As Abigail was taken away, Ella knew she was right. Somewhere down the pike, Abigail would be back—with a vengeance.
“Looks like you’ve made yourself another enemy. She’ll be gunning for you the second she gets a chance,” Blalock said.
“She’ll have to take a number,” Ella said. “By the way, Dwayne, getting Williams to spill his guts was a real gift, and at just the right time. How did you get him to fold like that?”
“Once I showed him the cash withdrawals from Yellowhair’s accounts, copies of her flight itinerary, and told him we had surveillance of his last meeting with the woman, he crumbled like fresh cornbread. With aggravated assault and a murder now connected to his actions, he faces conspiracy charges and serious jail time. We could also nail him for accepting kickbacks, soliciting and accepting bribes, and a host of other civil violations—not to mention informing the IRS about illegal income he had no way of declaring. So I got him, his lawyer, and the DA on the phone together and suggested a deal. I said he could turn back the clock by returning the money and cooperating with us in nailing Mrs. Yellowhair. He accepted the offer before I’d even finished talking.”
“Nice. We don’t really have surveillance video of that meeting, do we?”
“No, but from the way he cringed and came forth with the details of his meetings and conversations with Mrs. Yellowhair, I figure it must be on somebody’s video somewhere,” Blalock said, chuckling.
Big Ed came up and shook FB-Eyes’ hand before turning to her. “Good work, Shorty.”
“You’ve got the hard part, Chief,” she said gesturing to the crowd of reporters on a feeding frenzy, including Norm Hattery, who was at the front of the pack. “When Adam Lonewolf died this morning in surgery, our plan was suddenly turned upside down. You’re going to face some tough questions from the Traditionalists for the way we used his death to catch his killers. The tribe has lost a real hero—twice.”
“I can take the heat. My heart goes out to the victim’s loved ones. His wife showed a lot of courage this morning, going through the act like she did. I respect her for that. Marie Lonewolf needs a reminder of our gratitude—and an escort back to her family.”
“I’ll take care of that, Chief,” Ella said. “It’ll be my honor.”
Three days passed. Ella was helping Kevin gather his things while Dawn, upset that her father was leaving, had barely said a word to either of them.
“I’ll always find time to come and see you,” Kevin told Dawn, who was standing in the doorway to her room as if to block the way. “There’s no need for you to be upset.”
“It’s just not fair! You two like each other. I know you do,” Dawn said.
“Yes, we do,” Ella admitted, “but a man and a woman need more than friendship to make things work.”
“No, they don’t. Shimasání says that only the Anglo world believes in romantic love and that’s why they’re always getting divorced.”
Kevin laughed and looked at Ella. “She’s got a point.”
Ella scowled at Kevin, then glanced at Dawn. “Your father and I need a chance to talk. Isn’t it time to groom Wind?” Ella said, referring to Dawn’s beloved pony.
Suddenly Dawn’s expression brightened and there was a hopeful gleam in her eye. “Wait—are you saying that you two need time alone? No problem. I’m outta here.”
Ella sighed as her daughter hurried off. “I should have phrased that differently. You need to quit giving her false hope, Kevin.”
Kevin stopped packing and, for a moment, met Ella’s gaze. “Think about it, Ella. She’s right, you know. The things that used to separate us . . . they aren’t there so much anymore.”
Ella remembered the days when Kevin’s career ambitions had been the focal point of his life. Even Dawn had come in second. “You still spend a lot of time in Washington. Not that I blame you. Working in and around the nation’s capital must bring an incredible level of excitement and satisfaction. The position I was offered over there is pretty much a dream job—”
“So you are going,” he said, interrupting her. “That’s going to be great for your career. I think you’ll find that life in D.C. is addictive in its own way. I’m sure going to miss it—and the chance to be around Dawn a lot more.”
She’d been folding one of his shirts, but suddenly stopped and looked up. “Wait. What?”
“I’m not going back. Remember me telling you about those vibes I’d been getting from my bosses? Well, it turns out that with all the irons in the fire, the tribal council has decided we need to cut the budget and reduce expenses. We’ve had some major capital outlays recently with the casino, the generating station, and that new uranium extraction operation. At least that’s the tribe’s position. Personally I think it’s because of pressure from Councilman Natani, who resents the bad name I’ve given the casino.”
He gave her a wry smile. “I can’t win for losing, huh? We’re switching long-distance job locations, and now Dawn will have to fly home to see me.”
“No, that won’t be a problem. I’m not going to D.C. either. What I was about to say was that something that seems too good to be true—generally is. My career might be better off elsewhere, but I’ve realized more than ever that my future is here, with my family and The People. I’m keeping my job with the tribe. For once we’ve both come out ahead—you for doing your job so well, and me, well, for wanting to do the job here instead of back east.”
He smiled slowly. “Finally. We’ll both be in the same place at the same time—here on the Rez.”
“Yes!” They both heard Dawn’s excited whisper from just outside the door.
Ella went to the doorway and saw her daughter standing out in the hall.
“I’m going to brush Wind right now,” Dawn said, backing up a few steps. “I can hear him calling me,” she added, then took off running.
Kevin met Ella at the doorway, suitcase in one hand, cane in the other, supporting his bad leg. “Don’t worry. I’ll explain things to her later.”
“What, exactly, will you explain?” Ella asked.
“That although you can—and should—take a shot at your dream, life always has the final say.”
Ella walked him outside to his car, where Mona Todea, his assistant, waited behind the wheel.
Turning to face Ella one last time, Kevin brushed her face with the palm of his hand. “And you know what? When it comes to us, life hasn’t had the last word.”
Ella was watching Kevin’s car go down the driveway when Rose came out to join her. As they stood side by side, Ford’s old pickup came over the hill, approaching from the east. Both vehicles stopped, and Ella saw Ford climb out of his car, then walk around to the passenger’s side to talk to Kevin.
The men were there for a few minutes. Then Ford got back into his truck and headed up the dirt road leading to the house.
“Was the preacher supposed to visit this afternoon?” Rose asked.
Ella nodded. “He wanted to go horseback riding with my daughter after she got home from school.”
“I didn’t know he could ride,” Rose answered.
“Neither did I,” Ella said.
“There’s still an awful lot you don’t about him,” Rose said softly. “But here’s something you can count on. Neither of those two men are prepared to share you. You’ll have to choose, daughter.”
“I know, Mom, I know. Just be ready for the possibility that it may end up being none of the above. But let’s not talk about that today. How about some of your herbal tea?” Ella placed her arm around her mother’s waist, and together they walked back inside.
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