The White Knight by Gilbert Morris Page B

don’t need to be eating there! My cookin’s much better,” she protested.
    â€œLeave him alone, Luana,” Jolie said. “We need to get his story in all the newspapers.”
    Then his mother turned to him and said, “But don’t make any appointments for tomorrow night. Timothy’s coming over. And I’ve asked your cousins Wesley and Patrick and their families to come over too.”
    â€œSounds like the gathering of the Winslow clan. What’s Wesley doing now?”
    â€œYou don’t know? Why, he’s become one of the most famous photographers in America.”
    â€œGood for Wes. I knew he’d make it. I suppose those kids of his are about grown.”
    â€œYes. They’re all in high school here. The twins are fifteen and Leslie is fourteen.”
    â€œMakes me feel old.” Luke grinned, then left the room. “I wish he’d find hisself a wife. She’d keep him home and outta trouble,” Luana said. “Don’t want him runnin’ off to no more of them old wars!”
    ****
    â€œHow much am I allowed to spend?” Luke asked. He held his tray as they got in line, and mischief danced in his eyes as he turned to the woman. She was actually a pleasant surprise, being somewhere in her late twenties, he was guessing,an attractive redhead with green eyes. He had expected a dowdy woman.
    â€œA dollar fifty ought to fill you up.”
    â€œA dollar fifty? Why, I might spill that much.”
    Luke turned and moved down the line. He chose a salad, catfish with slaw, collard greens, and corn bread. He watched Maxine choose a salad and one piece of chicken. “You must be broke if that’s all you can afford to eat.”
    â€œI’m trying to lose weight.”
    â€œLose weight where?”
    Maxine stared at him. “All over,” she said. “Now, let’s grab that table over there.”
    Leonard’s was crowded, as it usually was. The two sat down and transferred their plates to the table.
    â€œDo you ask a blessing before you eat?” Maxine asked.
    â€œNo. Do you?”
    â€œJust a silent one.”
    â€œI was hoping you’d pray good and loud so people would know how religious we are.”
    Maxine could not keep the smile off her face. “You’re awful. I’m going to tell your parents on you. I’m positive that they don’t know how badly you behave.”
    â€œOh, I’m afraid they do.”
    Luke began to eat the fish while Maxine bowed her head.
    â€œYou know my parents?” Luke asked when she was done.
    â€œI met your dad once at a meeting. As a matter of fact, you look a lot like him.”
    â€œI’m much better looking than he is! Everybody says that, and I’m sure you’ll agree.”
    â€œNo you’re not. Your father is one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen.”
    â€œWell, I used to be better looking than him before I got all beat up in the war.”
    â€œSpeaking of the war, can I interview you while we eat?”
    â€œThat depends. This interview may not go the way you imagined it would.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” She was picking at the lettuce, eating one small bite at a time.
    â€œIf I’m honest with you, you’re not going to like my comments.”
    â€œSuppose we just do it and then you let me decide whether or not I like it.”
    â€œAll right. Fire away with your questions.”
    â€œYou were risking your life in Spain. Do you think it was a waste of time?”
    â€œThat’s coming right down to it. No, I don’t think it was a waste of time.”
    â€œBut the Republicans lost the war.”
    â€œThey wouldn’t have if we’d had more help from our government.”
    â€œWhat do you think our government could have done?” Maxine asked. “We’re not at war with anyone. We couldn’t have sent our troops over officially.”
    â€œGermany did. Who do