Passionate Kisses

by Various

  Damn it. He didn’t like having that kind of weight.

  He couldn’t help how the meeting would go, but what he could make sure of was that Avery got to see some beautiful sights, and have some fun.

  “I appreciate that you are putting your trust in me, sir.” Lucas felt like he should say something.

  The man nodded. “My daughter seems to care about you, so I have to do my best to be open. You hurt her, though, and I know a few people.” The words came across very clear. Lucas understood.

  Which made him sink a little lower in his seat.

  Oh, quit cowering, you dumb ass.

  He straightened.

  “Well Lucas, Avery, I think I’m going to turn in for the night.” Avery’s mother walked around the table and planted a kiss on her daughter’s head. Her father also stood and waited for his wife. “Are you going to be up much longer? Paula hasn’t come back in yet. We had a talk earlier, but I don’t know if we got through to her.”

  From the behavior Lucas had seen with the woman, she must have been a handful. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. It sucked that they had to deal with the situation, but he was also glad to take Avery away from it for awhile.

  “If I’m going to be leaving tomorrow night, then I probably won’t be. There’s going to be so much to do.” Avery waved. “Good night. I love you, Mom. And you too, Dad.”

  There had never been a time that Lucas’s parents exchanged ‘I love you’s with one another, let alone with him. Maybe as a baby, but those were the days he couldn’t remember. This house, it was filled with so much love. Avery grew up a lucky woman, despite the way she had been left. Not every abandoned child had that same luck. It only made him admire Avery even more.

  When they were alone, Lucas pounced. “What aren’t you telling, about your fall?” he demanded, keeping her hand in his.

  Avery turned back to glare at him. “I’m not the only one not telling the full story. I talked to Jameson tonight. Why didn’t you tell me about the car?”

  “Touche.” Lucas winced. “To be fair, I didn’t mean not to tell you. It’s obviously been a strange few days. I’m sorry. Now, what about you? You averted your gaze when you told your parents, so I’m going to guess you’re omitting something.” He lifted her arm and turned it to look at the bandage.

  “I think someone was following me. I tripped, scraped my arm when I fell against a tree. When I saw a shadow, I got up and ran again until Jameson met me.”

  “Do you always walk in the woods at night?”

  Avery nodded, firmly setting her jaw. “I’ve played in those woods all my life.”

  “You didn’t happen to make out anything about the person following you?”

  “No. Too dark.”

  That’s what he figured, but it didn’t hurt to ask. “Damn it. Have you been getting any more of those anonymous texts?”

  “Not since that one.”

  “Avery, I’m glad we’re getting out of here for awhile. I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t like it. I can’t figure out why someone would want to run me over, and why someone would chase you. They may not be related, but, I don’t want to take that chance.”

  “You’re creeping me out, Lucas.” Avery paled. She gave his hand a squeeze.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to. I just want you to be more aware, okay? I know you’ve said you feel safe here. Something is off. I don’t want anything to happen to you, and there are plenty of people that share that same feeling. You mean so much to so many people, Avery. That includes me.” He pressed a soft kiss on her cheek.

  “I’ll be aware. I promise.”

  “Are you nervous about this trip?” He changed the subject a bit.

  “I’ve never been on an airplane.” Avery leaned closer to Lucas. He let go of her hand and slid an arm around her. When her head rested on his shoulder, he ran his hand over the top of her arm.

  “It may be scary at first, but I bet you’ll enjoy it. I thought, if you’re okay with it, I could take you sightseeing. The beach, a few other places.”

  Avery lifted her head from his shoulder and stared at him, her eyes lighting up like a child’s as if he’d just told her they were going to Disneyland. Which, if she wanted, he could take her there, too. “Are you serious?”

  “Absolutely. If you’d like, we’ll fit in as much as possible.” That smile, the way she looked at him right now, was priceless. She grinned from ear to ear, looking happier than she had in a few days.

  “Thank you, Lucas.” She squealed, kissed him on the lips and then pulled back, sheepish.

  “Get some rest, sweet Avery. I’ll come by in the morning and help, if you’d like.” Lucas let go of her and got to his feet. Avery led him to the door.

  She seemed reluctant to let him leave.

  “Do me a favor, and call me when you get to your room.” Avery took his hand. “With everything going on, I want to know you made it just fine.”

  The request showed she cared. For that, Lucas was grateful. It had been a long time since someone worried about him. Lucas tipped her face up and kissed her. Damn, he adored those soft lips and the way she smelled. Her reaction to his kisses drove him wild. “I will. Sweet dreams.”

  *****

  Avery slept terrible all night. She kept waking up to dreams, each one a different variation of meeting her birth mother. Each one a different nightmare, with a terrible ending. She’d wake up in a cold sweat, gasping for breath, tears running down her cheeks.

  Now, as daylight broke, Avery decided to forget about sleeping. She might as well get up and begin her day, in order to get everything done that she needed to. To think, twenty four hours from right now, she wouldn’t be in the state. That thought was more than a little daunting. She found her large blue rolling suitcase and duffel bag, and made a headway in her closet. Choosing clothes for the trip wasn’t easy. For whatever reason, Avery shoved aside everything on hangers and realized she didn’t have much to go by. Dress up? Casual? What would be over doing it? Under doing it?

  Then a thought occurred to her. Why worry so damn much about what she wore? She was obsessing more right now than when she dressed for a concert. It’s not like her birth mother would judge her by what Avery wore. And if she did, well, that would be stupid. There were far more important things to go by.

  Avery was just stalling. Grunting, she started to pull random clothes off hangers, paired them with pairs of jeans and skirts, and folded them neatly into the suitcase. If she had second thoughts in California, then she could just go shopping. No need to waste time on petty things like figuring out clothes.

  A few minutes later, just as Avery finished putting the necessities in the suitcase, someone knocked on the door. She glanced at the clock and noticed that it was seven o’clock. It must be Mom, already up and preparing her day. She probably heard the ruckus Avery had been making for the past half hour. Oops. She hadn’t meant to wake anyone up.

  “Come in!” Avery called. Sure enough, when the door opened, Mom’s good morning smile appeared, followed by the rest of her as she glided into the room. She looked from the suitcase to Avery.

  “I see you’re getting a head start,” Mom said, sitting on the bed beside the open bag.

  “I couldn’t sleep. Each dream I had was worse then the one prior,” Avery admitted, folding up the last of the skirts she’d chosen and placed them on top of the pile.

  Mom reached for Avery’s hand and pulled her to stand right in front of her. “Avery. You’re going to be just fine, whatever happens. I want you to remember that Dad and I love you, and we have been so blessed and lucky to have you come into our lives. You already know I was devastated after Paula ran off. Having you around was wonderful. When I first saw you, bundled up in that beat up Stetson hat, I believed it to be a sign. I knew then we had to do whatever it took to keep you safe. When your parents couldn’t be found, I told your father, no questions asked, that we were going to fight for you. I haven’t regretted a day of it sinc
e.”

  “Mom, you’re going to make me cry again,” Avery sniffed, but she couldn’t keep the smile from spreading across her face. “I love you too. I’ve always wanted to know where I came from. I’ve loved being here with you and Dad in Harmony’s Echo. I’ve thought about what you said about following my dreams, and as hard as it will be to leave you, I realize that music is something I want to pursue. I want to thank you for the encouragement and neverending support you always give me.” Avery hugged her mother tight.

  “I’ve always been a little fearful- okay, well that’s under exaggerated. I’ve been very fearful of the day you may find your birth parents, but I know now that you would never forget us. That’s the reason you stayed around even when you had the chance to spread your wings and fly. No matter the distance between us, you are still my beautiful, talented wonderful daughter.” Tears cascaded down her mother’s cheeks, which started Avery with her own waterworks.

  “Thank you so much.” Avery cried into Mom’s shoulder. “Thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do. I would not be the woman I am today without you. You’re the best.”

  “Hey hey, are we having a crying party in here, or what?” Dad said from the doorway. Avery looked up to see his smile, but the tears were in his eyes, too. “Because if so, I’m glad I wasn’t invited. But I do love seeing you lovely ladies fresh and early in the morning.”

  “Oh you hush, dear. I see those tears.” Mom scolded Dad playfully. He crossed the room and pushed aside Avery’s suitcase to sit next to her. He looked at her with love in his eyes.

  “I’m going to miss you, angel-girl, but I’m glad you’re getting this chance. You get to see new sights, and you know we’ll be waiting here when you get back. But you enjoy the time away, and make some wonderful memories.”

  “How did I get so lucky?” Avery asked, letting both Mom and Dad hug her and trying not to cry again. “I can’t imagine growing up with better parents. You both are amazing.”

  “I did not even come in here for tears.” Mom sniffed and swatted at Avery playfully. “See what you do to me, young lady?”

  Avery laughed. “Sure, blame me. You started it.”

  She couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

  “Well, why not come down for breakfast? We’ve got something special made for you.”

  “It wouldn’t happen to be my favorite waffles, would it?” They always made her favorite on special occasions. Surely this would be classified as one.

  Mom had a knowing smile. “You’ll just have to come downstairs to find out.”

  Avery didn’t need any more prompting.

  *****

  “You’ve got everything?” Mom asked for the one hundredth time. Avery and Lucas stood before the cab as it waited for them to get in and head to the airport. The time finally arrived! Avery hugged and kissed Mom and Dad, weary about letting them go. But knowing what lay ahead, she reluctantly let Lucas tug on her arm gently as he pointed to his watch. He smiled, and thanked Avery’s parents for everything and promised that they would call as soon as their plane landed. The suitcases were loaded in the trunk, and all Avery had to do now was to climb in that cab and begin the venture. With Lucas’s guidance, she did so, waving to Mom and Dad from the backseat, as they stood and watched them go.

  This is it. It’s really happening!

  “How are you doing? Nervous? Excited?” Lucas asked. He sat so close to her that their shoulders bumped. Lucas held out his hand. Avery took it and held on to it, enjoying the comfort his touch provided.

  “Yes to both,” Avery replied, giving him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

  “It’ll be okay. I’ll be here with you every step of the way. You have nothing to fear.” Lucas’s words reached her heart, but didn’t clear the worries she had in her head. She loved that he had been there for her. Despite their rocky situation, Avery still felt safe with him. Yes, he had lied. Well, at least, he hadn’t told her straight out why he was there. Was that considered a lie? When she’d asked, he said work. It had been a job.

  So, if it was only a job, what happens next?

  Avery felt something more than attraction. Lucas had admitted he did too. Where did that leave them?

  Don’t think about it. Don’t let yourself worry. You’ve got so much to deal with already. Just take it one thing at a time.

  Avery stole a glance at Lucas. When he turned his head from the window and smiled reassuringly, Avery melted. He had her back. She knew that. Whatever came out of this trip, Lucas had every intent on making sure she was okay.

  “What’s that look?” Lucas asked softly.

  “Considering I can’t see myself, I can’t tell you. I don’t know what look I have.”

  “Well, you looked worried earlier, but now you’re eyes have softened. You’re relieved about something. It was sudden.”

  “I’m thankful for you, and this chance. I’m scared, but I’m glad to have you by my side.”

  Lucas kissed her temple. “I’m happy you feel that way,” he whispered. “I’d do anything to keep that smile on your face, Avery.”

  Something about that wistful tone chilled her. Maybe the feelings really were more than just lust for Lucas. That was a time and conversation for later.

  The airport was busy. Avery watched in fascination at the planes taking off and landing. After they’d gone through security, checked in their bags, and waited near their terminal for their plane to come in and be able to board, Avery stared out the large glass window and marveled at the large aircrafts. Within a half hour, she would be in the air on one of those. A rush of excitement and fear collided into her all at once, and she she could no longer sit still. Avery shot to her feet and walked towards the window, wanting to view every detail.

  A hand rested on her shoulder. Lucas was beside her. “Are you okay?”

  Avery nodded. “I’ve just never been on a plane, and suddenly I’m a little fearful, but yet, in awe.”

  “Plane rides aren’t bad. Most of them are smooth and uneventful. The view, you will love! It’s an experience everyone should have many times in their lifetime. I can’t count how many times I’ve flown.” Lucas stayed beside her, his hand still resting on her shoulder as he watched the busy runways.

  “I think I see our plane, but I’m not sure yet.”

  Avery let his words sink in. Lucas had been to so many places. He’d probably seen the world, or at least most of it. For the first time, Avery really thought about the world and how little of it she had encountered. Harmony’s Echo was her home, where life took a twist and gave her the best opportunity, but there was so much more beyond the town she grew up in.

  If she were to follow her music dream, she could see more of the world. Go to Vegas and walk down the strip. Visit Nashville and all the iconic places to see there. Take in the view of Niagara Falls.

  It was time Avery made herself a list. A life to-do list. Places to go, things to do. Not that she ever regretted the way she lived before, but she hadn’t realized how much fear had held her down. What did she have to fear? The world waited. She had Mom and Dad’s blessing and love, so why did she hold back? She’d worked hard all her life. She had paid for her truck with her own money, even if it was from working at the inn. So what if she worked at a place her parents owned? She had never been treated any differently when working. She had all the same responsibilities everyone else did.

  It would take planning and saving, but Avery was going to do it. Travel. View the world. Find her dreams and work hard to achieve them. No more fears. No more worrying so much.

  If only she could do that traveling with Lucas.

  Now why did I go and think that?

  Because you want him by your side.

  Lucas Bennett had become a part of her daily thoughts. Avery knew so little about him, his mystery only intriguing her even more. But with Lucas, he could teach her so much. If Avery didn’t say something about how she felt during the next few days, she would lose her chance. It
was a big risk, but how would she ever know otherwise?

  Chapter Twenty

  As the plane lifted up above the tarmac, Lucas told Avery to look out the window and watch. She had been enjoying all the different things. She was like a little child, her eyes wide with wonder and awe. Lucas couldn’t imagine how it felt for her, the first time leaving Texas, being on a plane. She was ready to do this, and her enthusiasm gave Lucas something to root for. How someone lived for so long and never really went anywhere was a new feeling to him, but then, not everyone had a past like his. Moving, leaving from one place to another was the only thing he had ever known. The past few weeks in Harmony’s Echo taught him something. There were loving, stable families out there. Avery was a lucky woman, despite not knowing where she came from. She had a sister that was a little more than crazy, but if that’s the least of it, that said a lot. Avery had people that cared about her. She had her band and her ex, Jameson. Even though they weren’t together anymore, Lucas knew the man cared about her. But then, they had apparently grown up together. What was that like? Having a constant in your life?

  Lucas’s only constant was change.

  Now all he wanted was a simple life. No more sweeping problems under a rug that weren’t even his. No more deception, breaking hearts. For once, Lucas wanted to live for himself. What would that be like? He could find a place he liked, buy some land, settle down. Hell, one day maybe he could have a family.

  An image flashed in his mind that surprised him, yet appealed to him at the same time.

  Avery. Married to him, having his children.

  What? Whoa. Lucas, married to Avery? He’d known her just a few weeks and that’s where his mind went?

  She suited him. Avery brought out feelings Lucas never even knew existed. But Avery had always been settled. Hadn’t it been partly his coaxing for her to live a little, stray away from the only place she’s ever known? She wanted a life in music, and if she went to Nashville and made it big, there wouldn’t be any settling down for her. Avery’s travels would only be beginning.