by Laura Wright
"Muna, please," he said, his voice tired. "You don't understand."
She stood in front of his desk, seeming far taller than her mere five feet four inches. "Your pride has been hurt, this I understand."
"She lied to me over and over."
"She was wrong and afraid to hurt you further. Has she not admitted this?"
"She has, but—"
"You do not forgive her? The mother of your child?"
"Muna—" he began, his tone laced with warning.
"You will not forgive him, either?" she continued, her eyes dark with frustration and disappointment. "The grandfather of your child?"
"Dammit, Muna—"
"I will not be silent while you ruin your life once again."
"It was they who ruined my life."
"Take responsibility for your part in this, Jared. Come to terms with your interminable anger over your father's misdeeds, or you will be a very lonely man."
With gritted teeth, Jared turned away and stared out at his property, the world he'd created for himself and for Ava, if he ever had the guts to admit it.
As if reading his mind, Muna said gently, "You still love her. More than ever, I think."
"I have work to do," he grumbled.
"Yes, you do. More than you will ever know."
Muna said no more, gave her grandson no further expressions of irritation as she walked out of the room.
What the hell did she want from him? To forget the past? Forget everyone involved? All that was done to him? Taken from him?
Did she want him to go find Ava and tell her he loved her still—more than ever?
"Not a chance," he said, his tongue heavy with contempt.
He pushed out of his chair to his feet and headed for the door. His office smelled stale suddenly. He needed air, clean air.
He took the stairs two at a time, punched open the screen door and stepped out onto the porch. But no sweet morning air met his lungs, for he didn't take the time to inhale. He was far too distracted. Speeding up the driveway, dust clouds at his rear, was Ben Thompson.
Jared cursed as the Ford Bronco came to a screeching halt in front of the house, sending gravel flying every which way. He hadn't seen the man in a while. After Ben's accident, Jared had just ignored him whenever their paths crossed in town.
Ben had barely shut the car door before he started up the stairs and in on Jared. "You can take my land, Redwolf. For everything that I've done to you and yours, I don't blame you. But hurting Ava—"
"Hold it right there," Jared interrupted, stopping the man from progressing farther than the porch steps. "Whatever goes on between me and Ava and is none of your business."
"She's my daughter."
"Since when?"
Ben stiffened, the lines around his eyes deepening with a frown. "You'll learn that being a father is both rewarding and complicated, especially when you push your own foolish, pigheaded ideas on the ones you love."
Jared snorted with derision. "I don't think I'll be taking parenting tips from you."
"Fine, fine." Ben ripped off his Stetson and swatted the brim against his jeans. Dust floated in the air around him. "But you're making an even bigger mistake than I did, Jared."
"It's Mr. Redwolf," he said with scalding hostility.
Shaking his head, Ben said, "Revenge is a lonely business."
Jared's nostrils flared with annoyance. First Muna, now Ben Thompson. "I've been alone a long time. I'm used to it."
"Maybe, but is that the legacy you want to leave Lily?"
Jared stepped forward and got in the old man's face. "Don't talk about my child. Don't you ever talk about my child. You have no right after what you've pulled."
A flash of desolation darkened Ben's gaze. "True. Too true."
"Damn right it is." He eyeballed Ben, enjoying the moment and the words he'd always longed to say, "Now get the hell off my land."
Ben Thompson gave him a sad, understanding nod, then turned around and walked to his truck. "Just one more thing, Mr. Redwolf," he said, climbing into the truck's cab.
"What's that?"
"I'm real sorry for who I used to be. And for kicking you and Muna out. But my biggest regrets will always be taking away my daughter's options when I found out she was pregnant and for taking away your chance to see your baby born." He climbed into the truck, slammed the door and said out the window, "Every man deserves that."
As he watched Ben Thompson tool down the dusty driveway, Jared clung desperately to the hatred in his heart. But deep inside, the steady rhythmic drums of another unspeakable emotion threatened to devour that pitiable hatred whole.
* * *
It was five o'clock, Ava noted.
The wedding rehearsal was supposed to have begun an hour ago.
As the sun pondered the idea of dipping into the horizon, Ava sat amongst family and close friends at the lovely lakeside spot that Rita had chosen for her ceremony. A spread of bread, cheese and honey ham waited to be devoured beside the fifty or so chairs under a shady tree. And seated in the front row, Ava smoothed her blue silk dress and wished that the women in back of her would just shut up.
But no such luck.
"Where's the groom?" Tilly Edwards whispered.
Gladys Mason, the wedding singer and the only woman in Paradise with a platinum-blond beehive, giggled like a schoolgirl. "Maybe he's a no-show."
"Oh, Gladys that's terrible."
"But true it seems."
"Poor, poor Rita," Tilly said with a cluck of her tongue. "Her family has known such sorrow."
At that, Ava stood up and scooched to the end of the aisle. Busybodies! she grumbled to herself as she faced both women and tossed them the stink eye. Tilly and Gladys stained pink and dropped their gazes, clearly ready to be thoroughly dressed down. But Ava didn't bother, just walked past them without further incident. After all, she mused, the two weren't worth her reprimand. She needed to find her sister.
She spotted Rita down by the water's edge, sitting under a tree calmly sipping a diet soda, and headed that way.
"Hey," she said, plopping down beside her. Rita gave her a smile. "Hey, yourself."
"You look calm."
She shrugged. "I feel calm."
"People are talking, little sister."
"About Sakir not being here, you mean?"
"Uh, yeah." Ava chuckled lightly.
"Well, let them. I couldn't care less what old beehive and her crew have to say." She drained her soda and sighed. "Sakir just called and he's stuck in Boston on business. He'll be here tomorrow."
"What about his family?"
"They're stuck in Emand."
"Business as well?" Ava asked, her brows drifting upward.
"Yep."
Ava felt a hitch in her belly. Rita's explanation sounded incredibly fishy, as did her attitude. Most brides would be freaking out if their groom wasn't at the rehearsal. But Rita had never really been the freaking out sort…
"Okay, little sister," Ava said finally.
"You say that like you don't believe me."
"Rita, I just want you to have the perfect day, that's all."
"Don't worry," she said, patting Ava's hand. "He just called me and apologized—" she smiled brightly "—and told me he loved me. He's really busy, you know. He said to go ahead with the rehearsal and I can fill him in tomorrow."
Ava so desperately wanted to ask her sister questions about this man, let her know that she felt this was a shady deal and that perhaps Sakir wasn't the right man for her—business or not. But she bit her tongue. She'd seen too many families break up over opinions regarding a loved one, including her own regarding Jared, and she wasn't about to alienate her sister.
She would just be there for Rita no matter what happened tomorrow. "All right, but we need to get this thing started."
Rita stood up and offered her sister a hand. "Let's go through the ceremony then."
Pulled to her feet, Ava asked, "Who'll play the groom's part? Beehiv
e? Tilly?"
A sly smile erupted on Rita's face. "Maybe Jared could."
"Not funny."
"I wasn't being funny." She glanced passed Ava, raising a brow. "Would you mind, Jared?"
"No problem."
Ava's breath caught in her throat and she whirled around. There he was, framed by the flowered archway in the distance, looking ruggedly handsome in a pair of blue jeans and a crisp black shirt, his hair pulled back in a ponytail.
"Making sure I haven't skipped town?" she asked a little tightly.
His gray eyes darkened. "I must protect what's mine, Ava. You know that."
"I do know, but I promised you Lily would always be in your life." A thick ache took up residence in Ava's throat and she wanted to kick herself for getting so emotional. Especially after she'd spent all night trying to rid Jared from her thoughts, heart and mind. "After all," she continued, "I've already called my office and quit my job so we can move out here permanently, so Lily can be near her father."
Jared's jaw dropped a fraction. "Did you?"
"Yes, I did."
He shook his head, his eyes softening. "Ava…"
"So no need to check up on me, okay?" she said, starting past him.
He grabbed her wrist, turned her back with gentle resolve. "I didn't come here to check up on you. Thought about it." He gave her a grim smile. "But I didn't. Actually Muna and I came to watch the rehearsal—" he nodded at Rita "—on insistence from your sister."
Ava turned on Rita, glared at her. "Excuse me?"
"Listen, guys," Rita began, laughing nervously, pointing at the guests and waiting preacher. "Every one's waiting. Why don't you two play Sakir and I up at the altar."
"What?" Jared fairly choked.
"Rita Willow Thompson—" Ava began in warning.
Rita shrugged. "It would be a little weird being up there with a man other than Sakir."
A stuttered chuckle erupted in Ava's throat. "You've got to be kidding."
"C'mon, sis," Rita begged, batting her pale lashes in her sister's direction. "Pretty please. Please Jared. Save me from further embarrassment? It can be my wedding gift."
Both Ava and Jared stared at Rita like she was nuts for such a suggestion. Or a royal pain in the matchmaking butt. Ava was ready to tell her sister to go jump in the lake, that the last thing Jared wanted to give as a gift was standing up in front of preacher with her, but Jared's tug on her arm stopped her.
"Let's just get it over with," he muttered, tugging Ava toward the crowd.
With a strange little squeal, Rita took off toward the crowd, calling out for them to take their places and explaining her situation. Jared and Ava made their way over to the front of the aisle and waited for the music to begin. They said nothing, stood close, but didn't touch. Finally Lily picked up her basket and started down the aisle, sprinkling leaves as her flowers. Ava felt Jared move closer to her and when she looked up at him, he smiled, a shared tenderness in his eyes.
It's for our daughter, she reminded herself as they walked down the aisle toward the preacher. He loves Lily, not her mother and the sooner she got that through her swollen heart the better.
"Dearly beloved," the preacher began, his voice booming through the wild lushness of the landscape. "We are gathered together today to celebrate the love between this man and this woman."
Ava felt weak suddenly. The man's words invaded her soul. How many times had she dreamt of such a moment? Marrying Jared, telling him that she loved him more than anything—all in front of this dusty old town and the man who had kept them apart for so long.
"Love is such a gift, such a blessing. Love is patient and kind. Love heals and rebuilds." The preacher smiled at Ava, then at Jared. "These two souls clearly belong together, anyone can see that."
It was impossible not to look at Jared, standing before her, his intense stare causing her stomach to ache with longing.
"When we take marriage vows," the preacher continued. "We enter into a union of such depth, such vulnerability it can be a bit frightening. But no great rewards can ever come without one great leap of faith."
The words spoke such volumes to her, and Ava wondered if Jared could hear them, too, through his anger and pain.
"Do you take this woman to be your wife?" the preacher asked.
A clear struggle was being played out behind Jared's eyes. Every emotion she'd heard named passed through. But finally, he uttered a firm, "I do."
"And do you take this man to be your husband?"
Ava felt no struggle and she wanted him to see that. She nodded, her throat tight with all the love she'd held silent in her heart. "Yes, I do. So much."
Muffled laughter rose up from the small congregation. But between Ava and Jared there was only a profound silence.
"The rings will be exchanged here and the verses that accompany them." The man searched his book, then grinned. "Ah, yes. Is there anyone here who can see just cause for these two not to be joined?"
Jared didn't speak, didn't take his eyes off her. Ava, too, had her gaze locked. She tried to pretend that this was real, just for now. And that tonight, they would share a bed as husband and wife.
"By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife." The preacher grinned at Jared, leaned in and whispered, "You may kiss your lovely bride."
Ava stood stock-still. She wanted so badly for him to kiss her. For him to forgive her and his past, and want her again, want this. Marriage, a lifelong friendship, their child and the others to come—the others with his eyes and her capacity for love.
A sad smile itched at Jared's beautiful mouth. "We'll wait until our wedding day."
Ava felt tears in her throat, but forced them back. She was not going to cry. She'd given in to tears way too many times since she'd been back. She lifted her chin, gave Jared her hand and let him lead her down the aisle.
Rita grinned as they approached. "The perfect bride and the perfect groom."
"I'm going to get something to drink," Ava said softly, dropping Jared's hand and leaving the two of them for the solace of the punch table.
But it wasn't solace for long.
"No more running away, Nahtona."
Muna was at her side, her hand on Ava's shoulder. Now more than ever, Ava wished she could sag into the aging grandmother's arms and find some comfort.
"I'm not running anywhere this time," Ava said proudly. "Just giving your grandson the freedom he wants."
"That is not what he wants."
"Well, he sure doesn't want me."
"You're wrong."
A sudden gust of wind shot across the lake's surface, striking Ava's face. "Please excuse me, Muna. I need to see about Lily."
"When my grandson comes to you, listen to his heart with yours."
"Why do you think he'll come to me?"
"I know these things, Nahtona."
Ava started to walk away, then paused. "Are you going to tell me what that word means?"
Muna smiled, then stood up on her tiptoes and kissed Ava's cheek. "It means 'my daughter.'"
* * *
Twelve
« ^
Jared got the call about Tayka just minutes after the rehearsal ended and had rushed home to find her in labor. Muna and Lily had followed in Ava's car, and were sitting beside him on the floor just outside of the stall as two vets helped the foal slip from her mother's body and into the world.
Lily jumped up from Jared's lap and squealed with delight at the amazing new life. "She's so pretty."
"She is at that," Jared agreed, glad he'd decided not to help in the foaling and had held his excited daughter in his arms as they watched. "I think we should call her Nala, what do you think?"
"I love it," Lily exclaimed, then turned to Ava. "Did I look like Nala when I was born, Mommy?"
Jared felt Ava's eyes on him as she spoke. "No, sweetie. You were pink and small and you smiled the moment I looked at you."
A deep ache gripped Jared's chest. He wanted so much to have been
there, see his baby born, but that was over and done now. Lily was with him and he was lucky to have her.
As he watched the foal try to stand on her wobbly legs, he realized that his anger had dropped away. Sometime between the wedding rehearsal and the birth of Tayka's baby, the rage inside his heart had disappeared. And in its place had come a niggling sense of fear. Fear that these three people who surrounded him right now might cease to love him if he didn't get his act together.
His grandmother, his daughter and the woman he would love for eternity.
The preacher's words were forever imprinted on his soul. Love is a gift, one Jared realized he'd been throwing back in Ava's face from the first day he'd seen her. Love is patient, as he had refused to be. Love was kind, it made men forgive instead of crushing another's spirit under their boot heel.
And love was healing, a road that he was desperate to take.
"Who's that horse?" Lily asked, tugging Jared from his thoughts, pointing to a black stallion in the next stall.
Jared smiled down at her. "That's little Nala's papa."
"Oh."
"What's wrong, Little Star?" Muna asked as Lily frowned slightly.
"I wish I had a papa."
Jared looked over at Ava. Tears in her eyes, she smiled and nodded. It was time, time for their little girl to hear the truth.
"Sweetie," Ava began, giving her daughter a bright smile, "you do have a papa."
Lily's eyes widened. "I do?"
"Yes." Jared lifted her up and placed her back down in front of him, so she was looking directly into his eyes. "He's right in front of you, Lil."
The room got quiet, even Tayka and her foal seemed to still waiting for father and daughter to see each other. For an understanding to come.
As she stared up at him, Lily frowned, thoughtful. Then, like a beam of beautiful sunlight, comprehension dawned and she smiled, threw her arms around his neck and hummed.
"Are you glad, Little Star?" he asked, swallowing hard, biting back the first tears he'd allowed himself in twenty years.
Lily snuggled into his neck and whispered, "Every night, I wished upon a star that you might be my daddy, Jared."
"Your wish came true, then." He kissed her cheek. "And so did mine."
