by JR Thompson
HIDDEN IN HARMONY
Danger is Imminent
JR THOMPSON
Here’s a boring disclaimer for anyone who actually takes the time to read it: This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. In other words, for those with limited vocabularies, this book is not factual. If you read a statement and think, “That’s not possible. It couldn’t happen like that,” – well, guess what? It’s fiction and in a fiction book, anything is possible. If you believe a character in this book resembles you or someone you know, please accept my apologies. I was not trying to describe you or someone you know. But… if the reason you don’t like a character is because you feel like I’m describing you and making you look bad… maybe that’s conviction setting in. Perhaps, just perhaps, you possess some character traits that turn people away from you. Don’t get offended. It was just a thought. Okay, the disclaimer is more than long enough and should be crystal clear. Happy reading.
Cover design by Indie Book Cover Design.
Discover more about Christian Author JR Thompson and his writings at www.jrthompsonbooks.com
All scriptures quoted and referenced in this book are taken from the Authorized King James Bible.
Copyright © 2017 JR Thompson
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior permission of the author.
ISBN: 1547194278
ISBN-13: 978-1547194278
I am dedicating this book to my beautiful, sweet, Godly soulmate — Hannah Thompson. She is by far the best spouse I could have ever asked for. God knew what He was doing when He brought her into my life.
CHAPTER 1 – UNFORESEEN COMPANY
CHAPTER 2 - ROOMIES
CHAPTER 3 – UNSETTLING FEAR
CHAPTER 4 – ODDBALLS ATTRACT
CHAPTER 5 – SEEKING DIRECTION
CHAPTER 6 – OOPS!
CHAPTER 7 – OOH LA LA!
CHAPTER 8 – THE RENDEVOUS
CHAPTER 9 – SOUNDING THE ALARM
CHAPTER 10 – HARMONY’S SECRET
CHAPTER 11 – INEVITABLE WAR
CHAPTER 12 – THE FIELD TRIP
CHAPTER 13 – PLAYING WITH FIRE
CHAPTER 14 – SAY WHAT?
CHAPTER 15 – NOT THE BELT
CHAPTER 16 – NAUGHTY BOY
CHAPTER 17 – THE KNOCK OUT
CHAPTER 18 – CAUSE FOR CONCERN
CHAPTER 19 – FACT OR FICTION?
CHAPTER 20 – PAYBACK TIME
CHAPTER 21 – FINAL WARNING
CHAPTER 22 – DROPPING A BOMBSHELL
CHAPTER 23 – TURNING UP THE HEAT
CHAPTER 24 – DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED
CHAPTER 25 – MEET THE PRESS
CHAPTER 26 – TOO DANGEROUS, MY FOOT!
CHAPTER 27 – SHAMEY, SHAMEY!
CHAPTER 28 – MISSING IN ACTION!
CHAPTER 29 – GONE!
CHAPTER 30 - SUSPECT
CHAPTER 31 – ONE ANGRY MOMMA
CHAPTER 32 – TOLD YOU SO
CHAPTER 33 – TAKING A TRIP
CHAPTER 34 – SHE’S WATCHING
CHAPTER 35 – MY BABY
CHAPTER 36 – BREAKING AND ENTERING
CHAPTER 37 – THE ASSIGNMENT
CHAPTER 38 – MAKING THE LIST
CHAPTER 39 - INTERROGATION
CHAPTER 40 – GET OUT!
CHAPTER 41 – ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
CHAPTER 42 - SURPRISE
CHAPTER 1 – UNFORESEEN COMPANY
“What is piled up on our porch?” Alayna squawked as the Russell family bumped along their rocky driveway.
Visible only in the dim headlights of their old, beat-up Jeep Wagoneer, was what appeared to be a heap of filthy blankets. Collin turned to their thirteen-year-old, “Remington, what kind of fort were you building this time?”
Remington answered with a powerful snore. He had fallen asleep just minutes before reaching their turn-off.
The dilapidated rags suddenly sprung to life, unveiling a helpless looking man who appeared to have been there for hours. Oh my, Alayna thought. What is going on here?
Collin asked her to stay in the Jeep and not to wake Remington, while he stepped out and cautiously approached the stranger.
“Can I help you with something, buddy?” he called out.
A weak, exhausted voice barely managed to rasp, “Your assistance would be most beneficial. I’m drenched, cold, and ravenous.”
Attempting to rise, the man tumbled back to his space atop the wooden stairs.
Grasping the door handle, Alayna started to get out. Then, she came to her senses. Apprehensively, she watched as her husband sprinted to the shivering, obviously homeless, middle-aged fellow. Collin knelt down next to the man, spoke a few words, and then motioned for his wife to join him.
Wasting no time, Alayna rushed to the porch. The stranger’s gentle, needy eyes demanded her attention. Looks can be deceiving, she cautioned herself. Stay strong.
“Hon, this harmless guy is worn clean out. He’s going to have to stay here tonight. Why don’t you go inside and I’ll get Remington?”
Alayna wasn’t keen on the idea of a drifter dozing on her porch, not even for one minute. We don’t know this man from Adolph Hitler or Jeffrey Dahmer. This is definitely not the way I planned on spending my Friday night.
Without a telephone, the internet, or even a close neighbor for that matter, if the transient wound up being a sociopath, the Russells were on their own. Alayna took comfort in knowing Collin was strong and courageous, but he didn’t even own a gun. Right or wrong, she feared for her family’s safety.
She had married an enormous hearted, yet incredibly obstinate salesman. Collin had already made a decision and it was set in concrete. It would be a waste of her sweet-smelling breath to try to dissuade him. Without uttering a word, she ascended the stairs — being sure to step as far away from the beggar as possible.
◆◆◆
Opening his eyes, Remington knew he wasn’t in his bedroom. Where am I? he wondered.
It only took a matter of seconds for his eyes to adjust. Why did they leave me in the car?
Putting his glasses on, Remington sat up. He looked through the windshield just in time to see Mom going inside. Then he caught sight of Dad and the unexpected visitor.
“Who’s that, Dad?” the boy called as he opened his door.
“Don’t worry about it right now, Remmy,” Collin said, turning to face his son. “Just go inside and get into your pajamas. We’ll do our devotion here in a few minutes.”
“But Dad —,” the inquisitive teen began.
Collin shut him down firmly, “Get inside, now!”
Dad had given him the look. Remmy knew what that meant. His toothpick frame bolted across the lawn, up the steps, and into the old farmhouse, where he was certain he would get the full scoop from Mom.
◆◆◆
“Listen, buddy, I don’t know what to do,” Collin said. “I have a wife and a son that I’m responsible for — I can’t bring you in the house. Surely you know that.”
With disappointment forming in his eyes, the beggar slowly nodded. It certainly wasn’t the first time he had been turned away. He had visited the only homeless shelter he knew of within a twenty-five-mile radius; they were full. The Clayville Motor Lodge kicked him off of their parking lot. He had a
ttempted to hide in a dumpster, but an angry store owner caught him and literally ran him out of town.
He fully expected Collin to turn him away — but he didn’t. “For tonight, you can sleep out here on the porch,” Collin told him. “In the morning, after you’ve regained your strength, you will need to be on your way.”
Again, the transient nodded, this time with quivering lips. At least I can get some sleep before I have to move on, he thought, as he pulled the blankets tight around him, laid on his side, and curled himself into a tight ball.
He listened as Collin moseyed inside and locked the deadbolt behind him.
◆◆◆
Collin didn’t have time to inhale a single breath of air before Remington started in on him, “Mom wouldn’t tell me what’s going on. Who is that guy, Dad?” he asked.
To say Collin was annoyed would be like saying a woman giving birth was slightly discomforted. Does that boy’s mouth ever close?
Even though Remmy had already changed into his blue and white striped jammies, he was nowhere near ready for bed. Collin had no doubt his son had become obsessed with their mysterious guest. Perhaps I should have had him take a bubble bath.
Trying to refrain from hurting Remmy’s feelings, Dad attempted to provide a simple answer to his question, “We don’t know anything about the man, buddy. He’s just a guy who is down on his luck. He’ll be leaving in the morning.”
Oh no, Collin thought, as he saw the expression that manifested itself on his son’s face. It’s going to be a long night.
“He’s down on his luck? Do you mean he’s homeless?” Remington asked.
Dad hesitated for a moment. “Yes, Remmy. He’s homeless.”
“How did he get that way?” Remington asked.
Collin explained the situation the best way he knew how, “Some people can buy a pair of shoes and have them last forever,” he began. He went on to explain how caring properly for shoes was similar to a person maintaining their finances. Taking care of things made them last while acts of carelessness caused deterioration. He said people lost their homes for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it was because of addictions to drugs, alcohol, or gambling. Other times it was just due to poor budgeting. Every person’s situation was different.
Collin knew it annoyed Remington when he used shoes for analogies. As a matter of fact, he annoyed himself by always talking about footwear. But what could he do? Shoes were his life.
Remington was anything but out of questions. He asked Dad why the man’s family hadn’t taken him in, how he had found their house when they lived three miles outside of Clayville, and how long he had been homeless.
Over and over again, Dad responded with as short of answers as he could muster. He knew Remington had a soft heart. With a lot on his plate already, the last thing he wanted to do was console a broken teen.
◆◆◆
More than anything, Remington wanted to go outside to interview the stranger; Dad would never allow that. That is — unless he could come up with a clever way to do it. “Daddy, isn’t it my turn to lead the devotion tonight?” he asked.
“It sure is. Do you have a message prepared?”
“Yeah, let me get my Bible,” Remington replied, before running to his bedroom.
He grabbed his Bible off of his dresser and flipped to the concordance. Where is it? he asked himself. What should I look under?
It didn’t take him long to find the passage he was hunting for. With a persnickety expression on his face, he scampered back to the living room and began his message, “Tonight, I’m going to read from Matthew 25. Verses 42 and 43 say, ‘For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not, sick, and —”
Alayna placed her pointer finger tight against her lips before softly saying, “We understand how you feel, Remmy, but we aren’t living in Bible times anymore. We can’t just bring a homeless man into our house; he could rob us blind. He could murder us. We don’t know anything about him.”
Her reasoning made no sense to Remington. We don’t live in Bible times anymore? Then why do we have to obey other parts of the Bible?
This was one time when he couldn’t keep his thoughts to himself, “So, you tell me I have to go to church because the Bible says I should. You want me to pay tithes, even on my birthday money, because that’s what the scriptures say to do. You tell me it’s not right to talk bad about people behind their backs, that I’m supposed to be careful what kind of friends I hang out with, that I should go soul-winning with the youth group — and you tell me the reason for all of this is because I should always do what the Bible says.
“Why is this different? The Bible says we’re not supposed to send people away on empty stomachs; we’re supposed to take people in who don’t have places to stay; we’re supposed to give people clothes when they don’t have any. So what are you saying, Mom? We can just pick and choose which parts of the Bible to obey now that we’re not living in Bible times?”
Standing to her feet and crossing her arms across her chest, Alayna bellowed, “That’s enough, Remmy! Go to bed!”
The tension in the room could have been cut with a plastic butter knife. Not being a whiner or complainer, Remington stomped to his bedroom, nearly tripping over his drooping bottom lip.
He didn’t understand — his parents had dragged him to Sunday School since he was in diapers; they had taught him to never fear man more than he feared God. What ever happened to practicing what you preach?
Remington slammed his rugged door shut and threw himself face down on his bed to sulk. Unlike a lot of kids his age, he thought highly of his parents. Generally speaking, they were fun-loving, sweet, and kind-hearted. They didn’t have a lot of money, but that didn’t matter to them. Through the years, they had learned that having faith in God was more important than anything money could buy.
Their way of handling this situation, however, was disheartening. A human being was stuck outside with no place to call home. He could catch a cold or even wind up with pneumonia. Oh, but they’re being charitable. They’re letting him sleep on their porch.
After a few more minutes of sulking, the thirteen-year-old’s investigative ears intercepted a quiet debate taking place in the living room.
Mom wanted the visitor gone before they went to sleep. She had heard far too many horror stories to feel comfortable with a strange man on her property.
Dad, on the other hand, appeared to be thinking along the same lines as Remington — he didn’t like leaving the transient out in the elements. Putting a roof over his head seemed to be the Christian thing to do.
At the same time, Dad could understand Mom’s viewpoint as well. If they were too kind to the visitor, he might be overly appreciative of their generosity — so much so that he might never leave.
Remington listened to their dispute for more than an hour before finally walking into the living room, “Mom, Dad, I know I’m supposed to be in bed, but I can’t sleep. I just keep thinking about that guy out there — it’s not fair!”
“What’s not fair, bud?” Dad asked.
“I’m in there in a warm, comfortable bed. I have a pillow to lay my head on, nice clothes, and a full belly. I can’t sleep knowing somebody is outside freezing and hungry without a comfortable place to lay down.”
“We know,” Mom said, gently hugging him from the side, “but we have to do the responsible thing. We don’t have a big house. We don’t have any extra bedrooms for him to sleep in. We don’t have stockpiles of food in the house —”
“He can sleep in my room — please! I’ll crash on the couch in the living room; he can have my bed. Please don’t make him stay outside. I’ll fast tomorrow. He can eat my meals.”
Remington broke his daddy’s heart. Something was about to give. Before it did, Mom retired to the master bedroom.
CHAPTER 2 - ROOMIES
“Let’s create a temporary guest room,” Collin
said.
“Are you serious?” Remmy exclaimed. “Dad, you’re the best!”
Collin traipsed into Remington’s room. Even though it sometimes frustrated him that Alayna insisted Remington keep his room spotless at all times, on this particular occasion, Collin was grateful.
He told Remington to take his blankets and pillows out to the living room and to make himself a place to snooze on the couch.
While Remington joyfully complied, Collin went into the hall closet and got out a couple of blankets. He quickly threw them on Remmy’s bed.
The father and son team then went outside to welcome their homeless friend into the house.
◆◆◆
Overwhelmed with excitement, the man tried once more to stand. Not eating a single meal nor receiving much sleep in two days had taken its toll on him. His strength had been all but depleted.
“Help me,” Collin said as he gently lifted the stranger’s left arm and wrapped it around his neck.
He didn’t have to say it a second time. Remington wedged himself under the man’s right arm and together, they were able to get him up to his feet.
Utilizing his human crutches for support, the homeless fellow staggered into the house. Slowly, yet carefully, he was led passed Remmy’s new sleeping quarters and into the “guest room.”
