Free Kentucky Rich by Fern Michaels Page B

came in to say good night. I don’t know if you can hear me. Can you, Miss Maud?”
    When there was no response, Nealy moved to the foot of the bed where Maud could see her better. Her hands and fingers moved furiously. Blink if you can understand what I just said, Miss Maud. A smile ripped across Nealy’s face when the old lady blinked. Nealy’s fingers spoke a second time. Do you want to see Jess? Blink. I’ll fetch him.
    Nealy raced down the steps and into the living room, where Jess sat staring at the fire. “Come quick, Jess. Miss Maud wants to see you. I signed for her and told her to blink if she understood. She did. I asked her if she wanted to see you. She blinked. Hurry, Jess, before she falls asleep again.”
    Nealy’s heart sang with joy when the old man lumbered across the room and up the kitchen stairway.
    â€œYou have to stand at the bottom of the bed so she can see you clearly, Jess,” Nealy said, stepping aside for Jess to take her place.
    Twenty minutes later, the nurse urged them to leave. “She needs to rest. The shot I gave her is starting to work, but she won’t relax until you leave. I’ll call you if she wakes.”
    Nealy had to drag Jess out to the hall and back down the steps. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it, Jess? We can communicate with her now. Emmie is going to be so happy. Maybe tomorrow will be better. You didn’t eat any dinner, Jess. Let me fix you a sandwich. I’ll sit with you in the parlor. Carmela made a chocolate cake. I’ll cut you a slice, and coffee would go real good now, wouldn’t it?”
    â€œI’m not hungry, but go ahead and fix me something if it will make you feel better. We need to talk, Nealy. Serious talk.”
    â€œAre you going to ask . . . are you going to ask us to leave, Jess?” Nealy asked, fear written all over her face. She started to shake while she waited for the old man’s response.
    â€œGood God Almighty, girl, where did you get an idea like that? We adopted you, girl. You belong to us, to Maud and me. You belong here. The only way you and Emmie can leave here is if you want to leave. You’re the child and Emmie the grandchild Maud and I never had. Now go fix me that sandwich while I build up the fire. We’ll be nice and cozy. Don’t bring me any coffee, though. Bring me Maud’s bottle.”
    Nealy returned to the parlor with a thick ham sandwich on fresh homemade bread, a dish of pickles, and a slice of dark chocolate cake. The bottle of bourbon was half-full. She placed it on the end table along with a glass. While Jess ate, she poked at the fire, her thoughts whirling inside her head. What did Jess want to talk to her about? Did it have something to do with Emmie or with Maud? She wished he’d gobble his food so she could relax. She turned around, sat down on the hearth, and hugged her knees. When he finished the cake, Nealy sighed with relief.
    With her gaze fixed on the man across from her, she blurted, “What did you want to talk to me about, Jess?” She sucked in her breath as she waited for whatever he was going to say.
    â€œA lot of things. Some of them important and some not so important. Maud and I were talking just the other day about sitting down with you and explaining things. This isn’t the best time in the world, but things happen. Sometimes so swiftly, there’s no time to prepare for the right time. Maud wanted to do the talking, the explaining, but now it looks like it’s me who is going to be doing it. I told her that upstairs. She . . . she seemed to relax a bit once I did that.
    â€œFirst things first. What do you think about me turning things over to Jack Carney? He’s a good man. Not my favorite person in the world, but he’s been with us just about all his working life. His home is here. Maud led him to believe he would be taking over at some point. He’s well paid, as you know. I know you