Seventeen

When Leiann walked into the sanctuary of the picturesque church with its hand-carved wooden columns and beams, a feeling of peace settled on her like a familiar cloak. She basked in the multicolored light streaming through stained-glass windows. The music lifted her heart toward heaven, reminding her of what she’d missed by staying away from fellowship with other believers. Father, I’m sorry I turned my back on You.

After the congregation sat down, the middle-aged pastor in a long black robe and white stole stepped up to the pulpit. “Please turn to Jeremiah twenty-nine. We’ll start with verse eleven.”

Leiann had always carried her Bible to church. But she hadn’t put it in her luggage when she came to visit Grandfather. When she went back to Texas to get the rest of her things, she’d make sure to pack it.

Gerome opened his Bible and offered to share it with her. She glanced down at the words. While the preacher read them, tears filled her eyes, blurring the letters.

“ ‘ “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.’ ”

The preacher paused. “I’m going to stop reading right there, even though it’s not the end of verse fourteen.”

“Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” The words played over and over in her heart. God had plans for her from the very beginning. Why hadn’t she turned to Him in her hurt instead of turning away? She knew better.

The pastor’s words penetrated her thoughts. “Many times things go on in our lives that we don’t understand. Things that at first seem to hurt us. But God. . . Remember those words: But God. He is always there, through every hurt, every mistake, every wrong turn. He’ll work all things out for our good if we let Him.”

Leiann felt as if the preacher were speaking straight to her. She knew God had laid this message on the man’s heart because He knew she would be here to listen.

Thank You, Lord, for loving me so much.

❧

On Monday afternoon, Gerome joined Leiann on the terrace for a midafternoon break. They sat in the shade, enjoying colas and a snack mix with nuts, dried fruit, and cereal squares.

“Leiann, I’ve been wondering about something.”

She turned an expectant expression toward him.

“You haven’t gone to church since you came to the estate. Why did you go yesterday?”

She took a sip of her drink, then clasped her hands on the table.

By the distress in her eyes, he could tell this was hard for her. “You don’t have to tell me any more than you want to.”

She stared into his eyes. “Oh, but I want to. Maybe after it’s all out in the open, I’ll feel better about it.”

He leaned back and relaxed, hoping it would help her do the same.

She told him the whole story about how her life had been turned upside down.

Gerome pulled one foot across the other knee. Things were beginning to fall into place.

She turned her gaze toward Gerome, and he saw anguish in her soul. “I blamed God for my life being out of control. For a while, I turned my back on Him.”

Gerome placed his foot back on the floor and took her hands in his. “What changed that?”

Her grip tightened. “When I was at the lodge, I cried out to Him. God sent you, your friends, and the FBI to rescue me.”

Warmth spread from his heart. She thinks I’m a hero sent by God. Maybe she was right. God had led him every step of the way. “I’m glad you’ve found your way back to the Lord.”

❧

The next morning, Gerome walked into the doctor’s office. He’d spent a great deal of time there when he was younger. Not much about the office had changed.

“Have a seat, young man.” Gerome guessed the older man would always call him that no matter how old he was. “My receptionist said you want to talk to me. What can I do for you?” The doctor leaned back in his wooden swivel chair, and it squeaked like it used to.

“I want to ask some questions about Herman.” Gerome rested his forearms against his thighs. “I know you can’t tell me everything, but I have serious concerns.”

The man steepled his fingers. “Such as?”

“When did Herman’s health start this decline?” Gerome sat up straight. “He’s always been robust and sharp.”

The doctor studied Gerome for a minute before answering. “I’ve had concerns, too, even before you came home. He started having spells of weakness a few months ago. He’d be better for a while, but the weakness would return. This happened several times before he really got frail. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was being poisoned.”

Gerome stood and held out his hand to the doctor. “I’ve been suspecting that, too. Thank you for the information.”

As he drove his car back toward the estate, Gerome pulled out his cell phone and speed-dialed Greg.

“Computer lab.” Greg sounded distracted. He must be busy.

“I won’t take much of your time, but I need a favor.”

Greg laughed. “I can do you a favor as a friend, but not as part of the company. You don’t work here anymore, remember?”

Gerome didn’t have time for friendly banter. “Then as a friend, find out if the FBI found any kind of poison in Prudence Smith’s possessions.”

“Poison?” Now he had Greg’s attention.

“Yeah. I’m wondering if she was slowly poisoning Herman Johnson.”

“I’ll see what I can find out.”

As Gerome hung up the phone, he realized there was one good side to this theory. If what he suspected was true, Herman should make a complete recovery.

❧

When he arrived in the dining room for the evening meal, Gerome heard Leiann tell Herman, “My flight leaves in three days.”

Not what Gerome wanted to hear right now. He wasn’t ready for her to be gone for even a short time.

Herman’s brows furrowed. “So soon, my dear?”

“There are several things I need to take care of. And I have to pack up the things I want to have shipped here. I haven’t even gone through Mother’s belongings yet. Everything happened so fast after she died.”

Herman nodded. “I understand. I’ve been making arrangements to have several rooms turned into a private apartment for you.” Leiann’s eyes widened. “I’d like your input on the decorating. Maybe we could go over the details before you leave. That way, you’ll have a better idea about what to ship.”

That should take several hours. Gerome planned to be with her as much as possible during the next three days.

❧

Her grandfather’s words stunned Leiann. Remodel part of the mansion for her? She’d never even considered such a thing.

Grandfather glanced toward Gerome. “I also plan to expand your quarters into something larger.”

Surprise painted Gerome’s expression as he pulled out his chair and sat opposite her.

Leiann said, “I need to let the principal know I’m not coming back, and I want to do that face-to-face, not over the phone.” She picked up the linen napkin beside her plate and placed it in her lap. “I already have my ticket.”

“Don’t worry about that, Leiann. I own a private jet.” Grandfather held out his hands. “Now, let’s bless the food and let Charity and Mary start serving it.”

All the time she ate and carried on a three-way conversation, thoughts tumbled through Leiann’s head. It would take awhile to get used to this way of life.

After he wiped his mouth on his napkin and placed it beside his plate, Grandfather patted her hand. “You’ve been distracted all through dinner. Anything I can help you with?”

“Not right now.”

Gerome stood. “I’ve been thinking. I’d like to accompany Leiann to Texas.”

Her grandfather’s eyes lit up. “Good idea, Jerry.” He turned back toward her. “So, when did you want to go?”

Leiann glanced toward Gerome, then back at Herman. “Would next Monday be too soon?”

“Your wish is my command.” Gerome gave her an elegant bow.

Grandfather laughed. “That boy always had a flair about him, even when he was getting into mischief.”

Leiann could just imagine what kind of mischief Gerome had gotten into. She looked forward to hearing many stories of his childhood. But right now, she was glad he’d offered to accompany her home. The thought of being away from him had bothered her.

❧

Their luggage stowed in the belly of the jet, Leiann buckled her seat belt. She glanced around. Tables with leather seats around them were scattered across the cabin. “This looks more like a conference room than an airplane.”

Gerome sat across a round table from her. “Herman used to travel all around the United States for business.”

She leaned as far toward him as the seat belt would allow and whispered, “There’s even a flight attendant in the galley.”

“Probably for your benefit. He’s pulling out all the stops.”

After the plane leveled off in the air, the uniformed young woman came and asked them what they wanted, offering several kinds of beverages, fresh fruit, and cheeses. They told her what they’d like, and she quickly returned with their orders. “You may unbuckle your seat belts. The pilot will let you know if you need them during the flight.”