Battling Destiny (The Piper Anderson Series Book 6) Read Online Free

a bench in a clearing near statues of playing children.
    “A hard day isn’t it, son,” Father Diplin asked as he walked up behind Michael, scaring him half to death. He’d been the family’s priest for as long as Michael could remember, and back before everything Michael believed in was destroyed, he’d had great admiration for the church and Father Diplin.
    “Sorry I stepped out, Father, I just needed some air.”
    “Who wouldn’t on a day like today? Burying your father is never easy,” he offered as he took a seat on the bench next to Michael and adjusted his white collar slightly.
    “Yes, it’s hard to sit in there.” Michael didn’t finish that sentence by admitting the hypocrisy in the church had him fleeing for fresh air. He couldn’t meet the priest’s eyes, so he stared down at the shoes his mother had left out for him this morning. From the corner of his eye he could still see the white beard and big gold-rimmed glasses of the man who didn’t seem to be leaving.
    “I’d imagine it’s hard to look at all those people and not want to scream the truth. If they all knew the real man your father was, do you think there would be so many people in there today?” Father Diplin’s warm and level voice shot through Michael like a lightning bolt, drawing his gaze right back to the man’s face so their eyes were locked on each other. “I’m not blind, son, nor am I deaf. I took your father’s confession once a month for the last twenty years. I likely know more about what he’s done than you do. I am a man of God, and I have a responsibility to his flock. Your father was a member of this church and my duty was to guide and support him. But if I had been in your position,” he hesitated as he squeezed down on Michael’s shoulder, “I’d have run for the hills, too. You may not know it but I’ve kept up on your story. You’re living in a little town practicing law now and really helping people. You’re the honorable man here today. I know that. God knows that, too. It’s admirable that you’ve come back to pay your respects and care for your mother, but listen to me closely, son, the first chance you get, go back to your life. There is nothing here for a man like you.”
    All Michael could muster was a nod of his head and a blink of his wide and shocked eyes. The priest stood, a little spring in his step and a casual whistle on his lips, and headed back toward the entrance of the church. The validation he’d just given Michael was greater then any condolence or fake sympathy anyone had offered him since he’d arrived. Now all he had to do was take the wise man’s advice and be ready to get the hell out of here as soon as he could.

Chapter Three
     
    “Lindsey, it’s so nice of you to come with us,” Piper said, obviously trying to compensate for Jules’s silence. They’d all been quiet on the car ride to the airport and throughout the entire flight, and now as they rode silently in the rental car headed for the hotel; Piper clearly couldn’t take it anymore. Jules, on the other hand, didn’t care if any of them ever said a word for the remainder of this trip. She was too busy trying to remind herself how much she’d miss if she went to jail for murdering her husband.
    “It’s no problem at all. I was going out of my mind being on leave. My knee is completely healed, but they won’t clear me for another week or so. I’ve never been to Ohio so I’m looking forward to it.” Lindsey’s long blond hair was down, something Jules had never seen before. She had a bit of makeup on, though she didn’t need it. Rather than workout clothes or her uniform she was in jeans and a thin sage-green sweater. She looked like a real human being, not Bobby’s partner.
    “Well this isn’t a vacation or anything,” Jules snapped out, knowing her attitude was misplaced but unable to contain it. “I am trying to confront my husband, who has kept his entire family a secret from me and I’m