Her mother laughed. “Avery, I’m tired, I may even be old, but honey, I’m not dead yet. I needed a walk. I needed to get out a little bit. Will you stop worrying so much?”
Avery sighed. “I can’t help it.” She looked into her mom’s eyes and gave her a little smile.
“I ain’t an old biddy, so don’t go thinking y’all can keep me resting. I don’t care what any doctor says.” Mom shook a finger. “Besides, I couldn’t take that tension in the house. I always wondered when Paula would come home, and I’d hoped she wasn’t as bad off as she always sounded on the phone.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”
“Well,” Avery hesitated. “Part of it is, she hates me.”
“Avery. No she doesn’t!”
Avery nodded. “You don’t hear the stuff she says about me. When I refer to you as Mom, and Dad as Dad ... this morning, she asked me why I’m still around, living at home, working at the inn. Have I been a burden? Should I have moved on?” All of a sudden, doubt crowded Avery’s feelings.
Mom’s face crumpled. “I hate that you think that.” Her voice hushed. “While I love having you here with us, I do hope that you find your own way, but it’s not anything that bothers us. You’ve made your own money since sixteen. You help us out. It’s not like we’re forcing you to stay. Paula had no right to say what she did, and that angers me. But Avery, I do often wonder why you haven’t pursued your own dreams. I figured as long as you were happy, then that was good enough for your father and I.”
“Do you want to go with me to get something to eat? I really want to sit and talk,” Avery said. Maybe it was time to open up about her feelings, since she could finally admit them to herself, and then also tell Mom about what Lucas offered.
“That sounds lovely. Dad wants me to go home and rest, but I’d love to go spend some time with you.” Mom linked her arm through Avery’s and smiled.
Avery treated her mom to breakfast at J’s Diner, a place they used to go to before life got too busy. Once they were seated at a booth, the two started talking about everything and anything.
“I’m so glad we got to do this today, Avery. I’ve missed it.” Mom smiled. It was the happiest she looked in ages.
“Me too. I feel guilty when life pulls us in various directions. I know that even though I’m older, I love having this bonding time.” Avery put the menu down and folded her hands over it. “There’s so much going on, I feel like I don’t know what’s real anymore.”
“What do you mean, honey? With Paula and your possible birth father?”
Avery nodded. “And Lucas. I’m drawn to him, Mama, and I can’t explain why. He’s a man of secrets, and one I just found out recently has thrown me for a loop.” She took a sip of her orange juice.
Mom frowned. “What do you mean?” Her tone filled with worry and she leaned forward, anticipating Avery’s answer.
“Apparently, Lucas is linked to my birth mother.”
Silence.
Her mother’s eyes widened.
“Yeah. I know. He’s here to ... well, I don’t even know. He says to keep an eye on things with me, and that sounds really weird, but I don’t think he’s telling me the whole story. Last night, I sat out on the porch with him and he apologized for not telling me right away, and says that now she has had a change of heart and is willing to meet with me, but I have to go to her. I’m torn,” Avery admitted.
Avery’s mother simply nodded. “You should do it, Avery. She holds a piece of your past that you’ll always wonder about.”
“I know. But I’m afraid. She rejected me once. I don’t know if I can take it again.”
“Oh Avery. I’m so sorry. That was her loss, our gain. Even though it hurts you, your birth mother missed out on raising a beautiful baby who grew up into a magnificent young woman. Now, if only you would drop your fears and doubts, and live your life the way you should.”
“What do you mean?” Avery asked.
“You have the opportunity to follow your dreams, and you’re still here. Is Harmony’s Echo and the inn what you want as a future? Because if you can honestly tell me you want the inn, we’ll make arrangements for you to run it. And be absolutely honest with me.”
No. Avery didn’t want the inn. As much as it was an important part of her childhood, it wasn’t her future.
“You don’t have to pretend for us, either, Avery. You have so much life to live. All we want is for you to to do it to the fullest. I don’t think hiding here is it.”
“But I’m not hiding. I love being here!” Avery protested. For the most part, that was true.
“Avery. You can’t hide your feelings from me. I’m the woman that raised you. You live and breathe music. You always have. I know you love the band and playing at night, but it’s more than that for you.”
“Music is in my soul,” Avery admitted.
“Do you want a career out of it? It’s hard, scary and definitely unpredictable.”
Avery nodded. “But isn’t everything?”
“Absolutely. This is why I’m trying to tell you it’s okay to go spread your wings. Don’t hold yourself back. Start with taking this trip. That gives us some time to try and get through to Paula. Maybe you and Lucas can figure out where you stand. I’ve seen the looks you two share. There’s definitely something there.” Mom smiled knowingly.
“How do you do that?” Avery stared at her in awe.
Mom’s shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Honey, you don’t get to be my age without lots of watching things around you.”
“Have I told you lately how much I love and appreciate you?” Avery asked.
“Absolutely. And I know it. So, what are you going to do?”
“I guess I’ll be asking my boss for time off, and talking to Lucas about taking a trip,” Avery said with a smile.
******
The first person Avery told was Laura.
“Damn, Avery. That’s good news! What a crazy few days you’ve had. I can’t believe that you and Lucas did the horizontal tango. You go girl!”
Avery laughed. “Hold on! I tell you that I’m going to meet my biological mother, my sister comes into town, accosts my possible birth father, throws nasty accusations my way, and yet you focus on sex with Lucas?”
“Uh, yeah! Okay, fine, let me respond to each in order. I hope you get the answers you need, what a bitch, and how was that sex, by the way?”
“Laura!” Avery exclaimed, giggling.
“You owe me a lunch date soon or something because you will spill those deets. That man is cute as can be and I want to know!”
“You’re engaged to be married!”
“I still have eyes, Avery. And that man is definitely a looker.”
Yeah, he sure is. That dark brown hair, those hazel eyes, the intense way he looked at her...
Stop thinking about Lucas like that. After this trip, I doubt you’ll see him again.
Why did that suddenly make her so sad? She hardly knew the man. The last few days proved that. But despite her best attempts not to, Avery looked forward to running into Lucas when she was at the inn. The way he smiled at her. She knew Lucas didn’t smile that often. Avery wanted to uncover all of his secrets and learn more about him. Would he think about her? Miss her?
“Avery. You got quiet.”
“Huh? Oh, right.” Oops. And there went her mind again. Straight to Lucas.
“You like him, don’t you?”
Avery sighed. “Yes, but how can I let myself fall for a guy that’s only passing by? What have I gone and done? And someone that I know is keeping secrets?”
“You can’t help who you have feelings for, or who you don’t,” Laura said gently.
Wasn’t that the truth? Avery knew exactly whom Laura referred to on both aspects.
Thank God for best friends. Laura was her voice of reasoning most of the time, especially lately.
“I should go talk to Rodney. We’re supposed to get results today, as he mentioned last nigh
t, and then I need to tell him I’m going out of town for awhile.”
“Okay, well you’d better give me more details before you leave. When will that be, anyway?”
“I’m not sure. I need to find all that out from Lucas.”
“Wow. You get to leave Texas for awhile, visit a new place, and spend time alone with a man who riles you up. Hmm. Chance of a lifetime, if you ask me.” Laura giggled.
Avery laughed with her. “You, my friend, are impossible.”
The trip made Avery nervous, for more than just the reason of meeting her birth mother. She would be sticking to Lucas for more than just a few hours at a time. Maybe she could find a way to get him to talk. And she had to make sure that they kept their hands off each other. How could she cave in to him last night? Just resting in his arms, Avery forgot about all the frustrations she had with him. He had that much of an impact. But this man came with complications, secrets, and Avery would do right to keep that in mind. She didn’t want to be hurt.
It might be a little too late for that. Lucas was never far from her thoughts.
“All right, well go do what you need to do. I’m going to find me something to eat and then I’ve got a few wedding preparations to do with my mom and sister. Have fun!” Laura said more than happily, as she disconnected the call.
Time to go talk to Rodney. If only Avery could figure out why that made her so nervous. Wouldn’t he want her to know her history? He did come here to meet her, but there wasn’t a lot of time that he spent around her. Avery couldn’t place it, but as excited as she had been about him being here, as time went on, she couldn’t figure out his motives. He was a nice man and all, but he was very reserved. Like Lucas.
Avery shrugged it off. Right now, she was in no position to try and figure anyone out. Avery needed to figure herself out first.
Now or never. Avery made the call to Rodney’s room. As the phone rang, she wondered where he could be. Finally, after half a dozen rings, he answered. “Hello?”
“Hi, it’s me,” Avery squeaked.
“Avery! Hi! I was just about to come find you. I’ve got the results here. I thought we could open the envelope together. Find out at the same time.”
How thoughtful. Maybe he was just as nervous as she was. “I’d like that.”
“You want to meet up somewhere?”
“Why don’t you meet me in the courtyard? It’s a nice day, and for the most part it’s quiet.” That way no one would barge in on their business. And then she wouldn’t have to run into Lucas if she’d gone up to Rodney’s floor.
“Okay. Meet you in about ten minutes?”
She caught her lip between her teeth, then released it. “That sounds good. See you in a few.”
The courtyard had been created to be a serene, calm place. A large fountain was the focal point in the middle, with the water flowing. Birds loved to nestle in the trees, chirping happily. Stone pathways led visitors into the courtyard, and followed around the fountain, like a little maze. The grass on it’s best days was nice and green, and the flowerbeds filled with various colorful flowers. Avery loved to sit there and write songs when she felt the urge to do so. The courtyard held a lot of beautiful memories. And it looked like today, there could be another memory added to the list.
Avery strolled into the courtyard with as much confidence and ease as she could muster, found her favorite bench and perched on it, waiting for Rodney. She crossed and uncrossed her legs, impatient and nervous. Finally, she spotted him. He smiled and headed her way. When he sat beside her, he held out the envelope. “Inside this lies the answer. Are you just as nervous as I am?”
Avery took the envelope and stared at it. “I am.”
Very much so.
They both waited for a moment, in silence. Avery wasn’t sure about Rodney, but she sure as hell wasn’t ready to open that long white envelope. What would it mean if Rodney wasn’t her father? What would it mean if he was?
“Oh hell, let’s just get this over with,” Avery finally said, and tore open the envelope. She pulled out the papers, unfolded them and without looking, held them out for Rodney. “Let’s see.”
They both stared at it, in silence for a few minutes, each taking in what the paper’s words meant.
A tear slid down Avery’s cheek as she trembled. She stared down at the grass, as the gentle breeze swayed the blades.
“I have a daughter,” Rodney whispered. “I have a daughter.” He turned to Avery and smiled. “This is wonderful news!”
A slight weight lifted off her shoulders as she hugged Rodney. “I feel like I may finally know my past. Thank you for taking the initiative to come here. And with that, I want to tell you something.” Avery drew in a breath.
“What is it, Avery?”
“Well, I have the opportunity to meet my birth mother. She has apparently agreed to meet me.”
“What? I thought she- Well, wow. Okay. That’s good, Avery! You deserve to know her. Can I give you some advice about her?” Was it her imagination, or did Rodney’s face grow a few shades paler?
“Sure.” Just how much animosity had there been between Rodney and her birth mother? Would he try to sway her from going? No matter what anyone said, she had already made up her mind to do this. As cold as the woman seemed, Avery had to know. She needed answers. Lucas was right, she would never be able to forget if she didn’t jump on this opportunity.
“Just be careful. She’s, well, a bit difficult. But I am happy for you. How did you find this out?” Rodney asked.
“Lucas.” Once she said his name, Rodney’s brows raised in question. “He knows her.”
“Ah. So that’s his motive. He’s here to sway you from getting to know me.” A dark shadow crossed Rodney’s face.
“No, actually. Lucas has been great about it. He has never said anything to me about not getting to know you.” Rodney’s expression never changed. He scowled. “I just wanted to tell you, because I know you came down here to meet me, and now I’m leaving the state for awhile. I’m sorry.”
Rodney shook his head. “No, it’s all right. This will be good for you. I should go home for a bit anyhow. But we’ll stay in touch. Visits, phone calls, emails. I’d love one day for you to come visit me in Alabama.”
“I’d like that.” Avery smiled, hoping to ease the tension.
Rodney shot to his feet abruptly. “Great. Well, have a great trip. Oh, have you got a pen?”
Avery nodded and pulled a pen from her purse, handing it to Rodney. He wrote on the envelope. When he handed it to her, she noticed a phone number. “That’s my cell. You can call me at any time, okay? And ... please let me know how the visit goes?”
He was in a hurry to leave. Why? Avery thought they would spend more time together, celebrating the news. But now all he seemed to want was to get away. Avery frowned, but pushed aside the feeling. “Sure. Thank you,” she croaked. He hastily walked away, and left Avery standing there, watching him retreat.
What the hell was that all about?
Chapter Eighteen
When someone rapped on his door, Lucas expected it to be Avery. He hurried to open it, ready to see and welcome her. He couldn’t wait to tell her that the plans were set. All they needed to do was decide on when to go. When he pulled the door open, it wasn’t Avery. Rodney stood on the other side, red faced, breathing heavily. Why was he there? And why the hell did he look so pissed?
Lucas positioned himself in the space between the open door and the wall, unsure about Rodney. Something was off. “What can I do for you?”
“You work for her? And now she wants to see Avery?” Without even saying the name, Lucas knew exactly what Rodney meant. So Avery had told him. He’d expected her to, which was fine. But Rodney storming up to Lucas’s door with that look on his face? That wasn’t fine. What’s the man’s problem, anyway?
“Yes, I do. What about it?” Lucas shrugged.
“So that’s your motive. You don’t care for Avery at all, do you?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I care very much for Avery.” Feelings for Avery were the last thing Lucas expected to find. But it happened nevertheless, and though he couldn’t decide how to deal with them, he wanted a chance to figure that out. Lucas wanted a chance with Avery. Though they stood at different places in their lives, he at least had to try, if Avery would be willing.
If he left Harmony’s Echo without at least pursuing something, that empty, hollow feeling would return. Lucas didn’t want that any longer. Now that he knew what it felt like to find something special with someone, he wanted that. More than anything.
“I know how manipulative her mother can be. I knew I didn’t trust you,” Rodney snapped, his fists curling at his sides.
“Not that I trust you either, but you don’t see me storming up to your door with an attitude,” Lucas shot back. “What’s your problem?”
“Just don’t let her get hurt.” Rodney’s tone changed, a little softer. To his surprise, Rodney walked off. A minute later, he heard a door slam. Lucas stood there a bit longer, trying to take in what just happened.
Rodney was a basket case. One Lucas couldn’t figure out. As he was about to close the door, Avery appeared.
“Lucas?”
He was glad to see her. Though he wanted to hug her, Lucas held back. He would wait for a signal. “Hi Avery.”
“I saw Rodney walk off. Were you guys talking or something?” Avery’s hair was in her face. She brushed it aside. Her cheeks were flushed and she looked like she had a lot on her mind.
Well of course she does.
“Yeah ... he kind of caught me off guard. I’m guessing you told him about meeting your birth mother?”
Avery nodded. “Should I not have?” There went that nervous habit of hers. She was so cute when she caught her lip between her teeth. She’d done that a lot recently. Lucas wanted to kiss her right then and there.
“No, of course you should have. Why? How did he take it? Do you want to come in and talk?”
The last time she’d been in here, Lucas pushed her away when she’d been about to give herself to him. This time, all he wanted was to hold her, make sure she was all right. Avery Callimer didn’t appear the fragile type, and she’d been strong the whole time that Lucas was here, but right now, Avery was so vulnerable, like she felt unsure about everything. She looked around, and then nodded. Lucas closed the door behind her. “You look so upset. What’s wrong?” He touched her cheek gently, just needing some contact with her. She averted her gaze.
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