The Widow's Choice by Gilbert Morris Page B

he said, putting his stethoscope back in his bag, “they’ve got what everybody else has. In acouple days they’ll feel much better. Meanwhile, give them a teaspoon of this cough syrup—” he took a bottle out of his bag—”every few hours and especially before bedtime.”
    “How much is it, Dr. Roberts?”
    “It’s a free sample.”
    “Now, Doctor, I don’t believe that.”
    He smiled. “I don’t care whether you believe it or not. You give the boys what I tell you and don’t argue.”
    Alona shook her head but she couldn’t help but grin as she accepted the medicine he held out. “I’m going to get a spoon and give them the first dose right now.” She went into the kitchen and quickly came back with a spoon.
    “Say, I’ve just recruited a sinner for the choir,” he told her as she gave each boy some cough syrup. “Oscar’s been telling me that Jason’s got the best voice he’s ever heard. Clear as a bell and powerful he says. I told Jason I’d come visit your boys if he’d agree to sing in the choir. He’s scared to death of his brother, so he agreed. Don’t know what the pastor and the music director will think, though.”
    “Why would you say that?”
    “Jason’s not a Christian. He made a profession of faith when he was very young, about fourteen, I think, and did well for a time. But he got away from the Lord somehow or other. Have you heard about that trouble he had in the navy?”
    “Oscar told me he crashed his plane.”
    “Yes, he did. It’s a miracle he got out of it. But it did something to him. You should have known him before that. Full of life, ready to try anything. Now he drinks too much, although I guess any drinking at all is too much for a Baptist. The way I figure it, he’s better off in church even if he’s not living a Christian life. He’ll get to hear some good preaching and be around good people. It may be just what he needs to help him get back into a relationship with the Lord.”
    “I think that’s a wonderful idea, Dr. Roberts.”
    “There’s a good man inside Jason somewhere. It just got lost somewhere along the line.” He snapped his bag shutand went over to the couch to pat each of the boys on the shoulder. “These boys will be all right.”
    “Thank you so much for coming. That was so kind of you.”
    “Don’t you give it another thought.”
    The two went into the kitchen to get Jason and found him sitting on a chair, stroking Buddy’s head, with Buddy’s paws propped up on his lap. “Just push him away, Jason,” Alona told him.
    “I think this dog is love starved.” Jason grinned at her. He leaned over and let the dog lick him on the face. “You see? He’ll even kiss a stranger. You’ve been ignoring this animal.”
    Alona laughed. “Ignoring that dog! Not likely. He’s spoiled to death.”
    “Are you ready to go, Jason?” Dr. Roberts asked.
    “You go on ahead, Doctor. I know you have other house calls to make. I’m going to walk back to the foundry.”
    “Are you sure I can’t give you a lift?”
    “Nah. I like to walk. Thanks anyway.”
    Alona showed the doctor to the door, thanking him again for coming. She went back into the kitchen to find Jason talking to Buddy.
    “He’s a beautiful animal. I’ve always liked collies.” He held Buddy’s head between his hands and moved it gently back and forth. “They’re smart, nervy, and loyal to a fault. I had one when I was growing up. When he died, I thought I was going to die too.”
    Alona offered her sympathy and sat down at the table with him, talking about dogs.
    “I’d better get going now,” he said after a few minutes.
    “I really appreciate your bringing the doctor. I . . . I was starting to worry about the boys.”
    “It’s pretty hard to take charity, isn’t it?” Jason grinned wryly. “I’ve taken a lot of it the last few years. Haven’t ever learned to like it, though.”
    “Do you enjoy your work at the foundry?”
    “I hate every second of it, but