by Various
“Hey, I don’t mean to intrude.” Jameson stood at the door, waving at Avery, but had a frown on his face. “There’s reporters everywhere. We’ve had to get security to the front of the hospital and now for Avery’s room.”
Security? Reporters? Okay, so there had been a kidnapping, but why would there be a high amount of reporters for that? Weren’t there more important issues, like the clean up efforts from the storm or something?
Avery looked from one face to the other. Did everyone know something but her? She narrowed her eyes. “Someone needs to fill me in on what’s going on.”
Still, no one said a thing. Avery glared at Lucas, then shifted her gaze to her parents, then to Jameson. Why wouldn’t anyone talk?
“I mean it. No more secrets.” She pointedly aimed that at Lucas, who squirmed in his chair.
“The reporters are here because of me.” A soft voice spoke up from the doorway. Avery looked past Jameson to see the new visitor and gasped. Though she obviously wore a wig, a hat and clothes that a woman like her normally wouldn’t wear, Avery knew her. Well, at least, knew of her. She’d only been following the woman’s career for as long as she could remember. Amazing voice, great actress, Avery dreamed of singing up on stage with Belinda Wainscott since she was a kid.
“You’re- I- What are you doing here?” Avery sputtered.
The woman laughed, entered the room and Jameson closed the door behind her.
“Wow. I’ve been a fan of yours for so long. This is not how I pictured meeting you and I can’t even think of a smart thing to say!” Avery frowned.
Belinda’s eyes misted with tears.
Wait ... Avery made her cry? What in the world?
“Avery,” Mom said slowly.
She felt a squeeze on her hand. Lucas smiled, but he had worry in his eyes.
Belinda drew in a deep breath. “I don’t think you’ll be a fan of me after I tell you what I need to say.”
Lucas pushed back from the chair, releasing Avery’s hand. He gestured for Belinda to sit there. Avery wanted to panic. She didn’t want Lucas to leave. But he didn’t. He moved to the other side of the bed and sat at the edge of it. Avery couldn’t decide who to look at, Lucas or Belinda Wainscott.
An oddball thought occurred to her. But, no way-.
“Avery, I’m your birth mother.”
Avery stiffened. She knew she looked like a fool, staring bug eyed with her mouth agape at Belinda. This was the woman who had left Avery in an old hat in a small town? This is the woman Lucas had been living with, taken in as a troubled teen? This is the woman she was supposed to meet in California. The same woman whose house Avery practically had a meltdown in. The same woman some angry, vengeful man plotted against forever, using Avery as a pawn.
The same woman Avery idolized for years, never knowing, never imagining the truth.
But everyone in this room seemed to know her!
“Did you always know?” Avery turned her eyes to her adoptive parents, hoping that they hadn’t keep a secret as big as this all these years.
“Of course not! Avery, we met her last night. She and Lucas came from California to find you. When the storm hit, and no one knew where you were, we all had to hear the story. You’ve been asleep and recuperating, so now it’s your turn.” Mom smiled through her tears. “We had no idea until last night that she was your mother.”
“Except for you.” Avery stared angrily at Lucas. It was no wonder he couldn’t say anything. Why she had to sign a privacy agreement. Everyone always found a way to swindle stars for their money. Or some kind of exploit. Avery understood now.
Not that it made any of this right. She still had plenty of questions.
But Avery couldn’t get her thoughts, her feelings sorted. She was still in shock.
“Oh please, don’t get angry at Lucas. It was per my request,” Belinda pleaded. “I’ve made a mess of things. I always do, and Lucas has always been there to help. I never, ever should have gotten him into this mess. Any of them, for that matter, but sometimes, it was easier than having to face it on my own. In the process, I’ve hurt you, I’ve hurt Lucas and I’ve kept him from living any kind of decent life.”
Avery’s tears flowed finally, like a overflowing dam. “Why did you leave me in a hat on the steps of an inn? Did you not want me?”
“Oh, Avery. I was young. Seventeen, to be exact, with dreams. I fell in love with your father, Rodney Morris. He was a wonderful young man, but he came from the wrong side of the tracks. A man I thought I could trust played the middle man and ruined my relationship with Rodney. Then Rodney was gone. I could no longer find him, and I discovered I was pregnant.”
“I had no idea what to do. My parents wanted nothing to do with me, let alone when I became pregnant. Nick Tate swooped back into my life, saying if I apologized and never went sleeping around with other men again, he would take care of everything for me.”
“We had a show near Harmony’s Echo. We stayed at the inn for a couple of nights. I went into labor early. Nick didn’t take me to a hospital. Instead, he delivered the baby- you, right then and there. I was a mess. I was tired, so out of it that when we were ready to leave, I was sleeping a lot. In pain. I had medication for the pain. I was so screwed up, I didn’t ask about you until after we were on the tour bus for hours. That’s when Nick told me he’d taken care of things. He said he gave you to people that would keep you safe, love you, and give you a better life.”
“Nick and I broke up a year later. I couldn’t remember the town I had you in. I had no idea how to search for you. I asked one of my band members that had actually stayed with me throughout the drama, the drinking, all the stupid crap I did. He had a general idea, but wasn’t too sure. I read articles about you in the paper. Though my heart broke inside, I saw that you had been taken in by a wonderful family. They gave you a better life than I ever could. I just wish things had been different.” By now, almost everyone was in tears. Avery, Belinda, Mom and Dad. Lucas looked stunned and listened with interest.
“When I ran into Rodney in Alabama, we caught up on each other’s lives. He’d moved on, married. Had children of his own. But I couldn’t go on without telling someone about the child I gave away. He was upset, angry, and wanted to find you. I asked him not to tell you I was your birth mother if he’d found you. Again, I wasn’t ready to face my past. Or have everything brought out into the open by the media. So I sent Lucas. I found out you were still here, so I told Lucas to keep an eye on things. I never imagined Rodney dying, or Nick still having hard feelings.” Belinda shuddered. “You can hate me if you feel so inclined. I know I’m ashamed of the way I handled things.”
She turned to Lucas. “As for you, I took you in, thinking I had a second chance to make a difference in someone’s life. You were so angry. You reminded me of me at that age. But then I got stupid again and you’re right. I used you like a puppet on a string. My little clean up boy. I sent you from one place to another and hung things over your head that I never, ever should have done. You deserved so much better than that, Lucas.”
There was a loud commotion coming from outside. Yelling, pounding, a scream.
“And that would be the media.” Belinda frowned. “Hungry for a story.”
“What are we going to do?” Mom asked.
“Well, let’s hope security rounds them up and hurdles them out. Then, because I know it’s going to be a shit storm for awhile ... if it’s okay with Avery, and you...” Belinda looked at Avery’s parents with a thoughtful expression. “Maybe I could take Avery to my secluded vacation spot. Get some time to talk, get to know each other. I’d also like to go visit her father’s grave. Rodney ... he was a loving and wonderful man, and he deserved far better than I gave him. I think I’d like to pay my respects to him.”
What? Avery couldn’t have heard right.
She wasn’t even sure she wanted to get to know this woman, even knowing who she was.
Yes you do. Despite it all, you are curious.
“I’m fine with that. What about you, honey?” Avery’s mom grasped Dad’s hand. Dad simply nodded.
“If that’s what’s best, and if Avery is up for it, then absolutely. We won’t hold her back.”
“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 o
n 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.