“I have a feeling my daughter needs me more right now.”
She was right. She did need her mother. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
“Positive.”
“Okay, can I pick you up at the airport?”
“No, I know how busy you are. I’ll just meet you at the doctor’s office. Maybe we can have dinner together and I can spend the night. It would be nice to have a little girl time.”
She and her mother had never spent any “quality time” together, but if her mother was ready to rectify the situation, she was willing to make the effort. “Okay, I’ll email you later with the time and address.”
“I’ll be there, sweetheart. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Bye, Mom.”
Chapter Seventeen
After another fitful night’s sleep, the drive out to Abby’s parents’ ranch felt like the longest of Avery’s life. How was she, a complete stranger, going to find the words to tell them their daughter was slowly killing herself?
She pulled into the winding drive, followed the gravel path, and cut the engine in front of a sprawling bungalow. She took a deep breath and pressed her hand against her stomach to still the quivering. If only she didn’t have to do this, but she couldn’t live with herself if she sat back and did nothing. She didn’t like Abby, but those who loved her didn’t deserve the heartache of having to bury her in the prime of her life.
She walked up the steps and pressed her finger against the doorbell.
Within moments, a pleasant looking woman with silver streaked hair answered the door. She smiled. “Can I help you?”
“Mrs. Easton?”
The woman nodded. “Yes, and you would be?”
Avery extended her hand. “I’m Avery Collins. I’m a friend of Ty’s. I was wondering if I might have a word with you and your husband.”
She smiled and took a step back, welcoming Avery into the large foyer. “Of course, come on in. Any friend of Ty’s is always welcome in our home.”
Avery felt a stab of guilt. She was about to impart news that would turn their orderly world upside down.
“Just give me a minute to call down to the barn. I’ll tell George to come on up.” She gestured toward a comfortable looking great room furnished with leather, large upholstered pieces, and solid wood tables. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t call first.”
“Nonsense, we don’t stand on ceremony around here. Can I get you something to drink, dear?”
Avery forced a smile. The thought of putting anything in her stomach right now made it roil in protest. “No thank you, I’m fine.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
Avery looked around at the framed photographs distributed on various tables and the solid wood mantle. Some appeared to have been taken some time ago, Abby as a little girl. Others were obviously more recent, a beautiful little girl with a smiling face so much like her mama’s.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long,” Mrs. Easton said, coming into the room. “George will be up in just a minute.”
Avery nodded to the end table at her side. “I was just admiring your photos. You have a beautiful family, Mrs. Easton.”
The older woman smiled as she settled into a chair across from Avery. “Thank you.” She picked up a framed photograph of her granddaughter. “Melanie is the light of our lives.” She looked up, tears welling in her soft brown eyes. “I’m sure Ty has told you about her?”
“He has. He’s so proud of her.”
She set the framed photo down and sighed. “That little girl loves him so much. He’s been more of a parent to her than our daughter’s ever been.” She shook her head, fighting back tears. “I can’t tell you how much it pains me to say that.”
Avery took a deep breath and decided it was time to take the plunge. “Actually, that’s the reason I came to see you today.”
Before she could continue, a man wearing a cowboy hat and boots, flannel shirt, and worn jeans entered the room, a smile splitting his face. He extended his hand and Avery stood to accept it, returning his smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Easton. Ty has told me so many wonderful things about both of you.”
He chuckled. “I could say the same. That young man is certainly smitten with you.”
She was surprised that Ty had mentioned her to his in-laws. “That’s kind of you to say.”
“Maybe you can stick around and meet Melanie?” He checked his watch. “The bus should be dropping her off in an hour or so. She only has a half-day of school today.”
Avery smiled. “I’m anxious to meet her.” But she couldn’t be certain they wouldn’t throw her out on her ear when she told them the reason for her visit. They had no reason to take her at her word. In their mind, she may be here because she had a score to settle with their daughter.
George claimed the armchair next to his wife and leaned forward, his hands clasped loosely between his legs. “What can we do for you, Avery?”
She took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension building in her chest. “Your daughter came to see me. It seems she’s interested in reconciling with Ty. Were you aware of that?”
The Eastons exchanged a glance. “No, we had no idea,” George said.
“She was aware that Ty and I were involved.” There was no way to avoid full disclosure. “In fact, I’m pregnant with his baby.”
Marilyn Easton raised a hand to her mouth. “A baby, my goodness, how wonderful. Ty must be so excited.”
“He doesn’t know yet.”
George frowned. “I don’t understand. The father should be the first to know, don’t you think?”
She eased forward, gripping her knees. “Ideally, yes. Unfortunately, there are extenuating circumstances. Your daughter…”
“What does Abby have to do with this?”
“She found out about my pregnancy and she threatened to go to the media if I didn’t end my relationship with Ty.”
George clenched his fists. “That damned fool girl. She only thinks of herself, always has. Why the hell would she want to rob Ty of the chance to be a father to his own child when he’s been such a good daddy to her little girl?”
“It seems to me she’s motivated by money and the opportunity to bask in the shadow of Ty’s fame.”
“Money?” George snorted. “Believe me. We give her more than enough money to live comfortably.”
Avery winced. “I don’t think it’s enough to support her drug habit, sir.”
The color drained from his face as he reached across to grip his wife’s hand. “What’re you talkin’ about?”
“I learned, from a very reliable source, that your daughter has a serious cocaine addiction.”
Marilyn bowed her head, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. “I was afraid of this. The last few times we went to visit I knew something was off. She was nervous…” Her voice trailed off as she struggled to compose herself.
“It makes sense,” George said quietly. “It all makes sense. I couldn’t understand why a mother would voluntarily leave her own child.”
“She’s sick, Mr. Easton,” Avery said. “She needs help to get better.”
Marilyn grabbed a tissue from the table at her elbow and rubbed her eyes. “Of course, we’ll get her into a top-notch rehabilitation program right away.”
“Why did you do this?” George asked, looking at Avery. “Why did you feel the need to tell us about Abby’s problem?”
Avery shrugged. “She’s your daughter. I thought you had a right to know. Besides, Melanie needs her mother in her life.”
“You’re right, she does,” Marilyn said. “We can’t thank you enough, Avery. You may very well have saved her life.”
George cleared his throat, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “My wife’s right. If there’s ever anything we can do for you, all you have to do is ask.”
Avery twisted her hands, trying to find the words to ask for the help she needed. �
�As a matter of fact, there is something...”
“Just name it,” George said. “Anything.”
“I need Ty in my life. I love him. I want him to be a father to our baby.”
The Eastons looked at each other and smiled. “We’re so happy to hear you say that,” Marilyn said. “He’s the finest young man we’ve ever known. And the finest daddy your little one could ever hope to have.”
Avery smiled. She knew Ty was going to be a wonderful father; still, it was nice to hear. “The problem is Abby…”
George held his hand up. “Say no more. Trust me. Our daughter won’t be a problem for you and Ty anymore. I’ll see to that personally.”
“But…”
His eyes hardened when he looked at Avery. “Money makes Abby’s world go ‘round, Avery, always has. It’s the one thing she can’t live without. I’m gonna make it real clear to her that she either signs those divorce papers and treats Ty with the respect he deserves or she won’t get another penny from us, aside from funding her rehab, of course.”
“You would really do that?” Avery asked, quietly.
“It’s time our daughter learns to stand on her own two feet. We’ve babied her for far too long. Hell, I feel we’ve enabled her. If it weren’t for our support, she’d never have gotten hooked on that damned stuff.”
Avery stood, smiling at the Eastons. “I know I don’t know you very well, but from what Ty’s told me and what I’ve observed, you’re amazing people. Abby and Melanie are lucky to have you in their lives.”
Marilyn stepped forward and pulled Avery into her arms. “You take care of that baby of yours, okay?”
Avery patted the woman’s back, smiling at her husband. “I will.”
“Our little granddaughter is going to be thrilled to be a big sister. I hope we’ll be seeing a lot of you and your baby out here,” George said.
“You can count on it.”
Ty glanced at his call display when his phone rang. When he didn’t recognize the number, he was tempted to let it go to voice mail. He didn’t want to deal with anyone or anything today. Still, something told him to answer the call.
“Hello.”
“Ty, it’s Anna Collins.”
Ty’s heart raced. If Avery’s mother was calling, there could only be one reason. “Dr. Collins, is everything okay? Is it Avery?”
“This is about Avery, but I don’t want you to worry. She’s fine.” She sighed. “I hope you’re sitting down, Ty.”
What the hell? “Okay, now you’re making me nervous. Maybe you’d tell me what this is about.”
“My daughter may never forgive me for telling you this, but I don’t feel I have a choice.”
“Tell me what?” He paced the floor, his booted heels clicking on the hardwood. “What is this about?”
“Abby went to see Avery a few days ago. She threatened to expose your affair to the media.”
Ty sank down on the sofa, closing his eyes and tilting his head back. “Shit,” he whispered. “Uh, I’m sorry, I…”
She laughed. “That’s okay. I understand.”
“Yeah, I think I’m beginning to understand, too. That’s why Avery said she didn’t want anything to do with me, because of Abby’s threats?” That bitch was still finding ways to destroy his life, even after all these years.
“She was trying to protect you, Ty. She knows how hard you’ve worked for this opportunity. She didn’t want to take that away from you.”
“Then it wasn’t because I wasn’t good enough for her?”
Anna laughed. “Not good enough for her? Ty, you’re just about the best thing that’s ever happened to her.”
It meant a lot to Ty that he had her parents’ approval. “Does that mean you and your husband would give us your blessing if I could convince your daughter to marry me, Dr. Collins?”
She laughed. “Only if you promise to call us Anna and Grant from now on.”
He grinned. “You’ve got a deal.”
“Ty, Avery has a doctor’s appointment in a little while. I want you to go, be with her. I was supposed to be there, but I think she’s going to need you.”
Ty leaned forward, his gut clenching with fear. “Is she okay? Is she sick?”
“I can’t tell you anything more, honey. She needs to be the one to tell you. I’m sorry. But, please don’t worry, okay?”
“Then it’s nothing serious?”
She laughed lightly. “Uh, I didn’t say that. Listen, grab a pen. I’ll give you the details.”
Ty scribbled the information down on a scrap of paper and shoved it in his pocket. “Okay, I better go if I’m going to make that appointment. Dr… I mean, Anna, thanks for everything. I mean it.”
“My pleasure, son.”
He disconnected the phone and sprinted to his truck. He glanced at the clock on the dash. He would have just enough time to make the appointment.
Anna’s news had put everything in a different perspective for him. Avery was trying to protect him, which must mean she had feelings for him. Whether those feelings bordered on love, he had no idea, but he intended to find out.
He gripped the steering wheel when he thought about Abby’s part in this. He thought he loved that girl once, but it was clear now, looking back, that he was merely infatuated. What he felt for Avery, that all-consuming, gut-wrenching sensation was love, unlike anything he’d ever felt before.
He drove the distance to the medical building on autopilot, rehearsing his speech for when he finally saw Avery. Whatever she was facing, they would face it together, as husband and wife, if he had his way.
He scanned the small parking lot for her car. There it was, tucked under a tree in the back of the lot. He ran up the steps, taking them two at a time. He couldn’t let her go through this, whatever it was, alone. He needed to be there, by her side, holding her hand.
He walked up to the nurses’ station. “Afternoon, ma’am. I’m looking for Avery Collins.”
She smiled. “It’s nice that you could make it for this. The doctor will be in to do her ultrasound in just a few minutes.” She pointed to a closed door down a short hallway. “You can go on in.”
Ty considered the implications of an ultrasound. What the hell were they looking for? Her mother said it could be serious...
He gripped the doorknob, taking a deep breath. He stepped inside the small, dimly lit room.
Avery was sitting up on the long table. When she saw him, her mouth fell open. “What the hell are you doing here? I was expecting my mother.”
“She called and asked me to come.” He took a step forward, taking her hands in his. “She told me about Abby, about what you did for me.”
She dropped her head, looking at their joined hands. “She told you that I went to see the Eastons?”
He tipped her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. “No, what are you talking about?”
She sighed. “We hired a private investigator to dig up some dirt on Abby. It turns out she has a serious drug addiction, Ty.”
He swore under his breath. “You went there to tell her parents about it?”
She nodded. “I thought they had a right to know.”
Her caressed her cheek, smiling. “You’re amazing. You know that?”
Her lips tipped up at the corners. “As long as you still think so. I’m sorry about…”
He touched his fingertips to her lips. “You have nothing to apologize for darlin’. You did what you thought you had to do. Sure, I wish you would’ve told me about it so we could’ve dealt with it together, but it’s over now. All that matters is you and me. Assuming there still is a you and me?” He prayed she would say there was.
She looked at the ultrasound machine butted up against the bed. “Did my mother tell you why I was here?”
“No, and I’m dying to know, but first, I need to know something else.”
“What?”
“Do you love me, Avery?”
“God yes,” she whispered. “You have no idea how mu
ch.”
He felt the oppressing weight of the past months slide off his shoulders. Whatever else they had to face, they would get through it, together. “Does that mean you’ll do me the honor of agreeing to be my wife?”
“What? Are you serious?”
He smiled when he saw the tears in her eyes. He recognized tears of joy when he saw them. “Damn straight. I can’t wait to marry you. If that’s what you want?”
She reached out to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Yes, I want that more than anything, but first there’s something I have to tell you…”
“Is it about the reason you’re here?” He cupped her face in his hands, trying to inject his voice with confidence and strength he wasn’t feeling. He was terrified. If anything happened to her… No, he wouldn’t even allow himself to consider that possibility. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it, sweetheart.”
She smiled. “I hope so, ‘cause I’m sure gonna need your help with this one.”
She was smiling; that was a good sign, right? “Okay, just tell me what you need me to do.”
“Let’s see.” She pressed her index finger to her chin, pretending to be deep in thought. “I’ll need you to show me how to change a diaper, warm a bottle, clip those tiny fingernails…”
He grabbed her shoulders, his heart hammering against his chest. “Wait a minute. Are you telling me you’re gonna have a baby?”
She smiled, resting her hands on his waist. “No, I’m telling you that we’re going to have a baby, cowboy.”
He lowered his hands to grip the table on either side of her as he hung his head. “Ohmigod, I can’t believe this.”
She framed his face with her hands, raising his head. “You are happy about this, aren’t you? You’re not mad that I didn’t tell you right away? I would have, I wanted to…”
He took her in his arms, flattening her against his chest. “Shhh, I don’t care about that. I’m happy,” he whispered. “God, I’m so happy, honey.”
Reckless (Nashville Nights) Page 20