Lucky In Love (Silver Bay Book 3)

by Amelia Judd

  She drew in a breath. “Change used to be easy for me. I willingly embraced it, naively assuming I could have, be, do anything I wanted in life. That’s why I married Jack so quickly. My romantic heart jumped”—she cringed—“no, it dived into the promise of happily ever after. But I learned change isn’t always progress. Sometimes it’s better, safer, to not change. After my marriage failed, I didn’t trust my judgment.”

  Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard at the pressure in her throat. “I didn’t trust myself to make any life-changing decisions for fear of messing everything up again. So even though every single person in town seemed to think I needed to find a new man, I feared letting one close might be a mistake and ruin the happy life my kids and I have together.”

  Ethan’s brow creased in concern. “I love Ty and Grace too. I swear to you, I won’t do anything to—”

  “I know.” She stopped him. “You’re kind and generous. You’re dedicated and determined. You ask for my opinion and respect my answers. You’re positive, supportive, and patient. Plus, you make me laugh and you accept my quirks. You’re the perfect guy for me. I know it in my heart and in my head. Though I swore I’d never get swept away in another whirlwind romance, I can’t help it. We’re perfect together, and I’d be a complete idiot to let you go.” The rightness of her words sent a rush of love through her, steadying her voice and her resolve.

  Ethan’s heart hammered beneath her hand. “Claire, honey, I’ve lost too many games in the last few minutes of a match to celebrate before the final whistle. Please, tell me that’s a yes.”

  Emotion flooded her heart with joy and her eyes with tears as an irrepressible smile bloomed across her face.

  “Yes.”

  The next few moments passed in a blur of straightening clothes, laughter, and kisses. Eventually, Ethan slipped the ring on her finger, took her hand, and led her from the bathroom. She floated down the aisle behind him in a surreal, giddy bubble of love and hope.

  Then Ethan came to an abrupt halt. “Is something wrong?” He directed the question toward the front of the plane, not at her.

  The copilot stood outside the cockpit, looking both serious and uncomfortable. “Sorry, folks. I need you to take your seats.”

  The sharp edge of concern in his voice popped her stupid bubble of giddiness.

  Ethan glanced at his watch. “We haven’t been in the air long enough to have arrived already.”

  “We’ve turned around and are preparing to land in Silver Bay. Captain received a message from Ms. Bennett’s father.” He looked at Claire, sympathy filling his eyes. “I’m sorry, ma’am. There’s been an accident.”

  •••

  Shortly after earning the dubious title of world’s most unromantic proposer, Ethan parked in front of the emergency room, hit the flashers, and hustled to keep up with Claire as she ran past an old guy in a wheelchair and bolted through the automatic doors.

  She’d been on the phone with Kat since the moment they landed. From the one-sided conversation, he’d learned Grace had dislocated her elbow after falling off the trampoline. But it sounded like the bigger concern was a possible head injury.

  “Mom!” The first to spot Claire, Ty raced across the waiting room and flew into her outstretched arms.

  Hanging back, Ethan watched Claire’s petite, polished mom, Ann, and her large, slightly intimidating dad, Richard, stand up from the chairs in the corner of the room. Kat, Jack, and Gemma rose beside them. The group made their way toward where Claire stood near the entrance. While they all shared the same look of concern, he took the fact that there were no tears of distress as a good sign.

  “It was horrible, Mom,” Ty said, hugging Claire like he never planned to let go. “Grace fell off the trampoline trying to do a flip. I tried to help her, but her arm was bent at a really weird angle and she was crying and screaming. I’m so sorry. I know you said we shouldn’t do flips.”

  “It’s okay.” Claire kissed the top of Ty’s head, then stroked his hair in a soothing motion while she held him close. “I’m not mad. I’m just worried.” She shifted her gaze to the group gathered around them. “How is she?”

  Their combined expressions shifted from anxious to astonished when they saw the ring on her finger.

  “Oh my God!” Gemma blurted out. “Did you—”

  “Her scan showed she didn’t suffer a head injury so that’s a major relief,” Jack interrupted, giving Gemma a warning look meant to keep her quiet.

  Kat stepped forward. “But they had to take her into surgery because they weren’t able get her elbow back in without sedation.”

  “We could hear her screaming all the way out here while they tried to put it back in place.” Ty’s frightened, tear-filled voice sounded muffled he was pressed so tightly to Claire. “She kept screaming for you. But you weren’t here.”

  A hard knot of guilt landed heavy in Ethan’s gut. If he hadn’t planned the secret trip, Claire would have been by Grace’s side.

  The blood drained from Claire’s face. She drew in a shaky breath as tears slid down her pale cheeks. “I know how scary this is, and I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you and Grace. But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. Everything is going to be okay. I promise.” She kissed his head again. “Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Kat look like they could use a cup of coffee. Would you take them to the cafeteria while we wait for Grace to come out of surgery?”

  He sniffled. “Could I get a lemonade?”

  Claire gently pulled away and smiled down at Ty. “Sure, kiddo. I love you.”

  Ty wiped the back of his hand across his nose. “Love you too.” He stepped back and spotted Ethan. “Hey, Ethan.” He gave him a watery smile, obviously feeling better after a big hug from his mom.

  “Hey, champ.” Ethan stepped forward to ruffle the boy’s blond hair. “Good job helping take care of your sister.”

  Ty beamed. “Thanks.” He shifted his eyes from Ethan to Claire and made a face. “Why are you guys dressed so funny?” He pointed to Ethan’s chest. “And why is your shirt missing buttons?”

  Ethan froze. Claire sucked in air. Gemma giggled. Jack and Richard snorted. Thankfully, Ann stepped forward and took her grandson’s hand in hers. “They are dressed up for a fancy date. I imagine you’ll wear nice clothes to impress a lady someday too.” She steered Ty toward a long hallway leading from the emergency room. “Let’s go get that lemonade.”

  “What about the buttons?” Ty asked, looking over his shoulder with a crinkled brow.

  “Oh, those probably fell off by accident.” Ann wrapped her arm around his shoulders and continued down the hall.

  “Wait for me,” Richard called. “I’ll be damned if I’ll listen to how those buttons actually came off,” he muttered, hurrying after his wife.

  “I’m so sorry, sis.” Kat wrapped her arms around Claire and pulled her close. “I went inside to start dinner. I didn’t know she would try to do a flip.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Claire said, hugging her back. “I was caught off guard when you told me you were watching the kids and forgot to go over the trampoline rules. I’m just grateful you took care of her when she fell and were able to get Mom, Dad, Jack, and Gemma here so quickly. Thankfully, you guys were here for Grace.” Claire pulled back to look Kat in the eye. “One more favor?”

  “Of course.”

  “Could you go to the cafeteria and help keep Ty’s mind off the surgery? I need to take care of something before I join you guys there.”

  Kat studied Claire for a moment. Even from a few feet away Ethan could see the younger woman’s eyes tighten with worry. “Claire, don’t—”

  “Please,” Claire interrupted quietly.

  Kat drew in a slow breath then turned her gaze to Ethan. She seemed to be sending him a silent message, but before he could figure out what the hell Kat was trying to tell him, she turned back to Claire. “Okay,” she said on a resigned sigh before starting down the long corridor to find her parents and n
ephew.

  “We’ll go too.” Jack took his wife’s hand and pulled her toward the departing group.

  “No way. I wanna hear about that ring.” Gemma grabbed Claire’s left hand and pulled it close for inspection. “OMG. It’s huge. How did he propose? Was it super romantic?”

  Claire pulled her hand back and gave Gemma a tight-lipped head shake.

  “Oh, I’m so stupid.” Gemma’s eyes widened. “You don’t want to talk about that now. I totally get it. But try not to worry about Grace. I just know she’s going to be fine. She’s super strong, like you. You’ve done such an awesome job raising her.” Gemma’s eyes went from round to teary in less than a second. “I hope I can be as good as mom as you someday.” Her words broke, and her face crumpled. “Sorry.” She sniffed and rubbed a hand over her stomach which seemed to be getting larger by the day. “These silly pregnancy hormones have me in tears at least once a day.”

  “Let’s get you and the baby some food. The nurse said they’d call us as soon as Grace is out of surgery.” Jack placed his hand on his wife’s lower back and finally succeeded in budging her from her spot. Gemma wrapped an arm around Jack’s waist and leaned her head on his shoulder as he led her away.

  Ethan wondered if Claire would ever lean on him for support. God, he hoped so. Not only did he want to grow old with her, he wanted to be there for her through the tough times along the way. Good teammates were always there for each other, celebrating the highs and fighting through the lows together.

  “Can we talk?”

  The bleakness in Claire’s voice pulled Ethan’s thoughts to the here and now. “Of course,” he said, following her back outside.

  The brisk fall wind, slammed into them the moment they stepped through the door. Claire continued down the sidewalk and around an unsheltered corner.

  “Here, take my coat. You must be freezing in that dress.”

  Claire finally stopped walking and turned to face him. Confusion clouded her features. She glanced around as if just noticing the crappy weather.

  “No. I’m fine.” She looked at him, regret etched on her face. She slid the ring from her finger and extended it toward him. “I’m sorry I accepted this. It was mistake, my mistake. I knew better, and I’m truly sorry that I’m hurting you now.”

  Desperation snaked through him, ruthlessly constricting his heart into a hard knot of fear. “Don’t do this,” he pleaded, needing to change her mind. He knew she was hurting, but he could help her through this if she would only let him. “I love you, Claire. And I love your kids. I told you, I want to build a future with you. I’ll do anything to make this work. Just tell me what I need to do to prove that to you.”

  She shook her head, the painful resolve in her eyes nearly bringing him to his knees. “I’m sorry, Ethan. There’s nothing to prove … Nothing you can do to change my mind.” She took another step away from him. “It’s not another game you can win if you work hard enough. I’m so sorry. I really am. But it’s not your choice to make.”

  “You love me,” he argued.

  “I do.” Her voice cracked as she lifted her hand toward his chest.

  For a moment, he thought she planned to lay her palm over his heart. Then all emotion drained from her eyes, and her hand dropped away.

  “Tonight’s wakeup call shook me from the dream I’ve pretended was real since the day I met you. For a few blissful moments, I fooled myself into believing I could have it all—a great guy, amazing kids, and a job I love.” She shook her head and sniffled. “But I know that’s not possible—”

  “Don’t.” He reached for her, but she jerked away from his touch. A fist to the gut would have hurt less. He balled his hands and dropped them uselessly to his side. “Don’t make this decision.”

  “I have to,” she whispered, tearing him apart. “After the divorce, I had this made.” Claire touched the pendant around her neck. “Ty’s thumbprint makes up one side of the heart and Grace’s the other, and that’s the way it has to be. They deserve my whole heart. But the more I give to you—the more I give us—the less I have for my kids. Instead of flying off on a romantic getaway, I should have been there for Grace today. I should have been protecting her, holding her hand, and promising her everything would be all right. She needed comfort and kisses.” Claire’s voice trembled and tears streamed down her face. “She needed a mom—needed me, and I let her down.” She drew in a breath and straightened her shoulders. “I won’t do it again.”

  Guilt, regret, and determination poured off her in near palpable waves. And he was responsible for all of it.

  The realization hollowed him to the core.

  He’d told Logan he wanted to make Claire happy. But he’d been an asshole, doing what made him happy and stupidly assuming that would make her happy too. Instead of listening to her repeated attempts to tell him she didn’t want a man in her life, he’d selfishly messed with the good life she’d put together for her and her kids.

  Stepping closer, Claire swallowed hard and wiped the tears from her face. She gently took his hand and placed the ring in his palm, then brushed a soft kiss against his cheek. “Goodbye, Ethan.” Her whisper broke with emotion.

  Truly and utterly defeated for the first time in his life, Ethan watched the woman he loved—the woman he wanted to spend his future with—turn her back and walk away. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

  Chapter 16

  ETHAN heaved a deep sigh and knocked on the gleaming white door in front of him. Waiting for a response, he looked down the street of well-maintained homes and mature trees. The houses in this neighborhood were small in size and large on character.

  While no two looked alike, they all looked loved. There were no overgrown yards or untended flowerbeds in sight. Many of the porches welcomed visitors with bench swings and planters of orange and yellow flowers by their front doors. The cool fall breeze carried the smell of bonfires, the squeak of swing sets, and the laughter of children from more than one backyard.

  Small-town America at its best.

  Ethan should have realized sooner why his mom loved her home so much. But he’d focused all of his attention on reaching his goal without bothering to consider what she wanted.

  He sighed again. He’d been doing a lot of sighing and moping since Claire dumped his ass three days earlier. His instincts and his aching heart—hell, every cell in his body—screamed at him to fight for her. But Claire’s words haunted him. It wasn’t his choice to make. He’d learned a valuable, if shitty, lesson. No matter how good his intentions or how much he loved someone, he couldn’t make her want the same thing he wanted.

  He knocked again, thinking Claire would be proud of him for what he was about to do. Thanks to the lesson she’d taught him, he finally understood how to fix, or at least help, his relationship with his mom.

  He heard footsteps inside. The door swung open a moment later.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  His mom’s eyes flashed with surprise, and a tentative smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “Ethan, it’s nice of you to stop by. You’re lucky you caught me. I usually have office hours for my students after my Tuesday class, but it seemed far too pretty of a day to sit around an office.” She stepped aside and extended a hand to invite him in. “I was just preparing a cup of tea. Would you like one?”

  Damn. Tea again. “How about a water instead?” he asked, already knowing her response.

  “I’ll make you a tea.” She shut the front door, started walking down a short hallway, and motioned for him to follow her. “It’s full of antioxidants and has been shown to prevent cancer and heart disease. Much better for you than those sugar-filled sport drinks you like to push.”

  “One,” he grumbled, scrubbing a hand down his face. “I did one Gatorade commercial. And I turned down a very lucrative second offer after you made me personally responsible for our nation’s sky-high obesity rate.”

  She turned to face him, head cocked. “You turned it down?”

&
nbsp; “Yes.”

  “How much was it worth?” she asked, sounding stern rather than pleased.

  “A lot.” He ground his teeth. He’d tried to do the right thing; he shouldn’t feel defensive.

  She gave a curt nod and stepped into a large, open-concept space. At one end of the room, there was a white love seat, two green-and-white patterned arm chairs, and a leather ottoman topped with a white tray holding coasters and a few National Geographic magazines. Along the opposite wall of the room, a decent-sized television hung above the wooden mantle of a white brick fireplace.

  Ethan wasn’t surprised to see the love seat and chairs faced each other rather than the TV. His mom always arranged furniture for conversation or reading, not for watching television. Hell, the real surprise was that she even owned a TV.

  The modern kitchen at the far side of the room was fresh and bright and gleamed with stainless appliances, white cabinets, and stone countertops. Wide planks of rich brown wood ran underneath everything, making the space feel warm and welcoming.

  “You remodeled,” he said, following her into the kitchen.

  “Last year.” His mom placed two cups and saucers on the countertop, added tea bags, and poured steaming water into both of them. “I hired most of the work out. I did paint the cabinets myself.” She looked at them fondly. “I have to admit, I found the work satisfying. I’m considering painting my guest room sage or possibly teal.” She handed him a cup and saucer. “Let’s have a seat in the living room, and you can tell me why you’re here. I doubt it’s to discuss paint colors.”

  He waited for her to take a seat, then sat down in the armchair across from her. He placed the tea he had no intention of drinking on the tray between them and took a few deep breaths, looking around the cozy-sized home and its charming decor.