Where She Belongs (26 page)

“If we move,” Elizabeth's small voice cracked, “I won't see Austin anymore, will I?”

“You like Austin?”

“He's my best friend.”

Her oh-so-serious tone made Shelby smile. She had been about Elizabeth's age when she claimed Jason as her best friend. It looked like history was repeating itself with a younger generation.

The friendship of two six-year-olds wouldn't persuade Amy to drop the lawsuit. But was it enough reason to keep Shelby from leaving Glade County?

S
helby hung up the phone and rubbed her temples.

“Another no?” Jillian asked sympathetically as she rolled out pie dough on the kitchen table. The teen had spent the last few days with them, and Shelby had enjoyed every minute with her.

“Everybody I've asked already has plans for the Fourth.” She slunk in her chair. “I should have known.”

Jillian lifted the dough and arranged it in the pie dish. “I'm sorry it didn't work out.”

“Me too. Lemonade?”

“Sure.”

Shelby pulled the pitcher from the refrigerator. “My grandparents had such great Fourth of July celebrations. We'd go to town for the parade, then race back here to get everything ready.” Ice from the dispenser clinked into two glasses. “I had my heart set on reviving the Lassiter Fourth of July cookout tradition.”

“You still can. Just pick another day.”

“To celebrate the Fourth?”

“To have a cookout.” Jillian spooned fresh blackberries into the pie dish, then added the top crust. “Start your own tradition.”

“Maybe you're right.”

“Of course I am.”

“Tomorrow's Saturday. Too soon?”

“There's only one way to find out. Get back on the phone.”

“What about you and Seth?”

“We don't mind giving up the movies for the First Annual Kincaid Cookout.”

“You may not, but Seth might.”

“I promise you, he won't.”

Shelby grinned as a shy smile lifted Jillian's flushed cheeks. This teenage romance might turn out to be more than a summer fling. Score: Shelby, one. AJ, zero.

“Bet I can guess who you're thinking about.” Jillian finished crimping the edges of the pie crust.

“I was thinking about the cookout.”

“Are you inviting Coach Sullivan?”

“Maybe.”

“Why don't you call him?” Jillian's blue eyes glinted with mischief.

“He's coming by later to get Lila. I'll ask him then.”

“You know he'll say yes.”

“I don't know that.”

“Yes, you do.” She put the pie in the oven and set the timer. “Just like I know Seth will say yes.”

“You and Seth are dating. You're a couple.”

“Aren't you and Coach dating?”

“No, we're not.”

“Well, you should be.”

“Jillian!”

“Just sayin'.”

Shelby pretended to give the teen an icy glare as she picked up her phone. “I'm going to call Cassie again. Wish me luck.”

“Luck.”

Taking a deep breath, she called Cassie, got a yes, then called Paul Norris's wife Renee. Another yes.

“We're having a cookout.” She rummaged through a drawer
for a notepad. “Do you mind getting the girls ready while I make a shopping list? We'll go to town as soon as the pie's done.”

“Sure.”

“I almost forgot. Would you like to invite your parents?”

Dread narrowed Jillian's eyes, and her cheeks turned crimson. “Thanks, but no.”

“Is everything okay at home?”

Jillian responded with a grim smile. “It is what it is. I better get Elizabeth and Tabby inside.”

“If you ever want to talk—”

“I know. Thanks.” She went outside, letting the screen door close with a thwack.

Shelby walked to the window and moved the curtain. Elizabeth and Tabby surrounded Jillian as she grasped both of them by the hand. Their little girl voices, though indistinct, were cheerful. Jillian swung their arms as they returned to the house, a broad smile lighting her attractive features.

Let my home be a refuge for her,
Father. A safe and spacious place
.

AJ emailed Dr. Kessler before leaving the cottage, then waited at the sheriff's office for about twenty minutes to receive the requested report. After paying the copying costs, he drove to the newspaper office.

An administrative assistant listened to his request with interest, but she wasn't sure whether unused photographs from that time period were stored in the newspaper archives. She promised to do some research and give him a call.

Next stop, the hospital.

He bounded off the elevator and greeted the nurses working at the central station.

“Mr. Sullivan,” one of them called after him as he headed toward Jonah's room. “Excuse me. Sir?”

Turning back, AJ removed his ball cap and approached the counter. “Is something wrong?”

“I'm sorry, but only approved visitors are permitted in the Jensen room.”

Every muscle in his body tensed. “Did something happen? Is Jonah all right?”

“I'm not allowed to answer questions about Jonah's medical condition.”

“I've been here every day. Something must have happened.”

“Ms. Jensen made the request. No visitors without her approval.”

“That doesn't make sense.”

“Again, I'm sorry. But Ms. Jensen was adamant, and we must respect her wishes.”

“It's okay. I'll call her.” He dialed Meghan's number, but the call went to voicemail. “It's AJ. I'm here, but they won't let me past the nurses' station. Call me.” Hanging up, he faced the nurse. “I don't understand. When did Meghan decide this?”

Another nurse spoke up. “It was late last night. After that other man left. She was very upset.”

“What man?” Surely her ex-husband wasn't bailed out of jail.

“I don't know his name.”

“What did he look like?”

“Blond hair. Incredibly blue eyes.” She practically swooned, and AJ clenched his jaw. “Very good looking.”

“Brett.”

The first nurse picked up a clipboard. “Here it is. Brett Somers. Ms. Jensen specifically stated that you and Mr. Somers were no longer allowed to visit.”

“Do you know him?” the second nurse asked.

“Yeah. I know him.” He strode to the elevator and punched the down button.

Shelby walked with Jillian and the girls to the library door. “While you're in there, I'm going to walk over to the bank and invite Uncle Richard to our cookout. Mind Jillian, okay?”

“We will,” Elizabeth said.

“We will,” Tabby echoed.

“Good. See you soon.”

Inside the bank, she had to wait only a few moments before Chandra Coleman, Richard's assistant, escorted her into his office. He stood as she entered.

“Shelby. It's so good of you to stop by.”

“Hi, Uncle Richard.” She smiled brightly to hide her shock at his frail appearance. His cheeks seemed more deeply wrinkled, his shoulders even more stooped than when she'd seen him the week before. “Thanks for seeing me.”

“I always have time for you.” He gestured at the chair across from his desk.

“How have you been?”

“Fine, fine. And you?”

“I'm good.” She folded her hands in her lap. “I know it's short notice, but we're having a cookout tomorrow afternoon. I'd love for you to come.”

Blinking, he passed his hand across his eyes. “I thought you were angry with me.”

“No.” Her knuckles whitened as she gripped her fingers. “Disappointed, but not angry.”

“I'm sorry about that.”

“Me too.” She smiled again. “But you're family. The only family I have within a few thousand miles. Will you come to the cookout? About four o'clock?”

“I will. Thank you.”

“Great.” She rose, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder.

“Would you like me to bring anything?”

“Just you.”

He stepped from behind the desk and touched her arm. “Did you receive the notice? About the lawsuit?”

“Yes.”

“I talked to Amy. She believes you will give up rather than endure a trial.”

“She may be right.”

“You'd give up the farm?”

“I may not have a choice. But what about you? Brett said you could be in trouble.”

“Don't worry about me.”

“I can't help it.”

His pale eyes searched hers. “You favor your grandmother more every day. I miss her.”

“So do I.” She kissed his soft cheek. “I've got to go. See you tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow.”

AJ yanked the door to Brett's office, but it didn't open. He yanked again, but to no avail. So Brett was playing hooky after his late-night hospital visit. He brought up his cousin's name on his cell, then hesitated.

Confronting Brett over the phone wasn't a good idea. Too easy for him to hang up.

He hurried back to the parking garage and drove to Brett's apartment. Outside the door, he took a deep breath, then firmly knocked.

A few seconds later, Brett opened the door and grimaced. “I've been expecting you.”

“Have you?”

Brett turned back into the apartment and AJ followed. “Coffee?” Brett asked over his shoulder.

“This isn't exactly a social call.”

“Oh, I know that.” Brett retrieved a mug from a side table and
carried it to the kitchen sink. “You made your daily trek to the hospital this morning, talked to the lovely Meghan, who finally told you the truth about her son, and now you're here to break my jaw.”

AJ took off his ball cap and laid it on the counter that separated them.

“The truth about her son?”

“So she didn't tell you.” He set a carousel of assorted coffees in front of AJ. “Choose one.”

“She banned me from visiting.” He carelessly spun the carousel. “Banned you too.”

Brett grunted.

“Why did you go see her?”

Leaning against the stove, Brett folded his arms and scowled. “You can't have them both, you know.”

“Have both what?”

“Not what. Who.” He held AJ's gaze. “Meghan
and
Shelby.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This is the moment of truth for you, cuz. Who do you want most?”

AJ chewed the inside of his mouth. His heart trumpeted the answer, but he couldn't trust Brett with it.

“You may not believe this,” Brett said, “but I'm doing you a favor.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “How's that?
Cuz
.”

Brett placed his palms on the counter and leaned forward. “Do you know Meghan's blood type?”

AJ furrowed his brows. “No.”

“She's a B. Her son, on the other hand, is an A.”

A knot strangled AJ's gut as he braced for the rest.

“From what I understand, Jonah's dad can only be Type A or AB.”

AJ swallowed the lump choking his throat. They'd been typed, he and Brett, when Gran got ill that time. Given blood and plasma
regularly for a while. Joked about how they were nothing alike, not even their blood.

“I'm not Jonah's dad.”

“No. You're not.”

Disbelief fought with accusation in AJ's voice. “You didn't.”

Brett's lips tightened, then he exhaled. “I'm not proud of it, okay?”

AJ clenched his fist, then turned away and massaged his neck. The infatuation with Brett hadn't lasted long. Then Meghan had shown up at AJ's apartment, begging him to give their relationship another chance.