Heart of Gold Read Online Free PDF Page B

accident that left her paralyzed. He took care of her for the rest of her life.”
    Zoey found that sad. “Does anybody else come out to check on him besides you?”
    â€œTrent, Mal, and Bing.”
    â€œDoes he really have gold in his house?”
    â€œHe says he does.”
    â€œDid he tell you where he got it?”
    â€œNo. Some folks believe the outlaw Griffin Blake buried a bag of railroad gold near Henry Adams. Maybe Cephas found it. Who knows. Personally, I think the story’s just an old myth.” She gave Zoey a pointed look. “And if I catch you or the boys out here looking for it, you’ll paint the fence every day from now until the snow falls—if Cephas doesn’t shoot you first.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    Tamar’s voice gentled. “Sometimes Cephas knows what’s going on around him, and sometimes he doesn’t. I don’t want you hurt, okay?”
    Zoey nodded. She didn’t care about the gold. She was more worried that Cephas, like Old Man Barker, was lonely, especially living in that raggedy old house by himself. She knew better than to voice that, though, so she kept it to herself.
    Crestfallen by Crystal’s nonresponse to her text, Bernadine drove away from the Dog. Diane sat silent. Bernadine was pretty sure that being smacked with the truth about her foreclosed home had a lot to do with it, but Diane’s feelings were the least of her concerns. Why hadn’t Crystal responded? Bernadine was relieved to know the girl was alive, but that was all she knew.
    Once they were back at the house, Diane said haughtily, “It was a long flight. I think I’d like to lie down.”
    No argument there. After helping her carry her luggage into the room, Bernadine watched and waited as Diane viewed the room’s interior with a critical eye. “Do you need anything?” She hoped her sister had the sense not to complain about the placement of the furnishings or try to move stuff around.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHave a good nap.” Bernadine hadn’t expected a thank-you for giving Diane a place to stay, and she didn’t get one.
    Even though she’d made a vow not to work on weekends unless it was absolutely necessary, she needed something to distract her from her worries, so she sat at the kitchen table and booted up her laptop. In her in-box were a few e-mails from Gary Clark. The new grocery store he’d be managing would have its grand opening next week. His e-mails assured her that all last-minute details like signage and painting were on schedule. Because of his focus and diligence, he’d proven to be a great choice to ride point on the town’s newest business, and she was excited about the venture. The next e-mail was from her lawyers, giving her an update on the trial date for murderer and arsonist Odessa Stillwell, whose anger at Bernadine had resulted in a terrible fire that past summer. Two innocent people had lost their lives. She had no desire to ever see Odessa again, but would be testifying for the prosecution. She glanced at a few more e-mails, but thoughts of Crystal soon had her staring into space. Taking out her phone, she reread the short text. Still no reply. Shaking her head sadly, she went back to the laptop.
    Sitting in the Kansas City airport, Roni Garland listened to the announcement updating her delayed flight. Sighing with disappointment, she called her husband, Reggie. “Hey, baby. How are you?”
    â€œDoing okay. Where are you?”
    Overlooking his slight accusatory tone, she explained, “Stuck in the Kansas City airport. The plane’s having some kind of mechanical issues, so they’re trying to find us another one. Zoey doing okay?”
    â€œYeah. She’s been out on her bike most of the day, but she’s up in her room now, watching NASCAR.”
    Roni chuckled. “That girl is something.” When silence greeted that remark, she continued,