Page 112 of Shadow of Hope
Not like she didn’t know him now. Days of being under extreme stress showed her the kind of man he was.
The forever kind, and one she wasn’t about to let go.
23
Four weeks later
Ava held Micha’s hand and walked by his side along the sidewalk to Reid’s big lodge. He looked handsome in a deep green polo shirt and leather jacket along with crisply pressed khaki cargo pants, the crease he’d said was a holdover from his Marine days. She loved his neat appearance as long as he didn’t expect her to iron her clothes, too. If he wanted to do hers, too, more power to him, but he wouldn’t likely be slaving over an ironing board.
He glanced at her, then away. He’d been acting odd all morning, not telling her why they were coming to see Reid. Ava didn’t know what was causing Micha’s discomfort. Now that the forced intimacy of them being thrown together to keep her alive was over and they were simply dating, maybe he was having second thoughts about a relationship with her.
She didn’t get the sense of that. Especially when they kissed. Maybe he’d learned something about the investigation, and he’d brought her to Reid’s place to discuss it.
Thankfully, in addition to Wiggins’ confession to them, the ME had run Holly’s blood tests and located ricin. The police also found the supplies at Wiggins’ place to make the ricin, along with a box of syringes, and forensics found his DNA in Ava’s music room and on her bocal. All charges had been dropped against her, but authorities hadn’t located Holly’s will and were required to use her original one, where everything went to Layne.
Ava didn’t mind. Holly’s attorney started the process to dispute it as he knew her wishes. As her attorney, he believed it was his duty to enforce them. Ava didn’t care about the outcome, as she didn’t want the money anyway. If she received half, she would give it to charity.
Buck’s AK-47 wasn’t registered properly, and he was behind bars not only for owning an illegal machine gun but for buying the other weapons from Squib without proper applications. Since his disregard of the law was so egregious, the ATF was trying to make an example of him and seek the maximum prison sentence. Layne had been arrested for his part in stalking her and was in jail along with his grandfather, both awaiting trial without bail in the same county facility. A perfect time for them to get to know each other, but not in ideal circumstances.
Maybe this visit was about the DA changing his mind about bringing charges.
Micha rang the doorbell, then turned to kiss her on the wide wraparound porch. “Remember, I only want what’s good for you.”
“Okay, Micha.” She stepped back but held his hands. “What’s going on here?”
The door opened before he could answer. Reid stood there along with his daughter and their cute little dog, Bandit, who was white with a black mask. Ava had already met the team and their families, so she knew Jessie had just turned nine and was a sweet but mischievous little girl. Today, her soft, blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail that bounced as she danced with excitement. She wore a denim skirt and jacket with black leggings and bright pink shoes.
Reid wore khaki tactical pants and a polo shirt like most of the guys on the team seemed to favor, even when not wearing their logo-embroidered company shirts. “Come in.”
Jessie grabbed Ava’s hand and dragged her inside. “I’m so glad you’re finally here.”
This did not seem like a meeting to talk about the investigation. She glanced back at Micha, and he cast her a sheepish look.
Okay, so what or who was awaiting her?
Jessie led Ava into the large family room decorated with balloons and streamers. People popped out from behind the furniture yelling, “Surprise!” and “Happy Birthday!”
“But,” Ava looked at Micha, “I didn’t tell you it was my birthday.”
“I know, but I saw your date of birth on your driver’s license on the police report.”
She didn’t know what to say. No one had ever thrown her a birthday party. Not her mom. Not a foster family. The closest she ever came was when one family made cupcakes for her. She lived with them for three years, and each year she had a single candle on one after dinner. Still, at least they remembered.
The guests came forward, starting with Barbie. Mother to the Maddox brothers, she wore one of her usual long, flowing dresses, and her shoulder-length hair streamed down her back with a braided band around her forehead. She looked as if she’d stepped straight from the sixties, and her personality fit the love era, too. Ava marveled that an easygoing woman like Barbie had raised such strict rule-following sons.
“You and Poppy did all of this, didn’t you?” Ava asked, mentioning Reid’s housekeeper.
“Jessie, too. She said you need to have all your birthdays rolled up into one big party with everyone who cares for you.” Barbie waved a hand over the group that included the entire Shadow Lake Survival team and their significant others. Ryan was holding his adorable baby boy, and Russ’s young and rambunctious son darted through people.
Ava caught sight of Micha’s sister in her wheelchair by the back wall. Her daughter, seven-year-old Charlotte, timidly stood beside her. Micha had told Ava Charlotte had once been outgoing, but since her mom’s accident and her dad walking out on them, she barely talked with anyone but her mom and Micha.
She looked like she was ready for a party, though. She wore a pink dress with a knit top and tutu bottom made of tulle. Her shoes were white, high-top sneakers, and a sparkly barrette held back her shoulder-length hair, dark like her mother’s and Micha’s. Very fashion-forward.
“Well, thank you, Barbie.” Ava hugged the woman who held her tight.
“You are part of my family now, and your birthday will never be forgotten as long as I have a say in the matter.” She squeezed hard and then let Ava go.
Micha joined them, and Barbie smiled at him. “I hope you realize what a gem you found in Ava.”
