31

Gavin’s heart raced as if he were finishing a sprint or charging into a burning building. He clenched his fists to keep his hands from shaking. This couldn’t be true. He longed for fresh air, but his feet were glued in place. Sapphira’s studio was spacious, but the walls seemed to be closing in.

Tara was Siobhan?

“Luella, how accurate is this information?” Gavin trusted her investigative process. From her years of research for her writing, she knew when information was or wasn’t adding up.

“I fully trust it. No DNA test required. Tara’s not trying to make any puzzle pieces fit, and yet a lot of pieces do fit, Gavin.” She put a hand on his elbow, and her eyes caught his as she peered up at him. “Siobhan’s and Tara’s birthdays match. Their mother’s name is Cassidy. Tara has had a recurring dream that is almost identical to an event that happened here. When she was a child, she said she was from ‘Ocean, Georgia.’ ”

“Wait.” Sue Beth picked a bug off her shirt and released it. “There may be another way to know. Remember, Siobhan had a completely white patch of hair on the back of her head, some type of genetic anomaly.”

“Does Tara have it?” Julep asked.

Each person shrugged and shook her head.

“Would Siobhan still have it?” Julep asked.

Luella nodded. “The likelihood is high, because it’s like having a dark birthmark. It was about a fourth of an inch wide and probably wouldn’t go away. But I don’t need any other proof to know she is Siobhan.”

Gavin forced air into his lungs. Tara had told him it was her house. And it was. She was the rightful owner of Sapphira’s inheritance. How was this even possible? “And you discovered all of this because she recognized a painting?”

His mom held it up to him. “She was awed that this snow-cone stand matched one in a recurring dream of hers. We questioned her, and most of the events in her dream are what took place more than twenty years ago when Cassidy left the two of you in a locked vehicle with the windows rolled up.”

They had to be wrong. “I remember hearing that Siobhan saved my life but only that somehow the two of us got stuck in a car in summertime, and she got me out. When I asked why we were in a car by ourselves, I didn’t get much of an answer.”

His mom’s face distorted as if she was embarrassed. “I…I didn’t want you to know the whole story.” As she told him the details, her fingers trembled, and she rubbed her forehead. “I should’ve known better than to leave you in Cassidy’s care. Siobhan—Tara—got you out in time. Even at five she had more sense than her mom.”

“I need air.” He strode to the living room and went out the first of five glass double doors that ran along the back of the house. He breathed in deeply the humid air that was saturated with the fragrance of nearby honeysuckle. He closed his eyes.

Tara saved my life? The news was crazy.

He’d always had the memory of the tang of a cold cherry snow cone and it being held out to him by a friend he loved. And surely at the time he’d felt a strong bond toward his hero friend for getting him out of that car and being so kind, but he didn’t remember that part.

He moved to a lawn chair and put his head in his hands. He could feel his mamas hovering near him, no doubt not knowing what to say.

“For heaven’s sakes, Son, say something.”

He lifted his head, taking in Sapphira’s home and yard, both given such meticulous care in hopes Siobhan would return one day. Despite the fact that the property legally belonged to him as of today, it was Tara’s.

What would he do? He would be ruined financially! Mom will lose her house, maybe her business. But what was left of the place, as well as all monies earned from his taking it apart and selling it off to the highest bidders, belonged to Tara.

Gavin drew a heavy breath. “We have to give everything back to her that we can. The land, the money—all of it.”

Mom crumpled into a nearby chair. “But we maintained it, and you’re the executor of the will. You have power of attorney in all matters. Can’t you keep any money for that?”

If only he could. “We maintained it out of the escrow account Sapphira set up, and I’ve already received compensation for being the executor. We used it to pay debts.” Gavin looked heavenward. “How much can one person take?” Tara had been through so much. How could they spring this on her too?

“Wait a minute.” Dell patted his shoulder. “Come on, Gavin. It’ll be okay.” She gestured at his mom. “You two have each other, and”—she made a circle motion—“and us. You and Julep can get a small house somewhere. Your credit won’t be ruined forever. You’re young and strong. This is just a setback.”

She’d misunderstood. “Tara.” The word came out as a whisper.

“Oh.” Dell grimaced. “I hadn’t thought…You’re right. This is sure to alter her world too and not in a good way.”

“Will it?” Sue Beth shook her head. “Why? She’s inheriting valuable land with a home…” She looked at the shell of a house. “Well, the land is valuable. She doesn’t need a house anyway.”

“Shh.” Julep put her index finger over her lips. “Stop talking and think about the whole twisted, ill-timed mess, Sue Beth. Even if it’s ultimately good news, it’s a lot to deal with.”

Gavin’s stomach felt as if he’d been tossed on a ship riding rough waves. Sapphira had spent Tara’s lifetime trying to find her, and she’d grown up in foster care anyway. Her brothers had wanted to give her the gift of finding her roots, but they died a week before they could do it.

What would all of this do to Tara?

He studied the house. “I’ve gutted it.” He could hardly breathe. “I was so sure it wouldn’t hurt anything to start taking the house apart before the date in the will. I…I betrayed Saffy’s trust.” How had he gone from being ecstatic over finances to being a broken soul—in one morning?

A phone buzzed, and his mom pulled hers from her shorts pocket. “It’s Tara.” She flashed a desperate look at Gavin, swiped a finger across the screen, and pressed the Speaker button. “Hi, there.”

“Hey, you guys about ready to begin work on the room again?”

Gavin shook his head. Tell her no, he mouthed. He wasn’t sure what the next move should be, but they wouldn’t pack up or take apart one more thing. Why did he start taking apart the house before waiting the amount of time they’d promised Sapphira?

His mom nodded at him. “No, sweetie. Something’s come up, and we’ve decided to put that off for today.”

“Good. Because I met a cyclist named Lou King. He said he knows you all and that Gavin can vouch for him.”

Gavin nodded and gave a thumbs-up. Lou was a good guy. Gavin could say so himself, but if Tara knew he was home, she’d have questions about how things went with the lawyer and where things stood with Roy Ashe, and Gavin wasn’t ready to answer any of that. Not yet. It was best to let her have a little time away while they adjusted to the news and he updated the lawyer.

“Yeah,” his mom said, “on all accounts, Tara.”

“Apparently he organizes bike rides on the island for visitors and residents alike. They’re riding to Epworth in a few minutes and somewhere else after that. I ran into them at the big parking lot in Pier Village, and he introduced himself and asked if I wanted to join them. I thought maybe I’d ride with them for a few miles if you were still on a break.”

Sue Beth leaned toward the phone. “That sounds like fun, but before we let you go, I have a question. Since we’ve paused working on the painting room, I’m thinking about getting my hair done. Did I notice that you have a white streak of hair? And if so, is it natural or bleached?”

“You saw that?” Tara laughed. “Almost no one notices it since the rest of my hair is blond. Yeah, it’s natural, so I have no suggestions for your stylist. But color is in, so go for it.”

“Thanks, sweetie,” Sue Beth said.

“Listen, Tara. It’s Julep again. You should go for the whole ride. It’s a good day for biking. Really hot, though, so drink lots of water.”

Gavin looked at his mamas. Apparently they wanted to give Tara one fun day before her world was rocked—again. And give themselves a day to adjust to the new reality regarding the debt hanging over their heads.

“Are you okay, Julep?” Tara asked. “You sound like something’s wrong.”

“No, I’m good. We’re all good. Enjoy your ride.” She ended the call.

If only he could offer them some encouragement, but he was fresh out. What were they going to do? He drew a steadying breath. His first step had to be calling the lawyer back.

At least Tara’s—no, Siobhan’s—inheritance would eventually make a positive difference in her life. That thought was the only balm to the ache in his heart.