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The grandfather clock's seven chimes matched the throbbing in Scottlyn's head as the last of her father's friends departed. The only people remaining in the house were Grant, Mr. Cole...and her mom. Scottlyn closed the front door and rested her forehead against the polished wood. After the stress of the last two days and the funeral this morning, the day-long parade of visitors, and the unexpected appearance of her mother, her emotions were walking a thin line between exhaustion and overload.
Scottlyn drew in a deep breath. I want to spend some time with Mom, but I'm so tired. She turned and found her mother seated on the living room sofa, legs crossed, foot swinging idly, her gaze roaming the empty room as if looking for something...or someone. I know the feeling. Maybe she wasn't the only one who could use some quiet time this evening to wrap her head around everything that had happened today. Tomorrow was Saturday and probably the best option for a lengthy reunion. They could get together after Mercie came home and spend the whole day getting reacquainted.
She crossed the room and sat on the other end of the sofa. "Mom..." She stumbled over the unfamiliar word, cleared her throat, and started over. "Mom, what are your plans for the next couple of days?"
Her mother's breath hitched and her shoulders slumped. "I'll go back to Tulsa, I guess."
Scottlyn frowned at the despair she heard in her mother's voice. "Tulsa?"
She nodded. Blonde hair covered her features like a curtain when she bowed her head over the hands she held clasped in her lap. "I have some old friends there. Once I made it back to the states, I called them. They understood my need to be as close to you and William as I could while I tried to find the best way to contact you. They're helping me...financially...until I can get back on my feet." When she continued, her voice had dwindled to a whisper. "They helped me get my license, loaned me a car, and gave me some gas money."
Her eyes were bright with tears when she looked up. "I'd love to stay a few days, but I don't have any money..."
Scottlyn caught her bottom lip in her teeth. There was no way she could send this woman away before they had a chance to talk. She looked up to the ceiling. Surely Grant would understand that. She scooted across the cushions and took her mother's hand in hers. "If I can make arrangements for you, can you call your friends and see if they can do without the car for a couple of days?"
"What kind of arrangements?"
"I think I can come up with the money to get you in to a nice hotel for the weekend—"
"Absolutely not." Her mother jerked her hand free. "I didn't come back here to sponge off of my baby girl."
Scottlyn met her mother's indignant stare. "It's not sponging if I offer. Please?" She heard the whine in her voice and didn't care. "I can't let you walk back out of my life without getting to know you first. A couple of days isn't a lot of time, but it's better than nothing."
Her mother's lips trembled when she smiled. "You grew up with a generous heart. If you're sure, I'll give them a call. If they can spare the car, I'd love to stay for the weekend, if that's what you want."
Scottlyn sighed in relief. "Sit right here. Let me go talk to Grant."
***
JOCELYN WATCHED HER walk away. That had been way too easy. It was scary to think there were such gullible people in the world. Even more scary to think that someone so easily deceived could be related to her. Didn't you teach her anything about the real world, William?
She settled back in the cushions. She'd let the girl have a few days of wish fulfillment and be on her way just as soon as she could get her hands on some serious cash.
She replayed their conversation in her head. She hadn't said anything that would lead them anywhere if they decided to check. The name Jocelyn Rich wasn't on anything current except the DMV records for the license she'd applied for yesterday, and if they found that, it would only verify her story.
Jocelyn crossed her arms and waited. As far as she was concerned, it was a downhill coast from here.
***
GRANT PUT A CUP OF fresh coffee on the kitchen table in front of the lawyer. He sat, but bounced back up when Scottlyn entered the room. He crossed to her with his arms outstretched. "Scottie, you look so worn out. Is everyone gone?"
"Everyone except Mother."
"Well, find out where she's staying. You guys can get some rest tonight and catch up all you want tomorrow."
Scottlyn rose to her tiptoes and brushed a kiss across his lips. "How come you're always a step ahead of me? That's exactly what I came in here to talk to you about." She stepped out of his arms, opened the refrigerator, and emerged with a can of soda. She popped the top and leaned against the counter. "Mother needs a place to stay for the weekend."
Grant studied her but held his peace while Scottlyn related the recent conversation with her mother. I know where this is going. Maybe the thought was petty, but the woman's story hadn't impressed him. There was something evil about Jocelyn Rich, and every protective instinct he had was on high alert. Father, please give me some direction here. This situation could drive a wedge between Scottlyn and me that we can never overcome.
Scottlyn finished and took a deep breath. "I need to take some money out of our wedding fund."
"Scottie..."
Scottlyn put her hands on her hips. "What?"
"We promised each other not to touch that money."
"I know that, but don't you think this situation trumps that promise? You know I wouldn't ask if there were another way."
Grant closed his eyes and considered the fifteen thousand dollars they'd worked and scrimped for two years to save. Certainly not a fortune, but a lot for two college students. Money intended to fund their wedding, honeymoon, and the expenses of getting into their first apartment. "How much?"
"A thousand?"
Grant stared at her.
"I know it sounds like a lot, but it really isn't." She put her soda aside and held out her hand.
Grant took it and she pulled his arm around her. He closed his eyes when she nestled close. It wasn't about the money, not entirely. She has to know I'd give her the moon if I could. He wrapped her tighter, more worried about the possibility of her broken heart than a broken bank account.
"It's my mother, Grant, someone I'd given up all hope of ever knowing. Do you remember what I said earlier about feeling like an orphan?"
"Yes, I..."
She stopped him with a finger on his lips. "It's gone. I know you thought I was a little crazy when I said it, and I know you probably think I've lost my mind now, but it's like God heard me before I ever prayed and gave me the one thing I needed. There's a Bible verse like that somewhere, isn't there?"
"Isaiah 65:24." Harold Cole's words drew their attention, reminded them of his presence. "And it shall come to pass before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I shall hear." He shrugged. "I've taught the adult Sunday school class at my church for twenty years." He focused on Scottlyn. "I know this feels like an answer to your prayers, but I have to advise you towards a little caution. You don't know anything about this woman."
Grant rubbed her back when she stiffened in his arms.
The lawyer continued before Scottlyn could voice her objections. "But she's your mother. We both"—he motioned between himself and Grant—"understand that. Why don't you tell us what you had in mind?"
"I want to keep her close for a few days, and when it comes to hotels in Sabor, there are two choices, cheap and run down here in town, or nice but expensive on the interstate. So, two or three hundred for the nice hotel for a few nights, and money for meals and gas. I'm sure she didn't pack a suitcase before she came to town today, so we need to make a trip to the store..."
"Scottie..."
"I might have a better option." Harold spoke again before the discussion could become their first financial disagreement. "She could stay here. The house belongs to her, after all."
Scottlyn tilted her head. "I thought you said—not that I care, but—didn't you say the house was mine?"
The lawyer nodded. "Yes, I did, the house and the proceeds of your father's estate, which should be sizable. But that's no longer relevant." He pulled his hands down his face. "Remember I said your father had neither divorced your mother nor changed his will?"
Scottlyn nodded.
"When I told you that your father's estate would come to you, I was working under the assumption that Jocelyn Rich was history." He raised his hands in a motion of surrender. "Your father looked for her for several years. When nothing turned up, when years passed without a word, I think we both assumed she was dead. I would have suggested having her declared so, but I knew your father would never agree." He scooted away from the table, crossed to the sink, and emptied his cup. "I haven't looked at your father's will in years, but if memory serves, the house and as well as half of William's assets will fall to her."
The old family friend pinned Scottlyn with a no nonsense stare. "I know this won't win me any points, but her appearance today is more than a little suspicious."
"But she explained..."
"Yes, she did," Harold said, "but Bible verses and answered prayers aside, there are holes in her story big enough to drive a truck through. I'd be doing you and your father's estate an injustice if I didn't initiate an investigation into her claims. In the meantime, she is within her rights to stay here if she chooses. The house is certainly more comfortable than any hotel, the pantry is well stocked, and she won't need much else for a few days. A couple of hundred dollars should more than cover it." He looked at Grant. "Does that sound better?"
Scottlyn met his gaze. "Grant?"
Grant looked down into Scottlyn's blue eyes. The hope and excitement shining there should have filled him with happiness. Instead, he worried about the crash waiting around the curve if their doubts proved true. This whole situation makes the skin between my shoulders itch. Scottlyn's eyes pleaded with him. He nodded a yes with a resigned sigh. What choice do I have?
A relieved breath swooshed from Scottlyn's lungs. "Thank you." She pulled out of his arms. "I'm going to go tell her about the house. I know she'll be thrilled."
Grant watched as she nearly danced out of the room. He glanced over when Harold Cole came to stand by his side. "Thanks."
"For?"
"For taking some of the heat off of me. There was no way I was going to say yes to a thousand dollars."
"I didn't think so. I'm glad I could offer you an alternative. Frankly, I'd have given her the two hundred dollars if it kept that woman in town for a few days."
Grant raised his eyebrows. "Whatever for?"
"Have you heard the old saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer?"
Grant nodded.
"There's something very wrong about this, and I want Jocelyn Rich where I can keep an eye on her until we can sort it out."