Where She Belongs (16 page)

“How could I have been so stupid?” she murmured into Lila's ear.

“You're not stupid,” Cassie said softly. “Don't be so hard on yourself.”

Shelby leaned back in the chair, and Lila plopped at her feet. “You weren't supposed to hear that.”

“I can't imagine AJ treating anyone like Brett treated you. He's a good man.”

“Who's a good man?” Jason appeared behind them with the brownies.

“You are.” Cassie took the container from him and called for the children.

Grateful for the distraction, Shelby pulled Tabby onto her lap. Elizabeth and Austin sat close together as they ate their brownies, seemingly best friends. Perhaps another prayer answered for her lonely little girl.

When it was time to go, Shelby herded the reluctant children to the car. Lila slowly stood and limped after them.

Shelby knelt beside the dog and gently touched her front paw. “It's her injured leg. I thought it was all better.”

“She's been running a lot today,” Cassie said. “Maybe she just overdid it.”

“What should I do?”

Jason examined the leg. “Make sure she rests tonight. If she's
still limping in the morning, let me know. I can take her in to Doc Buck.”

“He's still around? He must be at least a hundred.”

“Old Doc Buck retired a couple of years ago, but his son and granddaughter took over the practice. Young Doc Buck and Lady Doc Buck.”

“That's what people call them? You're kidding me, right?”

“I promise I'm not.” Jason chuckled as he rubbed Lila's ears. “She'll probably be fine in the morning. I'll help you get her in the car.”

The drive home took about five minutes, but it seemed a hundred times that before the girls were bathed and tucked in for the night. Lila whimpered and paced, favoring one leg, until Shelby awkwardly lifted her onto Elizabeth's bed.

“She needs a bandage, doesn't she?” Elizabeth rested her arm across Lila's neck.

“Maybe.” Shelby ran her hand along the dog's side, wishing she hadn't taken her to Cassie's house. But she had been too caught up in her own concerns to think about Lila's leg.

“Mr. AJ will be sad, won't he, Mommy?”

Shelby smiled and kissed Elizabeth's forehead. “He might be.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“Do you think I should?”

“It hurts to feel sad.” Elizabeth's forehead furrowed in thought. “But he might be sadder if he didn't know.”

“I think you're right.”

“I can call him.” Her little voice sounded too grown up. “If you don't want to.”

“I'll call him, Bitsy. In just a few minutes, okay?”

“Okay.” She nestled closer to Lila, and her eyes flickered shut. “Maybe he'll come home. Lila and I want him to come home.”

So do I
.

Shelby gasped at the revelation, then shoved it away and kissed
Elizabeth again. The unexpected thought haunted her as she wandered into the kitchen. The unopened UPS package sat on the table.

She'd been curious before about “this thing” AJ had to do. But as she opened the package, pleased to find an exact replica of the broken calico-cat-in-a-basket cookie jar, her curiosity grew. He didn't have to tell her why he went out of town, but he should have told her where he was going. Especially after leaving Lila in her care.

As she made the rounds, turning out lights and checking that all the doors were locked, Lila joined her.

“What's the matter, girl?” Shelby scratched behind her ear. “You're a little restless tonight too, aren't you?”

After checking on the girls one more time, Shelby settled in the wingback chair with her phone. Lila lay on the floor, her head resting on Shelby's foot.

Elizabeth was right. AJ needed to know about Lila's injury.

That was the only reason she was calling. To tell him about Lila.

A
J leaned against the beige corridor wall, his chin tucked against his chest as he focused on taking slow, deep breaths. The inexpressible wonder of having a son warred with his anger at being shut out of his child's life. He didn't know whether to hug Meghan or shake her. If only she'd come back to him, he'd have done the right thing.

They could have married.

Been a family.

His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen, then straightened as his pulse quickened. He cleared his throat and tried to sound upbeat. Or at least normal.

“Hi, Shelby. Everything all right?”

“Everything's fine.” Her voice seemed hesitant. No wonder after yesterday's scene at the café and his late-night visit. But yesterday's roller coaster had been a kiddie ride compared to what he'd gone through today.

He rubbed his eyes. “Is Lila behaving herself?”

“I think she misses you.”

“Why's that?”

“Because she's trying to eat my phone.” Shelby's voice became
muffled, but he could still hear her. “It's okay, girl. I'm sure he misses you too.”

“You bet I do.”
I miss all of you
.

“I called to tell you that something has come up.”

“And you can't take care of Lila anymore? It's all right. She'll be fine at the kennel.”

“It's not that.”

Please, God, no more bad news. Not
today
.

“Lila is limping. I think she played too hard with the children today. And Penny.”

He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath till he exhaled with relief. “Jason Owens's Penny?”

“Cassie watched the girls for me this afternoon. Lila went too, and then we stayed for supper. I wish I had left her at home, but I didn't think . . .” Her voice faded, sounding as tired as he felt. He massaged his aching neck muscles.

“Does she seem to be in pain?”

“Only when she walks.”

He chuckled. For a brief moment, he was tempted to climb in his Jeep and drive home. To pretend he had never found Meghan, that he didn't know anything about Jonah. But that was impossible now.

God had led him to this hospital so he could undo the damage caused by his past cowardice. He couldn't leave until he had a plan for providing the care both Meghan and Jonah needed.

Perhaps not even then. If only he'd found them closer to home.

The ache in his neck crept up the back of his head.

“Jason suggested taking her to the vet. Do you see Young Doc Buck or Lady Doc Buck?”

The heaviness in his chest momentarily eased at the playfulness of her tone. “Either one. Sorry to put you to so much trouble.”

“It's no trouble. I'm so sorry I didn't take better care of her. She's such a sweet dog.”

“I think we both have had a rough couple of days. In the scheme
of things, this isn't the worst thing in the world.” He paused, pushing out air. “Lila will be fine, I'm sure of it.”

“Are you all right? You sound kind of sad.”

“Just tired. If you want, I can make other arrangements for Lila.”

“No, please. The girls would be devastated. So would I.”

“You're going to give her back to me when I get home, aren't you?”

“Only because we won't have a choice,” she teased. “I don't suppose you know where we can find another one just like her?”

“I'll help you look if you want.”

“When will you be home?”

He must be more tired than he thought. Her voice sounded almost wistful. Had to be his imagination.

“I'm not sure. Things here are a little complicated.”

“Where's ‘here'? Or don't you want to tell me?”

“Toledo. I'm in Toledo.”

“That's not so far.”

In miles, only about a three, three-and-a-half-hour drive. But as far as his heart was concerned, he might as well be on another planet. A future with Shelby had always been a long shot. Yet he'd had a wild idea that God only required a quick reconciliation with Meghan before blessing AJ's far-fetched dreams. But life never was that easy.

He hadn't replied, and Shelby ended the silence with an animated rush. “Jason wants you home by Tuesday. Something about a church softball game. I didn't realize you attended Faith Community. That's where the girls and I have been going.”

“Bet you go to the second service because of the children's programs.”

“Cassie said you go to the first.”

“Most of the time. Gran liked to go to the first service so we could go out to eat before the Sunday crowds hit the restaurants. When she couldn't attend anymore, I still went to the first so I could pick up to-go orders without too much hassle.”

“Then spend the afternoon watching Cary Grant movies,” Shelby said with a teasing lilt.

“On rainy days.”

“What about that softball game? Jason said you're the second best batter.”

“Did he now?”

“That's what he said.”

“Only because I sprained my wrist and had to sit out a couple of games. We'll see by the end of this season who's the best.”

“So you'll be there?”

She sounded hopeful.

His imagination playing tricks on him again.

“Probably not. I'm not sure what's going to happen in the next few days.”

“What's wrong, AJ?”

“Nothing I can talk about.”

He should say good-bye, but he didn't want to let her go. Not yet.

Again she broke the silence, but this time her words thunked like heavy stones.

“I saw Uncle Richard today.”

“What did he have to say for himself?”

“He denied knowing anything about Brett's plan, but I'm not sure he was telling the truth.”

“I've never known Richard to lie, but I felt the same way when I talked to him.”

“He did tell me something interesting. Our grandmothers were best friends once. Before they married. I bet they used to watch all those Cary Grant movies together.”

“They probably did. It's hard to imagine them as young women, isn't it?”

“But they were once. Then Aubrey married Thad instead of Sully, and Joyanna married Sully instead of Richard. Nothing was the same for any of them ever again.”

“Sounds like a soap opera.”

“Except it's real life. And it's sad.”

“Would you have preferred it if Aubrey had married Sully?”

“No.”

She said it short and sharp, leaving no doubt of her opinion about that scenario.

“I didn't think so.”

“But I wish he and Joyanna had been happier together.”

“I wish that too. You were the lucky one.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Thad and Aubrey loved each other. My grandparents didn't have that magic.”

“It wasn't luck or magic, AJ. It was a profound love that radiated all around them. The stuff of fairy tales.”

“Sounds like magic to me.”

“They believed God brought them together. He blessed them, their life together, and their family.”

“Until Sully took Misty Willow.”

“You're not to blame for what your grandfather did.”

“No.” He paused, then lowered his voice. “I'm to blame for what I did.”

“You never deserved my anger. I hope you'll forgive me.”

“There's nothing to forgive, Shelby.” Sliding his back down the wall, he sank to the tiled floor. “I let Sully . . . you have no idea what I let him do.”

“I wish you'd tell me what's wrong.” Concern heightened the pitch of her voice.

“Just pray for me, okay? For everything.”

“I have been. I am.”

“I need to go. I'll call the vet's office in the morning—”

“Let me do that.”

“You really don't mind?”

“Not at all.”

“Call me after, okay? If I don't answer, just leave a message. I'll call you when I can.”

“I will. Good night.”

“Night, Shelby.”

“AJ?”

“Yeah?”

“Take care of yourself.”

The connection ended, and he hunched over his knees with his head on his arms. A couple of days ago, he wouldn't have let anyone else take Lila to the vet. But as much as he loved his dog, her injury paled beside Jonah's. Strange how quickly priorities could shift.

Because of one long-ago night he had a son.

A night he didn't even remember.

U
nable to sleep, AJ threw back the covers and turned on the table lamp. The light cast a warm glow into the unfamiliar hotel room. A half-formed idea niggled beneath the ache that pounded his head. He turned on his iPad and searched for the Central Ohio Children's Hospital.

As he read through the website, the idea shaped into a plan. If only he could persuade Meghan to go along with it. But first he had a phone call to make.

The green digits on the radio clock displayed the time as 5:33. He placed the iPad on the table and turned out the light. Flinging his arm behind his head, he stared at the dark ceiling.

After checking into his room, AJ had gone online to find news reports of Jonah's accident. The wreckage had made the local news, and AJ replayed the video clip several times, sick to his stomach whenever the mangled car appeared on the screen.

Jonah wasn't wearing a seat belt when Meghan's drunken ex slammed his vehicle into the rear end of a delivery truck. The airbag didn't work, so Jonah had been thrown between the dashboard and the seat. A witness found him crumpled on the floor, unconscious and bleeding. The surgeons set his broken leg and wrapped his cracked ribs. But he hadn't regained consciousness.

The trauma unit had stabilized Jonah, but one of the best pediatric neurocritical care units in the Midwest was only a few hours south of here. That was where the boy needed to be.

Punching his pillow in a vain effort to get comfortable, AJ resolved to do everything in his power to get him there. Even if it meant begging Brett for a favor.

Shelby struggled to push the heavy tiller, upturning pieces of sod to reveal rich dark earth. She reached the string marking the boundary of her plot and turned the machine, grunting as she maneuvered it into place. The first awkward row stretched for several yards in front of the house, a black jagged gash cut through lush green grass.

To think she had believed the salesman when he'd said this would be easy. A tiller so light a child could handle it.

Sure. If that child's name was Clark Kent.

She aimed the blade and pushed, gripping the handles as the machine tilted. While trying to get it upright, she stumbled and lost her grip. The engine sputtered as the machine hit the ground. Frowning, she tamped down her frustration.

By the time she'd cut two more rows, her back and shoulders screamed for relief. The tiller had fallen at least half a dozen more times, and the black earth was dotted with grassy islands due to her crooked maneuverings. Despite wearing work gloves, her palms ached.

Maybe she should hire Seth Norris to do this job. But he'd gone to a youth camp and wouldn't be back for several days. Determined to finish the job, she took a couple of deep breaths.

She could do this.

About a third of the way along the next row, she halted as Brett's black Lexus turned into the drive. Anger filled her chest, and she gave the tiller a hard push. It wobbled, and once again she lost her balance trying to prevent it from hitting the ground. Somehow she
managed to get it upright and turn off the power. When she let go of the handle, the temperamental thing fell over.

Great! She placed her hands on her hips and pretended not to look at the Lexus.

A wonderfully klutzy performance. Behind his tinted windows, Brett must be highly amused.

Irritated that she cared even a smidgen what Brett thought, she wiped sweat from her forehead and headed for the bottle of water she'd left on the porch. Sitting on the top step, she pulled off her gloves and took a long drink.

The Lexus stopped in the lane instead of proceeding to the parking area beside the house, and Brett emerged with the studied poise of a male model. He wore a royal blue shirt and tan shorts with loafers. A scruff of beard barely camouflaged the bruise on his jaw.

Despite her longing to squash him like a gnat, Shelby's cheeks flushed. And not from the summer heat. Why did the beast have to look so good?

She glanced down at her stained T-shirt and dirt-covered jeans and vainly wished things were reversed. Why couldn't she be the model and Brett the slob? Too late for that. At least her appearance would scare him away. Whatever he was doing here, she need never fear he'd come around again.

Trying to appear relaxed, she leaned against the porch railing and took another drink of water. Lila trotted toward Brett, her injured leg freshly wrapped in an Ace bandage courtesy of Young Doc Buck squeezing them into an early morning appointment. Brett bent to pat her, and she barked a hello. He walked toward the porch, and she followed, furiously wagging her otter-like tail.

The traitor.

“Hi.” Brett smiled awkwardly and glanced around. “Where's AJ?”

“Out of town.”

“Without Lila?” He scratched behind the dog's ear as she leaned into him.

“He couldn't take her with him.”

“Where'd he go?”

“Is that why you're here? To spy on AJ?”

“No, of course not.” He looked taken aback. “I was just surprised to see Lila, that's all.”

“Then why are you here?”

He sat beside her on the step and clasped his hands. Lila pushed her way between them and sprawled on the porch, her head resting against Shelby's leg.

“I thought about bringing flowers, but I didn't want you throwing them at me.”

“I don't want your flowers. I don't want anything from you.”

“Not even an apology?”

“You expect me to believe you're sorry?”

“It'd be asking a lot, I know.” He leaned his back against the opposite rail so they were practically facing each other. “How about if it comes with a friendly warning?”

“What does that mean?”

“I don't want your farm, Shelby. Not anymore. But Amy still does.”

“Why?”

“She has her reasons.” He brushed imaginary lint from his shorts. “I tried to talk her out of it, but she won't give up.”

Dread burrowed into Shelby's stomach. “What is she going to do?”

“File a lawsuit. Sully meant AJ to profit from this land. He actually leased it to you for less than its value.”

“How do you know that?”

“Property values are my business. I only had to do a little research to find out.”

“He never said . . . I didn't know.”

“It could be argued, and probably will be, that your uncle Richard influenced the financial considerations in your favor.”

Shelby massaged the loose skin between Lila's ears as the dread
grew, clawing its way into her throat. Wild thoughts raced through her brain, and she grabbed hold of one.

“Joyanna encouraged AJ to find a loophole. Not Uncle Richard.”

A cloud passed over Brett's face at the mention of his grandmother, but he blinked it away. “The fact remains there were other options.”

“How could there be? AJ's not supposed to sell the land to anyone.”

“And yet here you are. Amy is looking for a loophole too, and this deal she's putting together could make AJ twenty times what you're paying him. Probably more.”

“Money.” She spat the word. “It's all you care about, isn't it?”

“Not all.” He patted Lila's side, and she exposed her belly for him to rub. “Though maybe that was true for Sully.”

Shelby pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I don't understand how a grandfather could be so mean. AJ didn't want to be a lawyer. So what? Sully had to punish him?”

Brett's eyes slightly narrowed. “There's more to the story than AJ dropping out of law school.”

For the first time since he'd arrived, she held her gaze steady against his. “Tell me.”

He seemed to consider, then barely shook his head. “If you had asked me a few days ago, I probably would have. And made AJ twice the villain he was. Anything to divert your attention from him to me.”

“My ‘attention' was never on AJ.”

“Oh, really?” He flashed a dimpled smile. “I know it even if you don't.”

“Know what?”

“You're attracted to my cousin.” He gazed out over the long front yard. “More than you ever were to me.”

“That's not true.” Realizing her denial implied an attraction to Brett, she flushed. “You know what I mean.”

“I know.” Regret momentarily crossed his features. As if needing to change the subject, he lifted Lila's paw and examined her injured leg. “AJ told me the bandage had been taken off.”

“This is a new one. She played too hard with the children yesterday.”

“Where are the Misses Kincaid?”

“A neighbor took her son and Elizabeth to the pool in town, and Tabby got sent to her room after throwing a tantrum because she didn't get to go. Now she's asleep.”

“Leaving you to wrestle with that?” He pointed at the downed tiller.

She gave an exaggerated sigh. “It's not my friend.”

He abruptly stood. “I'll give it a try.”

She rose beside him. “You can't.”

“Why not?” He headed for the tiller, and Shelby went after him.

“Brett, stop. You can't till my flower bed.”

Facing her, he started to touch her arm but let his hand drop. His soft voice almost pleaded. “Give me a chance to show you I'm not a total jerk.”

Hesitating, she searched his face. For all she knew, he was putting on a show, but he certainly looked sincere. “You're not dressed for yard work.”

“I'll manage.” Gripping the handles, he lifted the tiller. “This thing sure is light.”

She threw up her hands in annoyance as he powered up the engine. “Go for it, Clark Kent,” she mumbled, turning on her heel and heading for the house.