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“I was hoping you’d come out,” Val said. “Sit down. We need to have a sisterly talk.”
Lexie sank into a chair. “I hope it isn’t about Shane.”
“It isn’t. Whatever’s going on between you two is your business, not mine. But he doesn’t want you to leave. He told me that much on the way back to the house.”
“Well, he didn’t say that to me.”
“He wouldn’t, you know. He’s a proud man.” Val popped open her soda, took a swallow, and grimaced. “When were you going to tell the rest of us that you’re going back to school? Tess isn’t going to like it, and I’m not so crazy about the idea myself.”
“Tess doesn’t run my life. Neither does Shane. I thought he was going to need me. But he doesn’t want to need anybody, and I’m tired of trying to figure him out. That’s why I have to leave.”
“Do you love him, Lexie?”
“Does it matter? Is it worth loving someone who doesn’t want to be loved?” Lexie brushed back a lock of her hair. “Never mind. You said you had something else to talk about.”
“That’s right. And I have a feeling you’re not going to like it.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” Lexie shrugged. “Shoot.”
Val poured the rest of her soda between the floorboards of the porch and crushed the can in her hand. “Last night at dinner, when Aaron mentioned that he’d be going to Tucson on Friday, you lit up like a Christmas tree. I could read your mind—you’re planning to let yourself into his house and look for evidence.”
“Of course, I am. Isn’t that what we talked about?”
“It is. But I was thinking in terms of our doing it together. I won’t be there to help you tomorrow. By the time I get home, Aaron could be on his way back.”
“That’s why I’m planning to go in early. Sure, I’d rather have you with me—especially as a backup witness in case I find anything.
But I can do it on my own.”
Reaching out, Val caught Lexie’s hand and gripped it hard. “Here’s the thing. I don’t have a good feeling about this. I’m begging you, don’t go into that house alone.”
Bewildered, Lexie stared at her sister. “But we need to do this. With Aaron moving away, it could be our only chance.”
“Then let him go,” Val said. “He’ll be out of our lives. Maybe we’ll never know if anything happened between him and Callie. But she’s dead, Lexie. She won’t care. Sometimes you need to put bad things behind you and move on—nobody knows that better than I do.”
“Well, you’re wrong!” Lexie pulled her hand away and stood. “Callie deserves justice. What if she was innocent of those awful things? What if she was murdered? If I don’t try to find out what happened, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Listen to me, girl,” Val said. “What if Aaron did kill her? If he were to find out you’d been in his house—and he could easily rig something that would let him know—he could come after you. Callie loved you. She wouldn’t want that to happen.” She paused. “Does Shane know what you’re thinking?”
“No. And if you tell him, I’ll never forgive you. But even if he knew, I wouldn’t let him stop me.”
Lexie turned toward the door. Val caught her wrist to stop her from leaving. “Please, Lexie,” she said. “Think about what I’ve said. Justice isn’t worth your life.”
“I’ll think about it—but no promises.” Lexie crossed the porch and went back inside, closing the door behind her.
Val was right—if Aaron had committed crimes, especially if he’d killed Callie, sneaking into his house would be dangerous. But she couldn’t let that stop her. She owed it to her beloved stepmother, and to her own peace of mind, to learn the truth.
* * *
By the time the sun came up on Friday, Tess and Ruben had loaded their bulls and left for the bucking venues. By eight-thirty, Val had made a quick breakfast for the boys and stashed their gear in the back of Shane’s pickup, which she’d borrowed for the day. The two teens had hoped to ride in Val’s red Cadillac convertible, with the top down. But since she needed to pick up supplies in Ajo, they would have to forgo that treat.
From the upper pasture, where she’d taken the ATV on the pretext of fixing the fence, Lexie watched the truck drive away, with Val and the boys in the cab. She’d avoided any encounter with her sister that morning. The last thing she needed was another lecture, or to find out that plans had been changed to keep her from checking Aaron’s house.
From where she sat in the ATV, she could see all the way to Aaron’s property. The battered red pickup he drove on his rare trips to town still sat in front of the house. He’d have to be leaving soon for his appointment in Tucson. Property closings could take time. Surely this one would not be scheduled late in the day.
Looking toward the ranch house now, she could see Shane, coming down the ramp in his chair. He’d be headed for the stable, along the path that had been swept smooth to ease the passage of his wheels. For him, cleaning the stalls and getting food and water for the horses would be slow work. But Lexie knew that he liked being able to do it. He was also getting to know the horses, in the hope that one could be trained to carry him with a custom saddle.
Touched by his strength, courage, and pride, she watched him labor toward the open stable door. He had insisted that he couldn’t be a whole man for her. But he was more man than any she had ever known. She loved him so much—and even if she lost him, she would never stop.
