“Thank you,” she whispered as she turned her head slightly and kissed the corner of my mouth. “Thank you for coming to see me.”

Footsteps sounded on the porch, followed closely by a knock on the door. Amber released her hand from my neck, and I stood.

“Soon, Amber. I’ll see you soon,” I said, lifting my hand in departure.

I turned to cross the room and, opening the door, found Rainwater standing there. He quickly shook my hand, but even as we spoke he was squinting past me with a look of concern on his face.

“Brother Kennesaw,” he said as he peered over my shoulder.

I took him by the elbow and led him to the side of the bed.

“Truman, I want you to meet Miss Amber. She’s a mighty special lady, and she has some things she’d like to speak with you about.

“Amber, this is Truman Rainwater; he’s the man I told you about. I know you two are going to get along fine,” I said as Truman and I stood at the bedside. “And now, I’m gonna leave.”

Amber glanced from Truman to me and nodded her head.

Truman reached down and touched her hand. “Hello, sweet child. I shore am glad to meet you. Brother Kennesaw called and told me what a doll you were—and I’ll tell you the truth—he didn’t exaggerate, not nary a bit.”

A giggle escaped Amber’s lips. She gave me a glance. I waved my fingers and blew a kiss.

See you, I mouthed and turned for the door.

Behind me I heard Truman ask, “Do you mind if I say a little prayer, Amber? Just a little one—a prayer for you and me.”

I closed the door as quietly as I could and stepped softly across the porch. Sandy was sitting on the hood of my car, smoking a cigarette and bouncing a crossed leg with impatience. Behind her, dominating the background, soared the Talmadge Bridge.

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 18

“YOU CAN DROP ME AT THE BUS STATION,” Sandy said as we got in the car.

“I can take you anywhere you’d like to go, Sandy.”

“That is where I’d like to go,” she replied. “I got a ticket for a bus that leaves in ...” She consulted her watch. “Forty minutes.”

“Back up to Rincon?” I inquired. “I can drive you back home and save you the time and the bus fare.”

She looked at me silently for a few seconds.