Where Grace Abides by BJ Hoff

you’ll see.”
    â€œThat you will, daughter,” Susan said, her tone dry as she again cast a look at Gant. “Just how big is his sire, Captain?”
    â€œPretty big,” Gant replied.
    Another eyebrow went up, but she didn’t look all that fussed with him.
    The sky had been darkening while they talked, and now a low roll of thunder sounded. Gant stood, bracing himself on the step with his cane as he leaned to stroke the pup’s ears. “I should be getting along before it storms,” he said. “Flann doesn’t much like thunder and lightning.”
    â€œI think we all need to get indoors,” Susan Kanagy said. “You’re welcome to stay and have supper with us, Captain.”
    Gant wanted to stay. But he figured Rachel would be more comfortable if he left. “Thank you, Mrs.— Susan. But Asa would have my hide. He’s cooking tonight, and I told him I’d be back in plenty of time.”
    â€œOh, please, Captain Gant! Please stay!” Fannie begged.
    Gant smiled at her. “I’d best not, Fannie. Another time. I’ll want to drop by again soon, so I can find out what you decide to name your new friend there.”
    â€œOh, I already know his name.”
    â€œDo you now?” said Gant.
    Fannie nodded. “I’m going to call him ‘Thunder.’ That way I’ll always remember the day you gave him to me.”
    â€œWell, now, it seems to me that’s a perfect name for him.”
    With the pup already dozing against her shoulder, she moved closer to Gant and looked up at him. “ Danki, Captain Gant,” she said, her face all seriousness. “I’ll take real good care of Thunder. He’s going to be my best friend.”
    â€œI wouldn’t be a bit surprised if that’s not the case, Fannie. He’s already taken quite a liking to you, it seems.”
    â€œHe’s a wonderful- gut present, Captain! The best gift I’ve ever had.”
    Another clap of thunder broke the quiet of the evening, and Susan Kanagy tried to hurry Fannie and Rachel inside. But when Fannie started for the porch, the pup in her arms, her mother stopped her. “Oh, no, Fannie. We can’t have the puppy indoors—”
    â€œMamma! We can’t leave Thunder outside! Not his first night away from his mother—and in a storm! He won’t be any trouble, Mamma! I’ll make sure he doesn’t bother you.”
    â€œFannie, we’ve never kept our animals indoors—”
    â€œBut, Mamma, Thunder isn’t just an animal. He’s special ! He’s a special present. Please, Mamma! Please, don’t make him stay outside by himself! He’ll be scared!”
    Susan looked at her, then at Rachel, who smiled and nodded slightly. “Well, I suppose it can’t hurt for now, since he’s still so small.”
    Gant watched, not surprised to see Fannie win her mother over. The girl then hurried inside, clearly anxious to make her move before her mamma could change her mind. Just inside the screened door, she turned and waved, flashing Gant an enormous smile.
    Gant turned to Rachel, pleased to see that her smile didn’t fade when she looked at him. “How you’ve blessed my little sister, Jeremiah. I haven’t seen her this happy since—I can’t even remember when.”
    He was relieved to hear her use his name again.
    â€œI first thought I’d find her a kitten,” he said, “to help make up for the ones that went missing. But I know there’s no replacing something you’ve loved once it’s lost to you.”
    She looked at him, then quickly glanced away.
    Not wanting any more awkwardness between them than already existed, he hurried to add, “As I told Fannie, he’s going to grow up to be a very big dog. And I understand from Jonah Weatherly that his sire is quite the fine watchdog. I thought—with everything that’s been going