Where She Belongs (32 page)

“Because it wasn't his fault.”

“What wasn't?”

“I don't know.” The intermittent sobbing was replaced by a tearful sniff. “He called her Aubrey, and he said she could love silly again.”

“Love silly?”

“That's what he said.”

No, not silly.
Sully
. Richard wanted Aubrey to love Sully. But why?

“Where are you and Tabby?”

“In the kitchen.”

“Stay there, okay? I'm almost at your house.”

“Is Lila coming too?”

Despite the grim circumstances, AJ grinned. “Yes, Bitsy. Lila's coming too.”

“Thank you, Mr. AJ.”

Before he could reply, the line went dead.

Decelerating as he approached the stop sign, he prayed the poor visibility wasn't hiding any traffic. He braked only enough to make the left turn and sped toward Misty Willow.

As he passed a rambling farmhouse, he punched a button on his smartphone. “Call Jason Owens.”

D
espite her revulsion, Shelby was forced to rely on Richard's support as they trudged through the heavy downpour. Why hadn't she changed her high heels into something more practical before leaving the house? Or put a jacket on over her dress?

One simple reason. To get Richard away from her girls as quickly as possible.

Head bent to protect her face from the pelting drops, she allowed him to lead her on the slow trek. As they neared the barn, her stomach roiled. Cold beads of sweat mingled with the rain on her bare arms and legs. Her aversion to entering the vile place where Grandpa had died devoured her desire to hear Richard's explanation.

The weathered structure loomed before them, and she dug into Richard's arm. “I can't,” she said, swallowing the acrid bile that rose to her throat. “I can't go in there.”

“But you must.” Determination seemed to give him strength as he pulled her forward toward the narrow gap created by the slightly opened sliding door. She retched, emptying the contents of her stomach into a standing puddle as the relentless rain beat her back and shoulders.

As she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, tires spun
on gravel, and AJ's Jeep broke through the downpour's veil. Tears of relief eased her anguish. She started toward the vehicle, but Richard pushed her into the gap. Stumbling as the heel came off one of her shoes, she smacked the concrete floor with her knees and hands. The sour smell of old straw and blighted feed pressed into her nostrils.

“Stand up, Aubrey.” Richard clasped her elbow. “I have to show you.”

The sliding door groaned as it opened wider, and AJ stepped inside. “Leave her alone, Richard.”

Shelby scrambled to her feet and staggered into his arms. He held her close, protectively shifting his body to shelter her from Richard's demented gaze.

“Sully, you're here.”

“I'm not Sully.”

“Aubrey loves you again. I knew she would if Thad went away.”

Shelby raised her head from AJ's chest and forced herself to look into Richard's clouded eyes. “You killed him, didn't you?”

“No.” He shook his head, then nodded. “Yes.” He took a step toward them, and she shrank against AJ. “I didn't mean to, Aubrey. But he wouldn't listen. He was going to tell everyone I cheated him out of the farm. I pushed him, and he fell.”

His eyes looked wildly around the barn. “I moved the pig trough. Moved it here.” He pointed at the floor. “It was an accident, Aubrey. A tragic accident. I'd have been ruined.” Tears filled his eyes, and his voice shook. “You're my sister. You have to protect me.”

Shelby gasped and clutched at the sob caught in her throat.

“Did you cheat him?” AJ asked, his voice hard and cold.

“Sully, you know I did.” Richard's tone was placating, subservient.

“Why? After so many years had passed, why?”

Richard bristled. “You dare ask me why? Haven't I always done what you told me to do? Cleaned up your messes? Covered up
your tracks? And how do you repay me? You marry Joyanna.” Tears coursed across his wrinkled cheeks. “It should have been you instead of Thad. You!”

His eyes darted around the barn's dim interior, then he picked up an abandoned beer bottle and flung it at them.

AJ turned and raised his arm. The bottle barely scraped his shoulder and crashed to the floor. He gently pushed Shelby away, then faced Richard.

“There's no need for this, Richard. Let me take you home.”

Outraged, Richard emitted a loud bellow and bent his body forward as if to rush AJ. But he lost his balance and staggered, clutching his left arm as he fell.

AJ patted his pockets, then spoke over his shoulder to Shelby as he knelt by Richard and felt for a pulse. “My phone's in the Jeep. Call 911.”

Shelby hurried to the door as Jason entered. He gave her a quick hug, then tugged AJ from Richard.

“I'll make the call,” he said. “Cassie's with the girls. You take care of Shelby.”

AJ enclosed her in a warm embrace. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, gripping her aching stomach as the dam of tears broke loose.

“It's over,” he whispered. “It's all over.”

“He's . . . dead?”

“Yeah.”

“He killed Grandpa.”

“I'm sorry, sweetheart. So very sorry.”

“I'll never forgive him.”

AJ pressed his chin against her temple. “I think Sully's the real villain here.”

Despite her horror, she glanced at the still body sprawled on the concrete floor. If she hadn't returned, hadn't reopened old wounds, he'd still be alive with his secrets and his regrets. A pathetic old man haunted by the past.

Tilting her head, she gazed into AJ's soft brown eyes. “He did one good thing.”

“Richard?”

She nodded.

“What did he do?”

“He brought us together.” She swiped away a fresh onslaught of tears, then lightly kissed his upper jaw. “At least I can be thankful to him for that.”

“The sheriff and an ambulance are on their way,” Jason said. “Go back to the house. I'll stay here.”

Shelby glanced at the lifeless body, then closed her eyes.
Help me to forgive him, Father. Someday, help
me to forgive him
.

Wrapping her arm around AJ's waist, she hobbled in her broken shoe to the door. The rain had decreased to a light drizzle, and a shaft of sunshine pierced a cloud. Perhaps it was only a coincidence. Or perhaps it was a heavenly sign that her prayers for peace had been answered.

AJ pushed shut the barn's sliding door. Richard's body had finally been removed, and the deputies had taken statements from AJ, Shelby, and Jason. Rain no longer fell from the sky, but thick clouds darkened the horizon. Another storm was headed their way as AJ and Jason sauntered from the barn to the house.

“Thanks again for coming over.”

“That's what neighbors are for,” Jason said. “If Shelby wants the barn removed, you should have her call Nate Jeffers, the contractor. He's involved with a nonprofit architectural salvage group that might be interested in the boards.”

“I'll talk to her about it.”

“She's not really planning to move overseas, is she?”

“I don't think she's made a decision yet.”

“Think you can convince her to stay?”

“I hope so.”

“I hope so too. Though you know, I'm the nearest thing she has to a brother,” Jason said dryly. “So if you do anything to hurt her, you'll answer to me.”

“Guess I better be real careful then.” They reached the patio, and AJ opened the screen door.

Inside the kitchen, Shelby sat at the table, nursing a cup of cocoa. She'd changed into jeans and a dark green V-neck sweater that enhanced her lovely green eyes. Her chestnut hair, still damp from her shower, hung straight down her back. At the stove, Cassie stirred the homemade cocoa.

“Want a cup?” she asked as they entered.

“Love one.” Jason stood behind his wife and kissed her neck.

“Me too, please,” AJ said as he pulled a chair close to Shelby and curled a damp strand of hair around his finger. “How're you doing?”

“Fine,” she said with a weary smile. “Thanks for being here. All of you. I've never had such good friends before.” Her smile brightened. “Except for Jason, of course, when we were kids.”

Jason wagged his thumbs at his chest. “Like her brother,” he bragged in a singsong voice.

“So you say,” AJ retorted.

“Did I miss something?” Shelby asked.

Before anyone could respond, Tabby rushed in from the hall, hands behind her back, and ran to AJ's side. “Ta-da,” she said, holding out a
Tangled
DVD. “You promised.”

“So I did.” He set her on his knee and grinned at Shelby.

“You did promise,” she said.

“Tell you what, Tabby. How about if I run home and change into dry clothes. I'll be back in less than an hour, and we can watch your movie.”

“That's a good plan,” she said, then pointed her finger at him. “But don't dawdle.”

“I won't.” He matched her tone and gave her a tickle. She giggled, then ran out of the kitchen.

“Cassie, you'll all stay, won't you?” Shelby asked. “I'd really like you to.”

Cassie and Jason exchanged looks and agreed. “I could go pick up a couple of King Karl pizzas,” Jason volunteered as he pulled out his phone. “Figure out toppings.”

“I'll let you figure it out.” AJ dug keys from his pocket as he rose. “I guess it's okay to leave my dog here.”

“She's in the other room with Elizabeth,” Shelby said.

“Where else would she be? See you soon.”

“Wait a sec.” Shelby spontaneously clasped his hand. “Would you, um, come out to the front porch with me? Just for a minute.”

“Sure.” He shot Jason a puzzled look. Jason shrugged and looked at Cassie, who also shrugged.

Shelby took a deep breath. “Come on.”

He followed her to the front porch. “What's this all about?”

“This is where we first met. Remember?”

“How could I forget?”

“I was so angry with you. For no good reason.”

“After what we heard from Richard, I think you had a very good reason.”

“To be angry with Sully. Not you.”

“Shelby—”

She placed her fingers on his lips. “Please. Just let me do this.”

“Do what?”

“Meet you again. Like that first time.”

“You want to reenact when we met?”

She nodded enthusiastically and scurried down the steps. “I was standing about here when you came out the door. You walked toward me. I held out my hand. And you said . . .”

AJ approached her and took her hand. “I'm—”

“My hero.” She beamed, waiting expectantly.

“Is this where I'm supposed to tell you I'm not your contractor?”

She stepped closer and held his gaze. “
You
are my hero. And my knight in shining armor and the man of my dreams.” Her eyes
filled with tears, and AJ's heart ignited a fire in his chest. “I don't want to go anywhere without you beside me.”

He cradled her face in his palm, his pulse racing as he inhaled the floral fragrance of her shampoo, the delicate notes of her perfume.

“You mean it?” He blinked, annoyed he couldn't think of something more profound to say in this memorable moment. His eyes flickered to her alluring lips. Maybe words weren't necessary.

He wrapped his arm around her slim waist, drawing her close as his mouth hovered over hers. Her eyes closed as their lips touched, the pressure increasing as passion enveloped them. His hand moved down the silky dampness of her hair as she slipped her arms around his neck, her fingers burning his nape. The intensity of the kiss lingered as their mouths barely separated.

“I love you, Shelby. Since that first day, I've loved you.”

“I love you too. With all my heart, I love you.”

He kissed her again, enchanted by the sweet taste of her lips against his.

Pulling away, she smiled impishly and stuck her finger in his cleft. “How do you shave in there?”

After the Owens family left and the girls were tucked in bed, Shelby wandered into the kitchen with her hands behind her back. AJ turned from loading the dishwasher to greet her.

“Ta-da,” she said, holding out a handful of Cary Grant DVDs. “Unless you need to get home.”

“I don't have a curfew.”

“Choose one.”

He tilted his head as if in deep thought. “After everything that's happened today, definitely a comedy.”

“Agreed. We've got
Bringing Up Baby
,
I Was
a Male War Bride
, and
His Girl Friday
.” She shuffled through the DVD cases. “Also
My Favorite Wife
and
That
Touch of Mink
.”