29. Delilah
DELILAH
I smiled and nodded, even though my heart wasn’t in it, waving at the small crowd from the steps of the gazebo.
It was hard to believe that this was where it had all started just thirty days ago.
I’d borrowed a spare outfit from Lacey after arriving back at the festival with grass stains all over my dress and rubber boots on my feet.
Looking out over the group, I tried to keep my emotions in check.
My time in Ido had come to an end, and not a moment too soon.
Watching Jasper get arrested had ripped me to pieces.
I thought I’d found a safe place with him, free from the lies and betrayals I’d lived with my whole life at the hands of my mother.
Truth was, I couldn’t count on anyone. It was just too bad that I’d had to learn that lesson the hard way. The one man I thought I could trust, to be there for me through thick and thin, had been leading a whole other life.
Lacey turned off the mic and pulled me into a hug. “Thank you so much for being here. I just wish Jasper was here to say a few words, too.”
Numb, I nodded. Obviously, Lacey hadn’t heard the news yet that the hospitality host had proven to be less than hospitable.
“You want to meet up for breakfast tomorrow? I wasn’t sure what time you’d be leaving.”
“I’ve got so much to do back in Dallas. I figured I’d head out tonight. I’m eager to get home and sleep in my own bed for a change.” I didn’t even bother trying to force another smile. My job was done.
“You sure?” Lacey squeezed my hands. “You don’t want to get a good night’s sleep and leave in the morning?”
“No.” My original plan for the night had been to spend the evening in Jasper’s arms, joined together in every way that mattered. But that had been dashed as I watched him get put into the back of a squad car. “I think it’s best to get on the road tonight.”
“If you’re sure . . .”
“I am.” I let go and turned to scan the departing crowd. I’d been looking for Jasper’s family, but they all seemed to have disappeared. It was best that way. I hadn’t been looking forward to saying good-bye, especially to Abby. This would make it easier.
I caught a ride back to Taylor Grove with one of the volunteers. All the lights in the house were out. The long driveway usually held at least two or three cars, but thankfully, no one had come back yet. I didn’t want to be there when they did.
Jasper had hooked my trailer up for me earlier that day in preparation for my trip home. At the time he’d planned on going with me, saying he wanted to make sure I got back to Dallas safely and that he didn’t want me to have to face Stella alone.
So much for that.
I didn’t even bother to change out of the borrowed clothes. Just got behind the wheel, turned over the ignition, and slowly pulled out of the drive.
Jasper
I glanced around the circle of people surrounding me.
My mom and dad stood to my left. My brothers fanned out on my right.
Even Suzy had come to the station and stood next to Abby, who hadn’t stopped crying since I’d exited the sheriff’s office a full five minutes before.
I’d been doing my best to explain myself to everyone, with mixed results.
“You’re telling me you’ve been lying to us for the past three years?” Dad’s cheeks always got red when he was pissed off, and now they looked like two bright, ripe apples as he whipped his hat off his head and stomped a few feet away.
“Frank, calm down. You’re going to give yourself a heart attack.” Mom went after him while I tried to hold my ground against the withering gazes of my brothers.
“So, you’re not running the dog-fighting ring.” Trent nodded. “That’s good to know. I didn’t want to believe it, but when I saw you standing there . . .”
“I’m sorry. I owe all of you a huge apology and I hope you can forgive me.” I shuffled my feet. “All I ever wanted to do was protect you. I figured if you thought Colin was just mad at me, it would be easier than having to tell you he’d gotten himself mixed up in all of this.”
Mom put a hand on my shoulder. “You should have told us the truth.”
I met her gaze, only able to hold it for a moment before looking away. The disappointment in her eyes mixed with motherly love, and I was afraid to see which one was stronger. “I know that now.”
“What’s going to happen to Colin?” Mitchell asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t know.”
“I’m going to find out.” Dad pulled the door open and disappeared inside the building. Mom gave my hand a squeeze, then followed right behind him.
Davis checked his watch. “Fall Festival just wrapped up. Do we need to clean up now or can we take care of it tomorrow?”
I swallowed, hard. I’d let so many people down tonight, especially Delilah. The horror on her face when she’d realized what she’d walked in on. I’d never forget the look of sheer terror in her eyes. If she never wanted to speak to me again, I deserved it.
“I’m going to head that way now. See if I can catch Delilah and try to explain what happened.”
“Good luck, bro.” Trent clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”
I shook hands with Davis and Mitchell before pulling Abby into a hug. “I’m sorry, Little Bug. I didn’t mean to mess things up so bad.”
“Remember what I said about Heraclitus?”
“Hera who?” Trent asked.
“Abby’s a budding philosopher.” I tucked her head under my arm and rubbed my knuckles over it. “What’s the latest, wise one?”
She pushed against my side. “The road up and down is one and the same. He said that, too.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Trent asked.
“Jasper knows.” Abby stood there, a girlish grin on her face.
“It means I got myself into this mess, so I ought to be able to find my way out.”
“That works.” Abby skipped over to Davis’s truck. “Can we stop at the Dairy Dell on the way home?”
“Here”—I peeled off a twenty from the bills in my wallet—“get her whatever she wants. My treat.”
Trent had already started his truck when I slid into the front seat. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Thanks for not being the asshole I was afraid you might be when I saw you standing in that barn tonight.” Trent shifted into gear and pulled out onto the main road.
“You’re welcome?” I let myself return Trent’s smile. It might be rocky for a bit, but things were going to be okay with my family. They understood why I’d done what I did, and even though none of them seemed to agree with how I’d handled things, at least they’d be willing to forgive me. Eventually.
With any luck, Lacey and Delilah would feel the same way. If not, I may as well ask Bodie to book me.