Chapter Fourteen
Saturday morning at eight, Deke rolled his truck onto Ava’s front driveway and let out a low, drawn-out sigh. He was so damn tired of this trip. If Ava hadn’t agreed to come live with him, it would be hell on both of them.
He killed the engine and climbed down from the cab. The morning air smelled of cut grass and dew. He climbed the three wooden steps to the front door and rapped on it firmly. It opened almost at once, and there stood Rudy, grinning.
“Deke, how’re you doin’, son? Come on in. We figured we’d drop by and help with the loading.”
Deke returned the smile, shook Rudy’s hand and stepped inside. Cardboard boxes crowded every corner of the living room, their taped seams bulging. He scanned the room and spotted Ava beside a blonde-haired woman. Ava’s cheeks warmed as she met his gaze. He lifted his chin in a quick nod.
“I’m doing all right, Rudy. Yourself?”
“We’re terrific,” Rudy said. “This lovely lady here is Jessica Frazier. Jess, meet Agent Deke Anderson.”
Jessica extended a slender hand. She wore a soft sweater and had a welcoming smile that put Deke instantly at ease. He clasped her hand. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
“Please, call me Jessica.” Her voice was warm.
“Thank you, I will.” Deke turned to Ava. “Hey.”
Ava said hello in a whisper, her eyes bright and flushed. They held each other’s gaze until Rudy cleared his throat. Deke offered him a teasing grin,which made Ava laugh. “Dad!”
“What? You two are ignoring the rest of us.” Rudy laughed, shaking his head.
“I’m going to check on Ellie, she should be waking up soon.”
“Mind if I tag along?” Deke asked softly.
“Of course not.”
“We’ll be right back,” Ava called to her father, and they turned down a narrow hallway lit by sparse morning light. The floorboards creaked under their steps. Deke stopped beside her and brushed his thumb across her palm, then leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips, but once he felt her soft lips under his, he deepened it.
“Good morning,” he murmured with a grin.
Ava’s lips curved. “I’ll take a kiss like that every morning.”
He chuckled. “Works for me.” He nodded toward the door. “Ready?”
Ava eased it open, and they stepped into the nursery. A soft carpet muffled their footsteps. Sunlight poured through pale curtains pooled on the crib where Ellie lay curled and breathing in gentle rhythm, hair damp at her nape from sleep.
“What time does she usually wake?” Deke whispered.
“Anywhere between six and nine, since some nights she’s been staying up later.” Ava’s brows drew together with concern. “This is going to work, right?”
“It’ll work,” Deke interrupted, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “But we’ve got to build more than… being great between the sheets, but that’s a start.”
Ava inhaled and nodded. “I know. We’ll get there.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Yes, we will. Now let’s get back before she opens her eyes.”
They slipped from the nursery and rejoined Rudy and Jessica in the living room. The air smelled faintly of cardboard. Ava scooped up a medium-size box, its tape fraying at the seams.
“Let’s load up the vehicles,” she said.
“I’ll handle the heavy ones,” Deke offered. “No need for you or Jessica to strain.”
“Thanks.” Ava lifted a smaller box and carried it outside to her SUV. She set it on the driveway, opened the hatch, and arranged it carefully behind the one folded-down back seat.
Deke trudged out with a larger carton. He wedged it into the bed of his truck, the tailgate rattling against it. When he turned, Ava stood nearby, the early sun glinting off her hair.
