Secrets in the Shadows (42 page)

Jacob interrupted. “You want to shoot her ashes off in fireworks display, don’t you?”

Travis nodded. “I contacted a company out of Cincinnati that does that. What do you think?”

Jacob was smiling. “I think it’d be perfect. She’d love it. What does everyone else think?” He looked around the gazebo, where everyone was smiling.

“I think she’d be amazed,” Lauren said. “And delighted.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Travis said. “When it’s ready, I’ll have you all back up here if you’d like.” He sighed. “Does anyone else want to speak?”

They all shook their heads, and he nodded. “Then why don’t we head back up to the house? I’ve had a friend come by and prepare some food, if any of you would like to stay.”

Everyone got up to leave, but Lauren tugged Charlie behind the others. “I need to speak to Travis privately for a minute.”

“Okay. I’ll try to contain myself.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Holler if you need me.” With an inscrutable look for Travis, he caught up with her parents and Shannon. Davis took the urn, and told Travis he would place it back in the house.

“That’s fine. Just put it back where we had it earlier, if you don’t mind.”

Alone with Travis on the gazebo, Lauren exchanged a sad smile with him. He opened his arms and she gave him a brief, fierce hug. He sighed, then let her go.

“So that’s the guy?”

“That’s him,” she confirmed, smiling.

“He seems very protective of you, very devoted. And he doesn’t like me at all. Does he make you happy?”

“He does,” Lauren answered, wonderingly. “He makes me laugh, and Ava adores him.”

“Then I’m happy for you,” Travis said. “Thanks for keeping Margie’s pregnancy a secret.”

“It wasn’t mine to share. Besides, her family didn’t need to know. There was already so much pain, that was the last thing they needed to hear.” She started walking slowly toward the house, and Travis fell into step beside her. “I hope that whatever she wrote to them in their letters, it brings them peace. They deserve it after all these years. As far as that goes, so do you.”

“I’m getting there,” he told her. “It isn’t easy, but knowing she didn’t kill our child helps.”

“I can only imagine.” As they neared the house, she laughed. “I can just imagine her delight and excitement about the fireworks. I can see her face, as clearly as if she were standing in front of me, Travis. She would absolutely love it.”

“It’s what she wanted. It’s just the method of delivery that’s changed.” They reached the deck and he ushered her inside. “I guess I’d better play host now.”

As they went inside, Lauren was surprised to see the young lady from the café, who had set up a large spread of food in the kitchen and dining room. Seeing her surprise, Travis shrugged.

“She can use the money, I needed a caterer.”

Lauren reached out and squeezed his arm. “You’re not quite the bad guy you let everyone think you are, are you?”

Travis laughed ruefully. “I can be. You’ve just never seen that side of me.”

~
* ~

After they’d eaten and guests started leaving, Travis pulled Charlie aside for a little talk. “I just wanted to have a word with you. Chances are we won’t see each other again for a while, and this might be the only chance I’ll have to tell you a couple of things.” Charlie eyed him warily and shifted his stance, waiting for the other man to continue.

“Lauren’s made it pretty clear that you’re it for her, and anyone with eyes can see how things are between the two of you,” Travis said. “I don’t expect that to change. People like you guys? You tend to mate for life.” Travis nodded. “I checked you out. I wanted to make sure you were a worthy prospect.”

“Well, I can’t tell you how much that reassures me,” Charlie told him in a low voice. “I was just holding my breath, hoping you would approve.”

Travis sighed. “I didn’t mean it that way, and I think you know that. I just wanted you to know. I also wanted to tell you this—Lauren can come to me any time she needs to. She knows that, and that won’t change once you get married. I assume you’re heading that way?”

Charlie gave a short nod of acknowledgment. “We haven’t discussed it, but yes, that’s probably where we’ll end up.”

“I am happy for you, then. But if you ever hurt her, you’ll answer to me. She’s been through enough. She deserves happiness from here on out.”

Charlie didn’t respond for a moment, meeting Travis’ gaze head on. There was a steely thread in his voice when he finally spoke. “I agree. And while I appreciate your concern, I’m perfectly capable of protecting her.”

“Understood.” Travis held out his hand and they shook, satisfied that their territories would be respected. Lauren, who had been saying goodbye to everyone, came back in time to see the handshake. She gazed from Charlie to Travis.

“Everything okay?” she asked, moving to Charlie’s side. He placed his arm around her waist and drew her close.

“Everything’s fine,” he told her. “Ready to head out?”

“Yes. Mom and Dad are at the car.” Stepping over to Travis, she gave him a firm hug. “Take care of yourself.”

He smiled at her. “I’ll be fine,” he assured her. “You all have a safe drive back to Leroy.” He walked them out to the driveway, tipping an imaginary hat as she and Charlie went down the steps.

As they got into the vehicle, Charlie looked up and saw the mild slump of the other man’s shoulders as he turned and went back in his house. For a brief moment, he felt sorry for him. Knowing that the people who waited inside the SUV counted him as family, he felt blessed and gave thanks that he was the one getting in the vehicle, and not the one going back inside his empty house.

Once they got back to Leroy, Lauren was eager to leave her parents’ house. They were all exhausted, and her parents had said a hasty goodnight. Charlie walked her to her car, trailing slowly behind her.

“Do you want to come inside?” he asked.

Lauren turned to face him, and he pulled her into his arms. She rested her arms on his chest, her hands on his shoulders. “I don’t know. I’d like to.”

“Why do I think there’s a ‘but’ in there?” he asked.

She laughed. “Because there is. I’m afraid if I come in, I might end up staying again tonight.”

Charlie smiled. “And how would that be a bad thing?”

“You mean aside from the fact that you might have to run me out in the morning?” He gave a short laugh, and she smiled.

“What if I didn’t want to leave?” she asked, growing serious. “I’m afraid that if I stay, I’ll start to get ideas about things, and I don’t know if you’re ready for that. I’m not even sure I’m ready for that. And then there’s Ava to consider. I’m a package deal, Charlie, and I don’t want to end up scaring you away. I don’t want to ruin things,” she said, tearing up a little.

Tightening his grip, he pulled her closer. “I’m already invested. I’m getting plenty of ideas of my own, and as far as Ava is concerned, she’s a great kid. She’s funny and smart, and she can throw a pretty damned good tantrum,” he said, making Lauren laugh through her tears. “You’re leaking!” She laughed harder, making more tears fall. “Geez, it’s getting worse. We’d better get you inside and into the tub or something so this water can drain.”

Lauren slid her arms around his back and hugged him tight. “When did you see my daughter throw a tantrum?”

“Oh, a couple of weeks ago. “She was ‘helping’ your dad with one of his models, and he made her go sit down. It got ugly and loud. I think she was tired. I know she’s no angel, see, and I bet you’re not, either. God knows I’m not,” he said, turning serious. “I want the whole package, Lauren. I know it’s too soon to bring it up, but I don’t care. Seeing you last night, running for your life—it scared me to death. I knew that I could really lose you, and that’s when I realized how much you mean to me.”

Her heart started beating frantically, and she was glad he was holding on to her so tightly. Otherwise, she might have sank into a puddle right there in the driveway.

“I’ve never said this to anyone before, and I don’t know if I can say it now,” he told her. “But I have to try.” Clearing his throat, he looked away for a few moments. She waited without speaking as he gathered his nerve, hardly able to believe the words he was getting ready to say.

When he turned back to her, his eyes were shining. “I love you,” he said, releasing a huge sigh. “There, I did it. I’m going to sit down now.” He eased down onto the low stone wall that separated her parents’ driveway from his, gasping for breath.

Lauren stood there staring at him in amazement for several long seconds, but then she snapped out of the fog she was in and moved to his side, pushing his head down between his legs.

“Breathe, Charlie.” Sitting beside him, she rubbed his back. As his breathing slowed and became more regular, he eased back up into a sitting position.

“That wasn’t the least bit embarrassing,” he said, not meeting her gaze. “But I do, you know. I do love you. Even if you don’t return my feelings, I wanted you to know. Especially after last night.”

“I do return your feelings,” she told him. “Very much so.” He gazed at her, incredulous and hopeful. “I wasn’t expecting it, wasn’t looking for it, but it happened, and I’m here. It scares me to death to admit, even to myself, but I love you, too, Charlie Clark. It’s been what, three weeks since we met? If that?”

He wrapped his arms around her and held on tight, burying his face in her neck. Running a hand through his hair, she cradled the back of his head, and said a quick prayer of thanks. After a minute, he raised his head and cupped her face in his hands, gazing deeply into her eyes.

“Marry me,” he said, his voice husky. “Live with me, build a family and a life with me.”

Lauren gazed back at him in shock. A lone tear rolled down her cheek, and he wiped it away with his thumb. “You’re serious. You really mean that, don’t you?”

“I do. I want to be with you, and Ava, and be a part of something more, something special. I want that more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. I want to make you happy, and make you smile. I want to wake up with you every morning for the rest of my life, Lauren,” he said. “I know it’s too soon, but I want it all.”

Lauren touched his face, shaking her head. “I want it, too. But what if it doesn’t work? What if I don’t work, Charlie? What if we get married and then you find out that I’m defective? What then?” she asked, tormented by doubts.

“You’re talking about sex, right?” he asked. She nodded, closing her eyes. “Well, we could go in right now and find out if you ‘work,’ but whether you do or not, it won’t change how I feel about you. You’ve read the books, know the statistics as well as I do. “It takes time, and patience, and yes, in some cases, the person is never able to have a normal sex life, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take. I want you in my life, as my wife, and if that means we never make love, then we’ll deal with that. I’m willing to fight for you, for us, whatever it takes.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Do you hear me?”

She nodded. “I hear you. I just need to think about it.” She pulled away and stood up, arms crossed over her chest.

Charlie stood up and placed his hands on her shoulders, pulling gently. She resisted at first but then let him hold her. She slowly moved her arms and placed them around his back, finally completely relaxing in his embrace. After a minute, she pulled back and looked at him.

“I need to think, time to process everything. I’m not saying no, but I’m not saying yes, either.”

“I understand,” he told her with a small smile. “Honestly, right now probably isn’t the best time to discuss this, anyhow. We’re both exhausted. How long do you need?”

“I don’t know. But I promise I will let you know as soon as I do,” she said. He nodded again, accepting her response. “I’m going to head home now, get some rest. I’ll call you.”

He drew her close one last time before she got in her car, kissing her thoroughly. Letting her go, he watched her slide behind the wheel, and he stood back as she backed out of the driveway.

~
* ~

Heart heavy, Charlie went into his house, greeted at the door by an excited Rumble. Crouching down, he scratched the cat behind his ears and sighed. He knew that he had to be patient, but he hoped Lauren’s answer would come sooner rather than later.

Two long weeks had passed, and though Lauren knew Charlie had to be chomping at the bit for an answer, he had been very patient with her. He hadn’t pressured her to give him an answer, and she appreciated that more than she could express that he had given her the time she had requested.

It had been a stressful couple of weeks, getting the shop cleaned up and ready to reopen. They were still a few weeks out from that date, but all the new walls were in, and the fixtures that needed to be replaced had been ordered. Painting was scheduled to start next week, and while the downtime had been unexpected, she was trying to enjoy redecorating, looking at it as a positive experience. It helped that Ava was old enough now to take part in the process. Everything was coming together nicely, even the cases against the Vernons.