Page 69 of Searching for Love

When they stepped into the kitchen, his mother and Sophia rushed to his side. To his surprise, his grandfather stepped forward and wrapped his arms around all of them.

“Grand-pap?” he cried, holding onto the man as he felt his entire body start to shake again.

“I was having dinner with your mom, Graig, and Sophia. We came to town to see their new house.” His grandfather motioned to where Graig stood, his arms wrapped around his mother.

“Go get some air and spend a few moments with your family. We’ve got this.” Rico shoved him towards the back door.

“I’m going to head in and let everyone know I’m okay,” Avery said with a smile, then she leaned up and kissed him. “I’m glad you’re all safe,” she said to his family.

She hugged each one of them before heading back into the party. The moment Avery disappeared through the door, his grandfather turned to him.

“You’d be a fool not to marry that woman and soon,” his grandfather said loudly.

His entire kitchen staff chuckled.

“I agree,” Sophia chimed in.

“Yeah, I’m working on it.” He nodded. “Come on, I’ll fill you all in on what happened.”

They sat out on a picnic table under some string lights as he filled his family in on how Avery had sacrificed herself for everyone else.

Upon hearing this, his grandfather called him a fool for not dropping to his knees and begging her to marry him on the spot.

Tom interrupted the conversation to tell him that his grandfather’s place had been broken into, and they were concerned for his well-being. They all relaxed when they found out that the old man was there.

The shot to the chest hadn’t killed his father. The old man was in an ambulance on his way back to Edgeview, where he’d have surgery.

As Lucas said, he no longer cared what happened to the man. Whether he lived or died, he’d never be a part of their lives again.

“I should have sold those guns years ago,” his grandfather said. “I don’t want them back,” he told Tom. “Do whatever you want with them. Melt them down for all I care. I only had them to protect myself against my son. I never thought he’d break in and get ahold of them. Never thought he’d try to use them on anyone.” He shook his head and, for the first time in Lucas’s life, he saw the old man cry.

“We’re okay,” Sophia said, wrapping her arms around him. “We’re all safe now.”

“Yes,” Lucas agreed as he held onto his sister. “Thanks to Avery,” he added softly.

“You’d better get back inside. Aren’t you in charge tonight?” Graig said finally.

He nodded. “Why don’t you all come in for some food?”

“There you are,” Avery said just outside the doorway. “Everyone’s asking after you,” she told him. “Come on inside. You all are welcome to join the party.”

“We couldn’t,” his mother started.

“Oh, please? I’ve never been to a wedding before,” Sophia begged. Avery rushed over and wrapped her arms around his sister. “I love your dress,” Sophia said as she hugged Avery.

“Thanks, come on inside. They’re just about to serve the main course. Which is why your brother is needed.” She winked at him.

He stood up and followed his family back inside.

The moment the food was served, everyone in the room clapped for him and his staff. He’d never felt anything as amazing as having an entire roomful of people, an entire town almost, treat him with such kindness.

He’d never imagined he’d ever have anything this wonderful.

Avery sat across the room from him, next to her brother, and looked at him with such love. She had been willing to sacrifice herself for everyone here. No wonder. She loved every person in the room and there was no doubt they all loved her just as much.

Over the next two hours, many people approached him or found him in the kitchen to tell him how wonderful the food was. Everyone said they couldn’t wait for the grand opening on Tuesday.

His mother, Graig, his sister, and grandfather left shortly after eating their meals with the rest of the guests. His mother still moved slowly due to her broken ribs. His sister’s cast, which had been replaced with a removable one since she had broken her first one twice, was due to be removed in a few weeks.

Summer was ending. His restaurant, his dream, would finally be realized in just a few short days.

Until then, he knew that he had to make things solid with Avery. His grandfather was right. He should have gotten down on his knee the moment he’d seen that Avery was okay and proposed to her. The sooner he made her a permanent part of his life, the better.

Only, he knew that most women liked big romantic gestures. Just like hiding the name of his restaurant and waiting for the grand opening, some things took time. Preparation.

With a renewed desire and focus, he spent the rest of the evening plotting. He was interrupted by Kara, who shoved her phone in front of his face. There on the screen was a picture of a tiny baby.

“Meet your cousin once removed, James George Stevens,” Kara said with a smile.

He reached over, took the phone, and laughed at the beautiful baby. Then he hugged Kara as she laughed.

Going forward, he was determined to make his and Avery’s future together the very best. She deserved so much more than he could give her. Yet he was the one she loved. How had he gotten so lucky?

It took him all the next day to finally come up with a plan.

Then it took a lot of sneaking around and secret phone calls to put that plan into action. It would all be worth it to hear that one tiny word from Avery. To hear her say yes.