Heart of Gold by Beverly Jenkins Read Free Book Online

my sister, Mal. I knew from the moment she called me this wasn’t going to be fun, and I was right, but—”
    â€œShe’s your sister.”
    She gave him a small smile. “Now, granted, I may have to kick her out eventually, but until then she’s welcome.”
    â€œNo good deed goes unpunished.”
    â€œThat’s exactly what my nephew—her son—said to me when I spoke with him earlier.”
    â€œMaybe you should send her over to stay with Tamar.”
    Bernadine laughed. “That would be something, wouldn’t it?” Bernadine’s phone rang. Seeing DALLAS POLICE DEPT . on the caller ID made her heart race, and she quickly answered. A woman on the other end identified herself as Sergeant Sandra McCall and asked if she had a daughter named Crystal. Bernadine’s racing heart jumped into her throat. “Yes, I do. Is she okay?”
    The next voice she heard was Crystal’s, asking through what sounded like tears, “Mom, can you send me a bus ticket or something so I can come home?”
    Elation soared through her blood. “Oh my god! It’s so good to hear your voice.”
    â€œI’m so sorry,” Crystal cried. “I’ll understand if you don’t want me back.”
    â€œIt’s okay. We’ll figure this out. Are you okay? You’re not hurt or anything?”
    â€œNo, I’m fine. I just want to come home,” she said softly through her sobs. “And can you have my phone turned off? It was stolen, along with some of my other stuff.”
    Bernadine was struck by that. “Okay, honey. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. Let me speak to the officer again.” She turned tear-filled eyes to Mal.
    â€œGood news,” he whispered.
    She nodded in agreement. After making arrangements for the pickup, the call ended and Bernadine stood and walked into his waiting arms. “I’m so happy!”
    â€œSo am I.”
    â€œI need to call Katie and have her fire up the jet.”
    â€œYou want company?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œWhat about your sister?”
    â€œWe leave her here and hope she doesn’t rearrange all the furniture while we’re gone.”
    He looked puzzled.
    â€œI’ll explain later.”
    Stepping back inside, she explained the situation to Diane, who blessedly kept her vitriol under wraps. “I’m so glad it worked out,” she said, although her withering tone made it plain that she didn’t mean a word.
    â€œWe’re going to fly down and pick her up.”
    â€œThat little bitty airport has planes going to Dallas this late in the day?”
    â€œNo idea. We’re taking my jet.”
    Diane’s jaw dropped.
    Bernadine smiled. “You don’t know a whole lot about me these days, do you?”
    â€œI guess not.” She continued to stare. “Let me grab my handbag.”
    â€œJust Mal and I are going. We’ll be back later tonight.”
    â€œOh. Okay.”
    She looked hurt, but Bernadine didn’t care.
    While Mal did the driving to the Hays airport, Bernadine rode shotgun and sent texts to the Henry Adams family to let them know Crystal was coming home. The replies she received made her smile. From Lily: Whoopee! From Jack James: Excellent news! From Rocky: Tell her her apron is waiting! From Amari: Brain loses bet. Details at 11. From Eli: About time! Forming line of butt kickers. From Marie: Give her my love. From Reverend Paula: God is Good. All the time. All the time!
    Bernadine agreed.
    Upon landing at the Dallas airport, she and Mal were driven by a hired car service to the police precinct. When they entered the bustling station, she identified herself to the desk officer. He pointed across the room. On a bench sat a wet-eyed Crystal, who immediately flew into her arms. Bernadine caught her up and rocked and cried. “Oh, baby,” she whispered. “I’m so glad you’re okay. So