Sacred Ground. Adrienne Ellis Reeves

Bell.

      “I’m sorry to hear that, but these things happen in the real estate and construction business. I’ll keep in touch, and meanwhile, if there’s any matter we can help you with, please don’t hesitate to call.”

      Wetherell Associates had been recommended to Makima and the board by a business in Rock Hill, South Carolina. “What they say they’ll do, they do and on time. Not like most of these folk who work for you three days one week and don’t come back until days later. You can’t fire them because they have your money, but you only have a part of your construction.”

      That was a good recommendation, but the clinic group had to be thorough when there was so much of their precious money at stake. Was this corporation totally honest? Had there been any problem after the building had been standing a few years? How did they handle weather delays? How many crews did they have working at one time and were they all equally qualified?

      Makima admired Harriet. She was CEO of the corporation and seemed to be straightforward and direct. Had always been courteous with the clinic group, but naturally she wanted to sign them to a contract. Makima could appreciate that, but no contract would be signed as far as Makima was concerned until all those questions had been answered to her satisfaction. And until she had figured out a way to negotiate a sale of property with Gabriel Bell.

      He might think she’d given up. All that had happened was the first skirmish in the battle.

      She knew beyond a doubt that the clinic was supposed to be built on Mr. Zeke’s land. She’d prayed about the matter for years with all of the faith and earnestness she could muster and had never received a negative sign from God. Therefore she was following His will. That being the case, how could she fail?

      This was just a test of her faith. Important things never came easily. You had to work hard and sometimes use strategy. She’d pray about it and think of something.

      It was too bad troublesome things kept happening between them. First the catastrophe in the restaurant, which she might never live down, followed by the unexpected meeting at the church, and now his total refusal to consider Mr. Zeke’s consent to sell her land for the clinic. He hadn’t even taken the time to discuss it at length with her. A curt statement about the will not permitting it and that was all.

      He was so attractive and she wished they could be friendly but obviously that wasn’t going to be in the picture!

      Makima straightened the papers on her desk and turned off the lamp. She might be able to head a project like the clinic, but she didn’t seem to have much success with men. Reggie had walked away and now the first man she’d found interesting since him seemed to be nothing but bad news.

      “You ready, young Drew?” Sam called at the back door the next morning, as Gabe had predicted.

      “Come in for coffee,” Gabe said.

      “Already had some, thanks.”

      Drew clattered down the steps to join his garden instructor. Gabe watched them for a moment with a bemused expression. Who’d ever have thought Drew would be interested in gardening? As he went up to continue work in the office, it occurred to him that by living all his life in a Manhattan apartment the opportunity for gardening had never come up for Drew. What else might happen for the two of them in this new environment?

      As he sifted through the bank statements, Makima came to mind as part of this new environment.

      But she wasn’t new. He’d met her kind before. Extremely attractive, intelligent, personable with people. The kind of skin you longed to touch. Hair you wanted to run your fingers through. Lips that were very kissable. And curves. Long legs. Beautiful shoes. And curves.

      He had the feeling she could be snobbish at times if she found herself in circumstances where she was uncomfortable. Use it as a defense mechanism. She had the presence and the style to carry it off.

      He knew the type well. In fact, he had been seriously involved with one called Olivia several years back. They’d dated for a year or so and he’d never been so in love. He’d been saving to get her a ring before popping the question. Then by pure accident he discovered that she’d been seeing a guy who lived in New Jersey, which explained why she’d been unavailable to go out with him sometimes, especially on weekends. He’d felt like a fool and a dupe and had promised himself to never get in such a situation again.

      The few dates he’d had after that were casual and harmless. His social life had been curtailed anyway after his parents died. Leaving Drew alone in the apartment while he partied wasn’t an option.

      His boys would come over and sometimes bring girls along and that was it. This year Drew had complained that he didn’t need Gabe babysitting him. He was going on sixteen and big enough to take care of himself. Gabe was touched, and just to stop Drew’s bellyaching he went out a couple of Saturdays with Webster and Calvin.

      Drew was always anxious to know the next day all about his evening out. Gabe obliged with an account of where they went and what music they heard. It had been a welcome change, but Gabe discovered that this was not how he wanted to spend his evenings. There’d been a time when he did but that time had passed.

      He wondered if there were any clubs here in Grayson. What did Alana and her crowd do for entertainment other than go to the movies? As for Makima, she might not go out at all just for entertainment.

      Getting the clinic up and working probably took all her time. Something like that could make you obsessive and she seemed the type. Immediately he had the image of her trying to get the salad off his jacket even when it was clear that the mayonnaise had already soaked into the fabric. He’d been so angry then but now when he thought of it, he was amused. One thing about the incident, she’d made an indelible impression on him. And on his jacket.

      He was still smiling when the phone ran. It was the attorney, Jasper Moultrie.

      “How are you and Drew settling in?” he asked.

      Gabe filled him in on the trip, the church experience and Sam Williams.

      “We’ve been learning about Great-Grandfather. Did you know he’s looked upon as an expert on Africa and even spoke to schools on the subject?”

      “I believe he did mention that at one time,” Moultrie said. “He never lost interest in the subject.”

      “You’ve seen this house, Mr. Moultrie?”

      “Yes, I have.”

      “We were overwhelmed. Had no idea it was this grand. You know it’s mostly his own work.” Gabe heard the pride in his own voice and was surprised.

      “Your great-grandfather was a man of many parts as they used to say of outstanding men.”

      “I see that. I’ve been going through his papers. Found his property tax assessment and my heart nearly stopped.”

      “I hope it gave you some motivation to observe the dictates of the will,” Moultrie said calmly.

      “Don’t worry. I’m observing them. I’ve already searched his bedroom and now I’m working through his office. By the way, Mr. Moultrie, what did my great-grandfather look like? I haven’t found any photographs of him yet.”

      “I’ll do my best to describe him as I saw him. He stood about five-eight, had a powerful body and strong features. Deep-set eyes, broad nose and mouth. Wore his hair thick. Had a fine forehead. He was dark-skinned. Does that give you a picture?”

      “Yes, it does.”

      “One more thing, he had a presence about him. He wasn’t a loud-speaking man but he had your attention when he spoke.”

      “That I can imagine. I’m curious about another thing. Did you come to the funeral?”

      “Yes, as quietly as possible. Someone had to lock up the house and see that all was in order.”

      “I wondered about that and how the rumor was started about an heir from New York. That was your