Page 95 of Finding Home

“I’m so thrilled for you,” Aubrey says. “Things are goingreally well with Violet, too. She’s being so nice and welcoming to me, and I really feel like it’s genuine.”

“Of course, it is. She’s a sweetheart.”

Aubrey’s faces catches fire. “Guess what? Miranda told Violet and the other women about the Summer Festival, and they’re all going to talk to every famous person they know to get amazing donations for the auction!”

“Oh, man, that’s huge. Everyone here, especially Violet, is super well connected. Violet’s brother owns my label, remember? If she gets him involved, it’s game over, baby. You’ll have more cool shit than you know what to do with.”

Aubrey grips my arm with white knuckles and wide eyes. “Violet said she’d call her bestie, Aloha Carmichael, to ask for a donation! Can you believe it? I almost passed out.”

I laugh. “That’s awesome, babe.”

“My mom’s going to die. Raine’s going to die. I’m going to die. Oh my god. This year’s festival is going to beincredible.”

Boom.

The blaze in Aubrey’s dark eyes suddenly makes me realize the obvious: I should propose to her at the Summer Festival, in front of her family and friends and everyone who knows and loves her the most.

Aubrey fans herself and giggles. “I was a little anxious a small-town girl like me wouldn’t fit in with all your fabulous, famous friends, but they’ve all made me feel right at home.”

“They’re just people, baby. Same as you and me.” I take her hand. “Speaking of your small town . . . I’ve been thinking about the lake house. You know, what to do with it.”

Aubrey visibly holds her breath.

“And I think . . . if it’s okay with you . . . we should makePrairie Springs our home base and this place our second home.”

Aubrey clutches her heart and whimpers. “Seriously?”

“If that’s okay with you.”

“It’s all I want! Yes! Thank you so much.” She throws her arms around me. “I’ve loved being here, and I know Raine has, too; but it’s not our home. I’ve been so homesick, and I think Raine has been, too.”

Now that she’s saying the word—homesick—I realize it’s exactly how I’ve been feeling, too, ever since we got to LA. Frankly, that’s a bizarre thing for me to feel, since this place has been my home for over a decade. But the fact remains, I felt more at home at the lake house with Aubrey and Raine, than I’ve ever once felt here in LA.

Aubrey wipes a tear. “I didn’t want to drag you back to Prairie Springs, if that’s not where you wanted to be. But I’ve been aching to go back home.”

“Aw, baby. Don’t cry. We’ll go home soon.” I put my finger underneath Aubrey’s chin and kiss her gently. “I wish you’d told me.”

She shrugs off the comment with a wipe of her eyes. “What about all the band and business stuff you’ve got going on here?”

“Prairie Springs isn’t Mars, baby. It’s an easy flight back and forth.”

Aubrey sniffles. “What about tours? What will happen when you start doing those again?”

I smile. “We’ll figure it out, whenever the time comes. For now, let’s get back home to Prairie Springs and start building our life there together.”

“Without the custody hearing hanging over our heads.”

“Exactly.”

“I can’t wait.” She smiles broadly. “I’m so happy.”

“Me, too. Happier than ever.” I kiss her again. “Wherever you want to be, that’s where I want to be, too. You and Raine are my home now, okay?”

“I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

Aubrey bites her lower lip. “I know we’re planning to go home next week, but can we go sooner? When my parents go on Wednesday? I’m feeling so homesick, I think I’ll melt down if I have to say goodbye to them.”

---