When do you want to rebuild?”

        Henry took the Bible from Jacob and cleaned it with his handkerchief.  “That depends on the estimate you give me for the lumber and other building materials.”

        “I don’t suppose you had fire insurance?”

        “Heavens no.  We’re a poor congregation, Jacob.  You know that.  The collection plate is often filled with pennies the members have been saving for church.  You know my wife and I both have jobs.  This building was simply a meeting place for those who wanted to worship the Lord.”

        Which made burning it an even bigger sin.  “What are you going to do in the meantime?”

        “I was wondering about Isaiah Beecham’s place.  That old church on his land is still standing.  Think my congregation could meet there until we rebuild?”

        Jacob rubbed the back of his neck while he thought.  “I don’t know about that, Henry.  That land was deeded to Isaiah’s granddaughter.  You’ll have to contact her.”

        “Didn’t know Mr. Beecham had a granddaughter.  Any idea how I would go about talking to her?”

        “Might be easier than you think.  I spoke with the lawyer handling the will because I want first chance at buying that acreage.  He told me Isaiah’s granddaughter is coming into town this afternoon.”

        “Is Walter Davidson handling Mr. Beecham’s estate?”

        “Yeah, that’s right.  Only lawyer Isaiah ever trusted.”

        “He’s a good man, all right.   I’ll give him a call.  If you buy that land, will you allow my people to use the church?”

        “Shouldn’t be a problem.  But you know, that old building hasn’t been used for almost twenty-five years.  No telling what kind of repair it’s going to need.”

        “Buying the materials might be a challenge, Jacob, but my congregation will supply the workers.  As it says in Second Chronicles, ‘So the workmen labored, and the work was completed by them; they restored the house of God to its original condition and reinforced it.’”

        “I’ll help however I can to make that old church a safe place to meet.  Get somebody to go look at Isaiah’s old church, make a list of what you’ll need, then come down to the mill.  I’ll talk to my dad and I’m sure he’ll donate what we can.”  Jacob offered his hand to Henry and the two men shook.

        “Bless you, Jacob.  When I look at what’s left of our church, all I can see is the remnants of hatred.  But then, you come along and blow that hatred away.”

        Jacob could feel the blush reddening his face.  “Now, Henry, don’t go getting all flowery on me.  We’ve known each other a long time and you know how I feel about that kind of talk.”

        Henry chuckled deeply and clapped Jacob on the back.  “All right, friend.  I won’t embarrass you any longer.  I guess I’d better get into town and talk to Lawyer Davidson.”

        “I’ll follow you there,” Jacob said.  “Maybe he’ll know something about Isaiah’s granddaughter that could help me convince her to sell the land.”

                            ***

        The drive from Dallas to San Augustine had taken Judith three hours, but now she sat at a table in the lawyer’s comfortable office and tried to understand the document he showed her.  “I’ve marked the boundaries of your grandfather’s property on this tax map.  As you can see, it borders the Sabine National Forest.  I’ll drive you out there if you’d like because you’ll never find it on your own.  Once you get off the main highway, most of the county roads are unmarked.”

        “Your letter said there were buildings on the property.”

        “Three as a matter of fact.  There’s a barn, a small cabin where Isaiah lived, and an old church.”

        “A church?”

        “That’s right.  I don’t know when it was built, probably sometime in the 1940’s. It was used by the Methodists for a while, but when they got enough money, they built a fancy place in town.”

        That made sense, Judith thought.  When her mother had been alive, she’d taken Judith to a Methodist church every Sunday.  But her father had not followed through.  Even now, Judith couldn’t remember the last time she’d stepped into a church except for a wedding or a funeral.  “Why was the church built on my grandfather’s land?”

        “He was one of the members of the first congregation and offered his land as a meeting place.  The story is that he and the other members built it themselves.”

        A soft knock at the doorway interrupted them.  The lawyer’s secretary, who was also his wife, stuck her head in.  “Walter, Jacob Fraser and Henry Washington are here and asking to meet with you and Miss Judith.”

        “That’s fine, Dorothy.  Just ask them to wait a few minutes.”

        The woman smiled at Judith and closed the door.  “Why would those men want to meet with me?” Judith asked.

        “I think it’s best if I let them speak for themselves.  Are you ready to see them now or would you rather delay the meeting until you’ve had some time to digest all of this information?”

        “Might as well meet them now.”

        Mr. Davidson opened the door and called to the two men.  “Come on in, Jacob.  How are you, Henry?  Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Judith Robertson.”

        Judith stood and shook the older man’s hand.  “Good afternoon, Miss Judith.  I’m Henry Washington, pastor of the All Saints Community Church.”

        “Nice to meet you,” she said politely, then turned her attention to the other man.

        “Jacob Fraser,” he said, sliding his strong, calloused hand into hers.

        She shook his hand but found herself tongue-tied.  Jacob Fraser looked like a throw back to another century.  He was dressed in a flannel shirt, faded jeans, and work boots covered with red dirt. 

        “Sit down,” the lawyer invited, “and tell us what’s on your minds.  I was just showing Miss Judith where Isaiah’s property is located.”

        “You’ll never find it by following that map,” Jacob said.  “It’s far off the highway.”

        “That’s what I told her,” Walter said with a chuckle.  “Do you know when you’d like to see the property, Miss Judith?”

        The intense gazes from the three men skittered across her nerves but Judith steeled herself.  I am a successful, capable woman, she told herself, and I can hold my own in any situation.  “Is it possible to see it this afternoon?”

        The men exchanged surprised looks.  “So soon?” the lawyer asked.

        “Why not?” Judith countered.  “It’s one o’clock now.  There’s time before it gets dark, isn’t there?”

        “Yes,” Walter Davidson answered.  “But I’ve got another appointment at three o’clock and can’t take you.”

        “I’d be glad to take you out there,” Jacob volunteered.  “But I’d like to talk to you first.”

        “Me too,” Henry said.

        Judith took a few seconds to study the men.  Henry Washington was a middle-aged, well-dressed man with kind eyes and a patient manner.  Jacob Fraser, however, had a serious look about him, as if he had important business that couldn’t wait.  But Judith had an agenda of her own. 

        “How well did you know my grandfather?” she asked.

        “I was proud to call him my friend for many years,” the lawyer answered.

        “Your mother and I were almost the same age,” Henry said.  “We didn’t go to the same school but I saw her around town and knew her well enough to say hello.  Your grandfather was a fine man, but I didn’t know him very well.”

        Judith turned her gaze to Jacob and waited for him to take his turn. 

Your grandfather was a friend of my family.  We own the sawmill and lumber yard just outside the city limits.  Mr. Beecham sold some timber to us over the years and I was negotiating the sale of some of his acreage before he passed away.”

        The puzzle was coming together.  “That’s why you want to talk to me, isn’t it, Mr. Fraser?  You’d like to buy the land that now belongs to me.”

        “My name’s Jacob and yes, I would like to make you an offer.”

        “And you, Mr. Washington?  Do you also have a business deal to discuss with me?”

        “No, ma’am.  What I’d like to talk to you about is more in the line of a favor.”

        Jessica’s eyebrows shot up.  “A favor?  I’ve been in town for less than two hours and I’m already being asked for favors?”

        Henry chuckled.  “I see your point, Miss Judith.  But let me explain.  I’ve been the pastor of the All Saints Community Church for the past ten years.  We’re a small congregation of local folks who meet twice a week to study God’s word and praise the Lord.”

        Judith smiled patiently, giving the preacher her full attention.  “When do you get to the part about the favor?”

        “A few nights ago, our church was burnt to the ground.  We have nowhere to meet.”

        The last piece of the puzzle fell into place for Judith.  “And you want to use the church on my property.”

        “That’s right.  It’s going to need some repair before we can meet there and, if it’s all right with you, I’d like to bring some of the members of my congregation out to your grandfather’s place to inspect it.”

        Judith turned to the lawyer.  “Did you know about this?”

        “Jacob spoke to me last week, but Henry’s request is news to me.”

        So much to think about.  For a few seconds, Judith wished her father were here to advise her.  “When do you need an answer, Mr. Fraser?”

        “My name’s Jacob,” he repeated,  “and I don’t need an answer right away.  I just wanted to be the first one to make an offer.”

        “And you, Mr. Washington?  When will you need an answer?”

        “I don’t have a deadline, Miss Judith.  But I am anxious to get my flock back under a roof soon.”

        Judith felt the men’s expectant gazes on her and had a sudden impulse to run from the room.  “I’d like to see the property before I make any decisions.  But I will tell you this much now.  There won’t be any decisions made in haste.  You gentlemen might as well know that up front.”

        Jacob and Henry traded looks.  Then Henry smiled at Judith.  “That’s fine, Miss Judith.  I understand completely.  I’d best be on my way,” he said as he stood.  “It’s been a pleasure to meet.”

        She shook his hand and watched him step out of the room.  Jacob Fraser remained seated across from her.  “If you’d still like to go out to your grandfather’s place,” he said, “I’ve got the time.”

        Judith turned to the lawyer.  “Was there anything else you needed to tell me, Mr. Davidson?”

        “No, Miss Judith, that’s it for now.  The will has been probated and the land is yours, free and clear.  But keep my number handy.  If there’s anything I or my wife can do for you, just give us a call.”

        Judith gathered her purse and shook Walter’s hand.  “Thank you, Mr. Davidson.  I’ll be in touch.”

        Judith stepped into the spring sunshine and turned to Jacob.  “Should I follow you in my car?”

        “It would be better if you just rode with me.  I’ll show you around and bring you back here when we’re done.”

        All of Judith’s big city alarms went off.  Accepting a ride from a man she’d just met was definitely on the list of stupid moves made by naïve women.  “Hold on just a minute,” she said and stepped back inside the lawyer’s office.  “Mrs. Davidson?”

        The lawyer’s wife looked up from her desk.  “Yes, Judith?  Did you need something?”

        Judith closed the door and approached her.  “I know this is awkward, Mrs. Davidson, but I don’t know who else to ask.”

        The older woman patted Judith’s hand.  “It’s okay.  What can I do for you?”

        “Jacob Fraser has volunteered to drive me out to my grandfather’s place.  Is it safe for me to do that?  Can I trust him?”

        Mrs. Davidson smiled warmly and nodded.  “I’d trust any member of my family with Jacob.  They don’t come any better than him.”

        “Okay,” Judith said, blowing out a breath.  “Thanks.”

        “Anytime.  You’ve got our phone number?”

        “I’ve got it,” Judith said with a quick wave and a smile of gratitude.  She stepped outside where Jacob leaned against a muddy pickup truck.  “Okay.  I’m ready if you are.”

                             ***

        Jacob steered his truck onto the busy highway and glanced over at Judith.  “Where are you from?”

        “Dallas.  What about you?”

        “Born and raised in Piney Meadow.”

        Judith dug through her purse and fished out a small notebook and a pen.  “I’m going to write down the directions so I can find the place on my own,” she explained.

        “Good idea.”  He drove a mile in silence, glancing over at Judith from time to time.  She looked like a city girl in her black slacks and blue sweater, and those were probably real diamonds in her ears.  “Is this your first visit to Piney Meadow?”

        “Yes, it is.  I don’t know much about this part of the state.”

        “I was surprised you came by yourself.  Do you have family?”

        “Just my father and he couldn’t get away from work.”

        “No husband?”

        “No.  I’m not married.  And, by the way, Mr. Fraser, I charge by the question.  So far, you owe me forty dollars.”

        Jacob smiled at the subtle way she’d told him to mind his own business.  “Forty dollars, huh?  Well, I can afford it.  And my name’s Jacob.”

        She returned his smile, then put her eyes back on the road.  “Pretty country around here.  I guess you’re used to it.”

        “Never get used to it.  Sometimes, when I’m out in the forest by myself, the beauty of it still catches my breath.”

        Jacob made the first turn off the highway and Judith wrote it down.  “How far is my grandfather’s property from town?”

        “About thirty minutes.  Do you remember him?”

        “No.  I’m sorry to have to tell you my father kept him hidden from me.”

        “Family fight?”

        “Something like that.  Do you have family here?”

        “I’ve got so much family around this area, it’s hard to stretch without hitting one of them.”

        “That must be unpleasant.”

        Jacob grinned at her joke.  Judith Robertson had a sense of humor to go along with her good looks.  He turned off the two-lane road and onto a gravel one and Judith wrote it down. 

        “How many brothers and sisters do you have?”

        “Two of each.  I’m the baby of the family.”

        “Awfully big baby.”

        Jacob chuckled at her joke.  Yeah, Judith Robertson definitely had a sense of humor.  He turned off the gravel road onto a dirt one.  “Now here’s where you might run into trouble if you come out here by yourself,” he warned.  “This road can get muddy in bad weather.”  At last Jacob turned into a shady drive and stopped his truck in front of a small wooden cabin.  “This is it.”

        Judith slid out of the truck and stood in front of the unpainted cabin.  It was a simple building, built out of logs and planked wood, with a small porch in front.  Two rocking chairs and a small table sat in front of a large window.  “Mr. Davidson didn’t give me any keys.”

        “It’s probably not locked,” Jacob answered.  He stepped up on the porch, opened the screen door and turned the knob of the inner door.  It swung open with ease.  He turned to smile at Judith. 

        “Don’t tell me people around here don’t lock their doors.”

        “People in town probably do, but out here…well, the nearest neighbor is at least half a mile away.”

        Judith stepped through the door Jacob held open for her.  He watched her inspect the small space.  She trailed a hand over the worn leather couch, then walked into the small kitchen and turned the handle on the faucet.  “The water’s still on.”

        “It’s not city water,” Jacob explained.  “You’ve got a well out back.”

        “Oh.  I didn’t think about that.  Is the water safe to drink?”

        “Yeah, I’ll show you the well and how it works.  The county tests the water.  If you want a more up-to-date report, give them a call.”  Jacob walked over to the light switch and flicked it on.  “The electricity’s still on too.  I figured it must be for the well to be working.”

        “If I lose electric power, I also lose water?” Judith asked with a frown.

        “Yeah, but there’s also an old-fashioned hand pump out by the well.  I don’t guess you’ve ever used one of those before.”

        Judith ignored his comment and walked down the short hallway, peeking into the bedroom and bathroom.  “This place is awfully clean,” she said as she made her way back towards the front room.

        “My mother and sister cleaned up.  Hope that was okay.”

        Judith nodded but was concentrating on the framed photographs on the fireplace mantel.  “This is my mother, isn’t it?”

        Jacob moved closer to look at the photo.  “I don’t know.  I never met her.”

        “And this one?” Judith asked, pointing to a photo of an older woman.

        “I guess it’s Isaiah’s wife.  But really, Judith, I don’t know.  You could ask my mother.  She’d know more than I would.”

        “This is me,” Judith said, taking a small photo of a baby off the mantel.  “I recognize it.”

        Jacob craned his neck to look at the small picture.  “Cute baby.”  He expected Judith to make another off-handed, humorous comment, but instead she looked at him with tears in her eyes.  “What is it, Judith?  Did I say something wrong?”

        “No,” she said, blinking back her tears.  “I’m sorry.  It’s not like me to get so emotional.  It’s just…well, I never knew my grandfather and my mother died when I was only six years old.  So, to see this now…”

        Jacob’s voice turned soft and tender.  “I understand.  Must be like discovering buried treasure.”

        “Exactly,” Judith answered with a smile.  She replaced the photo and stepped out of the cabin.  “What about the church Mr. Washington asked me about.  Where is it?”

        “There’s a path through the forest that leads from this cabin to the church.  Want to see it now?”

        “Might as well.”

        Jacob led the way through the narrow, winding path.  When he glanced back to check on Judith, he noticed she had stopped, her head thrown back looking at the sky.  “Something wrong?”

        She lowered her head to look at him.  “No.  It’s just that I’ve never seen so many tall trees.”  Then she ducked her head.  “I guess that sounds stupid to you.”

        “No,” Jacob reassured her.  “There’s nothing stupid about appreciating the beauty of the forest.”

        She caught up to him and he led her the rest of the way, then stepped back to assess Judith’s reaction to the church.  It was a plain wooden building with peeling white paint.  There were three windows along each side and a tall steeple in front.  “There’s a bell,” Judith said.

        “Sure is.  Isaiah told me that when the wind is hard enough, it rings the bell.”

        Judith stepped up to the front door and tried it.  “I think it’s locked.”

        “More likely just stuck.  Here, let me try it.”  Jacob put his shoulder against the door and pushed.  It gave way, causing him to stumble through the entryway.

        Judith followed him in.  “At least it’s in better shape than the barn.”

        “Yeah, but not by much,” Jacob said as he stepped around her and made his way to the altar.

        There were pews stationed on either side of a central aisle.  A single pulpit stood to the right and a small choir loft to the left.  A plain wooden cross adorned the center of the back wall.  Judith found a light switch near a side door and flicked it.  “No electricity here.”

        “Probably just a matter of getting the wires inspected and the power turned on.”

        “Mr. Washington must be desperate to want to use this old place.”

        “You’re more right than you know.”

        Judith arched a brow at him.  “Want to tell me what that means?”

        “Henry’s church didn’t burn by accident.”

        Judith frowned.  “Arson?”

        “Yep.  Whoever did it was sending a message to Henry and the members of his church.”

        Judith walked down the aisle and stepped outside.  When Jacob had closed the door and joined her, she said, “It was a hate crime?”

        “It was.”

        “Why would anyone want to burn a church?”

        “I don’t begin to understand why people do hateful things.”

        Judith followed the path back to her grandfather’s cabin and stopped at Jacob’s truck.  “Is there anything more to see?”

“Just forest.  These are the only buildings.”

“Will you take me back to town now?”

        “Sure.”  Jacob opened the passenger door and Judith climbed in.

        She was quiet on the way back.  Jacob’s attempts to engage her in conversation were met with grunts or head motions, but no words.  When he parked in front of the lawyer’s office, Judith finally spoke.

        “Mr. Fraser, is there any reason I shouldn’t let Mr. Washington use that old church?”

        He rested his hands on top of the steering wheel.  “My name’s Jacob and there are some things you might want to consider.  First, talk to Mr. Davidson about any legal issues loaning the church might cause.  You may want to get some kind of insurance. The second reason makes me ashamed of some of the people of Piney Meadow.”

        Judith crossed her arms in front of her chest and waited.

        “There are some people around here who will be angry you’re letting Henry’s group meet in your church.”

        “The same people who burnt Mr. Washington’s church.”

        Jacob nodded sadly.  “They’re just as likely to burn your place.”

        Judith sat in silence a few minutes longer, then opened her door and slid out.  Jacob followed her to a blue sports car parked nearby.  “You were awfully quiet on the way back, Judith.  Care to share your thoughts?”

        She pursed her lips, then smiled.  “Like I said earlier, both you and Mr. Washington are going to have to wait while I make up my mind.  But I will tell you this much.  Tonight, I’m going to find a quiet hotel room.  Tomorrow, I’m going to drive back to Dallas.  Then, sometime next week, I’ll be moving into my grandfather’s cabin.”