“He said he was pleased with the delivery,” Jacob replied.
“Yes, he did. He told me the same. He also said that you refused the offer to stay the night at the Western Light.”
“Yes, I had flight plans to fly into Lone Hawk.”
“Did you fly into Lone Hawk?”
“Yes, I did. I borrowed the airport manager’s truck and drove to Whitefish, and although I’d alerted them that I was coming, their inventory of supplies was shamefully low.”
“Therefore, after completing one of the biggest shipments you’ve ever been entrusted with delivering, you took it upon yourself to change your prescribed flight plans, the same flight plans you weren’t willing to alter for a Commissioner to stay at the Western Light.”
I didn’t understand what was happening or what they were saying. Maybe I should’ve asked more about his delivery and the envelope. Then again, my not knowing was the way it should be.
Jacob shifted, standing taller. “Yes, as an Assemblyman, I took it upon myself to decide that securing supplies for the nearly five hundred people at the Northern Light was most vital.”
“And yet you called Brother Daniel.”
“Yes, he’s my overseer. I call him often.”
“And Brother Benjamin?”
Shit!
“Father, if you’re asking if I spoke with Brother Benjamin, I did, and Brother Luke, and Brother Abraham, and others on the Assembly. I wasn’t aware that was a problem. If it is, I can certainly discontinue.”
“It’s no longer an issue.”
What the hell does that mean?
My hand flinched, but Jacob secured his grip.
“Brother,” Father Gabriel continued, “tell me where the envelope is that Brother Reuben gave to you.”
“I’m most certain it’s at the Northern Light. I apologize. I was distracted once I returned to the Northern Light.”
“Distracted?” Dylan asked.
When Jacob didn’t respond to Dylan, Father Gabriel told him to explain. Now Jacob was going to have to relay our cover story, in front of Dylan.
Jacob turned to me and let out a deep breath. “As you can see, Sara’s been corrected.”
“Yes,” Father Gabriel replied.
“It happened Thursday night. Brother Benjamin called me on Friday after I’d left the Western Light to inform me that Sara had not been to work. When I arrived back to the Northern Light, as a husband, I needed to concentrate on my wife and why she’d missed work.”
“Sister . . .”
My heartbeat raced. It wasn’t Father Gabriel speaking to me. It was Dylan. When I didn’t respond, he repeated himself.
Finally Father Gabriel said, “Since your husband obviously isn’t going to give you permission to reply, I do. Answer my nephew.”
Nephew, there it was.
I lifted my gaze to Dylan. “Yes, Brother.”
“No . . . I’m not . . . never mind. Why didn’t you go to work on Friday?”
“I was embarrassed that I had a visible reminder. I didn’t want people to think poorly of my husband.” I looked up at Jacob. “He’s a good man.”
“This is bullshit,” Dylan mumbled under his breath. Louder he said, “So what happened once he came back?” His jaw clenched. “Did he correct you again?”
“Yes.”
Dylan’s hand slapped Father Gabriel’s desk.
“Dylan, it’s the way of The Light. You knew that,” Father Gabriel replied. Then he asked me, “What did Brother Jacob do?”
“Because I was ashamed and didn’t want to face people, my husband took me to the coffee shop, and later, after the Commission meeting, he took me to Brother Raphael’s. I apologized to him for being selfish. I should’ve gone to work; instead I ran in the north acres and stayed there.”
Father Gabriel stood. “I’ve heard enough. Brother Jacob, the envelope you received was not meant for you. I need it, and I need it now. I believe you need fewer distractions. Obviously you’ve been privy to an extraordinary amount of private information, even being here, in this house. I’ve been content, even pleased with your confidentiality in the past. The change of plans to Fairbanks bothers me. I assure you, if I had evidence of wrongdoing, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. You’ve been trusted with a great deal. I want to believe that The Light is your first priority, and that you’re as dedicated to The Light as The Light has been to you. I’ve decided that we will be going back to the Northern Light as soon as possible.”
Thank God!
I exhaled.
“To facilitate your ability to not only remain focused and find the envelope Brother Reuben wrongfully gave to you but to also continue the duties you’ve been given, Sister Sara will remain here at the Eastern . . .”
No!
Jacob caught me as my knees buckled.
“Please, no,” I begged, new tears blurring my vision and ability to witness the horror on Jacob’s face.
“Sister!” Father Gabriel said. “Questioning me was one thing, arguing with my decision is quite another.”
“B-but”—I said a silent prayer that this wouldn’t make it worse—“I’m pregnant.”