“Oh, that’s right! Elliot gave you something? What was it?”

“I can’t tell you. You have to see,” he said, and began putting away milk, butter, and cheese, while she put up the fresh produce and meat.

As soon as they were finished, he led her into the living room.

“Stop here, and close your eyes.”

She laughed but did as he asked. “What on earth?”

“You’ll see,” Sully said. He went to get the painting. “Okay, you can look now,” he said, and held it up in front of him.

The smile was still on Melissa’s face when she opened her eyes, and then she saw the portrait and gasped.

“Oh, Sully, that’s beautiful. Who are they? Why did he give it to you?”

“He said it’s my mother and me. He said he saw it in his head the day I showed him the letter she’d left for me. He said Spirit wanted me to have it. I don’t know how that man’s head works or what he hears and sees, but I will never doubt his word again as long as I live. See that necklace around the girl’s neck?”

Melissa nodded.

Sully leaned the portrait against the wall and pulled the necklace out of his pocket and handed it to her.

“This was in the envelope with my birth certificate. According to the note I found, Janie left it by my crib with a note stating it was meant for me.”

Melissa was stunned. “Oh, Sully! Oh, sweetheart! It’s the same, right down to the unusual design on the edge of the cross!”

Sully nodded. “Elliot said my father gave it to her.”

Melissa handed him the necklace. “Bring the painting, and let’s find the best place to hang it.”

Sully dropped the necklace into his shirt pocket, picked up the painting, and followed her into the living room.

“It needs to be in a prominent place,” Melissa said. “Somewhere in plain sight that lends itself best to the story it’s telling. It’s beautiful on its own, but it’s also such a personal thing for you.” She cupped the side of his face, and when his gaze shifted to her, she had no words for what she saw. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling. I have no concept of what it would be like to find out everything about my past was a lie.”

“It was a shock at first. Now, I just want to find her.”

“If Elliot told you to stay in Blessings, I’m taking that as a very positive sign,” Melissa said.

“After this, I’ll never question his veracity.”

They began to circle the room with the painting, holding it up in first one place and then another, but they kept going back to the blank wall above an antique writing table. It wasn’t in direct sunlight, and it would be visible both going into the room and walking out. And they could easily see it from the sofa, as well.

“I still like this best,” Melissa said. “What do you think?”