When her family heard that, they exploded.

Her aunt, Belle, was her daddy’s sister, and she was livid. “Don’t you worry, sugar. You just point them out to us at the family gathering tomorrow. We’ll take care of the rest.”

Cousins Frankie, Eddie, and Waymon Houston—who were all from the Houston branch of the family—were up in arms, too.

“We’ve got your back, honey,” Eddie said. “Oh…and just so you know, there’s about twelve more family members who are planning to overnight in Savannah tomorrow night and drive on in to Blessings the day of the service.”

Barb felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders.

“All I can say is thank you. I am moving home when I can get everything tied up here. I still have Granny Austin’s home in Dallas. I’ve been leasing it out, but it’s been empty for almost five months now. I’m sure it needs work, but renovating it will give me something to do, and I’ll be close to family again.”

“That’s the spirit,” Jake said. “Now where do you want us to go?”

“Daddy, I’m putting you and Aunt Belle in the two downstairs bedrooms. They are spacious and comfortable, and you won’t have to negotiate the stairs. The rest of you will be upstairs. Now grab your bags and follow me.”

Chapter 8

Supper was over. Melissa and Sully were cleaning up the kitchen and talking over their plans for the next day.

“I have to get payroll out tomorrow, so I’ll be busy at least until noon,” Melissa said.

Sully nodded, but he was preoccupied by something she’d told him earlier about Lovey Cooper’s rescue.

“Remember you telling me about an old man here in Blessings who is a psychic?”

“Yes, Elliot Graham. He won’t claim the title, but when he knows something, he makes sure to let people know.”

“So, how do you think he’d react if I asked to talk to him about my birth mother?”

Melissa paused. “I don’t know, but that’s not a bad idea. I know who you can talk to, who will find out for you.”

“That’s great. Who is it?”

“Danner Amos and his family live directly across the street from Elliot. They weathered the hurricane together in Danner’s home and have become very good friends. As soon as we’re through here, I’ll give Danner a call.”

“Thank you, Missy. You’re the best.”

A few minutes later, they went to her office.

“I’m going to pull up my customer info, where I have a number for the Amos family, and then I’ll give them a call.”

Sully sat down on the corner of her desk, watching as her fingers danced across the keyboard until she reached the customer list, found the name she needed and easily found the number, then wrote it down.

“Okay, now to call.” She still had a landline in the office and punched in the numbers, then leaned back in her chair as it began to ring. A few moments later, she got an answer.