“You’re giving me a gift you don’t want me to open?”
She shook her head. “I’m giving you a gift I don’t want you to open yet. This is called happy mail. It’s usually a little something sent in the mail by a friend that will make you smile. You don’t smile nearly enough. So I thought I’d send you some happy.”
He stroked his thumb over hers. Whatever was in the box, he was sure it wouldn’t make him as happy as standing out on the porch at night with their hands pressed together did. But the inviting smile on her face had him curious to know what its contents held.
“I want you to keep this box, and if you ever find yourself in a moment where you need a little happy, open it and think of me.”
“I don’t need a gift to remember you, Aja. I’m certain you’re the most unforgettable woman I’ve ever met.”
She shook her head. “Nonetheless, promise me, Jackson. Promise me you won’t open this until you need some happy. You’re a man of your word. I know if you make this promise, you’ll do everything to keep it.”
A silent, slow breath crawled up from his lungs and out into the air. “Aja, I’m no poster child for virtue. If I were, I never would’ve crossed the line with you, and I would have the decency to be remorseful about it. But I don’t. I’m not the least bit sorry, and that right there is proof that my moral compass is on the fritz.”
“You’re human, Jackson. The kind of human that cares about the welfare of others. In my book, that makes you the best kind. So quit stalling and promise me, Ranger.”
He matched the inviting smile on her face. “I promise.” Her smile widened, and she handed the box over to him.
“Be happy, Ranger Dean. We all deserve a little happy.”
He watched her saunter back inside the house as he fought the urge to follow her. He didn’t know what was in the box, and he probably wouldn’t be finding out anytime soon. But one thing he knew beyond certainty was that nothing inside that box had the power to make him as happy as the woman who’d given it to him.
Chapter 32
“I knew it was that no-good Yosemite Sam wannabe all along.”
Aja looked over her steaming cup of coffee long enough to give Brooklyn a pointed glare. “I think anyone with a brain could’ve figured out it was Eli Bennett vandalizing the ranch. He’s been after the land since I snatched it from the brink of auction.”
Seneca pulled up next to Aja at the breakfast table and grabbed the tablet Brooklyn was reading the morning paper on. “At least he had the decency to confess. Paper says he took a deal. He pled guilty to all the charges—the intimidation, the vandalism, even your assault—in exchange for a reduced sentence. They gave him seven years and fines. Looks like you’ll get your money back for the destroyed property.”
Aja eased back in her chair. She wasn’t worried about the money. And knowing the penal system, it would take forever for those funds to end up in her hands.
Brooklyn took the tablet out of Seneca’s hand and scrolled until she found the section she was looking for. “I’m surprised they gave him that long considering how connected Bennett is. I’m surprised they could find a judge outside of your uncle to sign off on this.”
Brooklyn was right. Bennett owned most of Fresh Springs. But Aja was certain a particular Texas Ranger who she knew had a hand in the severity of the charges.
“I guess I have you two to thank for that. Because of my work with the Pathways program, the prosecutor upped the charges from a simple assault charge to a third-degree felony because I’m considered a government contractor.”
“Well, I’m happy he’s in custody.” Seneca stirred the bowl of grits in front of her. “Whatever they had on him, it must have been serious, because no one could ever have made me believe Eli Bennett of all people would confess to his crimes.”
Aja wouldn’t have believed it either, except for the call she received from Jackson this morning. It was the first time she’d heard from him in a week since Taylor had implicated Eli.
His voice was still deep and rich, and her head spun at the mere sound of it. The call was brief, direct, detailing all the terms of Eli’s deal. All that remained was for the man to allocute, and the case would officially be closed.
She was glad it was nearly over. But the realization that aside from Jackson dropping by at some point to pick up the few items he’d left, she’d likely have no interaction with him made it difficult for her to fully celebrate the news.
“Hey, you all right over there?”
Aja blinked until Brooklyn’s face came into view.God, the mere thought of him has me zoning out. Get it together, Aja.“I’m fine. Long week, that’s all. We have a lot of work to do.”
“Yeah, especially since you sent our heavy lifters on some wild-goose chase looking for what again?”
Aja sipped her coffee instead of answering Seneca’s question, hoping to delay the inevitable a little bit longer. “An equipment auction. I sent them to look at those giant mowers. Jackson thought mowing our own land and processing our own hay might be more cost-efficient for us. The auction and purchase process will probably last up to another week.” There, she’d bought herself until the weekend before she had to come clean. Maybe that would be enough for her to put on her big-girl pants and tell Brooklyn and Seneca the truth.
“Is that what’s had you looking so sad in the face for the last few days?”
Aja put down the cup of coffee, staring at Brooklyn across the table. “I’m not sure I follow. What do you mean?”
“I mean, every day since they caught that Sullivan boy on the property, you’ve been walking around looking like you lost something important.”
