“Avery?” Belinda asked, her voice filled with hope.
Avery inhaled, thinking fast. “I- Okay. Yes.” Oddly enough, things were turning around. She wasn’t sure how to take in all the information from her birth mother, let alone take in who her birth mother was, but it was high time to learn.
“If you’d like, maybe you and your other daughter can come and stay for awhile too.” Belinda smiled at Avery’s mom. “I’d love get to know the woman that had the heart to take in a little girl that had no one.”
That did it. Avery’s mom burst into tears. “That sounds lovely, but I’m not sure I can take all that time away from the inn. We’re trying to sell, and there’s so much work to do.”
“Honey, you go. I think it’ll be good for you,” Dad reassured Mom. “I can keep things under control here.”
“And I’ll help,” Lucas piped up. “If you want me to, that is.”
“You’re not going to go back to California?” Avery inquired.
Lucas kissed her palm. “What I ultimately want is to be with you. But right now, most importantly, what you should have is time with your mom. Both of them. When you come back, we’ll talk. I mean really talk. I’ll tell you everything you want to know about me. I know you don’t trust me and are hurt. I understand that. I just want to at least have a chance to show you the kind of man I want to be.” Lucas’s words touched Avery’s heart. He really was trying. From the reserved, secretive man when she met him to the kind, loving man he tried to be now. He’d made mistakes along the way, but didn’t everyone?
“I love you, Avery. I’ve never said those words to any woman except for my mother when I was younger. I’ve never felt them. You bring out the best in me, and I want that feeling in my life forever. I want you in my life forever. And maybe some time apart, away from me, and spending some quality time getting to know Belinda will help sort out any mixed feelings you may have about me. About anything.”
“I have my best friend’s wedding in a few weeks. I’m supposed to sing a song for her. Throw her a party.” Avery thought about Laura. She didn’t want to let her best friend down.
“We’ll work on the melody, Avery. We will make sure that song is perfect for the wedding,” Jameson promised. He’d come back in the room, his body leaned up against the door as if he were guarding it.
Everyone was being so great. And it was unanimous. Everyone thought she should go, herself included.
“As soon as we get you discharged from the hospital, we’ll get everything set up,” Belinda said. “I know we’ll have to talk to the police, but we might still be able to get away for awhile.”
In odd ways, some things worked out. Avery rested, surrounded by friends and family, almost at peace.
Chapter Thirty One
“Maybe I shouldn’t do this. The last time I tried...” Avery’s voice trailed off. It was finally almost time to be released from the hospital. The past couple of days had been surreal, crazy, and full of emotion. Avery couldn’t seem to get a grasp on all the events. All of a sudden her birth mom wanted Avery in her life? Wanted to take her out of Texas for awhile?
Shouldn’t she have at least thought a little more about it before saying yes?
“Avery, it’s up to you.” Lucas stopped what he was doing to face her. He was at her side in a second. Gently brushing her hair back, he pressed a kiss on the bridge of her nose. His eyes were so full of feeling. It was a beautiful change from the man she’d met the first night. “Belinda, well, she’s a bit impulsive. So if you don’t feel ready to just fly off with her, then say the word. I don’t think anyone would be upset with you if you changed your mind.” He covered her hands with his.
Avery squirmed, wishing she wasn’t so sore and stiff.
“I don’t know. I’m stuck in a feeling of being torn. Am I making the right choice, or the wrong one?” Ugh, too many thoughts crowded her mind. Why couldn’t she stop being so overly cautious? This is what she wanted all along, right? To know her birth mom?
Both Mom and Dad were fully supportive of the idea, despite how much worry they had over the prospect of that happening. Maybe they were just putting on a show for Avery, but at least, they appeared fine with it.
“There is no right or wrong choice here, sweetheart. It’s about what you feel. What you want.” Lucas moved to sit beside her on the bed. “The fact that she’s reaching out is a good sign. But you’re the one that has the most at stake here.”
“I’m the biggest contradiction right now, aren’t I?” Avery sighed. Lucas had to listen to all of her rambling thoughts this entire time.
Well actually, he doesn’t have to.
But he did. Lucas hadn’t left her side most of the time during her hospital stay. Avery wasn’t sure, but she had a feeling that someone staying in her room all the time wasn’t normally allowed. Knowing Lucas, he’d found a way and made sure they knew he wasn’t going to leave. That was just the way he did things.
For once, Avery didn’t worry about Lucas bolting. He really was here to stay now, wasn’t he?
“Absolutely not. Will you stop being so hard on yourself? It’s not a decision to take lightly.” Lucas’s arm went around her, pulling her closer to him. Avery leaned on him, loving the way she felt in his embrace. “Tell you what, Avery. If you go, and there’s a time you feel a doubt, or want to come back, you call me. I’ll be on a plane to get you. You call me whenever you want, night or day.”
“You might have to permanently attach that phone to your ear then,” Avery teased, laughing.
Lucas waved his free hand. “We are in a hospital. I can make it happen.” He wiggled his eyebrows, that beautiful smile appearing on his face.
Avery burst into laughter. “Oh Lucas, you’ve been so amazing.” Could I really leave you? Even for a little while?
“I just want you to have everything,” he whispered in her hair. “I love you, Avery.”
Avery’s heart skipped a beat at those words. She could get used to hearing that from Lucas. “I love-” She didn’t get a chance to finish her thoughts.
“Are you ready to go home today, Ms. Callimer?” The morning nurse walked in, looking up at them, papers in her hand. The woman’s eyes softened as she smiled. “You two just can’t seem to stay away from each other, can you?”
Lucas shook his head as he squeezed Avery’s arm lightly. “Nope.”
The nurse laughed. “Okay, well you’ll have to move a bit so that I can do one more vitals check. I’ve got the discharge papers here.” She lifted them up.
“Thank goodness. I’m so ready to get out of here,” Avery said, scooting so Lucas could get up.
“Oh come on. We’re not all that bad, are we?” the nurse teased, lifting Avery’s arm.
“No, of course not.” Avery grinned. “But I’m ready for my own bed.”
“You just make sure that you take time to rest. No overdoing it,” the nurse said firmly.
“Yes ma’am. I promise.”
“Good. Okay, everything looks good. Here’s a prescription for your pain, and you just need to sign here.” The nurse handed Avery a pen. She signed where the nurse told her to, and after a few more instructions, she was ready. Another nurse came in with a wheelchair, which Avery eyed wearily.
“It’s standard procedure.” The nurse smiled, obviously noticing Avery’s look.
“Is she ready to go now?” Lucas asked, climbing to his feet.
The nurse nodded. “She sure is.”
Lucas helped the nurse get Avery settled in the wheelchair. Her purse and bag of belongings sat on her lap. He bent to kiss her on the lips. “I’m going to pull your truck up to the front. See you in a few, okay?” When Avery nodded in response, he took off out the door.
“That’s one fine man you have there,” the younger nurse said, whistling.
“Talk about dedication. He hasn’t left her side the entire time she’s been here.” The first nurse patted Avery’s shoulder. “You keep that one, you hear me? Don’t let him slip
away. That man loves you.”
“I love him too,” Avery admitted. “I don’t plan on letting him go.” They’d been down a long road already. There was still so much more they had to deal with, but Avery was certainly willing, and by the looks of it, so was Lucas.
“Good luck to you with your other situation,” the older nurse said softly. “Your mom filled me in on everything. That’s tough, but you have a chance to find everything out that you’ve ever wanted to know. I’m not trying to intrude, but ... well, I wish I had that chance that you do.”
Avery flicked her gaze to the woman. “You’re adopted?”
The nurse nodded. “Yes, I am. Like you, my adoptive parents were wonderful, but there was always a part of me that needed answers. The emotions aren’t going to be easy, but I think you may have an easier time if you get to know her. Like I said, I’m not trying to intrude. You don’t have to listen to me.”
“No, no. I really appreciate your thoughts. It’s like, she didn’t want to be a part of my life, and now all of a sudden, she wants to whisk me away for awhile. It’s scary. And at the same time, I want to know.”
“You can create your own terms too, you know. You don’t have to leave with her. I think the reason she did that is because of the media.” The nurse wheeled Avery into an elevator.
Avery nodded. The photographers and journalists had tried numerous times to catch a glimpse of her, even when Belinda wasn’t around. Security had to escort a few of them out. Poor Lucas, the light sleeper, had heard it all and was up, making sure none of them disturbed Avery.
“It’s a long road, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” They rode the elevator down the rest of the way in silence.
The woman had a point.
Belinda was trying. Avery wasn’t going to be able to forgive and forget easily, that much was true, but she had this opportunity. She could lay it all out on the line, every single feeling she had felt about it. She didn’t have to stay the entire time.
But she needed this chance.
Avery squinted as the bright sunlight bothered her eyes. After a few days of hospital lights and not much outside contact, it was blinding. At the end of the walkway was her truck. Lucas stood right by the passenger door, smiling as they approached.
“Ready to go home?” he asked, holding his hand out to her. With his other hand, he reached for her purse and bag, setting it on the floorboard. He helped Avery to her feet, keeping his arm around her waist.
“I am.” Avery turned back to wave at the nurse. “Thank you so much. For everything.” The woman nodded and smiled.
“You take care now. Remember what I said.” She winked and took the wheelchair, heading back inside.
“What did she say?” Lucas aided Avery into the truck.
“She suggested I get to know Belinda. On my terms, or hers. That it’s an opportunity for me to learn what I need to know. She’s also adopted and would have given anything for this chance.” Lucas closed the door when she was settled, and hopped into the driver’s seat. It would be a few days before she could drive again, considering her pain medications had a drowsy effect.
Lucas looked so good behind the wheel of her truck. “She’s right. But of course, it’s up to you.”
“Are you still angry at her?”
Lucas gripped the wheel, releasing a sigh before turning to Avery. “Honestly? Yes. But please, don’t let that affect your feelings. It’s going to take a long time for me to forgive her. This is also the first time I have ever seen her show any feelings though, so maybe she really is trying. Time will tell. I don’t like being used, and that’s what she did with me.”
A car honked behind them, prompting Lucas to focus on the road, starting the journey back to the house. A hush fell between them.
Lucas reached for her hand. “The one thing I’m glad she did was send me here. I hated it at first, but I would have missed the chance to meet you. I can’t imagine my life without you now, Avery. We’ve had a bumpy road, but I love that you’re a part of me.”
“Oh, Lucas.”
How she loved this man. He was right, they still had a long road ahead of them, but Avery was more than willing to work through it all to keep him by her side. She had a long road ahead of her in general, dealing with Belinda and her feelings toward the woman, and so much more.
She had to start somewhere.
“You would really come get me if I needed you to?” she finally asked, breaking the silence.
He squeezed her hand. “Of course I would. I wish I could be there with you, but this is your time. I have my own feelings to sort out. I’m going to miss you like crazy.”
“At least you can sleep in a regular bed now.”
“I’d rather be next to you.” Lucas’s voice went husky. “I’ve gotten used to you near me. I like it. More than like it.”
Avery did too.
“You’re really going to stay here while I’m gone?” She knew she was asking so many questions, but they wouldn’t stop coming in her mind.
Lucas pulled the truck off the road into a parking lot and turned to her. He put the truck in park and reached for her. His thumb caressed her cheek. “I know I haven’t given you much to go by, but Avery, the secrets are over. The running is over. With you is where I want to be. I know we can’t fix it all at once, but we’ll take it a day at a time. I just ... I want a chance at love. A chance with you.” The intensity in his eyes deepened as he looked into hers. Avery swallowed.
There had been a lot of taking risks lately, but she knew a relationship with Lucas was one she was willing to take.
And another one of those risks would be to go with Belinda. It was just for a few weeks. They would have privacy.
“Thank you, Lucas.” Avery leaned over and kissed him.
“For?”
“Where to start? For listening to me. For staying by my side in the hospital. For ... everything.”
“You don’t have to thank me, sweetheart. But you’re welcome. Are you ready to go home now?”
“More than ready.” Avery smiled, releasing Lucas so that he could drive once again.
It was time to begin a new chapter in her life.
Epilogue
Six Weeks Later
Harmony’s Echo, Texas
“The song, the reception, the wedding- it all turned out so beautiful!” Laura smiled. She was the happiest bride on earth. Avery agreed. Today had been perfect, despite the craziness of the past few weeks. Tonight was perfect for an outside wedding. The courtyard of the inn had been set up to hold all the guests, with tables scattered around, covered in white lacy tablecloths. Multicolored strands of lights filled the trees and bushes. A makeshift dance floor had been set up, and at the edge was where the band played.
The police confirmed the body belonged to Nick Tate. Spending a few weeks with Belinda had turned out better than Avery imagined. They’d talked about everything! And Belinda had been true to her word. She flew Mom out after they’d come back from visiting Rodney’s grave and his family. That had been awkward, but bittersweet at the same time. Avery felt refreshed and ready to move onto the next chapter of her life. She’d been plagued with nightmares for three weeks, but the last two nights she’d slept better than she had in a very long time.
The only thing that brought her down since being back was that she hadn’t seen Lucas. She’d thought about him a lot. Belinda told her stories about Lucas that helped Avery understand him and his complications.
When Avery came home, Lucas was gone. She’d asked Dad about it, but all he knew was that Lucas had to take care of some personal matters.
Avery had no idea if she’d ever see him again, despite what he’d proclaimed in the hospital.
That tore her up inside. She was ready to understand, to let go of the past, and form a new trust. Avery wanted Lucas in her life. She had more reason than ever to want to see him. Avery discovered only five days ago that she was pregnant. She’d been with Belinda and Mom at the time, and not wa
nting to keep secrets, Avery told them. Both of her moms cried and hugged her. Both were ecstatic about being grandmothers.
But how would Lucas react?
She had his number. Avery needed to try, to tell him to come back so they could talk.
Right now, Avery needed to cheer up. This was her best friend’s wedding, for crying out loud! No more sad thoughts. No more downers. She’d worry about Lucas later.
Right now, the band had taken a break. Random music played from the speakers.
But when the music stopped, Avery looked up, puzzled. The band all gathered up on stage again.
Wait a minute ... there wasn’t an extra song she didn’t know about, was there? “What are they doing?” Avery asked, looking at Laura.
“I think there’s a special song someone requested.” Laura giggled.
“Well, who’s singing it?”
Jameson got to the mic. “I know you all are wondering what’s going on, and though this is Laura’s wedding day, she and her great new husband have granted permission for this special performance. This is a song dedicated to my friend, Avery Callimer.”
With a sinking heart, Avery watched. Did Jameson have any ideas of trying to get back together? What was he up to? “Laura..” Avery stopped in her tracks when Lucas rushed on stage, looking so damn sharp and sexy in a tux, his face smooth and his hair brushed back. His eyes sparkled as he met Avery’s gaze. Then his entire face lit up.
“Lucas!” she breathed. He was here!
The music started up, a slow, tender ballad. Avery couldn’t move. She sat, frozen as she watched him. He opened his mouth to sing, and surprisingly, had a nice, low, deep singing voice. He kept his eyes on Avery the entire time, singing directly to her. The crowd oohed and aahed. Avery would bet most of them knew this was going to happen.
I walked around in life,
with no real place to go,
Never knew until you,
There were feelings I could show,
I’ve made my share of mistakes,
Left a trail of empty hearts,
Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) Page 30