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Right. But that means Octavia is wrong. “So he hasn’t changed at all over the years since we left Destiny?”
“Hard for me to say. He’s drinking more. Seems to be following right in his old man’s footsteps.”
Damn. “I’ll talk to Octavia again, convince her not to go get him tomorrow, to forget about him.”
“However…” John stands up, straightens his tie. He seems to like the word. “What if she’s right?”
“Come again?” I squint up at him. He’s outlined in the light coming through the diner windows, like an apparition, or an angel. “What do you mean?”
“Just this: you never know what’s in someone’s heart,” he says, ruining his wise-man act, and winks at me before walking out.
Is he for real?
Chapter Twelve
Octavia
Our last day in Destiny goes by way too fast. Between getting breakfast into Evan and Melissa, figuring out lunch as Matt drives the girl to some neighbor friends to play and giving Evan his painkillers, the morning flies by.
Matt returns much later with more bags of bird and turtle food and Melissa who’s sad because she’s going back to St. Louis today with Evan’s sister. That makes lunch a somber affair. She’s sad. Evan is quiet and picking at his food. Matt looks thoughtful, brows drawn together, deep lines in his forehead.
“I talked to John today,” Matt says after the silence has stretched thin. “John Elba, the cop who was on Jeff Adams’s case. Remember him?”
How could I ever forget anything about the events of those days? “What about?”
Matt puts his fork down. “Ross.” His dark gaze meets mine, sharp like a blade. “Listen to me, Tay. Ross hasn’t changed. We should forget about tomorrow, leave him—”
“No.” I push away from the table and stand, not sure where to go or what to do. “I’m not giving up before even starting. I have to talk to him.”
He’s on his feet, too, casting a big shadow over the table. “I’m worried. He’s not a good man. He could hurt you.”
“He won’t. And you’ll be there.” My chest feels too tight. “Give him a chance, Matt. Please?”
He shakes his head, but sits back down. “That’s more or less what John said, too.”
“He did?” I sink back down,
my knees weak.
“He said you never know what’s in someone’s heart.”
My turn to shake my head.
“You took a chance on me,” he goes on. “I do trust you, Tay. Look, that’s not what I went to the station for. I wanted to talk to someone about Jasper. I found John, and we got to talking, that’s all. I want to do what’s best for you.”
“You are. Believe me.” Relief is making my hands shake. “I’m not asking you to adopt Ross. Just to see him, see he’s okay, put that nightmare to rest.”
“Then we will,” Matt says, determination hardening his voice. “If that’s what you need.”
It is. I know it in my gut I won’t rest until I’ve seen for myself that Ross is all right.
* * *
Deanna who comes to pick Melissa up has a headful of bouncy curls and wide brown eyes. She looks nothing like Evan, and she doesn’t seem to be able to sit still for more than two seconds. “Meli, you ready? You packed your things? Don’t forget your dolls, we’re not coming back for them. Evan did you take your meds? Have you eaten? Oh God, I have to work late tonight. Meli, are you ready?”
Holy crap. She’s driving me crazy, and she’s only been here ten minutes. Though the way she grabs Melissa in her arms as the girl passes by and hugs her is sweet. It’s clear she loves her.
But Melissa heads straight for Evan.
