Riding Out the Wager — Hilary Walker

Father Michael's brother-in-law has an impossible house guest - Justin, an army veteran suffering from PTSD. The man is making life miserable for his host family. The priest has no practical assistance to offer, until an incident in church gives him an idea. Naturally, his plan involves the ever-reluctant and newly-wed trainer Jack Harper. It will also require the help of Isaac, a very special but damaged horse on his farm.And a wager.Meanwhile Father Michael gives a podcast interview to a local atheist hoping to trip him up on Catholic matters. As soon as the podcast is aired, church attendance plummets and the priest is under intense pressure from his bishop to rectify the situation.Justin is no closer to coming back to the faith and the podcaster is rejoicing in his victory over the Church. Will God makes good come out of evil for those who love Him, as Father Michael wants to believe?