by T. A. Foster
“Very funny.” Evan stood next to her to scoop up a plate of gooey nachos. Lenny had a secret recipe he guarded closely that made them taste out of this world. “At least there’s food.”
Patty patted the couch. “All right, Haven, come sit down. We want to hear all about you.”
Haven’s eyes darted to Evan. Was this going to be a painful inquisition? She didn’t have anything rehearsed.
Lenny returned with a pitcher of margaritas and one full of red sangria. “Let me know if you need anything else. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
“Thanks, Lenny,” Patty called after him. “Good to see you again.”
Haven took the glass of sangria Evan handed her, watching the orange slices float on top. She nestled into the pillows next to Patty. Evan poured more drinks and handed them to the women.
“Well, I don’t know what to say. What has Evan said?”
Patty laughed. “Not a whole lot. He’s kind of private this one.” She eyed her son across the room.
He shrugged his shoulders.
Anna sipped her margarita. “How long do you think you’ll be in Austin?”
Haven turned toward the sister. “As long as they keep wanting me to write songs. I’m working on an album right now.”
Evan piped in. “She’s being kind of modest. She’s working with Carly Stone on a new album and wait ‘til you hear what it sounds like.” He beamed at her across the room.
Anna’s eyes widened. “Carly Stone? I love her.” She turned toward her brother. “Aren’t you two friends?”
“Yeah, we used to hang out.”
Haven felt a prickly sensation crawl across the back of her neck. She still hadn’t untangled the extent of Evan’s relationship with Carly. It was that question she kept postponing.
“Thought so. Maybe some day you’ll introduce us to all your famous friends.” Anna smiled and turned toward Haven. “We never get to meet anybody. What’s the point of having a famous brother if you don’t meet any celebs?”
Haven shrugged her shoulders. She took it as a good sign the family hadn’t met Carly.
Anna continued, “I think that’s so cool you’re a songwriter. I used to want to be a writer, but I’m doing something completely different now.”
“Evan told me you run the Carlson Foundation. That must be a lot of work.”
“More than I planned on, but it’s taken on a life of its own.” Anna licked the salt rim on her glass. “I have to head to Austin before dinner and meet with one of our donors.”
Evan sat across from them. “Something wrong? Anything I need to know about?”
Anna rolled her eyes. “No, I have it handled. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it.”
Haven had to stop herself from giggling. Anna was definitely the older sibling. Watching the two of them interact made her a little sad she didn’t have anyone like that in her life. Right now would be the perfect time to share the burden and pain of what was happening back home. A sister would have been nice, but watching them, she realized how much fun a brother could be too.
Patty interrupted the sibling squabble. “And what about your parents, Haven? What do they do?”
Haven dropped her eyes to her lap. This was the first time anyone had asked about her parents since the separation. She wasn’t sure how to address them anymore. “They— Um, my dad owns a store in the village.” She thought about how to describe her mother.
Evan leaned closer. “Actually, Mama, that’s how we met.”
“Oh, really?” Patty looked interested. She was getting first-time details.
“Sure is.” Evan smiled. “I took a job at her father’s store, and Haven was working there this summer before she got the writing contract.”
Haven exhaled. He said he would be there for her. He had her; she knew he did.
“That’s a sweet story.” Patty nodded. “Remember when you used to bag groceries in high school?” She laughed.
“Sure do. I think it was the part of my resume´ that got me the job.’” He winked at Haven.
“Wait, you bagged groceries again?” Anna’s eyes widened.
Haven giggled. “He did a lot more than that. He ran the kayak stand, stocked beer, and swept the floors.”
“Swept? You are not talking about my brother. I didn’t know movie stars could operate brooms.”
“Funny. Funny. Anna, what time’s your meeting? Want me to have Bud drive you?” Evan offered.
Anna looked at her phone. “I guess I do need to get going. Sure, if Bud wants to take me, that would be great. Then I don’t have to try and park. Mama, you ready?”
Patty took an extra sip of her drink and placed it on a coaster. She turned to Haven. “I’m going to do a little shopping while Anna does her foundation work. You want to go with us? Make it a full girls’ afternoon?”
“Yes!” Anna shrieked. “Come with us. It will be fun. My meeting won’t be that long. There are the best boutiques downtown!”
“Hold on now.” Evan stood up. “If the three of you go out, you’ll be gone all night.” His face twisted in a scowl.
Haven stood and wrapped her arms around his waist, trying to send a message with her eyes. This was important. If they were inviting her to do girl stuff, she had to go. “We won’t be that late. What time is dinner?”
Evan huffed. “Seven o’clock.”
“Then we promise to be back by seven, right?” Haven swiveled toward her new coconspirators.
“Of course, darlin’,” Patty reassured them. “I’m not about to miss Lenny’s cooking.”
Evan looked at the three of them. “All right. But don’t leave me here eating alone.”
Haven giggled. “Never.” She reached on her tiptoes and pecked his cheek. “I’m sure you’ve got work or something you can do until we get back.”
Anna picked up her purse. “He’s got a house full of toys. He’ll be just fine.”
Patty tapped her son on the back as they walked out of the room. “Don’t worry. We’ll be on time.”
“All right. All right. You girls have fun.”
Haven waved over her shoulder. It wasn’t the Friday they had planned, but she couldn’t turn away from this chance. She still had tonight and two full days with Evan. They could make up for lost time when she returned.
IT WAS exactly 6:50 when the girls returned to the ranch. Haven carried her new purchases over her shoulder, along with some of Patty’s.
Evan’s mother jokingly offered to check in with Evan and let him know they all made it back before his curfew.
Haven turned for the stairs. They had barely enough time to dump everything and make it to the table. Bud had driven faster on the return trip, trying to help them make their dinner date.
Anna was right on her heels.
“Do you think Evan will be mad?” Haven asked.
His sister laughed. “Who cares? We got the cutest clothes. And technically we made it back before seven.”
“True.” Haven stopped at the top landing. “Thanks again for my birthday scarf. I love it.” She couldn’t believe Anna had picked something out for her. They had only met this afternoon.
“I had to get you a birthday present for making my brother so happy.”
The comment made Haven blush. “I’ll put these in your mom’s room, drop my bags off, and I’ll see you downstairs.”
“Ok, see you in ten.” Anna rushed down the hall.
Haven smiled. The shopping trip had been an absolute success. The three of them got along as if they had known each for years, not hours. She could see where Evan got his good-natured personality. Patty was laid back and sweet. Anna was like the older sister she never had.
She raced to the first guest room and laid the dress Patty had purchased on the bed. Next, she tossed her bags in the back of her closet next to Evan’s side. She could unfold and hang them up tonight. She ran her hands through her hair. Talk about cutting it close. She jogged down the stairs, ready for a night with the man she loved a
nd his family.
THE NEXT morning, Evan placed his hands on Haven’s shoulders as they watched Anna and Patty pull out of the ranch driveway.
“I’m kind of sad they’re leaving so soon,” Haven murmured.
“I think they are too.” Evan waved at his mom and sister. “Quick trip.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet your dad.”
“Maybe another time.” He turned for the front door.
He still wasn’t budging on the topic. Joe Carlson was off limits.
“You think we could go to Brees sometime?” she asked. Patty had said they could visit anytime.
“Of course.” He held the door open for her. “But today is all about the birthday girl.” He grinned. “No more family talk, ok?”
“Yes, sir.” She saluted.
“Wait until you see what I have planned for you.” He took her in his arms and pressed her back against the wall.
“Evan,” she squealed.
He kissed her neck. “What? We’re mostly alone.”
Her lips met his, and she kissed him in the ranch foyer, not caring who ran into them. After all, it was her birthday.
“WHERE ARE we going?” Haven tried to peek under the blindfold he had tied against the back of her head.
“Now, if I tell you that, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” He laughed. “Just hold on, girl. I don’t want you falling out here.”
“Can I at least get a hint? A tiny hint?” Her chin rested on his shoulder, and he loved how it felt when her arms locked around his waist like this. He could drive them all over the ranch for the night, just to stay like this.
“No way. But we’re almost there.” He slowed the four-wheeler as they sped through the covered brush. He didn’t need one of the sticker bushes scratching her.
He realized she probably had some idea where he was taking her, but she would be completely surprised when they got there. He had been planning this for weeks. Luckily, he was able to pull it off this weekend, and as far as he knew, she didn’t have any idea this was going on right under her nose.
He parked the vehicle on the side and climbed off, careful to help Haven so she didn’t trip on her dismount.
“Ok, you ready?” he asked.
“I think so. This is crazy, Evan.”
“No, it’s called a birthday surprise.” He reached around her and loosened the satin blindfold. “What do you think?” He pulled it from her eyes and waited for her reaction.
“Oh my God.” Her eyes lit with wonder. “Where? How?” She stepped forward. “This is for me? How did you do all this?”
He nodded. “Yep. It’s my best version of a Perry Island birthday.” He grinned, loving every sliver of her response. “But I figured it’s about time you experienced a night under the Texas stars too.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.
She looked at the lights that were strung from a pole to the silver Air Stream camper. “I can’t believe how much it looks like Silver Belle.”
“Check out the inside.” He walked past her and opened the door. Automatically, he tugged twice on the handle, but this wasn’t Silver Belle. She opened easily like a brand new model.
Haven walked inside. “Red and white?” She laughed. “Shug would be proud of you.”
It wasn’t easy to find all of the exact accessories that Shug had used, but after a phone call to his summer landlord, he had a better roadmap of where to purchase everything. He hired a designer to put it all together and gave her an unlimited budget. This was worth every expense.
Haven walked to the back of the trailer. “There’s even a checked comforter. This couldn’t have been easy to find.”
“It’s completely authentic.” He laughed. He loved the smile that was on her face.
“And let me guess what we’re having for dinner?” She tuned toward him, twisting her bottom lip. “Cowboy steak?”
“Baby, am I that transparent?”
“No way. I’d never say that.” Her palms flattened against his chest and inched toward his shoulders.
“Then what are you saying?” He nipped at her bottom lip.
“Just that this is the most incredible birthday I’ve ever had. I love it.”
“We’re just getting started.” He kissed her mouth, pulling her toward him. “But—” He eyed her. “I do think we should get started on these steaks.” He edged past her to retrieve the steaks from the half-fridge. “That fire out there won’t burn all night.”
“Then we better get going.” She followed him to the campfire burning near the pond. The orange glow reflected off the water.
Evan stoked the fire with a long branch. “Remember how to do this?”
“Of course.” She grabbed one of the steaks off the platter and tossed it in the flames.
“I guess you do.” He threw his on the other side of the coals. “Oh, I almost forgot. I have wine.” He jogged to the camper and pulled out a bottle he had Lenny order for this occasion. The glasses were sitting on the table near the door.
For a second, he thought he should see the ocean and sea oats dancing in the breeze when he looked out of the window, but instead there was his catfish pond and the most beautiful girl in the world. He stepped out of the camper.
“All right. Here you go.” He handed her a glass and filled it to the top. “We have to make a birthday toast.”
Haven surveyed him with a look of anticipation, and he wanted to make it perfect. No cheesy, rehearsed toast. This had to mean something.
He extended his glass toward her. “To the girl I love. Here’s to your first Texas birthday.” He tapped her glass before whispering in her ear. “And I want to make sure we spend all your birthdays together.”
He saw the color rush to her cheeks.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Evan slid a hand along her waist. “Darlin’, all I want in this world is to make you happy.”
“I know you do.”
The fire crackled near his leg, and he moved her to the side, missing a flying piece of ash. “I think it’s time we pull the steaks off. Let me get the platter.”
He returned from the trailer with a clean plate and stainless tongs.
“You know I like seeing you like this again,” she commented. “I know it’s not summer anymore and we’re on the ranch now, but I like it. No Lenny, no Marta, no Bud. Just you and me again. Just us…” her words trailed.
“That’s exactly what I wanted tonight to be.”
He crouched in front of the fire, poking the steaks with the tongs to make sure they were ready to pull off the flames. He handed her a plate.
“And this time we have real sides. Lenny whipped up some twice baked potatoes and there’s salad.” He jogged back to the camper and brought out the basket Lenny had prepared with the rest of the spread for dinner.
He laid everything out and made sure Haven had everything she needed. This was a step-up from their first dinner date at Silver Belle.
He settled into the seat next to her. “So, have you thought any more about my question?”
“Which one?” She looked up, chewing a mouthful of steak.
“You know which one. I want you to move in with me.” The steaks were sizzling on the plates.
“Oh that one.” She pushed the food around on her plate. “I don’t know yet.”
Evan thought about pressing it, but it was her birthday. If she wasn’t ready, she wasn’t ready. Although, for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what was holding her back.
“Evan, I—”
He rested his hand on her knee. “You don’t have to say anything. Forget I mentioned it.
“But, I—”
“No, tonight is about you and this.” He looked at the scene sprawled in front of them. “We are here to have fun, and I’m promising you a good time on your birthday.”
“I’m already having a good time.”
“Good. Then it’s working.”
He reached for a nearb
y log and tossed it on the glowing embers. The rough sides of the wood crackled and raced with flames. He had spent too many nights by the pond to count, but this one was different.
“Birthday dance?” he asked.
“Out here?” She looked skeptical.
“Where else?” He stood and hit play on the speaker he had set on the table.
Haven laid her plate on a table and rose to join him. He led her a few steps from the fire. Sparks were still jumping from the last log.
He took her in his arms, aligning her hips in his hands. When they danced like this, even he felt the rest of the world fade away. All that was here was a sky full of diamond stars, the flames from the fire, and their beating hearts.
“Happy birthday.” He pressed against her, holding her like he meant every touch, every breath, every kiss to last forever.
EVAN WATCHED Haven become smaller in his rearview mirror until he took the next turn, and she was no longer there. He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. How in the hell could he go back to L.A. after that weekend?
There were a thousand things to say. Maybe only one. He loved that girl like no one else, and he had left her standing on the porch. Rode away like some rogue cowboy who couldn’t help but run off to the next fight. He had become that guy. The one that doesn’t stick around. The one no one can count on. The one who’s never there.
He left her. Dammit. He had left her.
He passed through the guard gate and spun the tires on the highway.
But, wasn’t he that guy? Had he ever been the fully committed type? He didn’t think the label fit when he really thought about it. Did he ever stick around when things were tough? He didn’t with Emmy and he didn’t even try with Ivy. He liked to keep things light and fun. Now that wasn’t enough. He wanted to be there for Haven. Only, he kept leaving.
Seeing her with his mom and sister brought everything together. She fit in his life. He realized that. She just fit.
The flight crew was waiting for him at the jet.
“Have a nice weekend, Mr. Carlson?” The same flight attendant had flown out with him Thursday night asked.