For weeks now, I’ve been hoping to get a word with him. He’s Eli’s closest brother and I have a feeling he might have some insight into the events that landed my man behind bars.
On multiple occasions, I’ve tried speaking to Eli directly but he’s shut down the conversation every time. I know I should let it go since he clearly wants to put it all behind him and move on, but I just can’t. My intuition won’t allow me to let it go because I just know there’s more to the story than Eli has divulged.
Walker and I share anecdotes about growing up with our crazy siblings as we rinse the dishes and load the dishwasher. The farmer has just finished telling me the story of the time he fell asleep in a toolshed only to wake up and find Eli giving him a haircut with a pair of garden pruners. I’m laughing so hard I have to hold onto my belly.
“That kid was destined for a life of crime,” he jokes. He instantly looks like he regrets saying it.
I sober up and finally, I get the courage to ask what I’ve been meaning to. “So, you think he did it, Walker? You think he committed those crimes?”
The man sighs. “I’d like to think that he didn’t but who pleads guilty to something they didn’t do.”
I lean against the sink and fold my arms over my chest. “It’s just…nothing adds up. I can’t shake the feeling that he did not commit the crimes he was convicted of.”
Walker glances at me as he wipes off a serving dish. “I know that you have…feelings for my brother, Jessa. So you don’t want to see him as the bad guy. But you have to be realistic.”
I shake my head. “I’m certainly not saying he’s not capable of committing crimes and landing himself in a prison. Because he is. Everybody is.” I glance over to where Eli is playing with Baby Di at the table. Callie has now gone to cuddle right next to him. Seeing him surrounded by beaming children pokes at my soft spot. “All I am saying is that this man didn’t commit this crime. I believe it deep down in my soul. Eli Kingston didn’t do if.”
Seeming to consider my words, Walker takes a look over at the table. He speaks hesitantly. “Eli told me he was innocent.”
My eyes bulge. “What?”
“When I went to visit him in jail, he said that he was innocent.”
I knew it! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!
“But I didn’t take him seriously.” The farmer shrugs. “I mean, if I had been facing a jail sentence like his, I’d be claiming my innocence, too. All I know is I’m happy he’s home now. I’m ready to let go of the past and maybe you should, too, Jessa.”
“Uh, yeah…” I say. Just to appease him as my eyes settle on Eli again.
I understand what Walker is saying but I can’t just look the other way. Eli’s reputation has been torn to shreds. He’s been walking around with a badge of dishonor that he doesn’t deserve. I can’t just let that slide.
There’s one piece of the puzzle I can’t get to fit.
Why on earth did Eli take the fall? Why would he plead guilty to a crime he didn’t commit, knowing it would take him away from that sweet little girl sitting beside him at the dining table?
48 Eli
Dad drops into the chair next to me. “Looks like you’ve made yourself a friend, huh?”
He tickles Baby Diana’s foot. She gurgles and bounces with laughter on my knee. “Looks like it,” I agree.
“I just wanted to check in with you.” He eyes me with curiosity. “Make sure you’re okay.”
It’s been a while since I’ve really talked to my dad, and I’ve treated my parents like shit. They’ve done so much for me and Callie. And it’s clear they hold no grudges for my past behavior.
I glance over to the other end of the table where Callie is now happily eating pie crumbs out of an empty casserole dish. Jessa is at the sink, laughing with Walker. The two most important girls in my life are good so… “I’m good,” I say plainly.
Dad’s eyebrow lifts slightly. “I have a feeling you could be doing better if you’d just stop being stubborn and get back to work.”
I huff, already becoming annoyed. How many times am I gonna have this conversation? “Dad, I’ve told you. I can’t work with Cannon. He hates me.”
“Nonsense,” my father argues.
“I’m pretty sure about that,” I insists. The baby squints at me. I don’t think she likes me talking shit about her dad.
My father looks at me through narrowed eyes. “Tell me this—if Cannon hates you, why did he instruct his lawyer to work on your case?”
I furrow my brows, shocked and confused. “Excuse me?”
“Who do you think sent Frank to get you out of jail?”
“I-I…Well, I’d assumed he was working pro bono.”
My father chuffs. “Lawyers of Frank Lawman’s caliber do not work pro bono. And only businessmen with Cannon’s bank account can afford that kind of legal representation.” He takes a sip of his bourbon.
Shit—how did I not put this together before? I feel like a fool. And an ungrateful asshat. Cannon paid the lawyer who got me out of jail, who got me back here with my daughter.
Dad drops his head and shakes it. “You seem to think we moved on without you when you were in jail but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, your brothers were disappointed in you, they were angry, but they still loved you, Eli. And they made sure that Callie felt loved too.” His eyes grow distant. “Cannon and Lexi taught her to swim. Walker taught her to write her name. Jude—”
“Jude turned her
