Where She Belongs (13 page)

Brennan Grove showed up as a tiny dot north of Toledo. AJ leaned back in his chair, rapping out a rhythm on his desk. Only a few hours away.

The thought startled him, followed an instant later by an astonishing assurance that he needed to see Meghan.

But first, he had to see Shelby.

After shutting down the computer, he gathered his keys.

And his courage.

A
fter kissing her girls good night, Shelby carried a glass of lemonade to the front porch and gazed out over her front lawn. Tiny pinpoints of light glowed in the shadows of evening. Before going to bed, Elizabeth and Tabby had chased the elusive fireflies, catching a few in their jelly jars.

Shelby freed the blinking insects, wishing she could rid herself of her troubles so easily. Embarrassment and guilt pressed into her heart.
Why, God?
she silently prayed.
Why did I
even think of letting another man into my life?

Hard to believe, but she missed her courtship days with Gary. Fun, laughing days when the future beckoned with promising dreams and happily ever after. Tears burned her eyes, and she swiped them away.

All things work together for good
.

The Scripture came, unbidden, into her mind, and she grimaced. She'd heard Romans 8:28 repeated so often the verse held little meaning.

All things work together for good to those
who are called according to his purpose
.

“It's a promise,” Dad had often said, encouraging his family to trust in God's providence no matter their circumstances. But
it had been a long time since Shelby believed the promise was meant for her.

Certainly no good had come from her grandparents' deaths or from the family losing Misty Willow.

Nothing good?

Her parents would never have gone to the mission field if not for the earlier tragedy.

“The price was too high,” she argued, bowing her head.

All
things
.

Suddenly tired, Shelby settled into the soft cushions of the new porch swing. Up the road, headlights came around the curve. When the vehicle turned into her drive, she recognized AJ's Jeep. Her stomach tightened, and she resisted the impulse to run inside and lock the door.

Better to face him now, when the girls were sleeping, than endure the embarrassment of them climbing all over him if he dropped in tomorrow.

She stayed seated as he parked in front of the porch. As he came toward her, Lila trotted past him and poked Shelby's hand with her nose.

“Hey there, girl.” Avoiding AJ's gaze, Shelby rubbed the lab's silky ears. Lila pressed against her legs, then lay down at her feet.

“Hello from me too.” He stuck one hand in his jeans pocket and leaned against the porch's wooden column.

“Hi.”

“Are the girls asleep?”

“They're supposed to be.”

“I thought you'd prefer it if I stopped by after they went to bed.”

“Stopped by for what?”

“To give you this.”

She took the envelope and examined the bold writing, a legible mix of print and cursive that conveyed confidence.

“What's this?”

“Just read it. After I'm gone.”

“Okay.”

Chirping crickets and musical frogs, the night's rural orchestra, filled the awkward silence. The swing creaked as her foot pushed against the porch, and the gentle motion eased her tension.

“I'm going out of town tomorrow.” He shifted, and the meager light from the house briefly revealed his tired eyes and grim expression. “When I get back, I'll bring over the things from Gran. If that's all right with you.”

“I recognized the items in the photos. They were Nanna's.”

“Gran left a note saying she bought them at the estate sale. For safekeeping, she said.”

“I'm glad of it.” At least one of the Sullivans felt remorse for what they'd done to her family, though spending time with AJ was teaching her that he was more like his gran than his grandfather. She met his gaze and gave him a brief smile. “So where are you going? Another camping trip?”

“There's something I need to take care of.” He shrugged, obviously ill at ease. “Something I should have taken care of a long time ago.”

Dread filled her stomach. “Does this have to do with Misty Willow?”

“My cousins want the farm.”

“Why?”

“So they can sell it to some developer.”

“Brett thought he could persuade me to give up this place?” Her heart lurched, and she closed her eyes as she remembered Brett's insistence she'd be happier in a newer home. She had foolishly allowed herself to wonder if he'd been thinking of their future together. How utterly stupid she had been.

AJ shifted uncomfortably. “Brett doesn't date moms.”

The words hurt, their truth a slender arrow into her heart. “He had to know I wouldn't give up this place.”

“I told him that.” AJ removed his ball cap, wincing as he ran his fingers through his hair.

“What happened to your hand?”

“I hit something,” he said sheepishly.

“Brett?”

“Yeah.”

“Did he hit you back?” The concern in her voice surprised her. AJ too, by his expression.

The door flew open, and Elizabeth scurried outside. Clad in a pink gingham nightgown and barefoot, she knelt beside Lila.

“Young lady, what are you doing out of bed?”

“I heard you talking to Mr. AJ, and I came out to play with Lila.”

“It's time for sleeping, not playing.”

“Can Lila sleep with me?”

“Afraid not, sunshine,” AJ said. “She's got to get up early in the morning.”

“Are you going camping again?”

“No, just taking a little trip.”

“And Lila's going too?”

“Not this time.”

Elizabeth's mouth formed a horrified
O
. “You're going to leave her all alone?”

AJ chuckled. “She won't be alone. I'm taking her to a place that keeps dogs when the owners go away.”

“Can't she stay with me?” Elizabeth turned from AJ to Shelby as tears welled up in her eyes. “Please, Mommy. Don't make Lila go to the keeping place.”

“Honey, I'm sure Mr. AJ knows what's best for Lila.”

“But she wants to stay with me. I know she does.” Elizabeth stood, and Lila scrambled to her feet. Swiping her eyes, Elizabeth laid her hand on the dog's head. “I'll take good care of her, Mr. AJ. I promise I will.”

He looked helplessly at Shelby and she lifted her shoulders in resignation. “I don't mind if you don't.”

“Are you sure?”

“I'm sure.” She'd take care of his dog, get Nanna's furniture
from him, and then that would be it. No more contact between them.

And this time she meant it.

Elizabeth squealed with glee. “Come on, Lila. You can sleep with me.” She hurried back into the house before the grown-ups could change their minds, Lila trotting right beside her.

Another thing to add to the list. Get Elizabeth her own pet.

“Why do I feel like I just lost my dog?”

Shelby stifled a chuckle. “I promise you can have her back.”

“I'll drop off her food and a few toys in the morning. If you're sure this is okay.”

“I don't think I can pry her away from Elizabeth now.” Shelby stood and joined him at the porch rail. “How long will you be gone?”

“Two or three days. Not long.”

“You better give me your phone number.” She opened her phone to add his contact info. “In case we need to reach you.”

“Sure.”

They exchanged numbers, and Shelby walked with him to the Jeep. He started to open the door, then faced her. “Will you pray for me? For this thing I have to do.” His voice trailed off into the darkness.

Pray for AJ? After all he'd done?

Her mind reeled, clicking off the things “he'd done.” Finding a way around Sully's will so she could live in this house. Sheltering her children from a storm. Letting Elizabeth keep Lila.

Always telling her the truth even when it was hard.

“I'll pray for you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Thank you.” He brushed her arm, his touch feather light against her skin. “Good night.”

She watched his taillights, mesmerized and lonely, as he drove away. When the Jeep disappeared around the curve, she went inside and checked on the girls. Elizabeth was already asleep, Lila beside her on the bed.

Curling up in the wing chair by the fireplace, Shelby opened AJ's envelope.

Dear Shelby,

I know my family has hurt you. Right now, I'd give just about anything not to be a Sullivan. Or at least not to have Brett for a cousin. Except he is and so is Amy. And the truth is, despite our differences, they're still my family. The only family I have.

I'm sorry for all the pain the Sullivans have caused the Lassiters. But isn't it time we put an end to our grandparents' feud? Their fight doesn't have to be ours.

Please tell me that we can be friends.

AJ

He wanted her prayers and her forgiveness? He had no idea what he was asking.

All things work together
for good
. The phrase echoed in her thoughts.

Not for her they didn't.

All her heartaches could be traced back to the Sullivans.

It wasn't true, but she had blamed them for so long that it felt true.

But the truth, and she had to admit it, was that AJ Sullivan was a decent guy. Elizabeth and Tabby adored him. And pretty much ignored Brett.

Was it possible her children had more sense than she did?

Before Shelby slipped between her covers, she knelt beside her bed. Struggling to find the right words to express her mixed-up feelings, she finally whispered, “Father, I'm sorry. My heart just hurts so much. Please help me. And be with AJ too, and whatever it is he's doing.”

A
J drove north, following the directions given by his GPS. The memories he'd hidden away for the past several years threatened to boil over and scald his heart. Pushing through the searing pain, he prayed for guidance.

At the next rest area, he parked and wandered to a secluded picnic table. He couldn't put off the memories much longer, not if there was a possibility of seeing Meghan anytime soon.

What would she do when she saw him? The insistent question prickled his skin, and he scratched his arm. Why had he even come?

Because of Shelby.

He sat on the edge of the table, his feet planted on the bench, and rested his head on the heels of his hands. How could asking Meghan's forgiveness change things with Shelby? Especially after Brett's stupid little game.

A calm assurance eased his pain. He didn't have the answers, but he served a God who did. A God who forgave even the worst of sins. AJ grasped that truth, wordlessly praying as the memories gushed over him.

He was in his first year of law school at Ohio State University, swamped with reading assignments. But the Indian summer day, the sun blazing on red and gold leaves, enticed him from the law
library. He took his books to a park not far from his grandparents' home and stretched out on a gently sloping bank leading to a sun-dappled lake. While he napped, Meghan had photographed him as part of her assignment on the urban landscape. She was a junior in a fine arts program at Columbus College of Art and Design.

When he woke, she asked him to sign a release. Naturally, he'd insisted on seeing the photographs. Which led to him renting a paddleboat, then an impromptu supper date at a taco stand. Neither one finished their assignments that day.

Enchanted by Meghan's soft Southern accent, AJ asked her to dinner the following weekend. Juggling their schedules, they spent as much time together as they could that semester.

As Christmas neared, AJ shopped for a special gift, finally deciding on an engraved locket. He planned to give it to her at the annual holiday reception hosted by his grandparents. It was the first time she had met his family.

The first time Meghan met Brett.

I'd have given her back when
I was done with her. I always do
.

Her head pounding after a restless night's sleep, Shelby shooed the girls and Lila outside after breakfast. She downed the rest of her coffee, then carried a canvas tote containing a three-ring binder and laptop to the patio. Photos of garden retreats overwhelmed her Pinterest boards, and articles torn from gardening magazines bulged from her notebook.

Time to make a few landscaping decisions.

Outside the kitchen door, she almost stumbled on a bag of dog food next to a box with dishes, a leash, and a few toys. She found a ball and threw it out to the grassy oval where Lila played with the girls. The retriever raced after the ball, Elizabeth and Tabby chasing after her.

Lila snatched up the ball and proudly delivered it to Shelby. “Such a good girl,” she said, patting the dog's wiggly body. When
Elizabeth reached the patio's bottom step, Shelby tossed her the ball. “Here you go.”

“Thanks, Mommy.” Elizabeth grabbed the ball with both hands and threw it into the yard. “C'mon, Lila. Go get it!” Lila took off, and so did Elizabeth.

“Let Tabby have a turn too.”

“I will,” she called over her shoulder.

Shelby settled in a wicker rocker and sighed with deep contentment as she surveyed this bit of her land. The graveled driveway stretched from the road and past the house till it faded into a hard-packed lane near the pasture. The drive also looped next to the house to enclose a large grassy area long ago dubbed the oval.

Along the fence beyond the drive, Paul Norris's son Seth had prepared a long flower bed. The hydrangeas, daisies, marigolds, and petunias Shelby had planted shortly after the move now thrived. Only one other element was needed to set off the purple, yellow, and white blooms, and she was on the lookout for just the right thing.

In her grandparents' time, a ring of stones had formed a gathering place for campfires on the far side of the grassy oval. Only a few of the rocks remained beneath the shelter of two towering oaks.

Grandpa had transported the rocks from Glade Creek. Surely she could too. Maybe AJ would help.

She frowned.

Forget AJ. She could do this herself.

She opened her binder and sifted through photos of lush flowerbeds, wild roses growing along fencerows, colorful blooms bordered by fragile violets, and an assortment of statuary.

Selecting a few favorites for inspiration, she sketched several layouts for the memorial garden to honor her grandparents. Engrossed in her planning, she barely registered the crunch of tires on gravel and the soft whir of an engine until Lila's sharp bark caught her attention. A silver minivan stopped near the patio, and the side door slid open.

Austin Owens, a miniature Jason with his red hair sticking out
from beneath a ball cap, jumped from the side, waved at Shelby, and sped toward Elizabeth. Cassie emerged from the front with a bulging grocery sack. “Hi, neighbor. I brought you something.”

Shelby set aside her notebook and walked to the edge of the patio. “I thought you were still out of town. How was the wedding?”

“Perfect.” Cassie climbed the steps, straining under the weight of the brown paper bag. Shelby reached to help, but Cassie twisted away. “Just get me to the kitchen. Fast.”

Shelby opened the kitchen door and steered Cassie inside. She dropped the bag on the table and flamboyantly plopped into a chair. “My sister was a lovely bride, and now she and her new hubby are honeymooning in the Caribbean.”

“Lucky them.” Shelby took two glasses from the cupboard. “Iced tea?”

“Sure, thanks. Mom cried forever, but I guess that was to be expected. All her babies grown up. After all the wedding festivities were over, it was nice to spend a couple extra days at the old home place.”

“Do you wish you still lived there? Near family?”

Cassie tilted her head in thought. “I love going back for the big family events and holidays. But my home is here with Jason.”

“‘Whither thou goest' and all that?”

“I suppose.” She gave Shelby a quizzical look. “I just know I love our farm. Speaking of which . . .” Reaching into the sack, she dramatically pulled out a giant zucchini. “Ta-da! Fresh off the vine. I picked them this morning from my garden.”

Shelby hefted the zucchini. “It's huge.”

“You'll take them, won't you?”

“Absolutely, thank you.” She moved the bag to the counter and sat across from Cassie. “Next year I'll have my own garden produce to share.”

“So what's been going on with you while I've been gone? I see you've got a dog.”

“That's Lila. We're dog-sitting.”

“Lila?” Cassie's eyes widened with curiosity, and she scooted her chair closer to the table. “AJ Sullivan's dog?”

“I know what you're thinking, but it's not like that.”

“Not like what?”

“He was over here last night.” Shelby reddened as Cassie's smile brightened. “He said he was going away, and Elizabeth heard, and . . . well, we've got Lila.”

“Where did he go?”

“I don't know. He just said he had something to do.” Shelby absentmindedly twirled the ice in her glass. “He asked me to pray for him.”

Cassie's amused smile faded. “What's wrong, Shelby?”

“He didn't tell me.”

“I mean with you. Something's happened, I can tell.”

Shelby hesitated, unsure whether to trust Cassie. She'd been burnt in the past after confiding in someone who pretended to be her friend. Since then, she'd been leery of entering into a close friendship with anyone. But Cassie wasn't just anyone. She was Jason's wife, and that meant something. He wouldn't have fallen in love with anyone who was unkind or judgmental.

The day Cassie had helped Shelby paint, before the move from Chicago, she brought along a couple of other women from church. Though they'd chatted about mutual friends, the conversation never slipped into idle gossip. Cassie, especially, seemed to think the best of everybody.

“I know we haven't known each other very long,” Cassie said. “But I'd like us to be friends.”

“I'd like that too.” Shelby breathed a prayer for courage and took a deep breath. “I've been not-dating this guy. Brett.”

“Not-dating?”

“It's stupid, I know.”

“No, it's not.” Cassie folded her hands and propped up her chin. Her eyes narrowed with sudden insight. “You're not talking about Brett Somers, are you?”

“You know him?”

“Not really. I mean, I know he's AJ's cousin and too gorgeous for his own good, but that's about it.” Her eyes grew large, and she smacked the table. “You're
dating
AJ's cousin?”

“No, we're not-dating.”

“What does that even mean?”

“We've gone out a couple of times, but not on a real date. That was supposed to be tonight. But yesterday . . . I didn't know he and AJ were cousins until yesterday.”

“And that's a problem why?”

“Because Brett wasn't dating me for me.” Shelby stood and rinsed her glass. Through the window, squirrels chased each other up, down, and around a red maple while a starling scolded them from its perch on a fence post.

Tears welled up in Shelby's eyes. “He wants to take the farm. AJ found out, and he hit him, and now he's gone, and . . .” The rest of her words drowned in the tears spilling down her cheeks. She grabbed a paper towel from the holder and tried to stem the flow. “I'm sorry.”

“There's no need to apologize. You're hurting, and a good cry will ease the pain.”

“I'm not sure about that.” The words came out in a halting stammer.

“Me either.” Cassie tore off another paper towel sheet and handed it to Shelby. “But it's something my grandma used to say, so I figure it must be true whether I believe it or not.”

“Grandmas know best.”

“They often do.” She laid a sympathetic hand on Shelby's arm. “Now tell me again what happened. Start at the beginning. Who hit who?”

Despite the lump clogging her throat, Shelby laughed at Cassie's bossy curiosity. “I'll tell you everything, but I better check on the kids first.”

“I'll do that. You go freshen up.”

Shelby nodded her appreciation and headed for the bathroom. After splashing water on her aching eyes, she joined Cassie outside.

While the children played freeze tag, she told Cassie about Brett's attentive charm, the incident in the café, and AJ's late-night visit. Comforted by Cassie's intuitive understanding, Shelby tried to untangle her knotted emotions.

“From the first time we met, I wondered why Brett would be interested in a stay-at-home mom. But I liked him. And I thought he liked me.”

“How did you meet him?”

“My great-uncle introduced us, so it's hard for me to believe he knew Brett's plan. But when I look back on that evening, I can't help feeling like it was a setup.”

“Have you talked to your uncle about it?”

“I thought about calling him last night after AJ left. But this morning, I didn't want to think about it. So I planned Nanna's memorial garden instead.” Shelby gestured at the notebook lying on the wicker table between their chairs.

Cassie smiled, then focused on the playing children. After a few moments, she faced Shelby. “The girls can come to my house for a while if you want to go into town.”

“To talk to Richard?”

“It might help to know his part in all this.”

Shelby picked at a piece of loose wicker in the chair arm. “You really don't mind watching the girls?”

“I'd love to.”

“Then I'll call Richard and ask him to meet me this afternoon.” Shelby pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. “I need to call Mandy, Paul Norris's daughter too. She was going to babysit tonight.”

“So you're not keeping your date with Brett?”

“Absolutely not.” Shelby hit the send button and made a pouty face. “Though I spent too much money on a new dress.”

“Ooh, I want to see it.”

Shelby held up her index finger. “Hello, Uncle Richard. It's me, Shelby.”