Page 50 of Sweet Little Thing

He nodded his head toward the door. “Go. Visit with Heidi. Don’t dwell on all that you’ve learned while you’re with her. Just enjoy being there in the moment. I’m going to text you an address. Drive your car there after your visit.”

This man was not the Stone I had come to expect. He was so vastly different but then also the same. I stared at him “Why?” I asked. “Where is it you want me to go?”

His left eyebrow lifted slightly. “Do you have a place to stay tonight?”

Oh. Well, yes. My car. I wasn’t sure where I was going to park it yet but that was my current plan. I didn’t say that though.

“Didn’t think so. I’ll text you an address. When you leave, head there.” He said without waiting on my response, he started to get out of the car.

“How did you know to come find me if you hadn’t spoken to Jasper,” I blurted when I realized that was still a mystery. He had just shown up out of the blue. Someone had to have sent him.

He paused but didn’t glance back at me. His broad shoulders were ramrod straight and if I could see his expression, I would guess it too would be tense. Why was this a question he was avoiding?

“I saw Portia confront you both outside the office and I knew. I knew you were going to need someone,” he said then climbed out of the car, closing the door before I could say another word and walked away. I watched him go more confused than I’d ever been. Stone had shown up with answers, not lies. He’d reassured me Heidi was okay. He hadn’t let me fall apart. I could admit I felt stronger after his visit even if he had told me more horrible truths.

If I was honest, I didn’t want him to leave. When he spoke, I believed his words. He spoke with certainty that you simply couldn’t question. I was starting to truly understand why Jasper kept him around. When he wasn’t busy loathing my existence, he was very…helpful.

My phone dinged, and I pulled it from my back pocket. There was a text with an address just like he’d said there would be. But how did he know my phone number? He hadn’t asked for it. I had never given it to him. I frowned watching his back as he disappeared down the hill walking back to his truck. It didn’t matter.

I had a place to sleep tonight and perhaps time to figure out what to do next. I just…wasn’t sure where it was he was sending me. Did he have a friend or family in Savannah?

I removed the keys from the ignition and got out of the car from where I sat in the passenger seat. I knew visiting Heidi would help me. Seeing her smile and knowing she was happywas what I needed right now. The last name on her birth certificate meant nothing. Heidi was an Edwards. She always would be.

The Van Allans had buried her years ago. Their name went with that time and place. While the cruelty of their actions was heartbreaking, I couldn’t help but be grateful she’d been given a better life. I knew Momma and I loved Heidi the way she deserved. We cherished her and appreciated the light she brought to the world.

“Beulah, we weren’t expecting you!” I forced a smile as Tammy greeted me with surprise. “Heidi and May are crafting in the activity room right now. They are going to be so excited to see you. Even if you don’t have any cookies or cupcakes.”

I rarely visited Heidi empty-handed, but then I hadn’t known I would be here today. “Hopefully the surprise of seeing me outweighs not having treats,” I replied.

“Oh, it will!”

I headed back to the activity room. Heidi had learned to crochet, and she loved it. The last time I came to see her, she was making potholders and dish rags. I wondered if that was what they were up to today. The thought of her doing something she enjoyed living free of the things I had learned today was a relief. It eased the heaviness that had settled on my chest.

Just as I was about to reach the crafting room, the door to the office opened, and Mrs. Shell, the accounts manager, walked out. I had met her once when I had moved Heidi into Among the Spanish Moss. She’d introduced herself and told me how happy they were to have Heidi. Seeing her now made my stomach knot up. If this was about the future of Heidi’s account payments, I wasn’t ready for that just yet.

“Beulah, I got the payment for Heidi. It just came through the computer system. It’s wonderful that Heidi is paid in advance for the next ten years. We are just thrilled to know that she will bea permeant fixture here. She sure brightens up the place.” She beamed at me then turned to walk down the hallway without waiting for my response.

I wanted to call out and ask her if she knew exactly when it had been paid. Had Jasper just paid it, or had it been done before today and took time to show up on her computer records? Not that it mattered. It was done and now that he knew Heidi’s birthright then I doubted he would cancel the payment. I just wasn’t sure I could be relieved that Van Allan money had taken care of Heidi. It was a bitter pill because Portia Van Allan didn’t deserve to have any connection to my sister.

Chapter

Thirty-Six

Beulah

The brick-paved road I had turned onto led me to what I thought was a renovated train station. There were lights on and I could see three different floors inside. It was one of those structures from a time when buildings such as train stations were works of art.

I still had no idea where I was or who I was here to see. I wished that Stone had given me more information than just an address. I sat there staring as the impressive building loomed in front of me. Squinting I read the historical plaque beside the front doors that said it was built in eighteen-ninety-eight. That was all I could make out from this distance.

There were three other cars parked out front. A black Hummer, a white Range Rover, and a red Porsche. Stone’s Black Range Rover was missing. This didn’t look like a single dwelling address. No one family would live in something this large. There were more than likely going to be several doors inside. I couldn’tjust go knocking on all of them.

I checked the address again. He hadn’t given me an apartment number or a name. Maybe I was at the wrong place. I could text him and ask but I also thought it might be best if I just went to find somewhere to park for the night.

Before I could make a decision on how to proceed, a woman emerged from the front door of the building. Her long onyx hair hung down her back and over one shoulder. She looked like a runway model with high cheekbones, full lips, cat shaped eyes, and a body that could make any outfit look amazing. Her shorts showed off legs that were ridiculously long. A pair of designer sunglasses were perched on her head, although the sun had already begun to set.

Her gaze swung to me as she started walking in my direction. I watched until she was almost beside my car before I opened my door to see if she was coming to talk to me. Either she was expecting me, or she was walking over to ask me what I was doing parked outside. I was sure my car stood out.

Stepping out of the car, I had to tilt my head back to look up at her. With the heels she was wearing, she was at least six-foot-two. She swung her hair over her shoulder and gave me a tight smile. “I was going to ask if you were Beulah, but now that I see you, I know the answer to that question. Figures,” she rolled her eyes and turned to walk back to the building.

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