Chapter 15
There was a pit in Ava’s stomach. Not like the sort of pit that grows in the center of a cherry or a peach. The big, deep, hole-in-the-ground kind of pit. The sort that devours all things pleasant. Or perhaps the cavernous void was in her head somewhere, snatching every agreeable thought as they came.
One of the best men she’d known stood before her. Strong, patient, and kind. Ava curled into him, dropped her chin, and let the top of her head graze his muscular chest. “I really don’t think I’m ready for this.”
Richard’s solid hands cupped her shoulders, then smoothed down the length of her back. It was like stepping into a sandwich of warmth—his chest up front, his hands on her back, even on top as he brought his chin over her head, then pressed a kiss to her there.
“It’s inevitable,” he said, voice raspy. “They’re not going to think any less of you, really. Is that still what you’re worried about?”
A new zip of fear tore through her as she pictured Betty coming home unexpectedly even then. Or Andie, though she was busy preparing the twins’ cabin for their birthday celebration. It was one of those rare moments when she and Richard didn’t have to duck into a dark or hidden space to talk about things like this. But that didn’t mean Ava was at ease. In fact, she felt much more comfortable meeting him in the dark of the night under the large oak tree. No one would stumble on them there.
Richard’s thumb slid up the length of her arm, reminding her that he was waiting for an answer. Was she worried the family would think less of her? Sort of.
“It’s complicated,” she explained. “I don’t think any of them will be angry with us, besides Maverick. But there’s no avoiding the aftermath.” She pulled back to look up at him, sensing the static sparks connecting her hair to his shirt.
Richard looked at her adoringly, those hazel eyes filled with a love she’d never known as he smoothed a hand over her hair.
“Here’s what’s going through my mind,” she started. “When your parents died, you guys all sort of just went your own way, right? You rarely saw or spoke to one another?”
He nodded. “With the exception of Maverick and Memphis, yes. Those two are inseparable.”
“Right. And look at you guys now. I mean, I had friends whose lives seemed like the Brady Bunch compared to mine, but this is next level.”
“Next level?” he repeated with a grin.
“Look at you guys. You hang out all the time. You totally get along.”
“We tease each other relentlessly.”
“Yes, but in a loving way.” Her shoulders were winding up tighter with each passing beat. She needed him to see what she saw. To acknowledge that…that…and then the words came to her.
“You have a lot to lose, Richard. I need you to see that and admit it and address it. Put my mind at ease or I can’t go through with this. You guys are stuck together now, and the last thing you need is some intruder waltzing in and ruining everything.”
Emotion gripped hold of her at the words. She hadn’t been able to pinpoint things so directly as she had then. Because that’s just what she felt like—an intruder.
Richard’s warm fingers slipped up the side of her neck as concern pulled at his brow. “Ava.” He glanced over his shoulder before moving in even closer. “Anna…” Her name was like heaven in his voice. “You’re not an intruder. I don’t know how many ways I can say that you’re part of us now. You’re…”
His face tensed as he shook his head. His shoulders and chest puffed, then collapsed as a sigh escaped him. He was holding something back.
“What?”she urged.
He searched her face, gulped, then pulled in another breath at last. “You’re the woman that I hope to spend the rest of my life with.”
Beats of elation pounded through her as she replayed the words in her mind. “I am?”
“Of course. And I’m sick of keeping that a secret.”
She couldn’t help but smile.
“You don’t think Trenton’s an intruder,” he said.
“No.” She almost laughed at the idea.
“Well, Trenton is Andie’s person, and…” A blotchy patch of red surfaced along his neck. Ava recognized that patch by now. It only showed when he felt flustered or embarrassed somehow. When his deep emotions were right on the surface.
“And maybe I’myourperson?” she dared herself to say with a grin.
“Yes.” He lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Maybe you are.” He kissed her again, the tension behind his kiss evoking something more from her. A new level of commitment. They needed to be all in if they were going to have a shot at this. And deep in her heart, Ava knew the truth of it. She only hoped that it wouldn’t start a war between Richard and Maverick, or worse yet, between him and his whole family.
Inwardly, she lifted a prayer to the heavens. Somehow, against all odds, she’d made it this far—away from the abusers in her past, and into the arms of a man who just might give her the fairytale ending she’d always dreamed of.Please, Lord, don’t let it end up being a nightmare instead.
