Read Tides of Truth [03] Greater Love for Free Online Page B

was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor during the Civil War and never got a chance to enjoy the house.
    Zach parked alongside the curb. “Do you want to come in?” I asked.
    “No, thanks. What are your plans for tomorrow?”
    “I’m not sure.”
    “You could sit on the park bench where Tom Hanks sat when they filmed Forrest Gump .”
    “I never saw the movie.”
    Zach winced. “It probably wouldn’t help you make up your mind. Can I call you?”
    “Sure. How about three o’clock?”
    Zach carried my suitcase to the front door. I could hear Flip barking in the foyer.
    “Thanks again for coming to get me,” I said as I looked for the key in my purse.
    I felt Zach’s right arm around my shoulders. After a slight squeeze he released me.
    “Good night,” he said. “It’s great to have you back, even if it’s only for the weekend.”
    “Thanks,” I said, my head lowered. “Good night.”
    As Zach descended the steps to the street, I turned the key in the lock and pushed open the front door. Inside, Flip charged toward my right foot then stopped in his tracks. The next instant his body began shaking in excitement. I leaned over and scratched him in his favorite place behind his head.
    “More than one of us is glad to see you,” Mrs. Fairmont said, coming into the foyer.
    The petite, elderly woman had dressed up. Diamond rings glittered on both hands. Her white hair was nicely coiffed. I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed so hard that I apologized when I released her.
    “Did I hurt you?”
    “No, dear.”
    “You look beautiful.”
    “Gracie helped me get ready when I told her you were coming. Where would you like to sit?” Mrs. Fairmont asked formally.
    “The blue parlor is my favorite.”
    The house had mirror-image parlors separated by a foyer that faced the main stairway to the second floor. Mrs. Fairmont’s bedroom was upstairs. To the right was the pale green parlor, to the left, one painted an ephemeral blue. Both rooms contained beautiful furniture and original paintings. An antique rug rested on the floor in the blue parlor. Mrs. Fairmont sat in a feminine side chair and I chose the end of a sofa near her. Flip jumped up onto the sofa and crawled into my lap.
    “He remembers you.” Mrs. Fairmont smiled. “I’d be jealous if I didn’t know his little heart was big enough to love both of us.”
    I ran my fingers under the dog’s collar.
    “Have you forgotten your promise to take care of him if anything happens to me?” Mrs. Fairmont asked.
    “No, ma’am,” I answered, continuing to scratch Flip’s neck.
    “Good,” the older woman said, nodding. “I talked it over with Sam Braddock. He agrees with you that it wouldn’t be a good idea to change my will. He suggested I write a short note that he’d put in my file requesting you become Flip’s guardian after I’m gone.”
    “You met with Mr. Braddock?”
    “I called, and he came to see me. I know lawyers don’t make house calls anymore, but he made an exception. He talked quite a bit about the young man from Charleston who came with you to the hospital after my stroke and read that beautiful psalm.”
    “Vince Colbert.”
    “Yes. Sam says he’s going to bring him into the firm.” Mrs. Fairmont lowered her voice. “You know, Sam’s old enough to retire, but Eloise Braddock has expensive taste. If she bids on an item at an antique auction, she always gets it. There was a painting one time that would have fit perfectly in the green parlor . . .” Mrs. Fairmont’s voice trailed off.
    “Did Mr. Braddock say anything about me?”
    Mrs. Fairmont gave me an odd look.
    “Why would he talk about you? Did you ever go to their house?”
    “No, ma’am. Joe Carpenter was my supervising attorney, but Mr. Braddock knows who I am. The firm offered me a job, too.”
    “Of course they did. Sam would be a fool not to see your potential. Then you and Vince can work together.”
    “Don’t forget about Zach