Tides of Truth [03] Greater Love Read Online Free PDF

box. I owned two pairs of simple earrings, but the use of jewelry by unmarried women in our church was discouraged. Karen, the girl giving me the ride, saw the little box.
    “A present?”
    “From one of my sisters.”
    “Are you going to open it?”
    “No.” I slipped it into the bag of goodies for Kyle. “I’ll wait till later.”
    When we neared the University of Georgia campus in Athens, I called Kyle so he could meet me at my apartment. He had a key to the room in a converted motel where I lived.
    Kyle carried everything into the apartment. He was as strong as one of the bulls he bought and sold when he was living at home. He began digging through the bag of food before I closed the door.
    “What’s this?” He held up the tiny box from Ellie.
    “A gift from Ellie. I doubt it’s edible.”
    I opened the little box. It contained a recent photo of Ellie with the words, “I love you,” written on the back. I placed it in the corner of my computer screen. Kyle lined up everything from the food bag on the counter.
    “The sun’s gone down,” he said. “What would you like to fix for supper?”
    Our day of rest ended at sundown on Sunday. Kyle was a meat lover, so I fixed him an evening breakfast that included homemade sausage, fresh eggs from our hens, and biscuits made from ingredients in my sparsely stocked cupboard. While I worked, I told him all I could about life at home.
    “I know the exact tree Bobby cut down,” he said between bites of sausage biscuit when I told him about a dead tree that had to be removed. “I told Daddy this would be a good year to harvest it. I wish I could have been there to help.”
    “Did you listen to one of the sermons from Pastor Vick I loaned you?” I asked.
    Kyle took another bite. “No.”
    “Why not?”
    “It’s not the same for me as being there.”
    The phone rang.
    “Hi, Zach,” I said. “Kyle and I are finishing a late supper. I just got back from Powell Station.”
    Kyle hurriedly shoved half a biscuit into his mouth and began packing up the food. He pointed at the peaches, applesauce, and green beans and left them on the counter.
    “Should I call later?” Zach asked.
    “No, he’s on his way out. Bye, Kyle. I’ll talk to you later in the week.”
    Kyle closed the door behind him.
    “How’s he adjusting to college life?” Zach asked.
    “He’s gotten knocked off center,” I answered. “And I’m not sure how his faith is holding up. It’s easy to live a righteous life in Powell Station surrounded by family and church folks. Moving away is a shock.”
    “Is he drinking, cussing, or smoking?”
    “He wouldn’t be able to look me in the eye if that was going on.” I paused. “Was that supposed to be a joke?”
    “If so, it was a bad one. I know you’re concerned about your brother. Sorry, I shouldn’t make light of it.”
    I put a jar of peaches on the narrow shelf reserved for fruit.
    “What have you been doing?” I asked.
    “Reading a book about the differences between men and women.”
    “Why?”
    “So I can talk to you better. I haven’t gotten to the chapter about not joking with a woman about a topic that is serious to her.”
    “Okay.” I placed the applesauce next to the peaches. “What have you learned?”
    “That women spend a lot of time thinking about family matters and like to express their thoughts and feelings in conversations with the significant men in their life.”
    “We do?” I smiled slightly.
    “Yeah. Men are more interested in what’s going to happen during the next five minutes. They rarely look in the rearview mirror of life, and they assume the family is running smoothly unless shown otherwise.”
    “Interesting. Is that why you called? To let me know you’re studying the differences between men and women?”
    “No, I wondered if your parents thought you should accept the job offer with the firm.”
    “I need a book that gives me the answer to that question.” I told him about my conversation