Page 100 of Sugar
I nod. “I know we haven’t had an . . . easy relationship. But I’m home now. And I like to think I’m a bit more mature than I was when I left. So, I guess what I’m saying is, I would be open. To trying.”
“Trying?”
“To mend things,” I clarify. “Or . . . at least to start fresh.”
His eyes go distant as he raises his gaze to look out the window behind me. When he looks at me again, there’s soft openness, a glimmer of something that feels like hope. “I would like that very much, Ava,” he says. “More than you know.”
This time, my smile is not so forced. “Good. Okay, yeah.” I know there’s more I need to tell him, but I just want to bask in the feeling for a second, still not quite certain it won’t be ripped away from me.
He must sense my hesitation, because he offers something else instead.
“Ava, in the spirit of transparency, I’m going to tell you something that I think you should know. And I want to hear your honest response, okay?”
“Okay.” I nod.
He regards me for a moment before saying, “Huck Bennett is determined to take over the Bennetts’ ranch, and I’ve gotta admit, I’m in support of it. Bud Bennett has been a thorn in my side since we were kids. He was a bully in school and a bully in every bar he stepped foot in. He’s a drunk who always thought he was above the law. The Bennetts mostly keep to themselvesthese days, but I’ve had plenty of run-ins with his boys to know the apples don’t fall far.”
“Dad,” I scoff, immediately defensive. “That’s hardly fa?—”
He holds a hand up. “Let me finish, Ava.”
I press my lips together tightly, and wait for him to continue.
“It is my personal belief that Huck’s vision for the land could be really good for this town. He wants to build a rustic resort to bring in tourists. He wants to offer excursions like hiking and horseback riding. He wants to build a whiskey distillery right alongside it. All of that would be incredible for our economy, and I know Mayor Moore is highly supportive of Huck’s efforts. That said, I’ve reviewed the trust details extensively, and Huck does not have rights to any of it, what with your marriage to Kasey—if your marriage is real.
“Now, before you say anything, let me tell you this: no matter what, I will protect you. I love you, Ava,” he says roughly, and I notice the sheen of emotion in his eyes. “I want to keep you safe. I’ve failed you in so many ways, and I know that. But I’ve always wanted you to be safe. If you’ve gotten wrapped up in something to help Kasey and his family with this problem of theirs, I’ll make sure you stay clear of it. But if you tell me that it’s all real—if you tell me that you love that boy and you want to be his wife—well, honey, I’m going to choose to believe you. If that’s what gets us back on some better footing, I’m going to believe you.”
“I love him, Dad,” I say in a rush. My heart pounds in my throat as I look him in the eye and beg him to hear me. “I love him and I want to be his wife. And . . . I’m going to be a mother, Dad.”
His mouth falls open as his eyes drop to my stomach.
“Yeah,” I say, a watery laugh escaping up my throat. “And you deserve to know that this baby isn’t Kasey’s. I came home pregnant. But Kasey is so happy, I don’t even have the words to explain it. He’ssohappy and wants to raise her with me.”
“Her?” The word slips out of his mouth, gaze still fastened to my belly.
“Her,” I confirm, tears falling down my cheeks. “We’re having a baby girl, Dad.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
KASEY
Idon’t sleep.
For two nights, I lie awake in the dark and watch as moonlight shifts against the ceiling, thinking about Ava and all the things I want to tell her. There’s so much I wish she knew, so much I don’t even know how to express with words, about how deep and unyielding my love for her is. As scared as I am that she left, I’m choosing to trust that she’s not running. I know she’s been through so much and she has every right to process things in a way that feels best for her.
But goddammit, I miss my wife.
A roll of light shines through the house. Approaching headlights. A quick glance at my phone tells me it’s just after midnight. I jump out of bed and pull on a pair of sweatpants, heart bursting with the hope that Ava’s back.
But when I get to the front of the house and look through the window, it’s Rhett’s motorcycle sitting just beyond the porch steps. Rhett stands beside it in clothes that also look recently thrown on. He’s pulling off his helmet. And then he’s looking up at me.
Fuck. Something’s wrong.
I move to open the door and step out onto the porch. “What is it?” I ask? My pulse is uneven, breath hitching. “Is it Ava?”
He shakes his head. “No.”
“Brooks?”
