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He scooped ice cream into both bowls before returning the carton to the freezer. “It’s probably a mistake to lead you back to this subject, but I can’t quit thinking about it myself. What do you think the DNA results will reveal?”
Ellen carried her bowl to the table and sat down. “I keep asking myself the same thing. Every time I pass a mirror, I stop and look to see if I resemble Stuart in any way—or if I look more like what I remember of John Williams.”
He took a bite of his ice cream as he sat across from her. “And? What do you think?”
“I can’t see that I look like either one of them,” she said.
Thirty-One
The next week, Ellen took down her job-opening flyers and posts, told Ross not to bother trying to get her a driller and worked with Hendrix on two out-of-water calls and a new well for a wealthy conservationist who was building a mansion in the mountains overlooking Coyote Canyon. She couldn’t believe how much more fun it was to be with him than anyone else, and he seemed to enjoy it, too. They were together almost all the time and typically stayed at her place—even though he did most of the cooking.
She checked the lab website every day but nothing had been posted. The DNA results and what they might signify continued to linger in the back of her mind no matter what she was doing. It didn’t help that her mother kept trying to call. It was hard not to answer—she’d always been there for Jan—but she’d decided she wouldn’t talk to her until she was ready. She had enough going on, shouldn’t have to deal with that relationship in the midst of everything else. As far as she was concerned, her mother needed to handle her own life for a while.
At least the well issue had been resolved. Probably to avoid having to actually speak to her, Averil had mailed her a $1499 check along with a written apology and painted over the chicken coop so it no longer read “Ellen’s a bitch.” But because her father golfed with the chief of police, who knew their whole family, she wasn’t charged.
That wasn’t the official explanation, of course. Sherman Wilkes told Ellen that Averil had “learned her lesson,” and her actions hadn’t resulted in damage beyond the reparations she’d made. But Ellen knew how things worked in such a small town. Had she been willing to make a big stink, she could probably have forced the issue, but she didn’t believe there was anything to be gained by doing that, and Hendrix agreed. Why rile up the whole Gerhart family and all of their friends and relatives—make so many enemies—when the problem had been solved? It wasn’t as if Averil had a criminal history. According to what Ellen had heard from Sherman Wilkes and others who were talking about the incident, Averil had been angry over their encounter at the grocery store, which had embarrassed her in public. That, taken with the opportunity presented to her when her mother had Mitch and she had Jane’s Mustang, she just...went too far. What Jordan had to say about her must’ve also contributed, since he made it look as though Ellen had wronged him in some way, too.
But she’d been compensated for her time. That was good enough. She also didn’t want Talulah and Jane to have to see their friend charged with a crime. They were the ones who’d solved the mystery and been honest enough to let her know who’d done it; they’d feel responsible.
“Earth to Ellen,” Talulah said.
Ellen blinked and focused on her best friend, who was sitting across from her at one of the small tables outside the diner on Saturday afternoon. “I’m sorry. What’d you say?”
“I said I also got a letter from Averil, apologizing to me for her behavior in saying what she did at the grocery store.”
Ellen grimaced. “Do you think she meant it? Her apology, I mean.”
“No. I’m guessing she doesn’t want more trouble, so she’s playing nice, hoping I’ll convince you to be satisfied with what’s happened so far.”
The wind was beginning to pick up, ruffling Ellen’s hair, but spring was in the air. It was the warmest day they’d had so far this year. “You don’t have to advocate for her,” Ellen said. “I’m satisfied. To be honest, I just want her to go her way and let me go mine.”
“That’s generous of you.” Talulah told someone who approached her that she was out of breakfast buns before continuing. “If your roles were reversed, I doubt she’d be as kind.”
“Who knows what she would’ve done.” Ellen twisted around to look down the sidewalk toward the vintage furniture and gift shop. “Where’s Jane?”
“She must be dealing with a customer. She’ll be here when she can get away.” Talulah took a sip of her latte. “How are things with Hendrix?”
“Good,” she replied. “We’re really happy, despite what’s going on with Lynn and Stuart.”
“I’m surprised they’ve held out this long.”
“I’m sure they’re struggling to keep up with the business. Hendrix did a lot for them. But they haven’t admitted that they made a mistake firing him. They did text him to say that Leo was begging to see him, though, so we let Leo stay with us last night.”
“I bet he was excited about that.”
“He was. It was good for Hendrix to spend some time with him. But you know they allowed that for Leo’s sake, not Hendrix’s.”
“Lynn would do anything for her son. I bet Leo will bring her around eventually.”
“Maybe.” In Ellen’s mind, a lot depended on the DNA results. Would Lynn treat her differently if she wasn’t Stuart’s daughter? Why wouldn’t she? What threat would she be then?
Although... Lynn would probably still blame Ellen for taking Hendrix away from her.
Crossing her legs, Talulah sat back in her chair. “Where’s Hendrix right now? I sort of thought you might bring him along.”
“No. He’s taking Leo home. Then he has some stuff he’d like to get done at his place. I’ll just meet him there.”
“Are you hoping he’ll be able to make up with his aunt and uncle while he’s at their place?”
