Lucas had a question for Gemma. “Does Wyatt have a college fund?”
“Yes. I put his mom’s life insurance into a savings account.” She explained to Ms. Iler who Wyatt was.
Lucas asked Ms. Iler, “Will it grow as big as the ones Jaz and I have?”
She showed a kind smile. “I don’t know, Lucas. I’d have to have Ms. Dahl’s permission to check that out.”
“Will you let her, Gram? I want Wyatt to have enough money, too. And if it’s not enough, Jaz and I can give him some of ours. Can we do that, Ms. Iler?”
“When you get eighteen you can use your money however you want.”
Jaz said, “I think we should give some money to Wyatt, now.”
Lucas agreed. “I think we should, too.”
Gemma said, “Thanks for your generosity, you two, but I think Wyatt will be fine. I’ll have Ms. Iler check his account though, just to be sure.”
They spent a few more minutes talking about life insurance, stocks and the rest, and Jaz, who’d began looking bored with the dull conversation, asked, “Can we go back to Hawaii for Christmas?”
Gemma was confused. “Hawaii?”
Ms. Iler rifled through her papers. “Ms. Dahl, the Herman family owns a condo on Maui and one at Disney in Orlando. Both are paid for and mortgage free. Have you ever been to Maui?”
“No.”
“Then you might consider taking them. I’m sure Ms. Brown knows a quality travel agent and she can speak to any concerns the court may have about taking them out of state.”
“But I don’t want to be accused of frittering away their money.”
“My office has charge over their estate until they’re eighteen, and believe me, we’ll be keeping an eagle eye on every penny. A trip to Hawaii is not a misuse under the circumstances. They’ve been in foster care for some time and since there are more than enough discretionary funds available to pay for the time there, you might want to go. It makes no sense to let the condos sit vacant unless the kids want to put the places up for sale and it doesn’t sound as if they do.”
Gemma glanced Lucas’s way and he smiled. She now better understood the earlier conversation they’d had about his wanting to take Wyatt to Disney.
“Please,” Jaz pleaded. “Maui is so awesome! We can go surfing.”
Gemma laughed. “You two surf?”
“Yep,” she boasted proudly. “Lucas and I have our own boards, too. They’re at the condo. Or at least they were.”
Lucas added, “And we can go snorkeling and kayaking, and do a bunch of other stuff.”
Amazed by them and their former lifestyle, she replied, “Okay, let me think about it and we’ll talk.”
Ms. Iler asked, “Do you have any other questions for me?”
No one did.
“Then I’ll sign off. After you get the financial statements and paperwork, if you need anything, or have any questions at all, send me an e-mail or give me a call. Great meeting you.”
Once she was gone, Gemma again wondered what their parents would think of her being the person raising them. She hoped they’d be pleased. She encouraged the kids to read, made them do chores, and keep their rooms clean, like a good parent should. They all watched family-friendly television and DVDs together, played board games, had spelling bees, and she did her best to make them feel safe again. She also tried to be an easy person for them to talk to and not be scary like their aunt Wanda had apparently been. Truthfully, Gemma wanted to adopt them so their home would always be with her and Wyatt, but knew it was too soon in the process to petition the courts. Her foster parent certification was still making its way through the bureaucratic maze. In the meantime, she just wanted them to enjoy being in this place called Henry Adams, make friends with the other kids, and be as content as they could be.
Jaz asked, “Are you thinking about Maui?”
Gemma grinned. “Yes. Do you think I’m too old to learn to surf?”
Jaz laughed but Gemma read something weightier in Lucas’s eyes. It was almost as if he knew what she’d been thinking.
And as if to prove her point, he said quietly, “I think our parents are glad we’re with you.”
That night while Gemma slept, she was awakened by sirens and blue lights flashing over her bedroom walls. Police? Throwing back her bedding, she went to her window and looked down at the street below. There was a strange van parked in the driveway behind her Taurus, and two county sheriff cars parked in front of her house. Numerous deputies, Trent, Barrett, Reg, and Jack were there as well. She pushed her feet into her flip-flops, quickly threw her robe on over her pajamas, and left her bedroom to investigate. The kids were in the darkened hallway.
“What’s going on?” Wyatt asked, sounding anxious.
“No idea, but you three stay up here.”
“But—”
“Don’t argue with me, Wyatt. I’ll be back.”
Through the screen door, she watched a deputy lead someone wearing dark sweats and a hoodie over to one of the cruisers. Leaving the porch, she smelled gasoline as she walked up to Barrett and Trent. “What happened?”
Barrett said grimly, “We think we caught your perp.”
Over by the cruiser, the person was being cuffed. Before she could ask questions, Will Dalton appeared. “Evening, Ms. Dahl. Can you come with me, please? I want you to tell me if you know her. She refuses to identify herself.”
Her? A woman?
He added, “Barrett saw her on the camera feed on his laptop. She was splashing gas around the base of your place.”
Her mouth dropped.
At the cruiser, Will used the beam of his powerful flashlight to illuminate the suspect’s furious face and Gemma was so stunned, it took her a few seconds to speak. “Krebs,” she said in a wondrous voice. “Aretha Krebs. She works for the Kansas Department of Children and Families.”
“I used to!” she snarled. “Until you got me fired!”
“You got yourself fired!” Gemma shot back. “You didn’t do your job! You sent my kids to a monster, and now you want to burn down my damn house? Go to jail, witch!” She was livid.
Krebs’s curse-filled response lasted only seconds before Will snarled, “Read Krebs her rights and get her out of here.”
After the deputy drove away, Will had a few remaining questions, then informed her that a tow truck was en route to haul away Krebs’s van. “My office will be in touch.”
“Thank you, Sheriff.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just glad Barrett caught her before she did any real damage.”
She was, too. Thinking about what might’ve happened infuriated her all over again.
He departed and Gemma was left standing with Trent, Barrett, and the other men while their wives and children looked on from their porches.
Trent said, “I’ll take care of the gasoline in the morning. Are you okay?”
“No, I want to snatch her ignorant behind into next week. She’d better ask somebody.”
Barrett chuckled. “Whoa.”
She glared.
He went still.
Holding his gaze by the light of the streetlamps, she told him, “You can take the girl out of the South Side, but you can’t take the South Side out of the girl. Thanks a million times for your help. You saved our lives. I’ll be better tomorrow.” Seething, she went back inside.
The day of the wedding dawned sunny and bright. Tamar was dressed in a sweeping indigo-colored caftan shot through with gold. On her wrists were her signature silver bangles but she was having trouble finding the earrings she wanted to wear. After searching the numerous jewelry boxes she’d accumulated over her long life, she finally located them. Putting them in, she grabbed her fancy black pocketbook and her keys and hurried out to Olivia. She didn’t want to be late.
She headed out at full speed. As far as she knew no one had heard anything from Mal. She hoped he’d keep his promise to Rocky and not make Bernadine have him hauled off to jail. What a mess.
She wa
s rolling along at eighty when she saw Davida Ransom swing in behind her. Sighing angrily, she pulled over and waited for the day’s citation. Tamar now had a glove box full. She did plan to pay them, but it wouldn’t be today. She had more important matters to attend to.
“Morning, Ms. July.”
“Deputy Ransom.”
“Are you on your way to the wedding?”
“Yes, so can you just give me my ticket? I don’t want to be late.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Ransom wrote it out and handed it over. “You think I’m targeting you, don’t you?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
“You’re right, and do you know why?”
Tamar pinned her with her hawklike eyes. “No. Why?”
“Because you’re the county’s matriarch. You’re loved, respected, and there may not be enough of you left for your family to bury if we have to extract you from a flipped over, burning truck. Don’t put your people through that.”
Tamar flinched.
“Slow down,” Deputy Ransom said softly. Touching her hat respectfully, she walked back to her vehicle and drove off in the opposite direction.
A pensive Tamar sat there for a moment and thought about the young deputy’s words. She was right, and no, she didn’t want her family and friends to have to deal with such a horrific outcome. Starting Olivia up again, she continued the drive to town. She stayed well within the posted speed limit and vowed to do so for the rest of her days.
Rocky looked at herself in the mirror in the school’s art room and almost didn’t recognize herself. Being beautiful had been her cross to bear her entire life, but today, decked out in her white wedding leather, she didn’t mind. Kelly had spent hours braiding her hair into a gleaming work of art, and Crystal’s makeup application was flawless. She was getting married. The idea that the day had finally arrived made her want to weep with joy.
Sheila, standing beside her said, “Don’t you dare cry and ruin that gorgeous face.”
“Rocks don’t cry,” she whispered emotionally.
Sheila looked confused.
“It’s what my daddy used to tell me whenever I fell off my bike or fell out of a tree and hurt myself. He wanted me to grow up tough.”
Sheila hugged her gently. “Today, once you start down that aisle, Rocks can bawl if she wants.”
Rocky met Sheila’s eyes in the mirror. “Thank you for all you’ve done. No way would this have happened had it not been for you.”
“It was a labor of love. I’ll never have a daughter of my own to help on her wedding day, so you’ve been sort of a substitute. Hope you don’t mind me saying that.”
“Not at all. My mom’s not here anymore, so having you with me has sort of made up for that. Thank you.” Rocky thought about her mother and pushed the painful memories aside.
A knock sounded on the door. Sheila went over and peeked out. When she stepped aside, Stella James walked in. She eyed Rock’s attire critically. “You’re getting married in leather?”
“Go away, Stella.”
She had the nerve to look offended.
“Now!”
“Fine,” she huffed out and left.
“You’re gaining an interesting mother-in-law,” Sheila said.
“Only if I let her live.”
There was another knock and Rocky growled, “If that’s her again.”
But it was Mal. In his tuxedo, he was tall, dark, and handsome. Rocky was torn between hugging him and treating him to a right cross. She took the high road and went for the hug. “Glad you made it.”
“Told you I would. You look way too good to be marrying a professor.”
She grinned. He did too, but his eyes said he was uncomfortable and she thought that only right, considering.
“How mad is everybody at me?”
She waved a hand dismissively. “Not doing that now. I’m getting married.”
He nodded. “Okay.”
The strains of the “Wedding March” drifted into the space.
He extended his arm. “You ready?”
“I am.”
Sheila held the door wide. Rocky gave Sheila a kiss on the cheek as Mal escorted her by, and then they were on their way to the kiva.
Bernadine stood with the rest of the guests as the “Wedding March” played, and thought Rocky was probably the only woman on the planet who could rock a white leather bustier, duster, and pants as wedding attire. She looked fabulous, but the man escorting her drew most of Bernadine’s attention. Mal. In his black tuxedo, he was as fine as ever. As they moved up the aisle and passed her row, his eyes brushed hers but didn’t linger. She still had no idea how she was supposed to feel in response to what he’d done. Rather than tie herself up with angst and worry, she let go of her warring emotions and opted to enjoy the ceremony instead.
And it was lovely. Roni sang beautifully. Jack choked up reciting his vows and had to start again. The usually unflappable Rocky dropped his ring while sliding it on his finger, and Eli, the best man, had to chase it down, much to the crowd’s delight. In the end, Reverend Paula pronounced them Mr. and Mrs. Jack James. The kiss they shared made the kiva erupt with applause and cheering loud enough to be heard around the world.
Mal approached Bernadine as everyone was leaving the school to head to the Dog for the reception.
“Can we talk?”
“Sure.”
They moved out of the fray and found a quiet place in one of the empty classrooms.
“So,” he said. “I guess you know about the money.”
“I do and Clay told Tamar the reason why. You never seemed to have a problem with my money, Mal. Why now?” She really wanted to understand this.
“I don’t know. I was good until we went to Key West. Watching you flash that black card and me getting side-eyes from the hotel people when we checked in, and then at the restaurants. It made me feel small.”
“That was never my intent. I just wanted us to have some time together—some fun.”
“It wasn’t much fun, believe me.”
“So, I’m the villain in this?”
His lips tightened.
Trying not to get upset, she waited.
A well-dressed and pretty middle-aged woman stuck her head in the room. “Oh, here you are, Mal. Honey, I need the keys to your truck so I can get my phone.”
Bernadine’s heart stopped.
“Hi. I’m Ruth,” the woman said to Bernadine. “And you are?” she asked with mild suspicion.
Bernadine’s eyes flared like a forest fire at Mal. “Bernadine Brown.”
Mal cleared his throat. “Ruthie, let me finish talking to Bernadine. Be there in half a sec.”
Ruth eyed them both and said, “Sure. Make it quick though, baby.”
“I will.”
When they were alone again, Bernadine said, “Really?”
He didn’t respond at first, then replied, “I figured you’d be so mad about the money, you wouldn’t want to be with me anymore.”
“She’s your date for the wedding?”
He nodded.
She wanted to rage, scream, flip over tables. Her heart was shattered into a thousand pieces. She wanted to ask him why he hadn’t picked up the phone so they could’ve tried to work through this. Instead he’d taken what seemed the coward’s way out and just simply replaced her as if she were a pair of socks he no longer liked. Now it was her turn to feel small.
“Look. I have almost half of the money and you’ll have the rest before Christmas.”
She viewed him icily. “Good.”
He met her eyes. “Bernadine—”
But she was already on her way out of the room.
“Bernadine!”
She went to the reception because she knew it was expected and forced herself to have a good time. Mal didn’t show.
She left early and walked into her empty home and felt just as empty inside.
She took a shower, put on her pajamas and allowed herself
an hour-long pity party. When the hour ended, she walked to her vanity table and viewed herself in the mirror. Red, tear-swollen eyes stared back out of her makeup-free face. Life offered two choices. She could either wallow or lick her wounds and go on. It was a given that she’d be dealing with hurt and heartache for some time to come, but she chose the latter. Hers was the hand that turned the world. Henry Adams needed her.
She crawled into bed and turned out the lamp on her nightstand. Lying in the dark while the pain leaked through, she reminded herself that she’d lived through Leo’s betrayal. She’d live through Mal’s, too.
Across the street, Lucas Herman sat out on the deck watching the stars. He’d never seen so many. Wyatt told him that sometimes Mr. James had sky-watching nights and everyone brought their telescopes. Lucas thought he might like to be a part of that so he could learn all about the planets and be able to name the stars. It looked like he and his sister were going to be in Henry Adams permanently, and he was okay with that, even while he wished they were still with their mom and dad. He wondered where people went when they died. Did they really go to heaven to be with God and if so what did they do while they were there? He liked to think that his parents were in heaven together and were smiling down at him right now. “I miss you guys,” he said quietly to the night. “But Jaz and I are good. We like it here. Can you send me some kind of sign to let me know you’re up there? It doesn’t have to be right now, but just sometime?”
As soon as the words left his lips a shooting star went streaking across the horizon and his mouth dropped. “Wow!” he whispered. He watched it disappear and grinned. “That was awesome!”
Feeling content, safe, and loved, he sat and watched the sky for a few minutes longer before rising and going inside.
Ms. Gemma was seated in the living room with the TV on. She was watching the show about the teeny tiny houses, and she had her laptop on the coffee table. Wyatt and Jaz were upstairs. “I got my grade from my class.”
“What did you get?”
“An A!” She jumped and did some old people dances like the Running Man and the Robot and a few other moves with names he didn’t know. “I’m so happy!”