“It is,” Ava said quickly, though uncertainty flickered in her eyes. “I just… I’m scared about moving.”
Gently, Jessica placed her hand over Ava’s. “You need to do what’s best for Ellie. Deke wants to be part of her life, and you shouldn’t deny either of them that.”
Ava’s shoulders drooped. “I won’t. But moving to Clifton terrifies me. What if things fall apart and I have to come back? Ellie would be devastated.”
Jessica tilted her head. “And you?”
Ava glanced out the window at a red cardinal hopping on the sill. “I’m falling in love with him, but I barely know him.”
“That’s why you should go,” Jessica said firmly, squeezing her hand. “Living there will give you time to learn about each other. And Ellie, she’d thrive with her daddy around.”
“She already adores him,” Ava whispered. “But there’s more. If it fails and I return, Deacon might take me to court for joint custody. The thought ofnot having my daughter around terrifies me. I looked in to it and we have equal say in her upbringing but she would also spend time with him. I know it’s only fair, but I’ve never been away from her for a long period of time.”
Jessica sighed. “I understand. But Ellie needs her father, especially one who wants her. Not every man steps up, but Deke seems like the kind who does. What would you do if you didn’t have your father?”
Ava opened her mouth, but the click of Rudy’s boots in the hall drowned her words. He reentered, phone still in hand, a broad grin lighting his weathered face.
“He’s on his way back. He said there was another man he had to find,” Rudy shook his head. “That man has to be exhausted with all this traveling.” He settled back into his chair and looked at Ava. “This is why moving to Clifton is a good idea.”
“I know,” Ava breathed.
Jessica beamed. “I know it’s none of my business but it does seem like the right decision.”
“Did he get Chet Winchester?” Ava asked.
Rudy shook his head. “He didn’t say.”
“I’m sure he won’t stop until he does,” Ava laughed, tension sliding off her shoulders.
He ran a hand through his graying hair. “If he hadn’t come here, would you have ever told him had a daughter?”
Ava exhaled a shaky breath. “I’d like to think that I would have eventually told him. He deserved to know. And please don’t remind me. I feel terrible about it.”
Her father’s shoulders eased. “Sweetheart, I’mnot trying to shame you. I’m just relieved it’s out in the open.”
“How about we talk about something else?” Jessica suggested, offering Ava a comforting smile and Ava gave her a grateful look.
Later, Ava sank into the soft cushions of the living-room sofa, the afternoon light filtering through sheer curtains in lazy, golden bands across the floor. Her fingers hovered over her phone’s smooth glass screen as she stared at Deacon’s name, her chest tightening with every heartbeat. She knew he was coming back tomorrow but would he stop in to see her? She drew in a shaky breath, the faint scent of lavender from Ella’s room drifting past her, and tapped out a message:
When are you coming to Maple Ridge?
The screen blinked back at her. She watched the little dots dance across the display, and felt her pulse quicken.
Tomorrow.
Her thumb trembled as she replied.
Will you be able to stop by?
Another pause, and then:
I’ll do my best.
Ava exhaled, tension easing from her shoulders.Okay.Let me know if you can.
I will.
Even in short replies, his exhaustion came through. She pressed her palms into her eyes and let out a long, weary sigh. There was nothing left for her to do but move to Clifton. She just hoped they could make this work. But living under the same roof didn’t guarantee love or commitment.She craved something deeper, something defined by more than proximity and convenience.
