What a true beauty. Inside and out. Picture perfect. Lucas closed the door softly and made his way over to the chair. He crouched beside Avery, brushing his knuckles lightly against her soft skin. She stirred, mumbled something, then opened her eyes. When their gazes locked, she smiled and sat up.
"Hi beautiful," Lucas whispered, keeping his hand on her face and drawing her near.
"Hi handsome," she whispered back. "How long have you been home?"
"I just got here. How was the recording session? I wish I could have been there." He pointed to the notebook. "What were you working on just now? Can I hear it yet?"
Avery shook her head and gave him a smile. "Not yet. When it's finished, you'll be the first to hear it. The studio was great! We got a few hours in today before everyone had to take off. I can't wait until it's all finished. I'm so excited! I can't thank you enough for everything you've done to get us that recording time."
"I wouldn't have it any other way for you. I love that your dreams are coming true." Lucas looked forward to it. Everything. The demo, the new song she worked on. He could never get enough of Avery's singing, or the words that she put to music that always came straight from her heart. Every chance he could, he accompanied her to band practice, when he wasn't at the inn helping her parents.
Damn, he loved living a normal life! He had a job at the inn. He came home to Avery every night. This had been what he longed for, and he finally had the chance to live the dream. He could be normal. Well, more normal that he'd lived before. It still wasn't every day normal, considering the media wouldn't leave them alone. Everyone wanted to get the scoop on Belinda Wainscott's long lost daughter. Ever since the story broke, especially when it came up about Nick Tate, they were relentless. The phone calls, the letters, the constant chasing. Would it ever end?
Since Avery and the band were making a demo and getting ready to try to make their music dreams come true, it would never fully go away. But they would take it as it came. Lucas would never try to hold Avery back from her dream. He loved her far too much to do that. Avery had so much going for her with her music. It would only be a matter of time before the band made it to the top.
"You got room for one more on that chair?" Lucas leaned over and kissed her.
"Hmm, I don't know. Two is already a large crowd." Avery's eyes danced with laughter.
Lucas pretended to be wounded, then lifted the hem of her stretched maternity shirt. Then he kissed her belly and rested his ear on her. Her body shook as she laughed.
"What are you doing, Lucas?"
"Shh. I'm listening." He stopped for a few minutes. "I was hoping I could hear her sing … I wonder if she will have her mommy's talent." When he lifted his head and caught Avery's grin, he moved back up to touch her face. "She's going to be amazing, like you," he said softly, tucking blonde locks of hair away from her face.
"And she'll be strong and brave like you." Avery leaned over to kiss his lips. "I love you, Lucas."
"I love you too, sweet Avery." More than he could have ever imagined. Just when he thought he couldn't find room for more love, he surprised himself. Every day that he woke up next to this woman, the one that would become his wife, Lucas appreciated life even more. "Hey, Mary told me that Shelly's boyfriend checked into the inn today."
"That's good! I'm glad she won't have to be alone now. When I went to the hospital with Mary the other day, the poor woman looked so lost and afraid. Well, that's one good ending. By the way, there is mail for you on the table."
Curious, Lucas climbed to his feet and searched for the mail Avery spoke of. When he found an envelope addressed to him, he searched for a return address. He couldn't find one. How odd. Lucas tore open the letter, walking slowly back into the living room, but stopped in his tracks when a photo fell out into his hands. His heart raced as he stared at the picture.
Sam.
A younger picture of him. He looked like that when Lucas first met him. He was in a park, or some kind of field, wearing a black baseball cap. He was even smiling and holding a baseball and a bat in his hands. He looked happy.
This must have been before he ran away.
How the hell did someone get this picture, and why were they sending it to him? Fuck, he thought when he didn't get anything for days after he'd talked to Belinda, that maybe it was just nothing.
"Lucas, what is it?" He didn't even notice that Avery had come up beside him. She put a hand on his shoulder. She looked down at the picture. "Is that-?"
He swallowed hard. "Yeah. That's Sam. About the age that I first met him." There had been something else in the envelope. Lucas pulled it out and stared hard at the one word typed in bold letters across the paper.
Killer.
He dropped the paper as if it were a poisonous snake. He couldn't breathe all of a sudden. The word on that paper echoed in his mind like a loud megaphone.
Killer, killer, killer.
But he wasn't! He may have pulled the trigger in self-defense all those years ago, but he didn't kill Sam, damn it!
"Luke, what? What did it say?" Avery bent to retrieve it.
"No! Don't pick it up! Don't look at it!" he yelled, reaching for her.
She stopped mid bend, raising her wide eyes at him.
"Oh Avery, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you." He reached out to pull her into his arms. "I'm sorry." He cradled her head to his chest and ran a hand through her hair. He shouldn't have freaked out on her.
She wrapped her arms around him, but then pulled away. Her eyes were misty when she met his gaze. "Lucas, you don't have to hide anything from me. You know this. Don't hold back, honey. Nothing I see is going to scare me away from you. Please don't shut me out." Avery gently touched his cheek. She spoke lovingly, but firm.
They were in this together. But old habits die hard. He needed to let her in and not push when things became intense.
"You're right, and I'm sorry. I just- it said something horrible and I didn't want you to have to see that."
"Lucas, you can't protect me from everything. I love that you are so protective, but what affects you also affects me. I can handle it, honey." She stood on her tip toes to kiss him, then bent again to get the letter. As much as he wanted to stop her, this time he didn't. Avery opened the folded page and gasped at what it said. Then she crumpled the paper and tossed it against the door. "Don't you let that get to you, Lucas Bennett. Though I can already guess it does." She took his hands in hers and led him to sit down.
"I thought when Belinda told me about it, that it was just another attack against her. Someone trying to blackmail her. But this came to me too, Avery. It's more than just someone trying to get at her. Why would they send it here, to me?" His voice came out shaky. He leaned against Avery, needing to be near her.
"I wish I had an answer to that, but I don't. Someone is trying to rile you. Don't let them win. You're not a killer, Lucas. When that story broke months ago, you were told that. You are cleared. The one that killed Sam is paying for his crimes."
He heard the words, heard the gentle tone in her voice, but it didn't stop the dredged up feelings threatening to resurface again. No! He wouldn't let those dark feelings come back. He'd come way too far for that to happen.
"Look at me, Luke," she begged, her tone firm.
Lucas complied. Her eyes shone with love.
"We'll figure it out. Just remember that I love you, and that you are a good person."
How the hell did she do that? Without saying a word, Avery knew exactly what his thoughts were and addressed the issue. He'd said nothing about his sudden doubt and worry, and there she went with her reassuring smile, words, and touch.
"Thank you for that, Avery." Lucas gently hugged her. She rested her head against him and covered his hand with hers. He pressed kisses onto her temple and in her hair. He would be so lost without this sweet woman.
"Oh Luke. There's nothing to thank me for. You have come a long way. The first time we met, you were so lost and angry. You aren't that
man anymore. You've done so well to overcome your past." Avery lifted her head to look at him again. Then she grimaced. "And now, I have to ruin our conversation by getting up for yet another bathroom break."
He knew she tried to lighten the mood, and it worked. Lucas laughed.
Avery scowled. "I'm glad you can find humor in my misery." But her eyes told a different story. She wasn't really annoyed with him. Lucas helped her to her feet and she tossed him another look before leaving the room.
A thought disturbed him, but he wondered. Mary had her secrets, had come to town on a whim. What if-?
No. No way. She couldn't have a connection to Sam. Too coincidental.
He didn't trust her, but he didn't think she had anything to do with this.
Damn. Now his mind would wonder about everyone until he could figure this out.
Lucas headed for the nursery. He flicked the light on and stood in the middle of the room. He fingered the length of the crib that he'd just put together two weeks ago. Soon, his child, a baby created from love, would be sleeping in that crib.
Impending fatherhood sent him into a world of mixed emotions. He'd always wanted a family. He knew that his daughter would never lack in the department of love. She would never have to know the kind of loneliness he felt growing. Between himself and Avery, their daughter would grow up surrounded by love.
Some days, though, the doubts entered his mind. What if he let the baby down? What if he let Avery down? He'd already let her down a few times. It could happen again.
The man he'd been when he first came to town was far from the man he'd become now. He had no reason to hide secrets. He'd freed himself of the bonds that kept him from living.
So why did he still feel like this sometimes?
Lucas sank into the rocking chair, staring at all the beautiful things that made up the room. Avery's mom had made a mobile which now hung to the right of the crib. The Callimers were so ecstatic about being grandparents.
Lucas loved the Callimer family. He loved the days where none of them were working and actually enjoyed some time off as a family. Avery's mom and dad had accepted him, loved him. That was such a nice feeling. The day her father told Lucas he could call him Dad, he would never forget it. Lucas rarely cried, but he almost did that day. Almost.
"Lucas?"
He'd been so deep in thought, he never heard Avery come in before now. She stood in the doorway, watching him, her forehead creased with worry. She crossed into the room and knelt before him. "What are you doing, honey?"
"I don't want to let her down. Or you." Lucas held Avery's gaze. When the words tumbled from his lips, she immediately took his hands in hers again.
"Luke, you won't! You're going to be an amazing father, and a wonderful husband. And if we have any bumps along the way, we'll get through them." Avery released one of his hands after kissing it and pulled him to his feet. She enveloped him in her arms. "We have so far."
He easily remembered the days where neither of them were sure of their future. All they knew were their strong feelings for the other.
"I'm afraid of letting you or the baby down too, if we're going to be honest right now." Avery's eyelashes fluttered as she fought her own tears.
What? Why would she ever think that?
"Avery? Why would you say that?" Lucas cupped her face so she had to look at him.
"Juggling motherhood, being a wife, and attempting a music career? I don't know if I can do it all. Should I be pursuing a music career right now? I was so ready to and then I found out about the pregnancy. I don't want to be like-"
She didn't have to finish that thought. He knew exactly who she referred to.
"You don't want to be like Belinda," he said softly, stroking her cheek. "Is that it?"
"I'm not trying to say anything terrible about her, but..."
"I get it. She left you for a music career and you don't want to do that to your own child. But Avery, there's a difference. You are older, you have the support of your friends and family, especially me, your husband to be. You won't be abandoning your child. Get that thought out of your head right now."
Avery would never be like her. Belinda had her selfish ways, and Avery was one of the most selfless people he knew.
"But-"
Lucas silenced her with a kiss. God, he still loved doing that to her even now, and he loved how it drove her crazy. "Listen to me," he said gently. "I know right now you're filled with a lot of different feelings. As you love to remind me, we're in this together. We'll make it work out. I believe in you, and I believe in your music. We're not going to be a normal family, but normal is overrated. You have enough passion and love in you to give to our family and to your music. You and Belinda may have that musical dream and talent, but your personalities are so different."
Avery sniffled. "I'm such a crazy mess, aren't I?"
"Well of course you are, but you're my crazy mess and I wouldn't trade you for anything. You make my life worthwhile. Now, what do you say you and I get some rest and put these doubts behind us?"
"I think that sounds like the perfect idea." Avery ran her hands up his back and rubbed Lucas's shoulders. He let her take his hand, leading him out of the nursery and to their own bedroom. When they were both ready for bed, Lucas pulled the covers back and met Avery in the middle. The lights went out, and they nestled in each other's arms.
"Sleep well, and don't worry so much. I love you," Avery whispered, claiming his lips and forever claiming his heart.
Chapter Nine
Jameson woke the next day with a pounding headache and memories of breakfast in the morning with his family. Back in the days when summer came around and he could sleep in. The nights were filled with music making, late night conversation on the phone with Avery or Randy, and then spending mornings with Mom, Dad, and Blaine.
Damn. He must have really been running down memory lane, because he could literally smell the bacon.
Awareness shot through him and he bolted out of bed.
The hospital. His mom's relapse, and the concussion. Alcohol poisoning. Yesterday had been his parents' anniversary. Why didn't he realize it before, so that he could have kept a closer eye on his mother?
But as Mary said last night, some things were far out of his control. She was right. Jameson had to come to terms with the reality of the situation. He didn't want to be angry. The last time he felt like that … Well, it lead to a turn of events that changed things.
Why hadn't he realized that before? That's exactly why he kept everything in. It all made sense now.
Not even throwing a shirt on, Jameson ran out into the kitchen. There stood Mary, dressed in a floral sun dress, in front of the stove. She smiled up at him. "Good morning."
"Mary, what's all this?" Jameson scratched his head. She looked good. She wore her hair tucked back in a braid. Color rose in her cheeks as she ducked her head.
"I thought I'd do something nice for you, since you've been so great to me. I hope that's okay. I don't mean to take over your kitchen."
Damn it, there she went again. Why did she second guess everything?
Whoever hurt her really did a hell of a job of making her wary.
"It's fine Mary, really," Jameson said quickly, hoping to ease her worry. "This is your kitchen now, too. You're entitled to it just as much. And I appreciate this, I really do. I was just caught off guard."
Mary's cheeks went red, and she turned away from him. "It's nothing. Just a simple breakfast."
It was more than that, and Mary didn't realize how much it made him feel better. He didn't feel so alone in the house with her company.
"It's almost done if you're ready." She already had two plates sitting by the side. "Oh, and when you're ready, I can help fix the holes in the wall in your mom's room."
That did need to be done. He just hadn't thought of it. "You know a thing or two about drywalling and patching?"
She nodded, a slight smile spreading across her face. "I lived with all males in the h
ouse. I had to learn a thing or two. I can work my way around a tool box. I can't help you with your truck, though. A few home repairs is the extent of what I know."
"I appreciate the offer. There's such a long list of things to be done. Thank you, Mary." Jameson pulled open the fridge, searching for the orange juice. He pulled the plastic jug out and held it up. "Want some?"
Mary turned her head and nodded when she saw what he had. "Love some."
He poured two glasses and set them on the table. When he went back to the kitchen, Mary held a plate of food out to him.
He thought it would be a little awkward having her stay here, especially since they never talked about the kiss the other day. It actually hadn't been. She kept to herself most of the time, unless they were working on her song or she sat in when the band practiced. She worked different hours at the inn, and with his own changing schedule at the radio station, there hadn't been a lot of time to sit down and eat together. It would be nice to sit across the table from someone instead of staring at an empty house, even if it was only for a little while. He had to go back to the hospital and check on Mom, and then go to work. Damn, he wished he could just take a few days off, but that would be impossible with the truck needing repairs. Sure, Lucas said he'd help, but it didn't mean he had room to call off of work.
Mary followed and took a seat across from him. She avoided his gaze and concentrated on eating.
Why did she feel the need to hide herself all the time?
Jameson took a bite, then another and enjoyed the taste. "This is really great. Thank you again." He hoped that would stimulate a little bit of conversation.
She looked up, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Thanks. I'm glad you like it." Maybe it was just him, but it almost seemed like she had something else to say. She sounded very relieved that he complimented her food.
Who hurt you, Mary?
Jameson wanted nothing more than to ask the question out loud. Though she didn't seem as fearful now as she had when she first came to town, she still walked around so unsure of herself. What would it take to get her to open up? Why did it matter so much? She made it clear she wanted to be as far away from town as possible. It sure as hell didn't stop him from wanting to know.
The Melody In My Head (Love and Music in Texas Book 2) Page 10
