“I’m in town.”
“Is Ellie with you?”
“No, she’s at Tyler’s for the night. Why?”
“Because I’m at your house.”
Ava’s pulse thumped in her ears. “You’re at myhouse?”
“Yeah. I was going to head home but I want to stick around to talk to the men we arrested for rustling your father’s cattle.”
Her stomach clenched. “You found them?”
“Yes, but I still need to interrogate them.”
“Does my dad know?” Her throat went dry.
“Of course. I called him a little before I called you.”
“Then why didn’t he tell me?” Disbelief wove into her voice.
“I can’t answer that,” Deacon said. “If you’re going to be out late, I can go back to the hotel.”
“Uh… let me call you back.” She ended the call and turned to Joella. “I have to go home. Now.”
Joella’s eyes narrowed. “Seriously?”
Ava exhaled, shoulders slumping. “I’m sorry. Deacon’s at my house. He’s… he’s Ellie’s father.”
“Wait—” Joella’s hands clenched the steering wheel. “You said he didn’t want anything to do with Ellie.”
“I know.” Ava’s voice was small. “It seemed easier at the time.”
Joella’s exhale was sharp with anger. “Easier for whom? You? Ava, why wouldn’t you tell me?”
“I’ll explain everything, I promise.” Ava bit her lip. “Right now, I just need you to take me home. Please.”
“We have never kept anything from each other. Never, and now I find out you lied to me. Lying by omission is still lying.” Ava could hear the pain in her voice.
“I’m sorry. I’ll explain later.”
Joella didn’t answer. She put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot. The engine growledas she accelerated, leaving town behind them. Ava stared out at the passing storefronts, stomach wrenching with guilt and fear. She tapped Deacon’s number again, whispered she was on her way, and then the rest of the ride was swallowed by silence.
When Joella brought the car to a stop beneath the porch light of Ava’s house, the air was thick with tension. Neither spoke. Ava unlatched her door and stepped onto the gravel, turning to close the door. Joella drove off without a word, a plume of dust rising in her wake.
Ava inhaled the night air and looked to see Deacon climbing out of his truck.
“Hey,” he called softly.
“Come inside.”
He approached the front steps, entered the house behind her, and removed his hat, hanging it on the hook by the door.
“Did I interrupt something?” he asked.
“No. I was out with Joella. My best friend.” Ava’s lips quivered. “At least she used to be.”
Deacon’s brow furrowed. She slipped the deadbolt and flicked on the lamp, then offered him a seat on the couch.
