“Good. Let’s get some of those boxes inside.”
Ava nodded, they stepped back outside, the rumble of engines announced the arrival of three pickup trucks pulling in behind Deacon’s. She frowned.
“We thought you could use some help,” one man said. “I’m Frank Anderson, Deke’s father. These are my other two sons, Hud and Case.”
“Ava Parsons. We sure won’t turn down any help. It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Anderson,” Ava replied with a grin as he pulled her into a hug. Then she turned to face Deacon’s brothers. She shook Case’s hand, then turned to Hud and bit her lip. Well, Deacon hadn’t lied about his brother being handsome, but Deacon was the man she wanted. Although Case and Frank had the same eyes as Deacon, Hud’s were lighter and very attractive in his tanned face.
“Where’s the little one?” Hud inquired.
“She’s inside napping but you can look in on her. Come with me,” Ava said with a smile.
“Alright,” Hud said with a grin. Ava had a strong feeling that Hud was definitely going to spoil his niece, showering her with affection and little gifts whenever he got the chance.
They stepped into Ellie’s bedroom to see her standing up.
“Ellie, I thought you were napping.” She smiled when Ellie giggled.
“Hi, Mama,” she said with a wave and Ava heard Hud chuckle.
He walked toward her and touched Ellie’s cheek.
“Hi, Ellie. I’m your uncle Hud.”
“Uncle Hud,” she said with a giggle.
Hud looked at Ava. “Could I pick her up if she’ll let me?”
"Of course," Ava replied, her eyes following Hud as he extended his arms toward Ellie. The little girl paused for a moment, a giggle escaping her lips, before she raised her arms in delighted surrender. Hud scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her in a warm embrace. Ellie chattered away, her smallhands gesturing expressively in the air, her words a lively stream of excitement.
“I have to change her… unless you want to?” Ava laughed when Hud quickly handed Ellie to her, then he walked from the room.
Later, after everything had been moved inside, Ava settled onto the plush sofa and let out a relieved sigh, the kind that seemed to release all the tension she had carried throughout the day. She despised moving, all the packing, the lifting, the chaos, but sometimes sacrifices were necessary for the sake of your child. Ava wanted Ellie to know her father, to have a tangible connection with Deacon. Not only did Ellie deserve the bond and love of her father, but Deacon equally deserved the joy and responsibility of raising his daughter.
She observed as he entered the living room, his presence commanding attention, and then sank into the welcoming embrace of the recliner with a contented exhale. “Damn, I’m glad we’re home,” he murmured, a hint of weariness in his voice.
“Me too. I could certainly use a nap,” Ava replied, stifling a yawn that crept up unexpectedly.
“Go lay down for a while,” Deacon suggested, his tone gentle and encouraging.
“I would, but then I wouldn’t sleep tonight,” she countered, knowing the struggle of disrupted sleep patterns all too well.
“Yeah, same here,” he agreed, reaching for the TV remote. The soft glow of the screen illuminated his face as he flipped through the channels, each click a soothing rhythm. Ava couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was undeniably handsome, but more than that, he was kind and genuine. She knew heloved Ellie deeply, but a question lingered in her mind; would there ever come a time when he loved her as well? The thought startled her, and she inhaled sharply. Did she truly want that? Yes, she realized. Yes, she did.
“What’s wrong?” Deacon asked, his eyes not leaving the screen but his attention clearly on her.
“Nothing,” she replied, a little too quickly.
“Okay,” he said, casting her a knowing glance that suggested he saw through her facade.
“I’m going to check on Ellie,” she announced, feeling the need to busy herself.
“I’ll do it. Just relax,” Deacon offered, rising from the recliner with an easy grace. He walked down the hallway and disappeared from view.
Minutes ticked by, and when he didn’t return, curiosity got the better of Ava. She rose and quietly padded to the bedroom. Pausing in the doorway, she was greeted by the sight of Deacon leaning over the crib’s rails, his eyes fixed lovingly on Ellie. His hand reached out gently to caress her soft hair; a gesture so tender it made Ava’s heart ache. She knew she had to make this work, for if it didn’t and she had to return to Maple Ridge, it would break not just her heart but his and Ellie’s as well.
“I love you, baby girl,” he whispered, his voice a gentle caress against the quiet room.
Ava approached slowly, her steps soft on the carpeted floor, and gazed at Ellie, who lay peacefully asleep.
