Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) (36 page)

After half his life of being numb to his feelings, Avery awakened that part of him. Lucas owed so much to her. He owed it to himself to be open and honest from now on, and make amends for his past. He had a lot of work ahead of him if he was to ever be the man she deserved. Work he would willingly do, because Lucas loved Avery Callimer. And love wasn’t a game, or a toy. He would never take it lightly or for granted again.

Lucas stood beside Belinda as she struggled to gather her wits and look at the body. Lucas met her gaze. “Do it for your daughter,” he said softly. She nodded. A change had taken over her, too. Something Lucas had never seen in all the years he’d been around Belinda. He hoped to understand her reasoning for leaving Avery and for keeping it all hidden.

Lucas apparently wasn’t the only person that had some forgiving and asking for forgiveness to do.

“Okay,” she gulped, grasping for Lucas’s hand in need of support. “I’m ready.”

The sheet was pulled back. Belinda gasped, fell to the floor in uncontrollable tears. “I think I know that man. Oh, God. I never wanted to see him again.” She gave them a name. Even though she wasn’t sure, Lucas knew it was a start for them to piece the puzzle together.

“I know that had to have been difficult, ma’am. Thank you.”

Belinda said nothing. She just shook with sobs. Lucas led her out of the room. She fell into a chair just outside the door. Lucas sat beside her and waited for her to calm down.

“I met Nick Tate as a teenager,” she started, and took a deep breath, filling Lucas in on the story.

*****

Avery’s eyelids felt like they’d been crushed under a heavy weight as she tried to open one eye.
So tired. So groggy. Where am I now?

A beeping sound rang in her ears. She had a headache the size of Texas. As her vision cleared, Avery understood. She was in a hospital. She’d been found! She glanced at her arm. Her wrist had been cleaned up and bandaged. She had an IV in her other hand. A blanket covered her. The lights in the room were dim, but at least there were lights. The room was small. A large dry erase board hung across the room directly in her line of view. Avery couldn’t make out everything it had written on it, but she knew enough about hospitals to know it was information about her. The walls were painted with a dull color, though she wasn’t sure of the color. She heard soft, deep breathing to her right. Avery turned her neck, wincing at how much it hurt to do so. But when she saw Lucas’s sleeping form in the chair beside her, it was worth it. Lucas was here! In Texas. He’d come for her.

He’d moved the chair directly by her bed. His hand covered hers, and his head rested on the back of the chair. He didn’t look comfortable at all. How could he sleep like that? Avery wiggled her fingers, testing them out. Slowly, Avery moved her hand to touch Lucas’s arm. That was enough. His head snapped up, his eyes wide as he stared at her. “Avery. You’re awake!” Lucas was up and out of that chair in no time. He sat beside her on the bed, careful as to not hurt her. Avery moved her arm to rest it on his leg. She opened her mouth to speak. “It- hurts,” she rasped. Not what she wanted to say to him. Avery had too much to say to Lucas, but now wasn’t the time.

“I bet it does, baby. Do you want some water?” He never took his gaze off her face. He had a cut on one side of his face and dirt smudges on his forehead near his hair line.

“The storm- the inn,” Avery rasped again.

Mom and Dad? How were they? Where were they?

“Hold on. Don’t overdo it. Let me get you some water. I’ll call the nurse. Then I’ll tell you everything.” Lucas pressed a light kiss on her forehead and reached beside her for the call button. “Hi, Avery’s awake. I thought you all should know. She’s trying to talk, but her throat- I think she needs something to drink. I don’t want to do anything without consent.” Lucas spoke gently. Avery reached for his hand, loving that he was here. Lucas smiled at her touch and took her hand in his.

“We’ll be right there.”

Lucas put the call button back, focusing his gaze on her. “Avery, I lo-”

“Well, so glad to see you’re awake, little lady.” A doctor walked into the room and smiled at Avery. He was a middle aged man with black hair and a warm smile. “Let’s check your vitals and then get you something to drink. You’ve had quite an ordeal, and I must say, you’ve got a lot of family that cares about you.” The doctor exchanged a knowing look with Lucas. “This one here has been by your side almost the whole time. You’re one lucky woman.” He checked her IV, her temperature, blood pressure, all the works. Finally, the doctor finished. “Looking good! If you’re in any pain, just let us know. We’ve got fluids helping to rehydrate you, and can give you something for the pain. I’ll get you a glass of water, but sip it slowly, okay?”

Avery nodded, thankful. She ached, but for now, the pain was tolerable. The doctor disappeared for only a minute, returning with a Styrofoam cup which he held out to her.

Avery reached for it, eager to have a drink.

“Take it easy with your wrist there, hon.” The doctor nodded at Lucas. “Let your fiancé help you. Call us if you need anything.” With a wink, the doctor left.

Fiancé? Avery’s brows climbed, staring at Lucas.

“That was your mom’s doing. The doctors only want family in, so...” Lucas shrugged, looking a little sheepish. Was he blushing? Geez, this man was cute. And so often, full of surprises.

And secrets.

Try as she may, it was hard to forget that.

But he’s here. By your side. That counts for a lot. He could have just stayed in California and forgot about you.

Plus, she loved him.

With Lucas’s guidance, Avery lifted the cup and sipped from the straw. She started to take in the water too quickly and recalled what the doctor said. Slow sips. But she was so thirsty! Finally, Avery pushed the cup away and hoped when she opened her mouth to talk that it wouldn’t hurt as much. Lucas set the cup on the table beside the bed and reached for her hand again.

“Is that better?” With his free hand, Lucas pushed away Avery’s bangs from her face. His touch rocked her to the core. “You’ve got a cut up here that needed stitches,” he informed her, looking closely at her face. “But thankfully, no major problems. I was so worried, Avery.”

“The storm-” Avery tried again.

“There were a few tornado touchdowns in the area. The inn didn’t take a direct hit. Minimal damage. Your mom and dad are fine. Everyone took shelter in the cellar. Jameson is okay, too. His tires were slashed when he was going to pick you up. He borrowed your truck, found my number and called me to warn me. I was already on my way back with your birth mother. She showed me all the letters and photos. Avery-” His voice cracked. “There were photos of you. Of us. Here, and in California. The man pretending to be Rodney has been after your birth mom for years. She really did run into your birth father about a year ago and told him about you in hopes to turn her life around. We’re still not sure of the man’s identity, but your birth mother had a few ideas that will hopefully turn into leads.”

Her birth mother was here? Lucas must have seen the surprise on her face because he nodded. “There’s a lot to tell you, and some of it, she needs to tell you. The police are going to want to talk to you as well, to get your statement about what happened. Did he hurt you, Avery? In any way?”

“Drugged my water to make me sleep,” Avery rasped. “Woke up bound and gagged.”

Lucas’s face hardened. “Oh, Avery. I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault.” She gestured for the water again. Lucas held the cup up for her as she drank some more. A little too much. Avery sputtered. Lucas pulled the cup away.

“Take it easy.”

Avery nodded, and leaned back and closed her eyes. She’d been doing a lot of sleeping but yet was still so tired. If she went to sleep, would Lucas still be there? Knowing now that he’d stayed by her side comforted her. She didn’t want to be here by herself. “Stay with me, Luke.”

She felt him rub her shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere, Avery. Don’t you worry. If I could make it work without hurting you, I’d be next to you in that bed in a heartbeat. But I can’t. I’ll be right here by your side. Don’t you worry. Get some rest, my love.”

His love. She wanted that. More than anything. Whatever things may happen next, Avery wanted Lucas in her life. She could get past everything, couldn’t she? When Jameson admitted his indiscretion to her, her feelings changed. What happens if her feelings changed for Lucas? What happened if they didn’t?

Why did feelings have to get so messy?

Avery drifted off to sleep again, her mind full of worry and wonder.

Late the next morning, everything suddenly became very overwhelming. Doctors, nurses and family were in and out of the room to visit Avery. Her parents, stricken with worry and exhaustion were the first to arrive. They brought flowers, kisses and hugs. Avery’s throat finally felt better, since she was up almost every hour or so begging for more water. Poor Lucas. He had gotten up with her each time, tending to her every need. He had held her hand, gave her water, helped her get up to go to the bathroom. The man was being a saint. She felt sorry that he wasn’t getting much sleep and had said so, but Lucas waved it off and told her what mattered was that Avery got what she needed. True to his word, he never left her side, even though Avery noticed how stiffly he walked when he moved around this morning. That chair wasn’t meant for sleeping in, especially for a tall man like Lucas. One nurse had offered to take him to a room for overnight guests that had a cot, but he’d refused. He wanted to be with Avery.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call you guys when I came home. I just wasn’t ready to talk about it yet,” Avery said when her mother hugged her.

“Oh, don’t you worry. Everything’s going to be fine now. Don’t apologize, honey.” Someone behind her parents cleared their throat. Avery turned her head was surprised to see Paula standing at the door, hesitant to come any further.

“Hi Avery. I’m glad to see you’re looking better,” Paula started, finally approaching the bed. She handed Avery a teddy bear. “I really want to apologize for the way I have treated you since I’ve been here. I said some nasty things, and while I can’t take words back, I really want to get to know you. I’ve always wanted a sister, even though I act selfish and spoiled. I- I’m glad you’re part of this family.”

Avery opened her mouth, but was speechless. Wow.

“Paula, thank you. I’d like that too.”

Paula smiled weakly and took a step back, still unsure of what to do. Avery had a feeling the woman felt a little out of place. But for her to reach out that way was touching. And sweet.

“As much as we want to stay, there are a few people that want to say hello to you. Jameson’s here, Laura, and ... and someone else,” Mom said, exchanging a glance with Lucas.

Her birth mother? She’d already met Mom and Dad? They both seemed to handle that well. Avery continued to be surprised. At least for the most part, they were good surprises. She wasn’t sure she could handle anymore bad ones. Not after the Rodney fiasco. What people will do these days to get back at someone else. Utterly sickening. And heart breaking. Sad. Avery would never have the chance to meet the real Rodney. She wondered if the letter that started it all had been from her real biological father, or if the impostor fabricated that, too.

Boy, had she missed out on a lot while she slept.

Avery wondered if she’d ever sleep well again.

“Hey, I don’t mean to intrude.” Jameson stood at the door, waving at Avery, but had a frown on his face. “There’s reporters everywhere. We’ve had to get security to the front of the hospital and now for Avery’s room.”

Security? Reporters? Okay, so there had been a kidnapping, but why would there be a high amount of reporters for that? Weren’t there more important issues, like the clean up efforts from the storm or something?

Avery looked from one face to the other. Did everyone know something but her? She narrowed her eyes. “Someone needs to fill me in on what’s going on.”

Still, no one said a thing. Avery glared at Lucas, then shifted her gaze to her parents, then to Jameson. Why wouldn’t anyone talk?

“I mean it. No more secrets.” She pointedly aimed that at Lucas, who squirmed in his chair.

“The reporters are here because of me.” A soft voice spoke up from the doorway. Avery looked past Jameson to see the new visitor and gasped. Though she obviously wore a wig, a hat and clothes that a woman like her normally wouldn’t wear, Avery knew her. Well, at least, knew of her. She’d only been following the woman’s career for as long as she could remember. Amazing voice, great actress, Avery dreamed of singing up on stage with Belinda Wainscott since she was a kid.

“You’re- I- What are you doing here?” Avery sputtered.

The woman laughed, entered the room and Jameson closed the door behind her.

“Wow. I’ve been a fan of yours for so long. This is not how I pictured meeting you and I can’t even think of a smart thing to say!” Avery frowned.

Belinda’s eyes misted with tears.

Wait ... Avery made her cry? What in the world?

“Avery,” Mom said slowly.

She felt a squeeze on her hand. Lucas smiled, but he had worry in his eyes.

Belinda drew in a deep breath. “I don’t think you’ll be a fan of me after I tell you what I need to say.”

Lucas pushed back from the chair, releasing Avery’s hand. He gestured for Belinda to sit there. Avery wanted to panic. She didn’t want Lucas to leave. But he didn’t. He moved to the other side of the bed and sat at the edge of it. Avery couldn’t decide who to look at, Lucas or Belinda Wainscott.

An oddball thought occurred to her. But, no way-.

“Avery, I’m your birth mother.”

Avery stiffened. She knew she looked like a fool, staring bug eyed with her mouth agape at Belinda. This was the woman who had left Avery in an old hat in a small town? This is the woman Lucas had been living with, taken in as a troubled teen? This is the woman she was supposed to meet in California. The same woman whose house Avery practically had a meltdown in. The same woman some angry, vengeful man plotted against forever, using Avery as a pawn.