Page 24 of Destiny

We ended up enjoying it, and we went often after that. It was always something he and I did together while Mom stayed home.

That first time was special. Just Dad, me, and the outdoors. We didn’t bring any food because Dad decided we should live off the land.

Of course he somehow forgot that he didn’t know how to fish or hunt. It was by sheer luck that we found an apple tree growing in the wild, and Dad said it was probably an offshoot from the Steel apple orchards.

“The Steels,” he said. “They own this town. They do what they want.”

I never quite understood what that had to do with a lone apple tree growing seemingly in the wild. Later I realized that it was probably the result of someone else camping and then throwing an apple core and the seeds taking root. Dad and I ate many apples from that tree through our years of camping. Of course we also started to bring food of our own and eventually learned how to fish in the nearby creeks.

But that apple tree was always our spot.

We always ate those apples.

And every time we ate one, Dad made some comment about the Steel family.

“The Steels. They do whatever they want.”

“They’re even taking over the wilderness with their damned apples.”

“They own this damned town.”

I never believed it. Not until I found those timeworn documents under my floorboards. Not until I found out the Steel family had a lien on my property.

And now, looking at Ryan and Ruby Steel—two people I’ve known my whole life—I can’t help but wonder.

Would this town evenbea town without the Steels? Is there a reason they think they can do whatever they want? Why Ryan Steel felt he could take a woman from the hospital, bring her here to his home?

My father has always been convinced that the Steel family had something to do with my great-uncle’s death. He could never say anything negative about any of the Steels we know, but he was always certain their family was behind Uncle Sean’s overdose.The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Dad always said.

I never believed him.

Never… But now? I’m wondering.

I’m in love with Ava. In love with a member of the Steel family. And I think for the most part they’re good people. But the words that just came out of Ryan’s mouth simmer in my brain.

I do what I have to do. I made peace with that a long time ago.

“Ava, let me get you home.”

“No,” Ava says adamantly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“It’s getting late.”

“It’s barely nine thirty,” she says. “I’m used to not getting any sleep anyway. I’m waiting. I’m waiting to find out everything this woman knows.”

“She may never wake up,” I say.

“Oh, she’ll wake up.” This from Ryan. “Shewillwake up, and she will answer to me.”

“Don’t you think you should call her daughter?” I ask.

“I already have. Her daughter doesn’t want anything to do with her.”

I say nothing more on that subject. I believe Ryan. Lauren clearly has no love for Wendy.

“That actually reminds me,” I say. “The reason why Ava and I wanted to stop by tonight. Ruby, what do you know about the Foster Diagnostics Lab in Grand Junction?”

Ruby meets my gaze, her forehead wrinkled. “Why do you ask?”