Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) (22 page)

“Ah. So that’s his motive. He’s here to sway you from getting to know me.” A dark shadow crossed Rodney’s face.

“No, actually. Lucas has been great about it. He has never said anything to me about not getting to know you.” Rodney’s expression never changed. He scowled. “I just wanted to tell you, because I know you came down here to meet me, and now I’m leaving the state for awhile. I’m sorry.”

Rodney shook his head. “No, it’s all right. This will be good for you. I should go home for a bit anyhow. But we’ll stay in touch. Visits, phone calls, emails. I’d love one day for you to come visit me in Alabama.”

“I’d like that.” Avery smiled, hoping to ease the tension.

Rodney shot to his feet abruptly. “Great. Well, have a great trip. Oh, have you got a pen?”

Avery nodded and pulled a pen from her purse, handing it to Rodney. He wrote on the envelope. When he handed it to her, she noticed a phone number. “That’s my cell. You can call me at any time, okay? And ... please let me know how the visit goes?”

He was in a hurry to leave. Why? Avery thought they would spend more time together, celebrating the news. But now all he seemed to want was to get away. Avery frowned, but pushed aside the feeling. “Sure. Thank you,” she croaked. He hastily walked away, and left Avery standing there, watching him retreat.

What the hell was that all about?

When someone rapped on his door, Lucas expected it to be Avery. He hurried to open it, ready to see and welcome her. He couldn’t wait to tell her that the plans were set. All they needed to do was decide on when to go. When he pulled the door open, it wasn’t Avery. Rodney stood on the other side, red faced, breathing heavily. Why was he there? And why the hell did he look so pissed?

Lucas positioned himself in the space between the open door and the wall, unsure about Rodney. Something was off. “What can I do for you?”

“You work for her? And now she wants to see Avery?” Without even saying the name, Lucas knew exactly what Rodney meant. So Avery had told him. He’d expected her to, which was fine. But Rodney storming up to Lucas’s door with that look on his face? That wasn’t fine. What’s the man’s problem, anyway?

“Yes, I do. What about it?” Lucas shrugged.

“So that’s your motive. You don’t care for Avery at all, do you?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I care very much for Avery.” Feelings for Avery were the last thing Lucas expected to find. But it happened nevertheless, and though he couldn’t decide how to deal with them, he wanted a chance to figure that out. Lucas wanted a chance with Avery. Though they stood at different places in their lives, he at least had to try, if Avery would be willing.

If he left Harmony’s Echo without at least pursuing something, that empty, hollow feeling would return. Lucas didn’t want that any longer. Now that he knew what it felt like to find something special with someone, he wanted that. More than anything.

“I know how manipulative her mother can be. I knew I didn’t trust you,” Rodney snapped, his fists curling at his sides.

“Not that I trust you either, but you don’t see me storming up to your door with an attitude,” Lucas shot back. “What’s your problem?”

“Just don’t let her get hurt.” Rodney’s tone changed, a little softer. To his surprise, Rodney walked off. A minute later, he heard a door slam. Lucas stood there a bit longer, trying to take in what just happened.

Rodney was a basket case. One Lucas couldn’t figure out. As he was about to close the door, Avery appeared.

“Lucas?”

He was glad to see her. Though he wanted to hug her, Lucas held back. He would wait for a signal. “Hi Avery.”

“I saw Rodney walk off. Were you guys talking or something?” Avery’s hair was in her face. She brushed it aside. Her cheeks were flushed and she looked like she had a lot on her mind.

Well of course she does.

“Yeah ... he kind of caught me off guard. I’m guessing you told him about meeting your birth mother?”

Avery nodded. “Should I not have?” There went that nervous habit of hers. She was so cute when she caught her lip between her teeth. She’d done that a lot recently. Lucas wanted to kiss her right then and there.

“No, of course you should have. Why? How did he take it? Do you want to come in and talk?”

The last time she’d been in here, Lucas pushed her away when she’d been about to give herself to him. This time, all he wanted was to hold her, make sure she was all right. Avery Callimer didn’t appear the fragile type, and she’d been strong the whole time that Lucas was here, but right now, Avery was so vulnerable, like she felt unsure about everything. She looked around, and then nodded. Lucas closed the door behind her. “You look so upset. What’s wrong?” He touched her cheek gently, just needing some contact with her. She averted her gaze.

“Avery, you’re scaring me here.” Lucas tried again, pleading. With one finger, he lifted her chin. Her eyes were all misty. “Talk to me. Somethings bothering you. I can see it in your eyes.”

“I- I don’t know. I met up with Rodney earlier to see the results, and then when I told him I was leaving for awhile, he changed. Like he was really upset or something. Then I thought maybe we were going to celebrate, or- I don’t know. He just charged off. I don’t understand.”

Lucas’s heart went out to her. And his anger went out toward Rodney. What the fuck was the man’s problem? He wanted to tell Avery his thoughts on Rodney, especially with his encounter the other day, but decided against it. She was confused enough. He didn’t need to add his concerns without having proof to back up his claims. Yes, something was off about Rodney, and as time went on it only got worse, but Lucas needed to stay out of it.

Great. Another secret to keep from Avery.

Well, not technically. It wasn’t a secret. Lucas just didn’t need to express his feelings at the moment.

“Can I ask why he was here? He still didn’t look happy. He didn’t notice me when I came up. But then, I kind of avoided him.”

“He warned me to not hurt you,” Lucas admitted. “Said he knew he didn’t trust me, and when he found out I have a connection to your birth mother, he wasn’t too happy.”

Avery sniffed. “He wasn’t happy about me leaving either. I think he’s going home. He gave me his cell number to keep in touch, but I feel like this is a terrible good-bye.”

“So, the results...?” Lucas didn’t want to pry. Hopefully Avery would tell him, but he understood if she didn’t want to.

Avery nodded. “Rodney is my birth father. One half of the puzzle has been solved. Answered. And, I’m nervous, but I’m ready to take you up on the offer. I want to meet my birth mother, Lucas. Please say you’ll still take me?” That look on her face, Lucas’s heart melted. He gathered her in his arms and held her tight. He rested his head on hers. He wanted nothing more than to hold her here for as long as possible.

“Of course I’ll take you.” He kissed the top of her head.

I’d do anything for you.

If Lucas didn’t know any better, he’d think he was falling in love with Avery. How could that be? He hadn’t felt love, not like this. He closed himself off to feelings after his childhood, and there had never been time or reason to fall in love the past ten, twelve years of his life. Avery was different. More than just a passing phase. She could be the one to break Lucas’s emotionless cycle. Who was he kidding? It already happened. He couldn’t get enough of her. The sweet smell of vanilla, the way she fit perfectly in his embrace, the way he wanted to take every fear, doubt and worry away.

Lucas could take the time on the trip and show Avery places she’d never seen. Take extra time and do some sight seeing, spend time together. Maybe he could tell her his feelings then. Speaking his mind when it came to his own feelings had never come easily to him. But what happened when there was no reason for him to stay in Harmony’s Echo? He could lose Avery.

Lucas didn’t want to lose her.

“It’s going to take me a day or so to get flight reservations and make accommodations for a place to stay, but I’ll take you to her, Avery,” Lucas promised.

“What can I do to help? I’ll pay for my ticket.” Avery pulled away from his embrace.

“I’ve got it covered. Don’t worry about anything. You just pack, get everything in order, and we’ll be set.”

She opened her mouth, about to argue with him. Lucas took that moment to kiss her on the lips. She reeled back, narrowing her eyes at him. “You can’t keep doing that.”

Lucas blinked innocently. “Doing what?”

Avery socked him on the arm. “Don’t play coy. You know what I mean. I get ready to say something to you and you just kiss me! Like you’re trying to make me forget what I was about to say to you!”

Lucas arched his brow at her. “Well, did it work?”

“No. I didn’t forget,” Avery fired back at him. But then a smile played at her lips. “Maybe a little.”

“So what if I kiss you again? Will that help make you forget?” Without waiting for an answer, he cupped her face and kissed her again, this time more passionately. Avery didn’t fight back. She kissed him back. When it ended, Avery looked at him with those gorgeous eyes. He had no idea what she would do next.

“I’m not sure I like this effect you have on me,” Avery whispered.

“No? But I do,” Lucas teased. She looked torn. Avery kept darting her gaze to the door, like she was about to make a run for it, but then looked back at Lucas. She looked so damn sexy right there, just like that.

“You would.” Avery met his gaze. The same desire Lucas felt flashed in her eyes. It helped to know that she felt it, too. Lucas would have to figure out a good way to see what their future was, but not now. Not here in this room. As much as it killed him, Lucas wouldn’t have her here.

Avery broke the moment when she looked down, then back up at Lucas again. “I need to go get ready for my shift. Then I’ve got band practice tonight.” Avery reached for the door, her hand resting on the knob like she was hesitant to leave.

Lucas nodded. “I’ll start the arrangements right now.”

“Lucas, I don’t even know where we’re going. That’s terrible! Where is my birth mother at?”

“Right now, California.”

“What do you mean, right now?”

“She travels a lot.” That wasn’t going to be enough to satisfy Avery’s curiosity, but he couldn’t say much more yet. She’d understand when she met her birth mother.

Avery’s lips formed a thin line, and she shook her head. “I don’t understand all this secrecy, or your reasons to be so vague.” Hurt flashed in her eyes. She turned the doorknob.

Damn it.

“Avery, wait.” Lucas covered her hand with his. “I don’t like it either. You’ll understand soon, okay? I know this isn’t easy. I won’t say trust me, because I already blew that. I need you to just be patient. Please?”

The sooner this was all over, the better Lucas would feel.

She stared at him again and then nodded. “Fine. I guess that’s all I can do.”

“Avery.”

He loved the way her name sounded on his lips.

“I’ve got to go, Lucas,” she protested.

“I know. I just- I don’t like this tension. I know it’s my fault, but I still dislike it. I just need to know you’re okay before I let you walk out of here.” He sounded like an idiot, he knew that, but all he wanted was to know she would be okay. That she at least partly understood. He didn’t blame her for feeling angry and upset.

Oh Avery. I would tell you everything if I could. But soon, baby, I promise.

“I’ll be okay, Lucas. I just need answers and it seems that everyone is not telling me the full truth. And that includes you.”

“I know. That’s why I’m making this happen. I’m trying to give you the answers you deserve. It’s just you can’t hear them from me. I know it frustrates you. It’s almost over, I promise.” Lucas drew her to him again, giving her one more kiss before he had to let her leave.

Avery released a deep breath, but her arms wrapped around him. “I don’t know whether to kiss you or strangle you sometimes.”

“You’re not the strangle type.” Lucas laughed.

“How would you know?” Avery shot back. When he looked down at her, Avery was trying her hardest not to smile. She wasn’t winning this battle with him. Lucas knew better.

“Because, you are gentle. You release your feelings through music. So the worst you would do is write me into an angry song or something.”

“Maybe I already have.” And there went that smile. The sly grin that brightened up her beautiful face.

“Then I’d love to hear it.” Lucas ran a finger down her cheek. Her silky smooth skin sent a sensation of arousal through his body. Now he’d better let her go before he could no longer contain his urges. “Get out of here, sweet woman, before I have my way with you right now,” he growled.

*****

Lucas Bennett drove Avery to distraction. All she could think about throughout work was his eyes, those lips, and the fact that she would be spending quite a bit of time with him soon. Would they share a room? If they did, Avery knew she wouldn’t be able to hold back. She wanted him. Damn it, she wanted that man badly. But Lucas didn’t let her in, not emotionally, anyway. If he hadn’t lied, held back, maybe she could feel less guilty for wanting him. That wasn’t the case, however, and that only made her feelings more confusing.

Six hours went by, slowly, and finally she was done with work. Alice came in to relieve her. Avery couldn’t get out of there fast enough. She grabbed her purse and headed out the back door, running through the courtyard to head to Jameson’s for practice. The woods at night had a spooky presence, but it was a path Avery had taken many times. It was a long walk for most, but for Avery it was a time of calming. It didn’t faze her anymore. When she was younger, she and Jameson used to play hide and seek in these woods. He loved to scare her and she’d smack him, but they would laugh until they couldn’t breathe.

How the times have changed. At this time last year, things had been so different. Avery and Jameson had been happy, in love, and making music together. Who would have thought things would have unraveled the way they did? Now Avery had feelings for someone she didn’t really know, whereas she’d been friends with Jameson for years. Though she’d never known the circumstances of her birth, Avery grew up in a great environment. Mom and Dad were great, even though they were older, and when Avery was in elementary school, kids had laughed and teased her about their age. Avery defended them many times. Deep inside, it hurt, but she didn’t show that side to anyone.