Austin could tell that Everly hadn’t been happy with her aunt questioning him about Rachel. He’d been dealing with those questions for two years now. But after brunch, Everly had made it clear she didn’t want to hang around her family any longer, and he was afraid that extended to him as well.
When he pulled around to the back of the craft store, Everly was already saying goodbye to Jessica and reaching for the door handle.
“Can I see your cat?” Jessica asked.
Austin felt Everly’s hesitation, so he was surprised when she said, “Of course. And I need to show your dad my favorite conditioner, too.”
Jessica beamed, and Austin would have normally felt the warm glow too, but Everly still hadn’t met his gaze since the brunch.
Everly hopped out of the truck as soon as he parked, and Austin and Jessica followed her through the back door of the craft shop and up the stairs.
Meow.
The cat was waiting for them. “Hi, Snatches,” Jessica crooned as Everly showed her how to hold the cat.
Then Jessica settled on the loveseat with the purring cat, and Everly brought out a purple bottle of conditioner.
“That’s the stuff, huh?”
“Yep,” Everly said in an overly bright tone. “Great for long hair.”
He snapped a picture of it so that he wouldn’t forget the name in case there were other purple bottles of conditioner in the store.
Then Everly joined Jessica on the loveseat, and together they pet the cat. Austin slipped his hands into his pockets and gazed at the paintings on the walls, although his mind was far from the art. There was some sort of disconnect between Everly, and her mom and sister, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
He glanced over at Everly. Didn’t she know how lovely and talented she was? He’d seen her practically shrink in the presence of her family as if her confidence had been a birthday candle, easily blown out.
Watching Everly and Jessica together made his heart expand in a way he hadn’t ever thought possible. This weekend and been nothing short of enlightening. His questions about whether Jessica and the woman he was dating would mesh had been answered with a resounding yes. He was sure that Jessica would tell his parents all about Everly, and Austin had no doubt that his mom would have plenty of questions in the coming days and weeks.
“It’s getting late, Jessica,” Austin said.
“Aw, Dad, can we stay a little longer?” Jessica asked, her brown eyes full of pleading hope.
“We already have,” Austin said, his gaze going to Everly’s.
She was solely focused on the cat.
“Okay,” Jessica said, then turned and hugged Everly.
When Everly drew away, she smiled. “Remember what I told you about the bracelets?”
“Don’t let them get tangled up.”
Everly nodded. “Exactly.” She rose from the couch, and the cat darted into the kitchen to drink some water from a dish. “Be good for your dad on the drive home.”
“I will,” Jessica said in a cheerful voice.
“Jessica,” Austin said. “Can you wait at the bottom of the stairs for a minute while I talk to Everly?”
Surprisingly, his daughter didn’t argue or put up a fuss. She simply said, “Okay,” and walked down the stairs. When Austin turned to look at Everly, she was folding her arms . . . not like she was mad, but more like she was protecting herself from something.
Austin moved closer, but she still didn’t look at him.
“Everly,” he said in a quiet voice and lifted her chin with the tips of his fingers. “Are you okay?”
His heart sank when he saw the tears forming in her eyes.
“I’m fine,” she said. “And you’ve got to go. We can talk later.”
Austin didn’t like this one bit. But he really did need to start driving Jessica back home. “Do you want to ride with us? I know it’s kind of a long drive, but I’d love for you to meet my parents.”
Everly blinked, then blew out a shaky breath. “Not tonight, okay? I mean, I’m flattered you want to introduce me to your parents, but I’ve kind of had my fill of family for one day.”
Austin moved his fingers along her jaw, then behind her neck. “I don’t know why you underestimate yourself, but you do,” he said, leaning his forehead against hers. “You need to stand your ground with your mom and sister. You don’t always have to go along with everything they say just because they ask.”
Everly broke their gaze. “I know, but it’s complicated.”
“I get it,” he said. “Families are always complicated.”
When she lifted her gaze, he saw a vulnerability that he both loved and hated. Loved because it meant she was willing to show him this side of her, and hated because he sensed she was keeping her pain to herself.
She wasn’t pulling away though, so he kissed the edge of her mouth. He hated to see her hurting, or confused, or even not believing what he’d said about her at the brunch. “Everything I said at your mom’s is true, you know. I haven’t dated beyond a single night out since Rachel’s death, and I still wouldn’t be dating if I hadn’t met you.”
Nodding, she leaned into him, and he pulled her close. At last she was responding to him. He slid a hand around her waist, then to the small of her back. She wrapped her arms about his waist and tilted her head up. That was the only invitation he needed. He kissed her slowly, deliberately, and soon she warmed to him further. She kissed him back, sliding her hands up his back and anchoring him to her.
Soon, the kiss deepened as she pressed closer, and he sensed a fierceness welling up inside of her, almost a possessiveness. He cradled her face, kissing her like it had been a week since their last kiss, and truthfully, it had felt like that. “Don’t go quiet on me, Everly,” he whispered against her mouth.
“I won’t,” she whispered back.
He leaned his forehead against hers, willing his heart rate to return to normal. Willing his breathing to calm.
“Jessica’s waiting,” Everly murmured, her cheeks flushed.
“I’ll call you on my drive back,” Austin said.
“Okay,” she murmured, her fingers skimming over his shoulders, then down his chest. “Drive safe.”
“I will.” Goosebumps had already raced across his skin, and now they multiplied. He kissed her again, lightly. Then, slowly, reluctantly, he released her. Every time he was with her, every time they were together, he didn’t want to leave. She made his heart feel lighter, and she made him see that there was an entire existence beyond his past.
On the drive back to his parents, Jessica started to fall asleep. So, Austin had to do his best to keep her chattering, which ended up mostly about Barbie stuff and Disney stuff that he couldn’t follow one-hundred percent. But he was sure his mother wouldn’t appreciate Jessica coming home and staying up all hours of the night due to a nap.
He slowed the truck in front of his parents’ home, then climbed out and helped Jessica get her things.
By the time they’d reached the porch, his dad had opened the door. Jessica flew into her grandpa’s arms, and he chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Do you have time to come in?” he asked Austin.
“Of course,” he said, although he was pretty sure he’d be walking into an interrogation. He was right.
His mother was in the kitchen, cleaning out the pantry. She turned when she saw him, and he could see the trepidation in her eyes. But before they could speak, Jessica ran to her grandma and hugged her. His mom’s face broke out into a smile.
Austin’s heart tugged at the scene. His daughter was well-loved in this home, and he knew that if he changed things up, like moving to Hidden Hollows, it would crush his parents.
“Are you hungry?” his mom asked Jessica.
“I’m starving,” she pronounced.
“We ate a big lunch,” Austin said, but that was now hours ago. He didn’t want his mom to think he hadn’t fed Jessica.
His mom bustled about the kitchen puttin
g together a sandwich and fruit for Jessica to eat.
“How was your trip?” she asked Jessica.
“It was so fun!” Jessica said. “Daddy has a girlfriend too.”
Austin winced. He didn’t mind the label, but coming from Jessica was probably not the right thing.
His mom cut a glance to him, then asked Jessica, “Do you like her?”
“Yes, and she knows all about Barbies.” Jessica picked up her sandwich and took a bite. “She even likes to swing at the playground.”
“Oh, she sounds quite . . . young.”
“Who’s young?” his dad asked, walking into the kitchen.
“Daddy’s girlfriend. She’s twenty,” Jessica said.
“Twenty-seven,” Austin corrected because now both of his parents were frowning.
“Oh. Twenty-seven.” Jessica shrugged and took another bite.
“And she’s never been married?” his mom asked in a quieter voice, this question directed at Austin.
“No,” he said simply.
“We went on a hike to a waterfall,” Jessica said. “I got to swim, but Daddy and Everly just watched. Did you know her last name is King? Like a queen and king, but she’s a king.” Jessica giggled. “Even though that’s a boy’s name.”
Austin decided to jump in. “Tell Grandma and Grandpa about all the new friends you made.”
So, Jessica proceeded to talk about Lizzy and the others. “And Lizzy is having a birthday party next weekend. Her birthday is the Fourth of July, but I want to go. Daddy said he has to talk to you.”
His mom’s surprised expression made Austin’s throat turn into sandpaper.
“Right, we do need to discuss it, but not right now.” He glanced over at his dad, who had a non-committal expression on his face.
“Do you even know Lizzy’s family?” his mom asked.
Or . . . they could discuss it right now. “We got to know each other in the park,” he said. “Everly knows the whole family. It’s a small town and all.”
“We planned to go to the parade in the morning of the Fourth, then the fair later in the day,” his mom said, her tone sounding pouty. “The fireworks are supposed to be bigger this year than last year.”
Austin nodded. “Right.”
“All done,” Jessica announced. Then, as she’d been taught, she rose from the table and cleared her plate and cup.
“So, this Everly woman, she’s from Hidden Hollows?” his dad asked.
“She is,” Austin confirmed. “Her mom and sister live there too.”
“Her dad died,” Jessica said. “Like my mom died, but I was five, and Everly was bigger.”
“That’s too bad,” his mom soothed. “Sorry to hear that.”
“And Daddy holds both of our hands,” Jessica continued. “It’s funny.”
Austin stilled.
“Oh, that’s nice,” his mom continued, although her voice was strained. “Can you come help me with something in the other room, Austin?”
It had been her ruse growing up when she wanted to have a private conversation with his dad. And now he was the selected.
He followed her down the hall while his dad and Jessica were still in the kitchen. His mom stepped into the office-slash-craft room, then turned with folded arms. “How serious are you with this woman?”
Austin exhaled. “We’ve only been dating a couple of weeks.”
His mom wasn’t fooled. “Things can happen fast, especially with young people nowadays. I’ve heard all about the bed-hopping.”
“There’s been no bed-hopping, mom,” he said, shocked at her accusation. It was none of her business anyway. Well, it shouldn’t be. With Jessica in her fulltime care this summer, things were more delicate than he had control over. “Don’t insult a woman you’ve never even met.”
His mom looked duly chagrined, but her eyes now swam with tears. “I don’t want Jessica hurt. You’re working a temporary job in Hidden Hollows, that’s all, Austin. There’s no reason for you to throw a wrench into everything.”
Austin hadn’t wanted to get into the discussion this deeply yet, especially when he knew that Everly was struggling with her own family back in Hidden Hollows. And Austin honestly didn’t know what their future held. Together or apart. He didn’t have any answers right now.
“I understand where you’re coming from,” he said in a quiet tone. “But Everly King is a wonderful person. I haven’t been dating since Rachel because there hadn’t been any women who’d captured my attention.”
“And Everly has now captured your attention?”
“Correct.”
His mom looked away and brushed at the tears on her face. “You have to think about Jessica, too.”
“I am, believe me,” Austin said, although he felt conflicted right now. His mother’s pain and uncertainty were things he’d also experienced. “This weekend was good for that. Everly and Jessica get along fine. And that doesn’t mean that everything will be peachy all of the time, but it was a good thing to help me know for sure.”
“Know what for sure?”
“That I want to continue dating Everly,” he said. “I don’t know where it will lead, Mom. It’s too early to know. Yet I want you to know that Jessica will always be the most important person in my life. No one else will ever change that.”
His mom nodded, seeming satisfied.
But he wasn’t finished. “And I know this is hard to hear, but I need to say it. I think there’s more that I can offer Jessica. A real home, and not an apartment. A neighborhood where there are kids her age to play with after school.”
His mother pursed her lips. Their circumstances weren’t ideal, but Jessica was loved and cared for, and he was sure his mom would take offense to what he was saying. But it had to be said.
“I’m stronger now than I was in the months after Rachel’s illness and death,” he said, taking courage from his own words. “I’m looking toward the future now and not surviving a day at a time. You’ve been wonderful to us, and I’ll never be able to repay you. But I’d like to buy a home, get established, and feel human again.”
His mom’s tears had started anew.
“I don’t know where I’ll get a house,” he said. “It might be somewhere close to you, it might be . . . in Hidden Hollows. I don’t know, but I want you to know that change is coming. Even if things with Everly don’t progress, I’m ready for progression myself. And I think Jessica is too.”
His mom wiped at her cheeks, then sniffled. Lifting her chin, she said, “All right, Son, I understand. I want you to know that your decisions affect more than just you and Jessica.”
Austin’s own eyes burned with emotion. “I know, Mom. And I love you and Dad, and I’m not going to blindside you. Believe me, I’m not making any of these decisions lightly.”
His mom snatched a tissue from a tissue box on the desk and dabbed at her face. Austin crossed to her and pulled her into his arms.
Leaning into him, his mom said, “I guess we’d better meet this Everly woman.”
Austin nodded. “How about you and dad make a trip to Hidden Hollows next weekend? I can get you a room at the bed and breakfast. We’ll enjoy the Fourth of July festivities as a family. Then you can meet Everly for yourself, and offer your advice as well.”
His mother chuckled. “You want my advice?”
“I do want it,” he said with his own smile. “I don’t know if I’ll take it, but I want it nonetheless.”
His mom drew back, and he was relieved to see her smile up at him. “All right, change is always hard, but I know you need to move on from Rachel, too. Her death has affected all of us, and I’m proud of you for being such a great dad through it all.”
By the time Austin left his parents’ home, he was feeling great. He called Everly on his Bluetooth, but she didn’t answer. When he tried an hour later, she still didn’t answer.
17
Everly
When Everly opened her eyes, it was still dark. Then she realized she’d fal
len asleep after Austin left. More like cried herself to sleep. And now it was eleven at night, and she was wide awake with a throbbing headache. She slowly climbed out of bed and made her way to the kitchen in the dark, only the moonlight acting as a guide.
Snatches had gone somewhere through the kitchen window. Probably enjoying whatever her second night life was. Everly located some ibuprofen and downed it with a glass of water. Then she climbed back into bed, turned on the lamp by her bed, and picked up her phone. She’d missed two calls from Austin and a text: Just got back to Hidden Hollows. Call me if you’re still awake.
The text was over two hours old.
Everly could talk to him tomorrow. The nap had calmed her emotions, and now that she looked back on the brunch at her mom’s, things didn’t seem too bad. Brandy had been nice when she invited her on the Africa trip. Everly had told her more than once that being around Brock didn’t bother her, so why would Brandy think any different?
Austin had handled her aunt Janice with aplomb, and his sweet words about Everly being the first woman he’d been interested in dating had seemed genuine. Especially when he’d kissed her later on.
It was almost like Austin was too good to be true. Did that mean he was? Was she simply wearing rose-colored glasses? Had she read too much into Austin’s casual questions about Hidden Hollows and assumed they more meaning than they really did?
Had her affinity with Jessica only been first-time luck? And the next time around, would things start to clash between them when the newness wore off?
Maybe Everly should turn off the light and go back to sleep. Before she could, her phone rang. Her heart skipped a couple beats as she anticipated Austin calling again. But it wasn’t Austin. It was a number she had once blocked, but then unblocked when her sister got engaged.
Brock Hayes.
For a moment, Everly was too stunned to decide if she wanted to answer the phone. By the third ring she was so curious she just picked it. Besides, maybe it was Brandy, calling from Brock’s number for some reason?
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