Page 13 of Destiny

“Not really. The kids take notes.”

“Donny and I would like to see those notes.”

“You don’t have any right to see those notes.”

“Darrell, you, Dale, and I went to school together. I’d like to think we were friends.”

“You and I might’ve been friendly. Dale Steel wasn’t anyone’s friend.”

Donny goes rigid next to me. “You might want to watch how you talk about my brother.”

Darrell nods. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way, Don. Dale didn’t talk to anyone. None of us really knew him.”

“Anyway,” I continue, “I’m asking a favor, Darrell. From an old classmate. Humor me.”

Darrell rolls his eyes. “All right. I’ll talk to the students. Get what I can for you.”

“When?”

“Sometime this week. Or next. We go on break after that.”

“Good.”

Donny stands, pulls out his card, and hands it to Darrell. “You know where I am, but in case you don’t know the number, here it is. Call me when you have something.” He walks out the door without so much as a thank-you.

I stay for a moment. “Listen, Darrell. Donny’s doing his lawyer thing, but this could be very important. So please. We need those notes.”

Darrell rises and gestures to the door. “I said I’d get them to you, Brendan. I’ll be in touch.”

I nod. “Thank you. Thank you very much.”

I leave the office, joining Donny out in the reception area.

“I really think we’re barking up the wrong tree here, Don,” I say. “Just because the name of the club is the same doesn’t mean this club has anything to do with the club fifty years ago at a different school altogether.”

“You know, in a normal world, I’d agree with you, Brendan.” Donny shakes his head. “But I’ve come to find out just recently that the Steels don’t live in a normal world.”

Chapter Four

Ava

I’m getting ready for the lunch rush when Brendan walks through the bakery door.

“Hey,” I say from the counter. “What can I get you?”

He grins. “How about a kiss, for starters?”

My cheeks warm. I wipe my hands on my apron, walk out from behind the counter, and give him a peck on the lips. “What have you been up to today?”

“Donny and I went over to see Darrell at the high school to ask about the future lawmakers club.”

“And?”

“It exists, but he said it doesn’t have anything to do with sticking it to the man, like Callie said. Darrell himself is the advisor, and he’s going to get us some notes. There aren’t any official records from the club, but according to him, it’s a simple club that works with nonprofits to get legislation passed that helps the ranching communities here on the western slope.”

“He sure makes it sound legit.”

“Honestly, Ava, I don’t have any reason to think it’snotlegit at this point. But Donny…”

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