“Avery, you’re scaring me here.” Lucas tried again, pleading. With one finger, he lifted her chin. Her eyes were all misty. “Talk to me. Somethings bothering you. I can see it in your eyes.”
“I- I don’t know. I met up with Rodney earlier to see the results, and then when I told him I was leaving for awhile, he changed. Like he was really upset or something. Then I thought maybe we were going to celebrate, or- I don’t know. He just charged off. I don’t understand.”
Lucas’s heart went out to her. And his anger went out toward Rodney. What the fuck was the man’s problem? He wanted to tell Avery his thoughts on Rodney, especially with his encounter the other day, but decided against it. She was confused enough. He didn’t need to add his concerns without having proof to back up his claims. Yes, something was off about Rodney, and as time went on it only got worse, but Lucas needed to stay out of it.
Great. Another secret to keep from Avery.
Well, not technically. It wasn’t a secret. Lucas just didn’t need to express his feelings at the moment.
“Can I ask why he was here? He still didn’t look happy. He didn’t notice me when I came up. But then, I kind of avoided him.”
“He warned me to not hurt you,” Lucas admitted. “Said he knew he didn’t trust me, and when he found out I have a connection to your birth mother, he wasn’t too happy.”
Avery sniffed. “He wasn’t happy about me leaving either. I think he’s going home. He gave me his cell number to keep in touch, but I feel like this is a terrible good-bye.”
“So, the results...?” Lucas didn’t want to pry. Hopefully Avery would tell him, but he understood if she didn’t want to.
Avery nodded. “Rodney is my birth father. One half of the puzzle has been solved. Answered. And, I’m nervous, but I’m ready to take you up on the offer. I want to meet my birth mother, Lucas. Please say you’ll still take me?” That look on her face, Lucas’s heart melted. He gathered her in his arms and held her tight. He rested his head on hers. He wanted nothing more than to hold her here for as long as possible.
“Of course I’ll take you.” He kissed the top of her head.
I’d do anything for you.
If Lucas didn’t know any better, he’d think he was falling in love with Avery. How could that be? He hadn’t felt love, not like this. He closed himself off to feelings after his childhood, and there had never been time or reason to fall in love the past ten, twelve years of his life. Avery was different. More than just a passing phase. She could be the one to break Lucas’s emotionless cycle. Who was he kidding? It already happened. He couldn’t get enough of her. The sweet smell of vanilla, the way she fit perfectly in his embrace, the way he wanted to take every fear, doubt and worry away.
Lucas could take the time on the trip and show Avery places she’d never seen. Take extra time and do some sight seeing, spend time together. Maybe he could tell her his feelings then. Speaking his mind when it came to his own feelings had never come easily to him. But what happened when there was no reason for him to stay in Harmony’s Echo? He could lose Avery.
Lucas didn’t want to lose her.
“It’s going to take me a day or so to get flight reservations and make accommodations for a place to stay, but I’ll take you to her, Avery,” Lucas promised.
“What can I do to help? I’ll pay for my ticket.” Avery pulled away from his embrace.
“I’ve got it covered. Don’t worry about anything. You just pack, get everything in order, and we’ll be set.”
She opened her mouth, about to argue with him. Lucas took that moment to kiss her on the lips. She reeled back, narrowing her eyes at him. “You can’t keep doing that.”
Lucas blinked innocently. “Doing what?”
Avery socked him on the arm. “Don’t play coy. You know what I mean. I get ready to say something to you and you just kiss me! Like you’re trying to make me forget what I was about to say to you!”
Lucas arched his brow at her. “Well, did it work?”
“No. I didn’t forget,” Avery fired back at him. But then a smile played at her lips. “Maybe a little.”
“So what if I kiss you again? Will that help make you forget?” Without waiting for an answer, he cupped her face and kissed her again, this time more passionately. Avery didn’t fight back. She kissed him back. When it ended, Avery looked at him with those gorgeous eyes. He had no idea what she would do next.
“I’m not sure I like this effect you have on me,” Avery whispered.
“No? But I do,” Lucas teased. She looked torn. Avery kept darting her gaze to the door, like she was about to make a run for it, but then looked back at Lucas. She looked so damn sexy right there, just like that.
“You would.” Avery met his gaze. The same desire Lucas felt flashed in her eyes. It helped to know that she felt it, too. Lucas would have to figure out a good way to see what their future was, but not now. Not here in this room. As much as it killed him, Lucas wouldn’t have her here.
Avery broke the moment when she looked down, then back up at Lucas again. “I need to go get ready for my shift. Then I’ve got band practice tonight.” Avery reached for the door, her hand resting on the knob like she was hesitant to leave.
Lucas nodded. “I’ll start the arrangements right now.”
“Lucas, I don’t even know where we’re going. That’s terrible! Where is my birth mother at?”
“Right now, California.”
“What do you mean, right now?”
“She travels a lot.” That wasn’t going to be enough to satisfy Avery’s curiosity, but he couldn’t say much more yet. She’d understand when she met her birth mother.
Avery’s lips formed a thin line, and she shook her head. “I don’t understand all this secrecy, or your reasons to be so vague.” Hurt flashed in her eyes. She turned the doorknob.
Damn it.
“Avery, wait.” Lucas covered her hand with his. “I don’t like it either. You’ll understand soon, okay? I know this isn’t easy. I won’t say trust me, because I already blew that. I need you to just be patient. Please?”
The sooner this was all over, the better Lucas would feel.
She stared at him again and then nodded. “Fine. I guess that’s all I can do.”
“Avery.”
He loved the way her name sounded on his lips.
“I’ve got to go, Lucas,” she protested.
“I know. I just- I don’t like this tension. I know it’s my fault, but I still dislike it. I just need to know you’re okay before I let you walk out of here.” He sounded like an idiot, he knew that, but all he wanted was to know she would be okay. That she at least partly understood. He didn’t blame her for feeling angry and upset.
Oh Avery. I would tell you everything if I could. But soon, baby, I promise.
“I’ll be okay, Lucas. I just need answers and it seems that everyone is not telling me the full truth. And that includes you.”
“I know. That’s why I’m making this happen. I’m trying to give you the answers you deserve. It’s just you can’t hear them from me. I know it frustrates you. It’s almost over, I promise.” Lucas drew her to him again, giving her one more kiss before he had to let her leave.
Avery released a deep breath, but her arms wrapped around him. “I don’t know whether to kiss you or strangle you sometimes.”
“You’re not the strangle type.” Lucas laughed.
“How would you know?” Avery shot back. When he looked down at her, Avery was trying her hardest not to smile. She wasn’t winning this battle with him. Lucas knew better.
“Because, you are gentle. You release your feelings through music. So the worst you would do is write me into an angry song or something.”
“Maybe I already have.” And there went that smile. The sly grin that brightened up her beautiful face.
“Then I’d love to hear it.” Lucas ran a finger down her cheek. Her silky smooth skin sent a sensation of arousal through his body. Now he’d
better let her go before he could no longer contain his urges. “Get out of here, sweet woman, before I have my way with you right now,” he growled.
*****
Lucas Bennett drove Avery to distraction. All she could think about throughout work was his eyes, those lips, and the fact that she would be spending quite a bit of time with him soon. Would they share a room? If they did, Avery knew she wouldn’t be able to hold back. She wanted him. Damn it, she wanted that man badly. But Lucas didn’t let her in, not emotionally, anyway. If he hadn’t lied, held back, maybe she could feel less guilty for wanting him. That wasn’t the case, however, and that only made her feelings more confusing.
Six hours went by, slowly, and finally she was done with work. Alice came in to relieve her. Avery couldn’t get out of there fast enough. She grabbed her purse and headed out the back door, running through the courtyard to head to Jameson’s for practice. The woods at night had a spooky presence, but it was a path Avery had taken many times. It was a long walk for most, but for Avery it was a time of calming. It didn’t faze her anymore. When she was younger, she and Jameson used to play hide and seek in these woods. He loved to scare her and she’d smack him, but they would laugh until they couldn’t breathe.
How the times have changed. At this time last year, things had been so different. Avery and Jameson had been happy, in love, and making music together. Who would have thought things would have unraveled the way they did? Now Avery had feelings for someone she didn’t really know, whereas she’d been friends with Jameson for years. Though she’d never known the circumstances of her birth, Avery grew up in a great environment. Mom and Dad were great, even though they were older, and when Avery was in elementary school, kids had laughed and teased her about their age. Avery defended them many times. Deep inside, it hurt, but she didn’t show that side to anyone.
Fond memories. Avery wouldn’t trade them for anything.
At least she had a chance to meet her birth mother and ask the questions she’d always wanted to know. Then she could move on. If she formed a relationship with her, great. If not, it may sting for awhile, but Avery had a place to come home to. Mom and Dad would be right there to give her all the support she needed.
As for Rodney, well, she hoped he would keep in touch too. Something about the way he took off didn’t sit right with her. Avery couldn’t put a finger on it. She could just be overthinking it.
Leaves rustled behind her. Avery whirled around. It wasn’t windy, so that wasn’t the reason. “Hello?” she called, suddenly wishing she wasn’t walking alone.
Snap!
What was that?
Avery’s heart skipped a beat. Her pulse quickened and she gathered her wits and called out again, but this time, she clutched her purse, ready to strike if someone bolted from those trees. She couldn’t see anything, or anyone, for that matter. The hairs on the back of her neck stood. An invisible hand of ice crawled down her back.
Someone was there. She knew it, though she couldn’t see them.
Her heart thundered in her chest.
Run! She needed to run!
So she did. As fast as she could. Through the trees, her shoes pounding through the mud and the puddles. Were they following her? Avery lost her footing and fell, scraping her arm against a tree. The sound of footsteps near her sent her into a scream.
She got to her feet, ignoring the biting sting from her arm. She had to get to Jameson’s. Now. She gasped for air as panic settled in. In the distance, a shadowy figure darted through the trees. Avery swallowed hard, and made a run for it. Jameson’s wasn’t that far. She’d made this walk many times. Never, never ever had anyone or anything scared her this bad on the trip. Until tonight.
She knew this town, this area.
Except for now. All Avery knew was how frightened she felt.
Someone grabbed her arm and she let out a piercing shriek. Her purse was on her other arm, so Avery yanked it off her shoulder and started pelting the person. “Leave me alone!”
“Avery! What the hell? Stop, it’s me. It’s Jameson!”
Jameson?
A light flashed in her face. Jameson held a flashlight.
“Oh God, Jameson. I’m sorry.” Avery dropped her purse and let him put his arms around her. She trembled, her knees buckled and if she hadn’t been leaning on Jameson, she would have fallen.
“What’s going on? You’re terrified. You’re bleeding!” Jameson looked at her with concern.
“We need to get out of here. Someone’s following me.” Avery gasped for a breath, trying to calm her her heart, which was beating erratically.
“What? Avery, are you sure?” Jameson bent to pick up her purse and led her to the house. She couldn’t help herself, she kept turning her head to look behind her, in fear that whoever followed her would now get both of them.
“I’m sure, Jameson. I heard the twigs and leaves. I saw a shadow,” Avery snapped.
Okay, it wasn’t his fault. He’s just making sure.
Jameson stayed silent as he took her inside.
“Hey. I’m sorry. I’m just a bit spooked. I don’t mean to jump all over your case.” Avery softened her tone, hoping to smooth things over. Relief washed over her when Jameson closed and locked the door behind her.
“It’s okay. I know you’re upset. I was caught off guard when you pelted me like that. We’ve gone through those woods so many times. Never have I seen you so spooked.”
“That’s the same thing I was thinking.” Avery thought back to the text message and now this. “Where is everyone? What were you doing out there?”
“You’re the first to arrive, and I went outside waiting for you. Ever since your friend Lucas had an issue with someone trying to run him off the road, I wanted to look out for you. I should have just come to the inn and drove you, or walked with you.” Jameson handed Avery a water. “Let me see your arm. How is Lucas’s ankle, by the way?”
Avery stared at Jameson. What was he talking about? Avery recalled Lucas talking about something with his ankle the other night, but she’d never asked about it, and he never said a thing.
“Umm, it’s good. Better.” She winced as Jameson touched the sensitive skin around her cut. “How bad is it?”
“A bloody scrape. I think you’ll live a long and happy life,” Jameson teased. “I’ll go get some stuff and clean it, then bandage it for you. Be right back.” Jameson took off, leaving Avery alone.
She’d have to ask Lucas about the car incident. Were the things related? His incident, then tonight, and the text? Just small things, but they kept adding up.
Something wasn’t right. Avery was glad more than ever that they’d be getting out of town for awhile.
Avery heard voices, then heard the knock at the door. She opened it carefully. It was just the rest of the band. “Avery! What happened to you?”
She stepped back to let everyone in. Then Jameson returned, holding a bottle of peroxide, cotton swabs, and a box of bandages.
“I decided to take on a tree and it won?” she joked.
“Silly girl. Shouldn’t do that.” Randy ruffled her hair.
“Yeah, well, too late for that.” Avery clenched her teeth when Jameson began to clean her wound. “That hurts like a mother fu-”
“Hold still, Avery,” Jameson pleaded, gripping her arm a little tighter. “I’m almost done.”
Avery stiffened, but did her best to comply, when all she wanted to do was yank her arm away and tell Jameson to shove it. He was only trying to help, but damn it, that sting was getting near unbearable!
True to his word, Jameson finished cleaning the cut and placed the large bandage over it and smiled. “There. That’s all taken care of. Want a lollipop for your great cooperation?” He shot a grin her way.
“For that amount of pain, I want two,” Avery grumbled.
Jameson’s grin widened. “Sure thing.”
“Brat.”
“You guys ready to play or what?” Randy asked. “I want to make some m
usic!”
“Yeah, let’s do it,” Avery said, wanting to forget about the pain in her arm and the events of the night. Jameson and Avery were the last to head into the garage, where they practiced when they were at Jameson’s.
“You all right?” Jameson touched her shoulder. “I don’t like that someone may have been following you. And with Lucas’s incident the other day ... I don’t know, Avery, but something tells me to keep an eye out.”
“I’m okay. Shaken up, in a bit of pain, but you know me. I’m not that easily rattled.” Avery brushed it off, hoping to just forget it. “I’ve got something to tell y’all tonight though.”
Jameson’s brows raised a notch, but he didn’t say anything.
For the next hour, they played music. Avery felt much better and safer doing the thing she loved so much. Her shoulders relaxed and she could feel the tension leaving her body.
The time flew. Before she knew it, practice was over. As everyone gathered up their instruments, Avery cleared her throat. “Hey, guys. I gotta tell you something.” That got their attention. All eyes were now on her with curious looks on their faces. “I’m going to be leaving for a few days, maybe a week or so. I have the opportunity to meet my birth mother.”
Okay, why didn’t anyone say anything? The quiet, still room was killing her. Then all at once, everyone cheered, congratulated her and gave her hugs.
“That’s great!”
“Wonderful to hear!”
“Go, Baby Stetson! You deserve this.”
“Thank you guys. I appreciate your support. Y’all have been so great to me. I love each and every one of you,” Avery said, looking around the room at their faces.
“Aww, don’t get all girly emotional on us now,” Marty teased, messing up Avery’s hair affectionately.
Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) Page 18