“Why do you say that?”
“Her younger brother, Trevor, died of leukemia last year. She took it harder than the oth—”
“Leukemia—”
“Oh…I didn’t realize you didn’t know. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised Mr. Sterling didn’t tell you. Too many similarities between the book and his life.”
“Dear God, Nyla.”
“It’s been a difficult year. First his nephew’s death, then Ms. Wylie’s horrible accident. He’s determined that she’ll walk again, but she fights him so. I’m afraid Mr. Sterling has had about as muc—”
“Here you go.”
Catherine reappeared so fast, Nyla didn’t get the opportunity to finish what she was going to say. Rainey was still so shaken by the news of another tragedy befalling the Sterling family, she felt ill.
Bonnie Wrigley wouldn’t believe it when Rainey phoned to tell her that Payne’s nephew had died from leukemia.
How many more uncanny coincidences were waiting to come to light Rainey didn’t know about yet?
Nyla’s revelation cast a new twist on the old adage about truth being stranger than fiction. Chills ran through Rainey’s body.
With trembling hands she opened her case and removed the items she would need.
“Do you want Lady to pose for you? I can make her sit still for a few minutes.”
“Thanks, Catherine, but it won’t be necessary.”
“Do you mind if I stand behind you and watch?”
“Of course not.”
Lady plopped down next to them. She might not know what was happening, but she acted as if she did. The retriever had a beautiful head.
It didn’t take long for the drawing to come to life. Pretty soon Nyla, who’d been taking dishes in the house, came back out to join Catherine. “Will you look at that…”
“I don’t see how you do it.”
“Believe me, Catherine, neither do I.”
“It’s a gift,” Nyla stated.
“One that landed me in a lot of trouble
,” Rainey’s voice shook.
“Uncle Payne’s forgiven you. Otherwise he would never have brought you home with him.”
“Well, now that I’ve apologized to Ms. Wylie, we need to destroy those paintings so she won’t ever be reminded of them again.”
“Destroyed?” they both cried at once.
“Yes. That’s what the judge ordered. If you’d dispose of them, Nyla, it will save Mr. Sterling having to deal with any more grief.”
“You’re right. If it’s a legal matter I suppose now’s as good a time as any to take care of them.”
“Thank you, Nyla.”
While the maid picked them up and carried them into the house, Rainey finished fleshing out the drawing. In the top left-hand corner she put, “To Catherine.” Down in the right-hand corner she titled it, then wrote the date and her initials.