Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) (27 page)

“Well of course I do,” she said softly, moving around the table so that she could be by his side. Avery removed the pillow from his hand and pulled him away from the couch. “Why would you think I wouldn’t?”

“I guess I didn’t want to assume, and I didn’t want to ask.”

“That’s the silliest thing I’ve heard all day. You puzzle me, Lucas Bennett.” On the way into the bedroom, Avery hit the light switch that shut off power to the other room. The bed awaited them. Avery pulled the heavy comforter back, revealing a soft beige blanket underneath. She had a feeling once she was in that bed that it would only be seconds before she’d fade into sleep. She climbed into the bed and under the blanket. Lucas slid in beside her. Before he went to turn the light off, he leaned over, kissed each of her eyelids gently and whispered, “Good night, sweet Avery.” Then the lights went out, and she could feel one of his arms slide under her pillow, and his other pulled her close to him. More kisses to her cheek and forehead, and then the sound of Lucas’s slow, shallow breathing told her that he’d fallen asleep. Snuggling close, Avery closed her eyes, letting sleep consume her.

*****

In the morning, Avery awoke to kisses on her face. As she opened one eye, it only took a second to remember everything that had happened. She was in California. With Lucas. And last night, wow.

What did he have in store today?

“Wake up, sleepyhead.” Lucas landed another kiss on her lips. “Oh, so a kiss does awaken this beauty.”

Oh, that smile. That sexy smile. Wasn’t it a crime to look that damn good so early in the morning? If not, well then it should be. Avery blinked and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

“Did you take a happy pill this morning or something?” Avery grunted, her voice thick with sleep. She sat up. Lucas rested his head on his hand and pretended to think about it.

“Happy pill? No, none of those for me. Waking up next to you was all I needed.” Avery liked this side of Lucas. Flirty, fun, and full of life. All the other times, he had been so serious. How nice to finally see some life come into his eyes. She loved that he showed himself to her this way.

“Come on, wake up. I’ve got so much for us to do. Curious?” he teased.

“I’ll answer that after I’ve had a cup of coffee and something in my stomach.” Avery pushed the covers off, sliding her feet over the edge to get up.

“Hmm. Not a morning person.” Lucas laughed. Then he sat beside her on the edge, tickling her sides. Avery defended herself as she squeaked for him to stop. “You can’t resist!”

“I give, I give. Stop it!” Avery gasped for breath, her abdomen aching from all the laughing.

“I find ways to get what I want, Avery.” Lucas tried to be serious, but the smile gave him away. “Come on. Get dressed and I’ll get you that coffee and breakfast you requested.”

*****

Lucas sat behind the wheel of the rental car and drove to their destination. He had the determination to take Avery to the beach. It was a bit of a drive, but how could he bring her here and not take her to a beach? After eating breakfast, Avery had been surprised when he’d led her to the rental car. He kept surprising her, and each time felt better than the last. When was the last time Lucas had the inclination to do something so special for someone?

Try never. At least, not in the way he wanted to do things for Avery. She made it so easy. She didn’t have those kind of expectations, so with Lucas’s plans, he knew she would enjoy everything. Avery was easy to please, and the only reward Lucas needed was to see that beautiful smile on her face. She’d given him so many of those smiles.

Avery gave Lucas reason, period. To be a better person, to release the dark feelings he carried for so long. He had to admit, it felt good to let go. Avery would never understand how much of an impact she had on him. Lucas needed that in his life. Stability. A sense of purpose. To belong. What was happening to him?

Lucas had his suspicions, and those possibilities intrigued and scared him at the same time.

They weren’t far now. Lucas spotted the blue, shimmery horizon. It was a perfect afternoon for some beach time. The sun was shining bright, a few puffy white clouds dotted the sky in a sporadic, picture perfect display. He stole a glance at Avery to catch her reaction. When she turned her head and met his gaze, her eyes were lit up and she smiled. Lucas returned the gesture, his heart warming at knowing her smile was directed at him.

Damn, he was becoming such a sap!

He couldn’t complain. Lucas enjoyed the feeling. The sensation of starting over, having a real chance at a good life, and love. For so long, the prospect of love was out of the picture. Who would ever want a scarred man that had a fucked up past? He hadn’t revealed quite a bit to Avery, and if he ever did, he wondered what she would think of him then. Avery deserved the best, and Lucas Bennett was not the best at anything. Except for screwing up. But even screw ups had a chance at redemption, didn’t they? He sure hoped so. Lucas wanting nothing more than to discover what kind of life he could have with Avery.

Well, shit. Lucas shook his head, gripping the wheel. Trouble always found him, didn’t it? This time the trouble wasn’t bad. If only he knew the best way to be open with Avery. Obviously, talk to her, but ... there was so much to say. So much held within that Lucas feared if he started talking he may never stop. That was a strange thing for him. He’d never talked, not when it came to his own feelings. At least, not good feelings. Yeah, he told people what he thought when he was pissed, but to admit a feeling that wasn’t on the scale of anger? That was a whole new experience.

“What was that all about?”

“What?”

“You shook your head, and I swear, if you hold that wheel any tighter that you may break it right off.” She sounded slightly nervous. Oops.

“Just some old memories. Sorry.” Please let her leave it at that. Now wasn’t the time to dredge up things. All he wanted was for the day to be perfect. Thankfully, though she kept her gaze on him, and he didn’t miss the concerned expression, Avery left it alone. Lucas turned up the radio to have something playing in the background. He had plenty on his mind, and obviously so did Avery, but the silence was starting to drive him nuts. They’d talked plenty for most of the ride. The song was a new one from a singer whose name he couldn’t recall, but the words were catchy, and somewhat repetitive, so he sang along, in a goofy tone, not really caring that he had no idea most of the song. Avery burst into laughter at his attempts. The sound of her laugh comforted him.

“Are you laughing at my singing?” Lucas asked in mock horror.

“Not at all!”

“I’m not you, but hey, I can carry my own,” Lucas teased. “Come on, sing with me. Make a duet. We’ll be a hit sensation.”

The sound of Avery’s voice melted his heart. Lucas sang along with her, but let Avery take the lead.

The beach awaited them. The waters sparkled in the bright sunlight, like someone sprinkled tons of glitter in the ocean. The water looked inviting. The song ended in perfect time as Lucas found a decent parking spot. He turned to Avery after shutting off the car. “Are you ready?”

Avery nodded, and her eyes lit up again.

They walked hand in hand down to the sandy edge of the shore. The waves crashed on the rocks, the roaring echo of the ocean a welcome, serene sound. Lucas found a spot that wasn’t taken and stopped. “Here, take off your shoes. Let’s go wade our feet in the water.”

“Hopefully it’s not too cold.” Avery shivered, slipping out of her sandals. Lucas let go of her hand in order to untie his shoes. He stuffed his socks in them. The sand already crept in between his toes.

“I’ll keep you warm,” Lucas promised, meeting her eyes. He reached for her again, moving towards the water, dodging kids that ran amok, excited to be there. That’s exactly how Lucas felt at the moment, like a child, anxious, happy, and carefree.

As the tide pulled back, Lucas stopped, and waited for the next round of waves to come ashore. When they did, Avery shrieked, then laughed afterwards. The water was chilly! As the waves slapped his ankles and then retreated, Lucas laughed, pulling Avery further in. She resisted, shivering.

“Come willingly, or I’ll get you,” Lucas threatened, pulling her close to him.

“You wouldn’t dare do what I think you’re planning.” Avery narrowed her eyes.

“Oh?” That was a dare Lucas had to take. Avery started to back away. Lucas was faster. He smiled as he swooped her up in his arms and carried her a little further into the water. When they were waist deep in the ocean and the water slammed against Avery’s bottom, she screamed and kicked her legs, holding on tight to his neck.

“Don’t do it!” she cried. She was shivering. She had a strong hold on him, begging him not to drop her.

“Don’t do what? Drop you?” Lucas laughed. Yeah, that water was cold, but he couldn’t go back on his dare now. The horror on Avery’s face only made it more worthwhile. Lucas released his grip on her and she plunged into the water. She’d never let him go, so Lucas went down with her. Fully submerged in the chilled waters, he was just as shocked. When they both raised their heads from the water, Lucas made a grab for her. “You will pay major for that, Avery Callimer, that’s a promise. I will get you.”

“Can’t take a taste of your own medicine?” Avery teased, splashing him.

“Oh, I can. But revenge, sweet revenge will be mine. When you least expect it.”

Okay, so the ocean was a bit too cold to stay in long. Lucas’s hands were already wrinkling. But it was worth it to stay a little longer, teasing and being near Avery. Her lips were turning blue and she quivered. He hadn’t brought an extra pair of clothes. Lucas felt in his pocket. Car keys were still there. At least he’d left his wallet in the glove box. They’d have to dry off and go buy some new clothes.

So worth it though.

Lucas kissed her cold lips. Her hair sparkled in the sun as droplets of water dripped from the wet locks. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get out and take a little walk. When we’re dry enough we’ll go somewhere and purchase some new clothes.” He wrapped his arm around Avery and led her out of the water. They strolled along the shore, the occasional wave slapping their toes. Lucas stopped to pick up a few seashells and handed them to Avery. “You can start a collection.” He kissed the tip of her nose each time. After they’d walked about a half mile, they turned around to head back, grab their shoes and figure out a nearby place to grab some clothes.

“Despite your stunt with tossing me in the water, that was a blast,” Avery admitted as they found the car. Lucas squeezed her shoulder affectionately.

“Oh, you loved being tossed in the water. Admit it,” he joked. He sure had a blast doing it to her. That was the most fun he’d had in quite some time.

“Well, when I realized I could drag you down with me ... yeah, it turned out better.” She grinned.

“Humph,” Lucas muttered, but he couldn’t quit grinning.

“Spoilsport,” Avery teased.

“You just wait, little lady. You’ll get what’s coming to you,” Lucas warned, plotting revenge in his mind. He could have his way with her tonight, and have her beg for mercy for what she did. Oh yeah, he loved that idea.

After Lucas and Avery bought dry clothes, they went to pick out another charm for her bracelet. A seashell. When it had been paid for, Lucas put it on the bracelet for her with a smile and a kiss. Avery wasn’t completely comfortable with all of this spoiling he’d been doing, but the gleam in his eye and the smile on his face was worth it. This was a side of Lucas she could get used to. The darkness that loomed over him back in Texas when they’d first met had begun to fade away. There were times that he drifted off into his own world and that look would reappear again, though for the most part Lucas’s whole attitude had changed. He seemed content with her, stealing kisses, holding her hand, keeping her close to him. Avery enjoyed every bit of it. If only she knew what was next for them. All they could do was go with the flow. Talking about a future, that might ruin things now. Avery wasn’t ready to let go of this feeling yet, so keeping her mouth shut was for the best.

Daylight was coming to an end, which meant that the time had come to end the sight seeing and be on their way to meet the reason for taking this trip. Meeting her birth mother. Lucas offered dinner, but Avery couldn’t bear to think about eating.

“Hey, you’re really nervous, aren’t you?” Lucas asked, touching her hand gently. His eyes were warm and concerning as she met his gaze.

Avery nodded. “I can’t help it. The day has been a beautiful distraction. Thank you for everything. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for, but I can’t stop the doubt, the fear.”

Lucas nodded, as if he understood. “I’ll be right here with you. Well, as long as you want me to be, that is. If you want to talk to her without me, I think that can be arranged.”

Avery reached for his hand. “I’d like for you to be there. I’m comfortable around you, and I think having you near me will help.”

Surprise registered on his face. “Wow. That’s a first.”

“What is?”

“Someone actually wanting me around for a big moment in their life.”

From what he’d confided to her so far about his life, it seemed like Lucas wasn’t sure of his place, like he didn’t have somewhere to belong. No wonder he’d been the way he was.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a downer. I’m at a better place in life with you in it,” Lucas admitted. “You’ve helped change me, Avery.”

“I- I haven’t really done anything,” Avery stammered. He was attributing his changes to her?

“You have. So much. More than you’ll ever realize.” Lucas kissed her palm, then each of her knuckles, his lips brushing against them lightly. He gently pulled her closer to him on the bench, and they turned their attention to the west, where the sun sank lower on the horizon, casting orange and red colors across the sky and the water. The ocean became a sea of red. It was one of the most spectacular sunsets Avery had ever seen. Sitting on a bench near the pier with Lucas made it even more amazing. It’s the little things such as this that mattered. All the little things added up today, making for a perfect memory, one Avery would treasure forever, no matter what happened. Lucas’s touch, the way he caressed her shoulder, they gave her comfort.