My Soul Loves: Hidden Creek Series #1

by Barbara Gee

  I replied and told him that was fine with me, and promised to get Victor up to speed as quickly as I could. Which meant that knocking off a little early today, like I’d planned, was out of the question.

  I’d make it work though, somehow. I might be a little rushed, but I wasn’t going to be late for my first dinner with the Keller family.

  ***

  I drove to Jude’s place first, then he drove JP and me to their parents’ house twenty minutes away. I sat in the back seat so JP could have more leg room. During the drive, I leaned forward and told the two of them about my brief conversation with Ian. It kept them updated on the situation, as I’d promised to do, and also helped take my mind off the impending introduction to their parents and sister.

  When I finished, neither man had a good feeling about where things stood, especially since Ian hadn’t gotten back to me since that early-morning call.

  “I still say she’s unstable,” Jude declared. “There’s no telling what she’ll do once she knows Ian is on to her.”

  “I’m sure he’s already confronted her, and my guess is, he told her it’s over,” I said. “He was really upset.”

  “Which means she’s got even more reason to be angry.”

  “Maybe, but if it’s over for them, continuing to harass me won’t do her any good,” I insisted.

  “Unless she’s transferring blame for everything that’s gone wrong onto you and comes up with a plot for revenge,” JP replied.

  I considered the unsettling possibility that Abigail could continue her personal vendetta against me. When I stayed silent, Jude glanced over his shoulder at me, then reached his right arm back and put his hand on my knee.

  “We aren’t trying to alarm you for no reason, Ava. I know you like to believe the best of people, but you need to think hard about this one. Take everything you know about Abigail, everything she’s done, and do your best to determine if she’s a danger to you. Don’t give her the benefit of the doubt.”

  I nodded. “Okay, but I can’t do that right now. I’m a few minutes away from meeting your parents, and that’s about as much as I can handle at the moment.”

  He gave me a smile and squeezed my knee before pulling his arm back. “Okay. We’ll revisit the Abigail situation later.”

  I leaned back, trying to put my focus on the evening ahead. I hoped I wasn’t dressed too formally, or informally for that matter. I’d spent ten minutes in front of my closet trying to decide on an outfit, finally going with a tasteful, floral print dress in several shades of blue. It was made of a comfortable, flowy fabric, with a modest rounded neckline, cap sleeves, and a hemline that fell right at my knees. It was the kind of dress my own mother would approve of, and I hoped that translated to Camilla Keller as well.

  We pulled into the drive and up to a beautiful brick home, with equally beautiful landscaping. I exhaled a long, nervous breath, then got out and opened JP’s door, waiting while Jude got his crutches from the truck bed.

  I must have looked tense, because JP reached out and put his hand on my arm.

  “Relax, Ava. They’re gonna love you. Really.”

  I was grateful for his reassurance. “Thanks. I hope you’re right.”

  I stood back while Jude helped JP out and then handed him the crutches.

  “I got it from here, bro,” JP said. “You go on and take your girl inside.”

  Jude turned to me and held out a hand, his smile warm. “Come meet my mom, Ava,” he said softly.

  ***

  It didn’t take me very long to realize I’d wasted far too much time worrying about dinner with the Kellers. I’d tried to prepare myself for the worst, just in case, but the reality was anything but. Jude’s parents, Camilla and Hank, were welcoming and easy to talk to, and his sister, Janna, was bubbly and funny and kept the conversation flowing.

  They did ask me a lot of questions, but they were simple get-to-know-you questions, not the kind that tried to delve deep into my psyche. I told them about my family and coming to Hidden Creek every summer to stay with my grandma, about leaving college and cutting short my volleyball career, and a little bit about my “website” work.

  Janna wanted to know how Jude and I met, and they all laughed when we told them how Lulu’s desperate search for chocolate had played a starring role.

  Since the night was warm with low humidity, Camilla decided we should move out to the large back deck for dessert. It looked out over a pond lit by subtle spotlights and an incredible flower garden. It made me feel a little silly for bringing my own homegrown bouquet of flowers for Camilla, but she’d seemed to appreciate the gesture, so I didn’t dwell on it.

  When the homemade blueberry pie had all been consumed, JP said he was ready to get home to lie down. He’d had more standing and sitting than he was used to in a day, and I could tell by his pinched expression that he was in pain.

  Camilla immediately started fussing over him, but he waved her off.

  “I’m fine, Mom, really. I just need to get to bed.”

  Jude went to get JP’s crutches, then joined his brother in reassuring their mother. “He’s been doing great, Mom. Better every day. Another couple weeks and he’ll be almost as good as new.”

  I watched as Camilla hugged her oldest son, shuddering inside when I imagined how she’d felt when she’d received the call about his accident. Truly one of a mother’s worst nightmares.

  We said our good nights, and I felt nothing but warmth and acceptance from Camilla, Hank, and Janna. The evening had been so comfortable and fun, and I couldn’t help but think what a contrast it would be when I introduced Jude to my own family.

  Poor Jude.

  I decided to warn him when the two of us were sitting out on his porch, after he’d helped JP get settled for the night. I snuggled up against him and told him how great his family was and apologized that my parents and sisters weren’t going to be so easy.

  “You don’t think they’ll like country-boy Jude?” he asked in an exaggerated drawl.

  I giggled, because he wasn’t exactly a country boy, he just didn’t live in the city. “Oh, they’ll like you, I’m not worried about that,” I replied. “The problem is, simply being a likable guy isn’t enough for Benson and Judith. They’ll ‘interview’ you to within an inch of your life. That includes your life goals and how you plan to reach them and where you fit into the who’s who list around here.”

  “They’re going to be appalled when they find out I don’t even know if such a list exists,” he said with a chuckle.

  I poked him with my elbow. “You laugh—and you should, because it’s ridiculous—but I’m dead serious. It’s all about power and clout for Mom and Dad. And for Ella and Audrey, too. They’ve completely bought into the scramble to get to the top. Which is sad, because it makes it impossible for them to relax and enjoy life. There’s always another hill to climb, no matter how high they get. I’m seriously worried that they’ll look down on you because you don’t spend your days climbing the social ladder, and that’s going to make me so mad.”

  “I climb a lot of real ladders, though,” he joked, trying to lighten my mood.

  I grinned in spite of my worries. “I just don’t want them to make you feel inferior in any way, because you’re not. You’re in a way better place than they are.”

  Jude threaded his fingers through mine and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Don’t worry about me,” he said. “I’m pretty good at just being who I am, and as long as that’s good enough for you, I’m not going to fret about how your family feels about my social status.”

  I nodded against his shoulder. “I know, but the thing is, you do more for your community in one day of playing basketball with the kids than my mother does in a year’s worth of token garden-party fundraisers. Yet she’ll judge you for not being on the executive board of half a dozen non-profits.”

  “I can handle it, Ava.”

  “Yeah, but it’s just sad because your family was nothing but sweet to me, and I
can’t offer you the same.” I shook my head and sighed. “I love my family, I really do, but the word sweet doesn’t come to mind when I describe them.”

  “Yet, somehow they managed to raise a smart, caring daughter, who is sweet, and that’s really all I care about.” He shifted sideways and curled a hand around my head, his palm warm on my jaw. “Have I told you how glad I am you moved to Hidden Creek, Ava?” he asked softly, his eyes warm on mine.

  I smiled, ready to put my family’s oddities out of my head for a while. “I’m not sure you’ve said it, but you’ve done a good job at showing me you’re glad.” I pulled his head down and kissed him, then grinned. “If you really want to show me, though, you can go to church with me tomorrow.”

  He raised a brow and I gave him my best pleading look, which made him laugh.

  “Why do I get the feeling this is more than a simple invitation to check out Hidden Creek Methodist?” he asked suspiciously.

  I sheepishly explained that my elderly friends were eager to meet him and they wouldn’t give me a moment’s peace until it happened.

  “Is this visit to your church going to include the Country Buffet afterward?” he asked astutely.

  “That’s very possible.” I shamelessly kissed him again. “They’re sweet ladies, Jude, and they’ll adore you. I showed them your picture and they almost fainted. They think you’re a hunk.”

  He chuckled. “I have to say, Ava, you’re the only twenty-five-year-old I’ve ever met who has seven octogenarians in her close-friend group.”

  I shrugged. “They’ve transferred their affection for my grandma onto me, that’s all,” I said. “It can be a little stifling, but it’s not like I spend tons of time with them. It’s kinda nice to know they care, you know? And if I ever need anything, they’d be first in line to help.”

  “Better make that second in line,” Jude murmured, his eyes crinkling at the corners as his lips tilted up. “Don’t be giving away my spot.”

  Oh man, my heart felt way too big for my chest. I could have so easily told him I loved him right then—and I almost did. It felt like it was bursting out of me. I held back, though, because I didn’t know if he was ready to hear it, and things could get awkward if he felt pressured to say it back.

  I knew Jude’s definition of love could be a lot different from mine. Maybe he looked at it as something that had to build over an extended period of time, rather than the overwhelming onslaught of emotions that had come on so quickly for me, resulting in the conviction that I never wanted to be apart from him. That I needed him—and only him—to make my life feel complete.

  I hadn’t known Jude Keller long, that was true, yet I felt like he was the man who had been in my head and my heart ever since I’d started considering what I would want in a husband. It sounds cheesy, but I really did feel like my heart had recognized him that first night when Lulu had shown up. When we’d talked and laughed, played Battleship, and eaten brownies. My ignorant belief that he was Myla’s ex had almost derailed things, but nothing about Jude himself had disappointed me. Or changed my mind about him being the one.

  I snapped out of my thoughts and realized he was looking at me curiously, probably because he could tell I was feeling so much but wasn’t saying anything.

  I pushed aside my urge to tell him I loved him and said instead, “Have I told you how glad I am you were staying with Chase and Hannah when I moved into Grandma’s house?”

  “I don’t think so,” he said slowly, sliding one arm around my back and one under my knees to lift me effortlessly onto his lap. “How about you show me.”

  I grinned at him, liking that we were almost at eye level. “I hope I’ve shown you already.”

  He raised one shoulder in a shrug, his eyes glinting. “Yeah, but I’m the kind of guy who needs constant reassurance.”

  “You are not.”

  He looped his arms around my waist. “Then how about you try to persuade me to go to church with you tomorrow?”

  Not that I needed an excuse to kiss the man, but since he was asking for it, I was only too happy to oblige.

  A minute later, Jude pulled back, his well-kissed lips curving slowly upward.

  “What time does the service at Hidden Creek Methodist start?”

  Chapter 26

  Jude came to my house the next morning so we could drive to church together. I opened the front door before he could ring the bell and felt my eyes widen at the sight of him coming up the porch steps. He looked incredible in navy slacks that fit his long legs to perfection and a white button-down shirt with thin blue stripes. His walnut brown hair was just long enough to look a bit tousled, which I found more than a little appealing.

  He smiled and drew me in for a hug. “Morning, Sunshine,” he said, squeezing me tighter. “It’s nice not to have to wait until evening to see you.”

  I melted into him and sighed. “So nice,” I agreed. “Thanks for coming with me.”

  “No problem. I enjoy attending different churches.”

  We got in his truck and five minutes later we were there. I held tight to his hand as we approached the front door.

  “Courage, Jude,” I said with a smirk. “You’re about to be mobbed.”

  He cocked his head and grinned. “Bring it, sweetheart. My charm is about to elevate you to a whole new level with your friends.”

  I laughed, loving his confidence and sense of humor. “We’ll see about that. I do know you’ll have a captive audience.”

  The ladies didn’t disappoint. As soon as they spotted Jude walking into the vestibule behind me, they moved toward us in a colorful wave. Priscilla and Donna each latched onto an arm as the group peppered him with questions and gave me googly-eyed looks they thought he couldn’t see.

  When we finally made our way to my usual pew, Jude slid in beside me and put his mouth close to my ear. “Your friends are a little aggressive.”

  I put my hand on his leg and stifled a giggle. “Ladies always enjoy talking to handsome men, even if there’s a fifty-year age difference. Don’t worry, though. The worst is over.”

  “Promise?”

  I nodded. “The shock has worn off. Lunch will be much calmer.”

  ***

  “I’m exhausted.” Jude lowered himself onto my couch, stretching out full-length and putting his arms behind his head. “I answered at least a thousand questions during that meal. It got to the point where I had no idea if I was even answering truthfully—I just had to say something.”

  I gave him a fond smile. “You weren’t kidding when you said you could charm them. I don’t think they even remember Devon’s name.”

  He shifted to get more comfortable and closed his eyes. “Is that the pastor’s son they wanted to set you up with?” he asked, his words a little slurred.

  “Yep. Thanks for saving me from that.”

  “Anything for you,” he murmured, and I realized he really was tired.

  My phone vibrated and showed a text from Ian—the first I’d heard from him since talking to him Friday morning.

  I leaned over and patted Jude’s chest. “I need to make a call. You can grab a Sunday afternoon nap—I’ll wake you up after a little while.”

  I took a moment to admire his stretched-out form, then went upstairs to my office to call Ian.

  “Hey, Ava. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly,” Ian said, his voice sounding tired and dejected. “Sorry I haven’t contacted you sooner. It’s been a little crazy.”

  I was pretty sure that was an understatement. “I can imagine. I assume you and Abigail have talked?”

  He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “I wouldn’t say talked. Yelled would be a little more accurate.”

  “I really am sorry, Ian.”

  “Not your fault.” He sighed heavily. “She’s gone, Ava. She’s off the team and out of my life.”

  Even though I’d known that was probably going to happen, it was jarring to hear Ian say it—to know it was official.

  “Wow. That
couldn’t have been easy. For either of you.”

  “I should’ve seen it a lot sooner.” He paused and I knew he was rubbing his eyes, a habit of his when he felt stressed. “Look, Ava, she’s not—Abigail’s not in a good place. She left yesterday and I’m worried about her.”

  “Do you know where she was going? Will she stay in the area?”

  “I have no idea. We weren’t exactly speaking by the time she left.”

  I curled up tighter in my chair, wishing there was something I could do to help him. “I don’t know what to say, Ian. You two were together a long time—I know this hurts.”

  “It’s not easy, for sure, and holy cow, Ava, our last fight defies words. But in a way it’s a relief to have her gone. I mean, I care about her. I do. But not enough, you know? Not the way she did for me. And I’m only now realizing how exhausting it was to have to constantly try to prove I wanted to be in the relationship.”

  “I understand,” I said. “I’m sorry it had to get so ugly. You gonna be okay?”

  “I’ll be fine, but—I’m not so sure about Abigail. I really wish I knew where she went and what she’s planning. Like I said, she’s not in a good place. I stayed up all night changing security settings and access codes. I’m still trying to anticipate all the ways she might try to take us down. I’m going to call a team meeting tomorrow morning. We all need to be on guard.”

  My stomach dropped at his words. “You think she’ll try to sabotage us?”

  “Yeah, I definitely do. I’m telling you, Ava, the girl who walked out of my house yesterday was not the girl I’ve known for two years.” He let out a long, heavy sigh. “The sad thing is, I think the girl I saw yesterday might be the real Abigail.”

  I shivered as his chilling words sank in. “I guess you were able to bring out the best in her. For a while.”

  “Well the worst has taken back over now. No question about that.”

  We talked a while longer, mostly about what we needed to do to safeguard our work and how to replace Abigail on the team. The conversation was wrapping up when Jude appeared in the doorway, his eyes still sleepy. I promised Ian we’d talk again tomorrow, then hung up and smiled.