Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
That’s her shield. For Ava, symbolism is important. That’s why she loves the tarot.
And that’s what this tattoo is. A symbol of her shield against Wendy Madigan. Against anything that tries to disrupt her balance.
“But sweetheart…” Ruby continues.
“Trust me,” Ava says. “Wendy could have easily slipped a decoy to Didi. Or borrowed the bracelets and given them back with her initials inscribed.”
Ryan shakes his head. “You do get my mother, Ava. I should have given you more credit.”
“That’s my point, I guess,” Ava says. “I believe that if anyone can get through to Wendy, it will be me. I can get the information we need. The information about William Elijah Steel, if he even ever existed. The information about why she kept sperm samples.”
“But the Steel Trust…” I interject.
“We’ll get to the bottom of that too,” Jonah says. “In the meantime, don’t worry about that lien that’s come due.”
I frown. “I can’t help but worry about it. I don’t need a blemish on the title to our property. I’m sure everyone else in town will feel the same.”
“There will be no blemishes,” Joe says, “if I have to pay those damned things myself.”
I draw in a deep breath to keep from reacting. I manage to keep my mouth shut.
“Ava,” Melanie says, “you’ve been through so much in the past couple of weeks. Are you sure you’re up for this?”
“I have to be, Aunt Mel. I’m the only one who can do this.”
“I can do it,” Ryan says.
Ava grabs Ryan’s arm. “Daddy, no. Not as long as you won’t call her Mother. And if you start calling her Mother now, she’ll see right through that. I’ve been calling her Grandmother this whole time, partially because I felt it, but partially also to manipulate her. She has a soft spot for that.”
Ryan nods. “You’re right. All right, Ava. If you think you can do it. But I want to be with you.”
“But Daddy, can’t you see? You can’t be with me. She loves you. You’re her son and she loves you, but she doesn’t trust you the way she trusts me.”
“She’s right, babe.” Ruby pats Ryan’s arm.
“I want to go with you,” I say.
“You can’t, Brendan,” Ava says. “This is all me. It’s what she’s waiting for, and I have to pretend to play along.”
“I suppose you’re right.” I sigh. “When will this end?”
Joe’s phone buzzes, and he pulls it out of his pocket. “It’s Donny.” He puts it to his ear. “Hey, Don.”
Pause.
“Jesus. Seriously?”
Pause.
“I’m on it.” Joe ends the call. “Apparently Donny got some more visitors at the office today. More people in town who got letters from a law firm saying the Steel Trust is closing on their liens. Not just business owners either. Residential property owners.”
“Those people can’t afford that,” Ava says.
“I know that, Ava,” Joe says. “Ryan, we need to get Talon, Bryce, and Marjorie and have a meeting. Tonight if possible.”
Ryan nods. “I’ll text Talon and Bryce.”
“In the meantime,” Ava says. “I’m going to talk to my grandmother.”
“Baby…” I begin.
“I’ll be okay, Brendan. I promise.”
I drive home alone, leaving Ava at her uncle’s without a car to get home. That’s no biggie. The Steels have plenty of cars.
It’s early still, so I stop at my parents’ home. Dad is still awake, watching TV.
“Brendan, what are you doing here?”
“I came by to pick something up.” I walk into the living room. “By the way, I talked to some of the Steels. Evidently others have gotten letters like ours.”
“I know that. I’ve been fielding calls all day about it. We’re going to have a city meeting tomorrow.”
“A city meeting?”
“Yeah, son. The Steels are basically foreclosing on the town.”
“But it’s not the Steels, Dad. You heard Donny. They don’t even know what the Steel Trust is.”
“I don’t see how that matters, Brendan. We’re going to fight it. Tooth and nail.”
I rake my fingers through my hair. “Dad…”
“I expect you to be at that meeting tomorrow, Brendan.”
“Did you forget I—” I shake my head. I was about to say I have to work, except I took the week off. “Fine, I’ll be there.” I stalk out of the family room, walk upstairs, careful not to wake my mother, and sneak into my old room. My grandmother’s engagement ring is in my top dresser drawer in a velvet box. It’s an old-fashioned setting, an emerald cut diamond surrounded by four baguettes. I planned on taking it to a jeweler to have it reset in a more contemporary style, but as I gaze at it, I see that it fits Ava. Eclectic Ava. She’ll love it just as it is.
I slide it onto my pinky and then leave the back way, neglecting to say goodbye to my father.
I understand where he’s coming from. But I don’t believe the Steel family is behind the Steel Trust. At least not the Steel family I know. The trust could be old. These liens could have been put in place before any of the current Steels were born. In fact, they probably were.