Copper Creek: The Complete Boxed Set

by Smith, Wendy

  I nod. “I only just found out, and she’s come to live with me.”

  “Oh, Owen.”

  I hold my breath, waiting for something snarky to come out of her mouth.

  “She’s beautiful.”

  Ava squeezes my hand.

  “Come on. Do you want to meet your grandma and grandad?”

  Her eyes widen, and she nods.

  I take a step into the living room, and in an instant, Ava’s arms are wrapped around my leg. We slowly make our way to the couch, and I sit, pulling her up beside me.

  “Hello, Ava.” Dad gives her a smile, and she leans against me, planting her thumb in her mouth. Ginny sits beside me.

  “We’re still getting used to each other, but she’s doing really well.”

  Mum fixes her gaze on me. “Who’s her mother?”

  Dad stands, walking over to the couch. “Hey, Ava. Want to come for a walk? We have a big garden out the back and lots of pretty flowers. What’s your favourite colour?”

  “Purple,” she whispers, removing her thumb from her mouth.

  “I think there are some purple flowers out there. Want to look?”

  Ginny smiles. “I might have to go for a walk too.” She squeezes my bicep.

  Ava looks at me with wide eyes, and I nod. “It’s okay. Go with Grandad and Ginny.”

  I swear my dad’s chest puffs up when I call him that, and it makes me smile. There’s a bond there, ready to be formed, if Ava gives him the chance.

  Ava lets go of my arm, and Dad holds out his hand for her to take. She takes another look at me, and I nod again. “I’ll be right here when you want to come back.”

  There’s hesitancy on her face, but she slowly reaches for Dad’s hand, and pushes herself off the couch. One last look back at me at the door, and she disappears into the kitchen, Ginny right behind her.

  I turn back to Mum. “Her mother was Cara Mitchell.”

  My mother’s mouth falling open tells me I don’t need to explain what happened to Ava’s mother. “Oh, that poor girl.”

  “I had no idea, Mum.” Shaking my head, I then bury it in my hands. “I was there the night Cara died, and I took care of Ava. Then I handed her off to go into care for two months before the social worker turned up and told me. She’s been through so much.”

  “Well, at least you’re here for her now.”

  I nod, looking back at her. “I’m not sure what I’m doing.”

  Mum chuckles. “No one is. We all get things right, and we all get things wrong. You’re no exception.” She leans forward. “You’ll work it out. She’s a lovely little girl.”

  “You know, you have two other grandchildren. They’re just as precious as Ava.”

  She nods. “I know. And I have a lot of regret where they’re concerned. I’m not sure if Adam will ever forgive me for what I did.”

  I sigh. “I’ll talk to Adam. Maybe we can sort something out.”

  She leans back, and there’s pain in her eyes. “Don’t hold your breath. You’re a good boy for suggesting it, but I don’t think things will be better between us anytime soon. I can’t make things right. It’s too late.”

  I shrug. “I don’t believe that for a second. Your grandchildren deserve to get to know you before …”

  Mum gives me a faint smile. “I know you’re trying to be helpful, but nothing will be resolved between Adam and me before I die.” She lets out a loud breath. “It’s lovely to see you, and your daughter is beautiful, but I think I need to take a nap.”

  Nodding, I stand as she does. “Do you need any help?”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  I press a kiss to her cheek. “Take care, Mum. I’ll work on Adam.”

  She raises her hand to cup my cheek. “I’m proud of you, Owen. I’m proud of all you boys. Even if it doesn’t show sometimes.”

  “I know. I’ll bring Ginny back sometime, too. You guys were so distracted by Ava that you didn’t really get to talk to her.”

  “That would be nice.”

  I watch as she makes her way up the hallway toward the bedroom. It’s clear she’s going downhill, and I don’t know how much longer she’ll have. As much as she drives all of us crazy, we love her.

  Stepping outside, I smile at the sight of my dad with Ava and Ginny walking toward the house.

  Dad is more animated than I’ve seen him in a long time. Ava’s got a firm hold on his hand, and she’s swinging his arm as they walk. Ginny grins as I approach.

  “Your dad’s been telling us all about you.” She laughs.

  I roll my eyes. “Don’t believe a word he says.”

  “I got a purple flower.” Ava holds out her hand, a large bloom between her fingers.

  “That’s very pretty. Did Grandad show you the whole garden?”

  She nods.

  “Lucky. We’ll have to put it in a glass when we get home. I don’t think I have any vases. But a glass is enough to hold one flower.” I turn to Dad. “We’re going to get going. Mum’s gone for a nap.”

  He nods. “It’s happening more often these days.”

  “I’ll bring Ava and Ginny back soon. Give me a call when Mum’s up to visitors.”

  Dad grabs hold of my arm. “Any time you need me to look after Ava, I’m here.”

  “Thought you might be. I spoke to Mum about getting you two together with Adam and Lily. It needs to happen, Dad.”

  He nods. “I’ve seen them from time to time. At the wedding, and when Hayley left town. They’re polite to me, but I want more. Your mother does too, although I doubt she’ll admit it.”

  “She just says it’s too late.”

  “Maybe it is.”

  I take Ava’s hand. “We need to try. If anything, this whole thing has shown me more than ever how important family is.”

  Ginny looks at me with so much pride, and I raise an eyebrow. Maybe it’s because every day I spend with Ava and Ginny, I become a better man.

  Or at least I’m trying to become better.

  * * *

  Our drive home is quiet, and it’s not until I pull into my driveway that I realise Ava’s asleep in the back seat.

  I smile as I unbuckle the harness.

  “Want me to unlock?” Ginny asks, holding her hand out for the keys.

  “That’s a great idea. An even better idea is me giving you a key to my place.”

  She grins. “That’s a big commitment right there.”

  Laughing softly, I hand her the keys and lift Ava out of her seat. She wriggles before looping one arm around my neck and snuggling into my chest.

  I follow Ginny into the house, and take Ava through to her room. Today was good for her. I’m still not quite settled into the fact that this is my life now, but things are pretty close to perfect.

  Placing her on the bed, I plant a kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.

  Ginny’s sitting on the couch when I get to the living room, and I join her. “That was a quick visit.”

  “Mum was a bit off-colour. We had a short talk, but I’ve taken you both to meet them, so at least that’s done.”

  “So, your mum doesn’t get on with Adam and Lily?” she asks.

  We’ve not had this conversation as it’s just not come up. “There’s a lot of history there, and Mum’s on the wrong side of it.”

  She sighs. “That sucks. Your mum was at Drew and Hayley’s wedding, wasn’t she?”

  I nod. “She was, but Adam and Lily steered well clear of her. It’s not an easy situation, and I guess taking Ava to meet her brought it home.”

  “Your mum and dad really loved her.”

  I grin. “They did. Dad misses out, too. He and Adam have a bit of a relationship, but it doesn’t translate into him spending time with his grandchildren. At least he can spend time with Ava.”

  Ginny twists her mouth, and I raise my eyebrows.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

  “Your parents were really nice. I thought your mother would be a lot scarier.�
��

  I chuckle. “I think Ava being there spared you the third degree. Drew and Hayley broke up after their first visit together.”

  Her eyes widen. “You’re kidding.”

  “Nah. Mum gave them a hard time about a long-distance relationship apparently, and how this town was too small for her big doctor son or something. Hayley was already stressed about the distance, and it all blew up.” I lean over. “Introducing you did worry me. If anything, I think you’re more sensitive than Hayley is. But you dodged a bullet.”

  She grins. “I’m thankful for that.”

  “Me too.” I’ve never been so relieved. “Mum was never quite this bad. Not that I remember. She’s facing her own mortality, and I’m not sure she likes what she sees.”

  Ginny lets out a loud breath. “That’s got to be hard.”

  “It is. But I think they’re just taking it as it comes. There are some days when I visit and she’s in bed and too tired to get up. Today was a good day, and I think our little trip was good for her.” I take Ginny’s hand and squeeze it. “She got to meet my family, however brief our visit.”

  The look of love in her eyes is unmistakable.

  “Thank you for taking me. It makes me feel closer to you.”

  I lick my lips. “Ava’s asleep. So how about getting a lot closer to me?” Leaning back on the arm of the couch, I pull Ginny until she’s on top of me. “What about this?”

  “Well, I am really close.” Her green eyes sparkle, and I lose myself in them as I take her in.

  “Will you stay the night?”

  She purses her lips and nods. “I could be persuaded. Though, this is getting to be a habit.”

  I run my hands down her back, giving her arse a gentle squeeze. She giggles. “Good habit or bad habit?”

  “I have yet to decide.”

  “Just as well there’s plenty of time.”

  All the time in the world.

  17

  Owen

  Mondays are the worst.

  I wake with Ginny in my arms, and sigh at the thought of weeknights without her.

  “Ginny,” I say as I flick on the bedside light.

  She stirs. “What time is it?”

  “Four. I’ve got to get to work.”

  Her eyes flicker open. “Why are you waking me up?”

  “I need to know. Will you stay the night?”

  She closes her eyes again for a moment before frowning. “Owen, it’s so important that you and Ava get time together.”

  “We are. She lives here now.”

  Ginny sighs. “You need time with her, Owen. Just you two. It’s as important as the three of us spending time together.”

  “The weekends aren’t enough.”

  She reaches for me, pulling me down and planting a kiss on my lips. “I love you, but can we talk about this another time when it’s not four in the morning?”

  “I’m sorry. I just wanted another night with you.”

  “I just stayed three in a row.” She lets out another sigh. “Please don’t make this harder than it is.”

  I nod. “Sorry. I’ll go to work. You get back to sleep.”

  She watches in silence as I pull my clothes on and turn off the light.

  It’s not until six, when the bread-making’s done and I take a breather, that I realise I left the room without kissing her goodbye.

  What an arse.

  “I’ve gotta go for a second,” I say to Mel.

  “Ava’s not up for an hour. Look. I made a special Ava cookie.”

  I turn. Mel’s used my gingerbread cutters to make a shortbread girl. It’s iced with a purple dress, and that touches my heart. “She’ll love it.”

  “We’ve all got to do our bit to help her fit in, right?”

  Ginny’s words come back to me. I’m impatient to be with her, but she’s right. Ava and I do need time together to get to know each other. We’ve barely scratched the surface. I may know her favourite colour, but what else about this little girl do I really understand? She doesn’t talk about her former life, and she must remember the accident because she remembered me.

  “It means a lot, Mel.”

  She shrugs. “Ava’s dad’s paying for it anyway.”

  Ginny’s gone when I get back in the house. We didn’t have an arrangement for this morning, and Ava will wake around seven and come and find me, just like she did last week.

  Given that she could have gone home and gone back to sleep, I’ll call her and grovel at a more appropriate time, maybe send her some flowers. I could kick myself for how I acted.

  An hour later, as predicted, Ava’s at the kitchen door.

  “You ready for breakfast?” I ask.

  “Where’s Ginny?”

  I bend, taking her hands in mine. “She’s gone to her place. She needs to get changed and ready for work.”

  Ava’s lower lip droops, and you’d think from her expression that she’d lost her favourite toy.

  “We’ll see her during the week. You and me need to get some groceries soon too, so maybe you could tell me what else you used to have for breakfast.”

  “Coco Pops.”

  “I’ll add them to our list. That list is getting pretty big now, and I know you’re sick of using my body wash in the bath.”

  She nods.

  “Let’s go and get something to eat.”

  * * *

  Ginny’s phone’s off for most of the day while she’s at work, and when I call I get her voicemail. I close my eyes at the sound of her voice.

  “Hey, babe. I’m sorry about this morning. I was a bit of a dick, and I should have at least let you sleep. Call me later. I love you.”

  I hang up the phone and stare at it.

  This situation is so foreign and yet it doesn’t feel wrong. I’d rather have Ginny in my life and not staying nights than lose her altogether.

  She hasn’t returned my call by nine, and Ava’s sound asleep.

  Yawning, I look at the clock. I got used to Ginny staying a few nights, and falling asleep alone will be hard. How quickly things have changed.

  I need to try and get some sleep. The whole “being up at four” thing is a grind, but I’m so proud of my little bakery. I worked my arse off to buy it, and it’s all mine.

  Hugging Ginny’s pillow, I close my eyes.

  “Owen?”

  I open my eyes. It’s dark.

  “Ava?”

  As I sit, I reach for the bedside lamp. She’s standing beside the bed, her teddy-bear in one hand, her thumb in her mouth.

  “Are you okay?”

  She takes a step back and shakes her head.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Her eyes fill with fear, as if she thinks she’s going to be in trouble.

  I slip out of bed and kneel in front of her. Stroking her hair gets me a small smile. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”

  Her lower lip wobbles. “I wet the bed.”

  My heart melts. “Oh, honey, it’s not your fault. Do you want me to sort it out?”

  She nods.

  “Tell you what. How about we get you changed and you come and hop into my bed?”

  The clock tells me it’s a little after one, and I have three hours before I need to get back up.

  She nods again.

  “Come on then.”

  Ava takes my hand, and I lead her back to her bedroom. I still have no idea what I’m doing, but I have to try for her, no matter how tired I am.

  I open her top drawer. Ginny got her four more pairs of pyjamas, and I pull out the pink ones I know Ava likes. “Let me just grab you a new pair of knickers and we’ll get you cleaned up.”

  “Mummy let me wear pull-ups.”

  I spin around. Ava hasn’t spoken about either of her parents since she got here. Is this a good sign, or a bad sign?

  “Really? You’re so good at going to the toilet.”

  “Just for night-time.”

  I smile. “Okay. So tomorrow, we’ll go and get some
pull-ups for night. Would that be better?”

  She grins, and I reach for her hand.

  “Come on.” I strip off her pyjamas, and run some warm water on a flannel. After I wipe her down, I grab a towel from the rail and dry her off. Maybe I’m not so bad at this dad thing after all.

  When I’ve dressed her, she giggles as I pick her up and carry her to my room. Covering her with the duvet, I turn to go out the door.

  “Owen? Where are you going?”

  “I’m just going to strip the bed and throw the sheets in the wash with your clothes.”

  Her blue eyes, so much like Cara’s, stare at me, and it hits me in the chest. Before Ginny, the woman I grew closest to was Cara Mitchell. She was the only married woman I ever slept with, and every time I look at her daughter, our daughter, I think I know why she chased me so hard. Maybe I was the solution to her problem.

  I gave her everything she needed but I never knew.

  “I’ll be back in a minute.” I give Ava what I hope is a reassuring smile and leave.

  When I return, she’s moved a little closer to my side of the bed, and she’s still wide awake.

  “Let’s get some sleep.” I yawn as I climb into bed beside her.

  “Owen?”

  “Yes?”

  “Can I stay here?”

  I roll to look at her, and I see hope in her face. “Here? You need to sleep in your bed tomorrow when it’s clean.”

  She shakes her head. “No. Can I stay here at the bakery?”

  My throat tightens as I realise she’s asking if she’s going to be shipped off somewhere else. She’s four years old, and I haven’t even stopped to tell her that she’s living with me permanently.

  “You live here now, sweetheart. This is your home. You can help me decorate your room. What’s your favourite colour?”

  “Purple.”

  I smile. “Then we paint it purple. I know you’re scared, Ava. So am I sometimes.”

  “You are?”

  “I’ve never looked after a little girl before. You have to help me. Telling me about the pull-ups was a really good thing, because now I know how to make things better for you.”

  She bites down on her bottom lip. “Can I have a gingerbread man for breakfast?”