not too much of an intrusion into your personal life, I would ask that you monitor them for me and pay bills and the like...when I can no longer do that for myself.”
“Yes, I will. I would have done that for you anyway. You don’t have to give me anything.”
“But I have all this...and no family. I don’t even have friends anymore...except you.”
“I’m not much of a friend,” Wyrick said.
“I’m something of a loner, and you know it. You were all the friend I needed,” Merlin said. “I like knowing you’re under my roof. I like knowing you trusted me enough to stay here.”
Wyrick sighed. “You didn’t know it, but I had been toying with the idea of finally buying a place of my own, so I will be honored to be able to stay here.”
“Sell it if you need and find something nice...something shiny and modern,” Merlin said.
Wyrick frowned. “I’m not a shiny and modern woman. I love this place. It’s the only place I’ve felt safe since I moved to Dallas.”
“Excellent,” Merlin said, and then his doorbell rang.
“Would you get that? It’s Rodney Gordon, my lawyer. There are papers we need to sign.”
She jumped up and ran through the house, and then opened the front door.
“Good morning. I’m Rodney Gordon. Art is expecting me.”
Wyrick stared. “Art?”
“Arthur Merlin, if you will. You are Jade Wyrick, are you not?”
“Uh, yes. But I’ve only ever called him Merlin. Please come in. He’s in the kitchen,” Wyrick said, and then led the way through the house.
“Morning, Art!” Rodney said.
Merlin nodded. “Morning, Rodney. Help yourself to coffee and a Danish.”
“I’m good,” Rodney said, and sat down. “I understand time is important this morning, so I’ll get down to business.”
Wyrick sat, watching in disbelief as the lawyer pulled out page after page of legalese she had to sign—everything from giving her access to Merlin’s checking account to giving her power of attorney in all aspects of his life, and then making sure Rodney knew his wishes in allowing Wyrick to live in the main house at any time she chose, and make any changes she wanted, even if he had yet to pass.
When it was all said and done, she had an entire file folder of copies, the code to the main security system and keys to the main house. At that point, Merlin waved her away.
“I know you have a job to go to. We’ll talk again when you have a little more time.”
Wyrick stood. She was being dismissed, but she stopped long enough to throw her arms around Merlin’s neck.
“Thank you, dear friend.”
“No, thank you, Jade. You’re the only person in my life I trust enough to help me out of it.”
She left the kitchen in tears and ran back down the stairs to get dressed. She was going to be late for work, and she sent Charlie a quick text.
I’m going to be late. Nothing is wrong.
She started to reach for black pants and a gold vest, then stopped, shoved them aside and chose skinny-leg blue jeans, powder blue cowboy boots with red stitching and a blue denim jacket with three-quarter-length sleeves.
She kept her entire face clean of makeup except for the slash of bloodred lipstick on her mouth, then grabbed her bag with her purse and laptop and headed out the door.
* * *
The moment Charlie was awake, he reached for the phone. He saw Wyrick’s text and shrugged it off. He was going to be late, too, and called Morning Light, then asked to speak to Doris.
Pinkie put him on hold, and a few moments later, Doris answered.
“Good morning. This is Doris.”
“It’s me, Charlie. How is Annie this morning?”
“The same, Charlie. Steady pulse and heartbeat.”
“Should I be there?”
“She’s not failing, if that’s what you’re asking. But I never make decisions for family.”
“Okay. I’ll check in later today, then.”
“Another nurse from hospice will be with her today. Her name is Rachel. She’s a sweetheart. I’ll tell her you’re planning on stopping by...and don’t worry. Everyone here has Annie’s contact information.”
“Okay,” Charlie said, and hung up, then sat on the side of the bed, listening to the silence.
He hadn’t slept much last night, and the urge to go back to bed was there, but that wouldn’t accomplish anything, and he needed to stay busy, so he headed for the shower to get ready for work.
* * *
Darrell Boyington had spent all night thinking about Jade Wyrick. She was scary. She knew about Cyrus Parks, but he wasn’t sure she knew he’d