Reckless (27 page)
“Are you going to the appointment alone?”
Avery would give anything if she could have Ty by her side, holding her hand the first time they saw their baby, but she knew that was impossible, under the circumstances. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. It’s just a routine doctor’s appointment.”
“I can tell you from experience, there is nothing routine about seeing your baby for the first time, honey. That’s a moment you’ll remember for the rest of your life. You’ll fall in love, really in love, for the first time in your life.”
Avery could only imagine what it would be like to love another person so completely. “Is that how you felt?”
“Absolutely. I was completely overwhelmed.” She laughed. “In fact, I cried my eyes out the first time I saw you on that screen. It finally became real to me that I was going to have a baby.”
It was hard for Avery to imagine her reserved mother showing emotion. “That’s sweet, Mom.”
“I love you, sweetheart. I know I don’t say that often enough, but I do. More than you’ll ever know.”
Avery felt the waterworks starting. Damn those pregnancy hormones. “I love you, too.”
“Can I ask a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Can I be there with you tomorrow, for your doctor’s appointment?”
Avery held the phone away from her ear, trying to decide how to respond to her mother’s request. She didn’t want to be alone, but they were just starting to forge a mother-daughter relationship. Things were still tenuous. “You can’t just pick up and fly here, Mom. You have patients who need you.”
“I have a feeling my daughter needs me more right now.”
She was right. She did need her mother. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
“Positive.”
“Okay, can I pick you up at the airport?”
“No, I know how busy you are. I’ll just meet you at the doctor’s office. Maybe we can have dinner together and I can spend the night. It would be nice to have a little girl time.”
She and her mother had never spent any “quality time” together, but if her mother was ready to rectify the situation, she was willing to make the effort. “Okay, I’ll email you later with the time and address.”
“I’ll be there, sweetheart. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Bye, Mom.”
After another fitful night’s sleep, the drive out to Abby’s parents’ ranch felt like the longest of Avery’s life. How was she, a complete stranger, going to find the words to tell them their daughter was slowly killing herself?
She pulled into the winding drive, followed the gravel path, and cut the engine in front of a sprawling bungalow. She took a deep breath and pressed her hand against her stomach to still the quivering. If only she didn’t have to do this, but she couldn’t live with herself if she sat back and did nothing. She didn’t like Abby, but those who loved her didn’t deserve the heartache of having to bury her in the prime of her life.
She walked up the steps and pressed her finger against the doorbell.
Within moments, a pleasant looking woman with silver streaked hair answered the door. She smiled. “Can I help you?”
“Mrs. Easton?”
The woman nodded. “Yes, and you would be?”
Avery extended her hand. “I’m Avery Collins. I’m a friend of Ty’s. I was wondering if I might have a word with you and your husband.”
She smiled and took a step back, welcoming Avery into the large foyer. “Of course, come on in. Any friend of Ty’s is always welcome in our home.”
Avery felt a stab of guilt. She was about to impart news that would turn their orderly world upside down.
“Just give me a minute to call down to the barn. I’ll tell George to come on up.” She gestured toward a comfortable looking great room furnished with leather, large upholstered pieces, and solid wood tables. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t call first.”
“Nonsense, we don’t stand on ceremony around here. Can I get you something to drink, dear?”
Avery forced a smile. The thought of putting anything in her stomach right now made it roil in protest. “No thank you, I’m fine.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
Avery looked around at the framed photographs distributed on various tables and the solid wood mantle. Some appeared to have been taken some time ago, Abby as a little girl. Others were obviously more recent, a beautiful little girl with a smiling face so much like her mama’s.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long,” Mrs. Easton said, coming into the room. “George will be up in just a minute.”
Avery nodded to the end table at her side. “I was just admiring your photos. You have a beautiful family, Mrs. Easton.”
The older woman smiled as she settled into a chair across from Avery. “Thank you.” She picked up a framed photograph of her granddaughter. “Melanie is the light of our lives.” She looked up, tears welling in her soft brown eyes. “I’m sure Ty has told you about her?”
“He has. He’s so proud of her.”
She set the framed photo down and sighed. “That little girl loves him so much. He’s been more of a parent to her than our daughter’s ever been.” She shook her head, fighting back tears. “I can’t tell you how much it pains me to say that.”
Avery took a deep breath and decided it was time to take the plunge. “Actually, that’s the reason I came to see you today.”
Before she could continue, a man wearing a cowboy hat and boots, flannel shirt, and worn jeans entered the room, a smile splitting his face. He extended his hand and Avery stood to accept it, returning his smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Easton. Ty has told me so many wonderful things about both of you.”
He chuckled. “I could say the same. That young man is certainly smitten with you.”
She was surprised that Ty had mentioned her to his in-laws. “That’s kind of you to say.”
“Maybe you can stick around and meet Melanie?” He checked his watch. “The bus should be dropping her off in an hour or so. She only has a half-day of school today.”
Avery smiled. “I’m anxious to meet her.” But she couldn’t be certain they wouldn’t throw her out on her ear when she told them the reason for her visit. They had no reason to take her at her word. In their mind, she may be here because she had a score to settle with their daughter.
George claimed the armchair next to his wife and leaned forward, his hands clasped loosely between his legs. “What can we do for you, Avery?”
She took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension building in her chest. “Your daughter came to see me. It seems she’s interested in reconciling with Ty. Were you aware of that?”
The Eastons exchanged a glance. “No, we had no idea,” George said.
“She was aware that Ty and I were involved.” There was no way to avoid full disclosure. “In fact, I’m pregnant with his baby.”
Marilyn Easton raised a hand to her mouth. “A baby, my goodness, how wonderful. Ty must be so excited.”
“He doesn’t know yet.”
George frowned. “I don’t understand. The father should be the first to know, don’t you think?”
She eased forward, gripping her knees. “Ideally, yes. Unfortunately, there are extenuating circumstances. Your daughter…”
“What does Abby have to do with this?”
“She found out about my pregnancy and she threatened to go to the media if I didn’t end my relationship with Ty.”
George clenched his fists. “That damned fool girl. She only thinks of herself, always has. Why the hell would she want to rob Ty of the chance to be a father to his own child when he’s been such a good daddy to her little girl?”
“It seems to me she’s motivated by money and the opportunity to bask in the shadow of Ty’s fame.”
“Money?” George snorted. “Believe me. We give her more than enough money to live comfortably.”
Avery winced. “I don’t think it’s enough to support her drug habit, sir.”
The color drained from his face as he reached across to grip his wife’s hand. “What’re you talkin’ about?”
“I learned, from a very reliable source, that your daughter has a serious cocaine addiction.”
Marilyn bowed her head, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. “I was afraid of this. The last few times we went to visit I knew something was off. She was nervous…” Her voice trailed off as she struggled to compose herself.
“It makes sense,” George said quietly. “It all makes sense. I couldn’t understand why a mother would voluntarily leave her own child.”
“She’s sick, Mr. Easton,” Avery said. “She needs help to get better.”
Marilyn grabbed a tissue from the table at her elbow and rubbed her eyes. “Of course, we’ll get her into a top-notch rehabilitation program right away.”
“Why did you do this?” George asked, looking at Avery. “Why did you feel the need to tell us about Abby’s problem?”
Avery shrugged. “She’s your daughter. I thought you had a right to know. Besides, Melanie needs her mother in her life.”
“You’re right, she does,” Marilyn said. “We can’t thank you enough, Avery. You may very well have saved her life.”
George cleared his throat, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “My wife’s right. If there’s ever anything we can do for you, all you have to do is ask.”
Avery twisted her hands, trying to find the words to ask for the help she needed. “As a matter of fact, there is something...”
“Just name it,” George said. “Anything.”
“I need Ty in my life. I love him. I want him to be a father to our baby.”
The Eastons looked at each other and smiled. “We’re so happy to hear you say that,” Marilyn said. “He’s the finest young man we’ve ever known. And the finest daddy your little one could ever hope to have.”
Avery smiled. She knew Ty was going to be a wonderful father; still, it was nice to hear. “The problem is Abby…”
George held his hand up. “Say no more. Trust me. Our daughter won’t be a problem for you and Ty anymore. I’ll see to that personally.”
“But…”
His eyes hardened when he looked at Avery. “Money makes Abby’s world go ‘round, Avery, always has. It’s the one thing she can’t live without. I’m gonna make it real clear to her that she either signs those divorce papers and treats Ty with the respect he deserves or she won’t get another penny from us, aside from funding her rehab, of course.”
“You would really do that?” Avery asked, quietly.
“It’s time our daughter learns to stand on her own two feet. We’ve babied her for far too long. Hell, I feel we’ve enabled her. If it weren’t for our support, she’d never have gotten hooked on that damned stuff.”
Avery stood, smiling at the Eastons. “I know I don’t know you very well, but from what Ty’s told me and what I’ve observed, you’re amazing people. Abby and Melanie are lucky to have you in their lives.”
Marilyn stepped forward and pulled Avery into her arms. “You take care of that baby of yours, okay?”
Avery patted the woman’s back, smiling at her husband. “I will.”
“Our little granddaughter is going to be thrilled to be a big sister. I hope we’ll be seeing a lot of you and your baby out here,” George said.
“You can count on it.”
Ty glanced at his call display when his phone rang. When he didn’t recognize the number, he was tempted to let it go to voice mail. He didn’t want to deal with anyone or anything today. Still, something told him to answer the call.
“Hello.”
“Ty, it’s Anna Collins.”
Ty’s heart raced. If Avery’s mother was calling, there could only be one reason. “Dr. Collins, is everything okay? Is it Avery?”
“This is about Avery, but I don’t want you to worry. She’s fine.” She sighed. “I hope you’re sitting down, Ty.”
What the hell? “Okay, now you’re making me nervous. Maybe you’d tell me what this is about.”
“My daughter may never forgive me for telling you this, but I don’t feel I have a choice.”
“Tell me what?” He paced the floor, his booted heels clicking on the hardwood. “What is this about?”
“Abby went to see Avery a few days ago. She threatened to expose your affair to the media.”
Ty sank down on the sofa, closing his eyes and tilting his head back. “Shit,” he whispered. “Uh, I’m sorry, I…”
She laughed. “That’s okay. I understand.”
“Yeah, I think I’m beginning to understand, too. That’s why Avery said she didn’t want anything to do with me, because of Abby’s threats?” That bitch was still finding ways to destroy his life, even after all these years.
“She was trying to protect you, Ty. She knows how hard you’ve worked for this opportunity. She didn’t want to take that away from you.”
“Then it wasn’t because I wasn’t good enough for her?”
Anna laughed. “Not good enough for her? Ty, you’re just about the best thing that’s ever happened to her.”