The previous day and night, at the estate, had been a taxing one for those who lived there, except for one. Nessa peacefully slept under the watchful care of Karen, who kept her sedated and never left her side.
Mrs. Humphrey had returned Marty into the loving arms of her mother. She was introduced to Meridah, who timidly said hello. Marty tried to be friends with the girl, but she kept to herself in this strange place. She grieved for Jamila, wondering if she would ever see her sister again.
Sister... If only we can have the chance to be sisters.
The room next door to Jamila’s was prepared for Meridah, but she stayed in her sister’s room, to be closer to her and her things. Everyone in the house seemed to understand.
Faye, Emma and Ann sat in the kitchen, wondering how in the world they were going to find Jamila. What had happened to her? Where to even start looking?
Then Emma did an unusual thing - Ann was unprepared for it, but pleased, very pleased when her mother bowed her head and prayed, “Dear Lord, thank you for your love, provision and care. Thank you for taking care of Ann and bringing her home safely and for the two wonderful grandchildren you’ve protected and provided for Nessa. We ask that you be with her during this stressful time and keep her well. But most of all, Lord, we ask that you bring Jamila home to the family that loves her and misses her. You know where she is. Please provide for her needs and we trust you in all things. Thank you Lord, for your grace in my life, as well. Amen.”
Tears brimming, Ann gave her mother a warm hug.
The rest of the day was spent doing the normal things of life, but Jamila’s welfare was on everyone’s mind. Many prayers were said for Nessa’s eldest grandchild.
The household went to bed that night wondering what the next day would bring. The morning dawned as usual and everyone went about their daily routines.
Then the phone rang, after lunch. Ann answered and was told that Jamila had been found and was on her way home.
Tears of relief fell, but she quickly wiped them away as she thanked her Lord for His answer to prayer. With joy and elation, she spread the word as quickly as she was able.
Just before Jamila arrived, David Tillman and Sidney Turner were admitted to the estate. Everyone, but Nessa and Karen gathered in the family room to wait, for Nessa still slept.
Presently, Jamie entered with Jamila and her escort.
She was greeted with hugs and affection, but when she saw Meridah, she cried out with amazed delight at seeing her there. She embraced her friend, while Meridah held on to her, tears of relief flowing. Holding hands, the two sat on the couch together.
Mr. Turner took over the reunion. “I’d like to talk to Jamila, Ann, Mr. Tillman and Meridah alone, please.”
The room quietly emptied, as everyone realized the situation was coming to an end, but wasn’t quit over with yet. The door to the family room was quietly closed.
“Now, first things first. Jamila, I understand from agent Falco that you have no idea why you ended up at The Albatross gold mine, or how you got there. Is that correct?”
“Yes,” she simply replied.
“What was the last thing you remember before you woke up in the mine?” he inquired.
“The very last thing?”
The agent nodded his head.
“I was looking for Ann to say good-bye, but found Carla in the study instead. She had some papers on the desk, and she told me that Ann had asked her to stay to give me a good luck drink of coffee for my trip in the morning. She said it was done that way in this country.”
“No it isn’t, Jamila,” Ann said firmly, when she realized that Carla had lied. “Why would she want her to drink coffee at night?” Ann asked the agent.
“I’m beginning to think you were the intended target for that coffee, Ann. Carla could have drugged it, but why? She’d have no reason to drug you or Jamila, if she was stealing the checks. She could have just taken them and disappeared,” Sidney pondered.
“She wanted you out of the way for a longer period and that would only benefit Mr. Lawrence. They could have been in this together and Jamila walked in at the wrong time. Those papers on the desk… did any of them look like checks, Jamila?” the agent asked the girl.
She sat thinking, “Yes they did. There were about five or six of them and a piece of paper,” she responded.
“Then Carla could have been in on the embezzling with Peter Lawrence. It seems likely, but without evidence, we’re just guessing,” Mr. Turner stated.
“You were already out of the way for several days, Ann, so Jamila had to be taken care of, as well, and the drugged coffee was available. That’s why it wasn't in the study the next day, and why it had to be cleaned up and put away… to eliminate all trace of the drugs,” he concluded.
“Well, we’re still on the hunt for Peter Lawrence. We’ll find him someday, but in the meantime, it’s best to get on with your lives. I doubt you’ll ever hear from him again. But, if you do, call us,” he said emphatically.
“Now, I think it’s time to let Jamila know about Meridah,” Sidney Turner suggested.
Jamila looked startled. “Yes, I was wondering why my wonderful friend is here. How long can you stay?” she asked the girl next to her.
Meridah smiled a really big smile, “I get to stay forever, because I’m your sister.”
Jamila turned pale with shock and delight. Ann sat happily as the younger child told all about her past, and the mystery of Jamila’s life.
The two girls hugged, with tears of joy, knowing that they belonged together, and nothing could ever change that.
“Grandmother said she would do her best to keep us together forever,” Meridah stated proudly.
“Grandmother, where is she?” Jamila asked, startled that she hadn’t seen her. “Is she all right?”
“She’s upstairs sleeping. She should be just fine, now that you’re here and everything is as it should be,” Ann expressed her happiness.
David Tillman interjected, “The question is… should we tell Nessa about Jamila’s ordeal? I know she’d want to know about it and help her grandchild work through it, if necessary, but her heart isn’t strong. I’m just worried it might be too much for her.”
“I’m fine, and I don’t want grandmother to worry or be upset. Everything is going to be okay now, isn’t it Mr. Tuner?” she asked.
“I believe so Jamila. Mr. Lawrence has what he wants and has left the country, if I’ve guessed correctly,” the agent told her.
“Then let’s all promise not to tell her, unless it’s really necessary. She’s a wonderful person, Meridah and she’ll protect us and keep us together. We are part of this house and the history that’s here. Did you know we are half Scottish?” her sister informed her.
Meridah’s eyes widen in disbelief, “But I’m an Arab.”
Jamila laughed happily and said, “Not anymore. You’re just like me, an American.”
The girls talked happily, as the adults got up and left the room.
* * * *
In the days to come, Ann helped Sidney Turner wind up his case against Peter Lawrence and Carla Sikes.
David Tillman helped Ann go through the accounts, cleaning them up and setting up a trust for the girls, as well as a new Will providing for them for the rest of their lives.
Nessa devoted her time and efforts on the girls and Meridah soon came to love her as much as Jamila. The girls were sponges for love and attention, and the whole household provided it.
Karen stayed on as Nessa’s nurse. She was fond of the lovely, elderly woman, and the home was such a pleasant place to live.
Months later, Ann realized she could move on now with her life, if she chose. Nessa’s loneliness was gone, her life full of her grandchildren. Ann wasn’t needed as much anymore, and she had money of her own to move on with.
One afternoon, she talked it over with Nessa, but all her friend would say is, “Don’t be silly. You are part of this family and family is the only thing that rea
lly counts in this life.”
Yes, and caring for God’s children even more. There will always be people in need, and it’s up to us to help them as God has asked us to.
Smiling, knowing her Lord would always be there for her and those she loved, she told Nessa, “All right, I’ll stay, for now.”
Author’s Note
God is a GIVER, not a taker, and we are to be like him. He gave of Himself in love, to rescue us from destruction. We are to care for those in need, by giving of our surplus. Keeping only what we need, not hording, for we cannot take it with us.
But, we can take love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness with us, along with the blessings of helping HIM care for others.
~ ~ ~ ~
God’s definition of greed from Luke 12:15 –
Then he (Jesus) said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. “And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I’ll store my surplus grain. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”
"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Other Books
This book is available in soft cover.
To order, or find other eBooks by Alexa Stewart visit:
www.AlexaStewartBooks.com
“God Bless you and yours in the years to come.”
…Bryne Press
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends