She made a noncommittal sound.The campground was only a quarter of a mile away, with flush toilets and hot showers.If her campaign to wear Paul down didn’t work, she could always stay at a campsite.It would be more comfortable than the back seat of her SUV.“I’ll think about it.”
Jackson sighed and shook his head.“You should just come home with me.”
“No,” she said.“I can’t talk to Dad right now.I can’t forget what he did.”
“That was fifteen years ago.”
“He split up our family.It’s a big deal to me.”
“The rest of us have moved on.Momhas moved on.”
Vanessa wasn’t swayed by this argument.Some offenses were unforgivable.“Maybe you can give him a pass for lying and cheating, but I can’t.”
“I haven’t given him a pass.”
“You live with him.You don’t object to his womanizing.”
“I’m not his keeper,” Jackson said.“It’s none of my business.”
“You probably high-five him after every conquest.”
“No, I don’t,” he said in an annoyed tone.“But I also don’t judge him.”
“Saint Jackson.”
“Believe it or not, he’s changed.I think the hostage standoff really got to him.He’s been coming home alone.”
Vanessa had heard about the hostage situation a few months ago.A gunman had taken over the Crazy Horse Saloon in downtown Lost Lake.Sheriff Nava had shot the perpetrator.“He’s lucky to be alive.”
“Yes, he is.And he wants to repair his relationship with you.”
She frowned at this unexpected news.She hadn’t spoken to their father in years, and he hadn’t reached out to her.Instead of pursuing that subject, she dropped it.“You know about Bennett’s shady business deals.”
“Yes.”
“He wiped us out, financially.The legal fees took the rest.”
Jackson’s jaw hardened.He wasn’t a fan of Bennett’s.“I can loan you money.”
“I appreciate that, but money isn’t the only issue.There are no hotel rooms within fifty miles of here.I’ve checked.”
“You don’t have to stay at the lake.”
Her heart hitched in her chest.“I want to.”
“I know you do,” he said in a softer tone.
She turned away from him, her heart aching.As kids, they’d spent summers at the lake.It had been a family tradition.Now all of the Navas lived separate lives.Her mother was currently on a spiritual retreat in Mexico with her new husband.She wasn’t the most involved grandparent even when she was around.Vanessa had a strained relationship with both of her parents but she was still close with Jackson.She’d wanted to wrap herself in a quilt of comforting memories and share them with her daughter.
Jackson gave her shoulder a sympathetic squeeze.“It was a nice idea.”
“I’m not giving up yet.”
“Of course you’re not.”
She turned to face him.He made her persistence sound like a flaw.“Will you help me?”
“I don’t even understand your strategy,” Jackson said.
