Free Something Old, Something New by Beverly Jenkins Page B

“Don’t you dare tell him where I am! I want no contact, not even a phone call, you hear me? Now get off my property!”
    She turned to Helen. “Give him his necklace. If he’s still on the porch in thirty seconds, call the police.”
    The terse Griffin took the chain, remounted the Harley, and roared out of Melody’s life for the last time.
    A fter grabbing dinner at the Dog, Trent drove the boys home. There were at present five homes in their small subdivision, but with the wealth of open prairie land surrounding it, many more could be added. The resurrection of Henry Adams was the talk of the county. The new infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, and souped-up new school had begun drawing tourists, something unheard of before Bernadine and her checkbook came calling. Trent’s hometown was becoming a destination instead of a place to drive past on the way to or from the airport. He’d even gotten a few inquiries as to the costs of new housing lots from people wanting to move in, but all the land not owned by the residents was owned by Bernadine, and he didn’t see her throwing open the gates to any and all comers anytime soon, if ever.
    Trent and Amari lived between the Paynes and the Garlands. Lily and Devon lived directly across the street next door to Bernadine and her daughter, Crystal. Crystal and Eli were sitting on Bernadine’s porch with a drawing pad each, and Trent gave them a wave. They waved in return, and he followed the boys up the steps to his front door.
    Devon looked across the street at his house and asked plaintively, “When is Ms. Lily coming home?”
    â€œGood question.” Trent knew from his talk with Reg Garland that she was okay, but not hearing from her had him wanting to whine like Devon. Then his phone went off. The number on the caller ID made him smile. “Speak of the devil. This is her now.”
    When he glanced back up, the boys were still standing in front of him as if waiting to watch and hear what he and Lily had to say. “Go on inside. I’ll be there in a minute.”
    They left.
    â€œHey, babe. How are you?”
    Lily responded excitedly, “Did Reggie tell you about Reverend Grant?”
    â€œSure did. Bernadine’s optimism paid off.”
    â€œBig-time.”
    â€œDoes the reverend think she can help Zoey?”
    â€œShe doesn’t know, but she’s as concerned about our little diva as we are.”
    â€œAre you in the air on the way home?”
    â€œNo. We’re still in Miami, helping the reverend get her move under way. The sooner she can tie up things here, the sooner she can get to Kansas, so Bernadine has her credit card out and is making things move at the speed of light. We’ll fly back in the morning.”
    Trent put away his disappointment as she continued, “The reverend wants to have a last supper with her congregation on Sunday, and then she has to meet with her bishop to have an exit interview. She’ll fly out midweek. How’s my baby boy?”
    Trent smiled. “Me? I’m fine.”
    She laughed. “Not you, crazy man. Devon.”
    The man inside Trent who loved her wanted to pout upon hearing her ask after Devon first, but the parent in him understood. “He’s surviving.”
    â€œWhat’s that mean?”
    He told her about the car fixing and Devon’s lack of enthusiasm.
    Her laugh tinkled in his ear. “He definitely doesn’t like getting dirty. Cleanest little boy I know. Probably from being raised by his grandmother. You and Amari weren’t too hard on him, were you?”
    â€œOf course not. I’ll fill you in when I see you.” Trent was done talking about Devon for now. “Missing you, Lily Flower.”
    â€œMissing you, too. See you tomorrow.”
    â€œSounds good. Be safe.”
    â€œLove you, Trenton.”
    â€œLove you more. Going to give the phone to Devon now. Hang on.”
    Trent