Who Am I?

by Dooley, Lena Nelson

  “Lord, I need Your discernment in this situation. Help me protect Herman from whoever is working against him. Thank You for the renewed relationship we have.”

  As his words died away, his thoughts wandered toward the woman who took up far too much of his thoughts. He shouldn’t be interested in her, especially if she was estranged from God. Then again, perhaps it was his Christian duty to help her find her way back to the fold. Of course, he didn’t know what kept her from attending church. Maybe whatever it was wouldn’t be a problem tomorrow. He hoped she’d be accompanying them to the service.

  The more he thought about it, the more sure Gerome felt that Prudence Smith and her brother, Eric, were behind the intel he’d received about his stepfather’s finances. Would they do him actual harm? Were the tampered brakes meant for him? But he didn’t drive anymore.

  He suspected the steps on the tower had also been tampered with. But that couldn’t have been meant to damage Herman. He’d never climb the tower.

  Were both of those things meant for Leiann? His heart thumped at the idea.

  He wished he’d thought to retrieve the wood before someone else did.

  What was he supposed to do now?

  “Watch over Leiann.”

  “Is that You, Lord?” Or had his own interest in her brought that thought to mind?

  “Watch over Leiann.”

  When the words came again, Gerome was sure they were from the God he trusted above all else. “But what if she’s involved with whoever is defrauding Herman?”

  “Watch over Leiann.”

  “Okay, Lord.”

  Sometimes she seemed so vulnerable. Then she’d do something that made her look like a gold digger or somehow in cahoots with Eric and his sister. Why did she spend so much time with the man? Every time she’d left the house on Cape Cod with Eric, something inside Gerome felt unsettled. He’d been glad she hadn’t ridden all the way home with Eric. For Herman’s sake, he hoped Leiann was innocent.

  Gerome slid off the bench, then turned around and knelt with his head in his hands on the seat. “Lord, draw her close to You and to fellowship with other Christians. Let her know You’re looking out for her and that You have people around her to help her.”

  Before he finished praying, a realization crept into Gerome’s heart. He cared more for her than he wanted to. He didn’t have time develop a relationship with any woman. “God, please change my heart, too, so I won’t feel so torn about her.”

  He had to keep his sharp edge to stay on top of things. He didn’t want to miss something that would keep him from protecting Herman. . .or Leiann.

  ❧

  When Leiann awoke on Sunday, she dressed and went down to the kitchen to make herself some breakfast. All the hired help had Sundays off, so soon after she arrived, Leiann started rising early and eating something before sitting on the balcony outside her room and reading.

  When she opened the kitchen door, she heard, “Good morning, Leiann.” Her grandfather’s greeting startled her.

  Her hand flew to her chest. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

  A smile lit his face. “I can tell.”

  She took a deep breath and went to the refrigerator to get out eggs for an omelet. “You don’t usually come to the kitchen on Sunday mornings.”

  “But you do.” He folded the newspaper he’d been reading and placed it on the table. “I wanted to see you before I left.” He stood from his stool. “Would you like to go to church with Gerome and me?”

  “Gerome’s going?” Leiann reached for a crockery bowl in the cabinet beside the fridge. “I didn’t know he went to church with you.”

  “I asked him to drive me today because I gave Forrest some time off.” He came to stand beside her. “I’d really like your company.”

  Leiann smiled, hoping to take the sting of rejection out of her words. “I’d rather stay at the house if you don’t mind.”

  Disappointment clouded her grandfather’s expression. “Of course not. I want you to be happy here.” He turned and left the kitchen.

  She slumped against the cabinet, disappointed that the only thing Grandfather wanted to talk about today was going to church. She didn’t want to go, feeling the way she did about God—knowing He’d let her whole life be a lie. Leiann still believed in God, but she wasn’t sure she could trust Him with her life anymore. If she went to church, it would be hypocritical.

  Ever since Eric told her Gerome was her grandfather’s stepson, she’d been waiting for one of them to reveal the truth to her. She didn’t want to ask them about it, because if it wasn’t true, she’d feel foolish. Besides, she didn’t want to explain why it was important to her. Unfortunately, because neither one had said anything, she wasn’t sure she could completely trust either of them.

  ❧

  Gerome drove the limo around to the front of the mansion. He got out and started toward the door, but Herman emerged before he reached it. “I don’t see Leiann. Did you ask her to come?”

  The older man nodded. “She declined my invitation.” He stopped beside the car door. “I’m going to sit up front with you so we can talk.”

  “If the Mercedes hadn’t been wrecked, we could take it.” While Gerome walked around the vehicle, he wondered if he should share his concerns about the embezzlement with Herman. He didn’t want to upset his stepfather without concrete proof, so he decided now wasn’t the time.

  When they arrived at church, Herman was surrounded by friends before he was halfway to the door. Gerome leaned against the car and watched, glad to see the Old Man so happy. After that group went inside, he followed them. Instead of sitting by Herman, Gerome dropped onto one of the back pews. He didn’t want to intrude on the group of friends.

  He enjoyed the worship, which contained a mix of contemporary music and traditional hymns. So often when he was on an assignment, he didn’t have the chance to attend church. He’d enjoy attending here as long as he could.

  On the way home after the service, Herman turned toward Gerome with a worried expression. “I’m concerned about my granddaughter. The sheriff’s report said the brakes failed. But Forrest checks everything at least once a week. He took the car in to the dealership for a routine brake inspection a couple of months ago. Everything was working fine.”

  How much information could Gerome tell him without worrying him? “That concerned me, too, so I had a mechanic friend tow the car to his garage. He found a hole in the brake line.”

  Herman glared at him. “If the brake line was leaking, fluid would have dripped onto the floor of the garage.”

  “Someone cut the line in such a way that the fluid didn’t leak until Leiann was going down the drive. When was the last time someone used that car?”

  “I had Forrest drive me in it when we went to town a couple of weeks ago. But the brakes were fine.” Herman wrinkled his forehead and gazed out the windshield.

  Gerome huffed out a breath. “Who knew Leiann was going to use the Mercedes?”

  Herman turned his attention toward Gerome. “Most of the people at the house. I gave her a set of keys at dinner one evening. Prudence and Eric were there. One of the maids. And of course, Forrest knew because I asked him to get the keys made for her.”

  That didn’t narrow the field much. Gerome kept his eyes on the road as they went up the winding drive.

  His stepfather remained silent a few minutes. “Jerry, I want to ask you a big favor.”

  “Sure. What is it?”

  “I’m just getting acquainted with Leiann, and she’s all I have left of Lee. I made so many mistakes with that boy. I wish I could go back and change things. Then I’d have known her while she was growing up. I don’t want to lose the chance to get to know her now.” Herman’s voice took on a husky tone. “Watch over Leiann for me.”

  His words echoed the ones God had spoken into Gerome’s heart, confirming them.

  ❧

  By the time her grandfather and Gerome arrived home from church, Leiann had
lunch ready for them. When she heard the men coming down the hallway, she began putting the hot dishes on the kitchen table.

  Gerome opened the door and held it for her grandfather. “What’s this I smell?” A grin split his face.

  Leiann held up the platter of fried chicken. “I fixed dinner. A real Southern meal.”

  Grandfather smiled, too. “Smells good, and I’m really hungry.”

  She wiped her hands on Mrs. Shields’s apron, which she’d worn to protect her clothes. “I set the table in the breakfast area. It’s more informal than the dining room.” She untied the strings and pulled off the apron.

  The meal proved to be a big success. Both men took heaping helpings of the mashed potatoes and creamy gravy, as well as the buttered English peas and pearl onions. Pleasant conversation flowed smoothly throughout the meal. It did Leiann’s heart good to see her grandfather really eat. Since she’d been here, he’d picked at his food, taking only a few bites at each meal she’d shared with him.

  He pushed back from the table and patted his stomach. “I haven’t enjoyed eating this much in a long time. But now I want a nap.”

  After he left, Gerome pitched in and helped wash the dishes. He looked funny with soapsuds up to his elbows.

  “I don’t understand why we didn’t put the dishes in the dishwasher.” He swiped down his arms, trying to dislodge some of the foam.

  Leiann glanced at the machine that was so big it looked like it belonged in a restaurant. It didn’t even fit under the cabinet. “I’ve never used a dishwasher like that one. It’s easier to wash and dry them myself. But you insisted on helping me, remember? And I know which cabinet I took each dish from.”

  When his laughter pealed across the kitchen, something in her heart turned over. This man was too attractive for his own good. Or hers.

  ❧

  Herman asked Gerome to come to his office first thing Monday morning. When he stuck his head through the open doorway, he saw Leiann sitting in the chair next to her grandfather’s desk.

  His stepfather glanced up and beckoned him. “Come in, Jerry.”

  Leiann mouthed the last word with a questioning look on her face.

  “Sometimes Herman calls me Jerry.” He liked the twinkle of laughter that lit her eyes. “But no one else does.”

  She turned toward her grandfather. “If you need to talk to Gerome, I can come back later.”

  Herman clasped his hands together on the top of the desk. “Actually, I wanted to see both of you.”

  Gerome took the chair beside Leiann’s. He caught a whiff of the light floral fragrance he’d smelled in her hair when he carried her down from the tower.

  “I’ve been in touch with my insurance agent, and he tells me there isn’t much hope for the Mercedes.”

  Leiann crossed one leg over the other knee and swung her foot in tight circles. “I’m really sorry about the car.”

  The Old Man leaned toward his granddaughter. “It wasn’t your fault. Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you weren’t hurt.”

  “Will you be replacing the Mercedes then?” Gerome concentrated on the man across the desk from them.

  “I want to. But I don’t feel up to shopping for a car right now. I was hoping the two of you could do it for me.”

  Leiann’s foot dropped to the floor. “Go shopping for a car? Just like that?” She rubbed her thumb and fingers together, but they didn’t snap.

  “What’s wrong, my dear? Don’t you want to help me?” Concern laced Herman’s words.

  “You caught me by surprise, that’s all.” She started tapping one foot on the floor.

  Why did that bother her? Gerome thought she’d jump at the chance to do this for her grandfather.

  Herman rose from his chair and leaned his hands on the desk. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Leiann. Gerome can do it for me. I just thought you should help him pick it out since you’ll be driving it while you’re here.”

  Her foot stilled, and she tucked an errant strand of hair behind one ear. “What kind of car did you want us to buy?”

  “If you don’t like a Mercedes, you can get something else.” The older man sank back into his chair. “What would you like?” He tented his fingers and studied her.

  She glanced at Gerome. Her look told him she wanted him to take over the conversation, but he wanted to hear how it would play out.

  “The only car I’ve ever purchased was a used car from a good friend. I’ve never been inside a new-car dealership.” She rubbed a spot on her forehead between her eyes.

  “Then it’s time we remedied that.” Herman laughed. “Don’t you think so, Jerry?”

  It could prove interesting. Gerome nodded and smiled at Leiann.

  ❧

  Less than an hour later, Leiann rode beside Gerome in his pickup truck as they headed down the long drive toward the highway. “Are we going all the way into Boston?”

  “I thought we’d try the suburbs first. Might get a better deal out there.”

  Leiann kept her eyes trained on the road as they drove down the mountainous drive, dreading the moment when they would pass the place where she’d missed the curve.

  “Are you all right?” Gerome’s concern felt like a tangible thing, reaching out to her.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “Then why are your knuckles white?” His voice held a hint of humor.

  She flexed her hands and rubbed them to get the circulation back.

  He covered her hands with one of his. His strong fingers wrapped around all of hers, giving her a feeling of security yet unsettling her at the same time. “You’re safe with me, Leiann.”

  How she wanted to believe that. But if what Eric said was true and this man was her grandfather’s stepson, Gerome was keeping a gigantic secret from her. A secret that could affect her life. She couldn’t let her emotions lead her down the wrong path with this handsome man.

  ❧

  When Gerome stopped in front of the luxury-car dealership, he almost laughed out loud at the expression on the face of one of the salesmen when he saw the beat-up pickup. Without a word to either of them, the man walked right back into his tiny but luxurious office. Wouldn’t he be surprised when they paid cash for a new car?

  A different salesman came out and let Leiann sit in each model in the showroom, fiddling with all the gadgets while he stood by and watched her every move.

  When she got out of the last one, Gerome pulled her aside and leaned close to her ear. “So, which model should we buy?”

  Her hazel eyes gleamed with a golden light. “Are we really going to get one today?”

  She rested her hand on his forearm. The feathery weight of it burned through his skin, making him aware of her in an even deeper way. Lord, I asked You to guard my heart. He exhaled a deep breath.

  “Yes, Herman expects us to come home with a new car.” He didn’t move a muscle, hoping she’d not step away from him.

  She leaned closer but glanced toward a model on the other side of the showroom. “I like that one the best, but I don’t care for the color.”

  When she stood back from him, Gerome turned to the salesman and gestured toward the vehicle. “Do you have that model in any other colors?”

  “Yes, sir. Please follow me.” The man led them out a side door to an area covered with varying heights of canopies. “These are the colors we have now. Do you see anything you like?”

  Leiann made her way through the vehicles until she reached one in a red metallic paint. “I like this.” Then she pointed to another car in blue metallic. “But that one’s pretty, too.”

  How like a woman not to be able to make up her mind. But Gerome was glad she’d chosen vibrant colors instead of silver or black. They fit her personality more.

  He turned toward the salesman, who was watching a more prosperous-looking couple approach another sales associate. The man probably thought he was wasting his time, but he didn’t desert them.

  “We’d like to take o
ne of these out for a test drive.”

  Though the man sighed, he went inside to retrieve the keys.

  Leiann gazed up at Gerome. “Which one do you like best?”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “Oh, no, you don’t. Herman said for you to choose the car, so I’m not going to try to influence you.” He studied first one car then the other. “They’re both good-looking vehicles.”

  The salesman returned and gave Gerome the keys. He handed them to Leiann. “I’ll ride shotgun.” The salesman sat behind her.

  After driving around for about half an hour, Leiann stopped the car. “I want you to drive it, too.” They changed places.

  The sedan performed like a dream—as smooth as his Corvette. He drove only a few minutes before returning to the dealership. When they got out of the vehicle, the salesman held out his hand for the keys.

  Gerome clutched the key chain. “We’ll take this one.” He turned to Leiann. “Unless you want the blue one.”

  “I think I like the red one better.”

  “Okay.” Gerome had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at the incredulous look on the man’s face.

  “If you and your wife will follow me.” He swiveled and marched into the showroom.

  “Oh, we’re not. . .” Leiann’s voice trailed off because the man was too far away to hear. She frowned at Gerome. “Aren’t you going to tell him the truth?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Gerome followed her into the glass-walled cubicle. He urged Leiann toward a comfortable chair before extracting his billfold.

  After looking at the bank card and Gerome’s ID, the salesman called the bank. When the president assured him that Gerome was indeed on the account, the man wrote up the sale. Since it took him three times before he got the papers filled out right, this was probably his first cash transaction. After thanking them profusely and shaking both their hands, he watched them walk to the car.

  They headed back toward the estate, with Leiann driving the new car and Gerome following her in his pickup. She drove the speed limit until she pulled onto the long drive. She crept along it, especially the curve she’d missed before.