“Something wrong?” he asked when she hung up.

“I’m going to be late to work and all I’m getting is Garrett’s voice mail.”

Oliver glanced to Kayla and then back to Janie. “I can take you to work if Kayla doesn’t mind staying with the kids a bit longer.”

“Oh, Pastor Mac, I can’t put you out like that.”

“It’s not putting me out. I have to be in Medford anyway. I have a meeting at the jail. Walmart is on the way. Can you get a ride home at the end of your shift?”

She looked at the clock and then out the window, no sign of Garrett. “Yeah, a couple of people I work with live in Trail, and they can give me a ride home. I just don’t understand where Garrett is. He knows that I have to get to work.”

“I don’t mind taking you.”

She chewed on her bottom lip. “Let me change. Maybe he’ll be here by the time I’m ready.”

Oliver nodded and sat with Kayla in the living room as Janie grabbed the bag of clothes she’d picked up from the church and went to a bedroom in the back of the home to change.

“Okay with you, Kayla, to stay a little longer?”

“I’ll call my mom; she’ll probably come over too. It’s okay. I like these kids; they’re well behaved and easy to entertain.”

Oliver had to agree. The two older boys were on the floor surrounded by toys he knew had been donated, playing happily. The youngest, a little over a year, and the only girl, fifteen-year-old Kayla held on her hip like a pro.

A few minutes later, Janie emerged dressed for work. “I’ll try Garrett one more time,” she said when her attention was directed outside as they all heard Garrett’s truck pull up.

“He’s home.” Janie opened the front door as Garrett hopped out, leaving the truck running.

“You ready?” he snarled and then stopped short when he saw Oliver. “What are you doing here?”

“He brought me home from the church. Remember you were supposed to pick me up there? I got stuff for the kids and some clothes for you as well.”

Garrett’s brow furrowed, and Oliver wondered why he was so angry.

“I had things to do,” he snapped. “I didn’t forget. Now let’s get going. Do we need to take the kids?”

“I can stay till you get back,” Kayla offered.

Garrett grunted and stomped back to the truck.

Janie offered an apologetic glance. “Thanks, Pastor Mac, for everything.”

“Sure. Will you be okay?”

“Oh yeah. He’s just mad at himself for forgetting.”

Outside, the car horn blasted, and Janie hurried to get into the truck.

As they pulled out of the lot, Kayla stood next to Oliver. “That guy is always mad.”

“He ever give you any trouble?”