Page 132 of Destiny

“Yeah. But there are other people involved,” Mom says. “Other people making a ton of money doing this. So my guess is…” She lets out a sigh.

“I agree with you, sweetie,” Dad says. “The ring will rise again. All we can do is make sure they stay far away from our property and our family.”

“Absolutely,” Mom says.

“I’m willing to give you all of this information,” Doc says. “Do with it what you will. If you want to have me arrested and charged, I will live with that. But I do hope you understand that I did not know about the illegal activities on your property. All I did was follow their instructions.”

“I was only following orders.” Dad shakes his head. “How many times have we heard that?”

“Like I said,” Doc says. “I wish I’d never gotten involved in it. I spent a lot of time blaming your brother for it. I even told him that if he had given me the job, none of this would’ve happened. But I’m beyond that now. I can’t blame anyone for my actions but myself. I can tell you I didn’t know what was going on, that I was only following orders, which is the truth. But you will choose to believe what you choose to believe.”

“Mom, Dad, Doc,” I say. “You’re right. The statute of limitations precludes our family from going after Pat Lamone for what he did to Diana. Rory and Callie also have no recourse for the same reason. I personally believe that our family has a chance here. We’re good people, but not everyone believes that we are. That’s not our fault. My grandmother started this a long time ago, and she’s gone for good now. All those rumors that the Steels own this town were started by her. Her and her Steel Trust. We’re going to take care of that fallout, and we’re going to do it anonymously. I’d like to think this is a chance for all of us.” I turn to look specifically at Doc Sheraton. “Doc, I don’t condone anything you did. But I believe you. I believe you didn’t know. Although Wendy didn’t pull the trigger, we now know she was responsible for the attempt on my uncle’s life. Just like she was responsible for—”

I have to stop. Gulp back some nausea.

Doc may not know what I’m talking about, but Mom and Dad do, and I don’t want to go into any more detail.

“Uncle Talon was always the one she went after to punish my grandfather. Clearly that didn’t change. Uncle Joe thought the attempt was meant for him, but knowing what I know about Wendy, I don’t think that’s true. I think Talon was the intended target, because if he weren’t, why would someone have tried to finish the job in the hospital?”

Mom nods. “That’s my thought as well.”

“Wendy left her legacy to me,” I continue, “and this is what my destiny is. To reverse it all as well as I can. I don’t want to have Doc charged with anything. What I do want is to take down this ring for good. Do what you all thought you had done twenty-five years ago. And I want everyone who’s gotten inadvertently caught in the cross fire to have a chance. Like Doc here. And even Brittany. She needs help, and she’s getting it now. Let’s give her a chance. We all deserve a chance.” I sigh. “Even Pat Lamone. He’s… Well, he’s family now.”

Mom smiles at me. “I always knew you were an amazing woman, Ava. My mother knew. Apparently your father’s mother knew as well. But I don’t think any of us could’ve imagined what a truly good soul you actually are.”

“You and Dad were excellent examples for me,” I say. “Grandma Didi as well. But I’ll give credit where credit is due. Wendy Madigan really helped me see.”

“For God’s sake, Ava.” Dad shakes his head.

“Don’t take that the wrong way, Dad. She wasn’t agoodinfluence. But it was clear what she wanted. She wanted me to be her next incarnation. And for a few perilous moments, I wondered if that was my true destiny. But it’s not. My destiny is to do what I can to reverse the havoc that she caused. There’s so much I can’t do. I can’t give Uncle Talon back that time of his life he lost when he was ten. I can’t change our genetic makeup, Daddy. I can’t change what Pat Lamone did all those years ago, and I can’t bring back his adoptive parents to find out why they changed his name and theirs, but I’d bet anything that Wendy had something to do with all that. Let’s all start again. That’s my purpose. To get the Steel family back its dignity. To forgive. To be grateful for everything we have—and we do have everything, Daddy.”

“We don’t have—”

“Stop. We have everything.”

Dad sighs. “All right. Doc, I have to talk to my brothers. To Bryce and Marjorie. But if they all agree with Ava, we won’t be seeking any charges against you.”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did, Ryan.” Doc closes the folder and slides it across the coffee table to Dad. “But I thank you. And Ava, I thank you too.”

“All I ask in return,” I say, “is that you be a good man, Doc. Take care of animals. Oh…and stop using electric shock collars on your guard dogs.”

“I’ve given up the guard dog business,” Doc says. “My dogs are up for adoption, and most of them have already found good homes.”

“Good,” I say. “But if you’re good at it, guard dogs are necessary. Just stop using electric shock.”

“It’s all right, Ava. I’m no longer training dogs.”

“Then I’d like to adopt one,” I say.

“A Doberman or Rottweiler in your tiny apartment?” Mom says.

“Yeah, why not?”

“All right,” Doc says. “I’ve got some one-year-olds and a litter of pups still.”

“Great. I’ll get Brendan, and we’ll drive to your place in Wyoming to pick one. Sometime in the next three days, before I have to reopen the bakery.”

“All right.” Doc stands. “Ryan, Ruby, I appreciate your candor and your hospitality. And Ava”—he sighs—“I don’t know what else there is to say.”

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