Chapter 15 #2
“I will. Ava and Gracie are going to stay with me for a few days until she gets a security system installed in her house. Do you still think the break-in is related to Annie?” Chay asked.
“Seems logical. I’m checking on the guy who stalked her in college just to rule that out, but honestly, he’s in jail, so that doesn’t seem to be connected,” Jacob said.
“Well, if anyone comes for either of them, they’ll have to go through me,” Chay said, shaking the other man’s hand as he got up to leave.
Jacob gave him a brief smile. Chay enjoyed working with the National Parks ISB, even though this was his first time working with the agency. Jacob ran a tight ship and had a good team around him.
Chay was confident that together they’d sort out what was going on and why Fern had been kidnapped. Something that he suspected would help Fern’s recovery. She had to feel scared and vulnerable.
And Chay was determined that Ava and Gracie wouldn’t experience that. He’d keep them up at his place for as long as he had to.
“Aponi Benally is here to see you,” Darla said.
“Oh, send her back.”
Ava made sure her desk was clear of all files and her computer screen saver was on. Aponi walked into her office a few minutes later.
“Hope you don’t mind the drop-in. I was in town talking to Sassy about an exhibit she wants me to do.”
“It’s always lovely to see you. Want some coffee or tea?”
“I’m good for now.” Aponi took a seat across from Ava. “I wanted to talk to you about Gracie. I know that you got visitation for Chay and me…will that continue once she is adopted?”
“I’m not sure. That is something that would have to be worked out through the courts with the family who adopt her. Right now there’s no movement on that front until they figure out what happened with Annie Ross.”
“That poor woman. I’ve reached out to friends in other parts of Utah to see if they know anything about Annie or the baby’s father. I wish we had a name or something to go on.”
Ava did as well. She knew it would bring peace of mind to Aponi and Chay. “Did Chay’s mom leave any type of correspondence behind?”
“Nothing. When we went to bury her, I was listed as next of kin,” Aponi said, a glimpse of sadness crossing her face. “She was a troubled woman.”
“What happen to your son…Chay’s father?”
“Car accident. Chay was only six months old. Lucy came back here for the funeral with Chay. But they didn’t stay. They had agreed that Chay would be raised away from the Navajo Nation. Both of them thought he’d have a better future,” Aponi said.
Ironic that he’d ended up back there. Ava noticed that Aponi looked sad and maybe a little angry. “So Sassy wants you to have a show?”
“Yes. But my rugs aren’t meant to be hung on walls. They are meant to be used and enjoyed. Like Gracie’s blanket.”
“Maybe. But the kind of weaving you do is highly prized. So many rugs sell online for a ridiculous amount of money, and they aren’t authentic,” Ava pointed out.
“Suckers should know better than to buy them online. You have to come to the source,” Aponi said. “Festivals and exhibits.”
“And silent auctions? My mom mentioned there were some Navajo rugs donated for the Colton Foundation fundraiser coming up.”
“That part I don’t mind. The weaves I put in the rug are to make the community stronger. Peace, acceptance…those are things the world needs right now.”
“They do,” Ava agreed. Her phone pinged.
“Go ahead and check it. I know you’re a working woman.”
“Thanks,” she said. She hadn’t wanted to seem rude. “That was Chay. He’s on his way back. I’m going to be staying with him for a few days.”
“Good—I’ll get to see more of you and Gracie.”
She was surprised that Aponi didn’t ask any questions about her staying at Chay’s. Like, did she think they were a couple now? Ava had no clue and no way to broach the subject without coming across as awkward.
The silence was a bit uncomfortable. More than likely just on her side. “Someone broke into my house. So Chay offered for me to stay with him until I can get a security system put in place.”
“I’m glad you are staying with him,” Aponi said. “I like you for him. But make sure it’s good for you, too.”
That was a bit too real for the moment. “I think he is. Do you see something I don’t?”
Aponi didn’t shrug or look away from Ava, keeping her gaze squarely on her face. “We all define ourselves in a certain way. You are someone who cares a great deal and wants to fix those around her. Chay doesn’t need fixing—he’s whole and complete. Make sure you remember that.”
Ava’s impulse was to defend herself, but Aponi hadn’t meant any malice. Giving Ava a hug, she left her office. Ava sat on the edge of her desk, Aponi’s words going through her head.
She was a fixer. As much as Ryan was a savior. They both had grown up children of wealth and privilege, aware that others didn’t have the same leg up. For herself, Ava knew she looked out for others because she could.
Had she done that with Chay?
He texted that they were back at the hospital and waiting in the cafeteria for her again.
A little thrill went through her at the thought of seeing them both.
Her day felt long, probably because she’d had very little sleep in the last few days.
But she couldn’t make Chay into her oasis.
She needed to find that peace for herself.
No one wanted to be someone else’s lighthouse all the time.
Right now she felt more vulnerable and unsure than she had in the last five years. That break-in, the feeling of being watched. This had to stop. But there were few clues as to who was taking women around the state of Utah. Even fewer clues as to what had happened to Annie Ross.
Keeping Gracie safe was Ava’s number-one priority. But she also had to keep Chay safe. So not relying too much on him until he was ready for that. It was just a day ago when he’d canceled dinner.
The break-in had him feeling guilty. The last thing she wanted was a man who was with her because of something like that.
Closing down her computer, she grabbed her work bag and let the secretary know she was going to work from home for the next few days. She had some clients who preferred to do video calls than face-to-face meetings.
When she walked into the cafeteria and saw Gracie in Chay’s arms, her heart felt too full. She got it. This was what she wanted. A family with him, the three of them. Gracie as their daughter, not a foster child. Chay as her partner. Not her reluctant boyfriend.