Blown Away (26 page)

Martin was the
first to stand and offer Brent his hand. “I’d like that. I
appreciate the offer, and on behalf of my family, I gratefully
accept.”

Brent shook
Martin’s hand, wondering if he’d rushed to judgement where his
stepfather was concerned. Only time would tell. “I’m glad to hear
that. I believe we can turn this thing around before it’s too late
to save your company.”

Martin
chuckled. “I have no doubt. It sure is nice to have you as an ally
instead of an enemy.”

Jace approached
his brother. “I’m looking forward to working with you on this,
Brent. I know I’ll learn a lot.”

“You’ll be
working with Keith primarily, but I’ll be available to consult when
the need arises.”

Jace nodded and
slapped his father on the back, leading him out of the room. They
obviously sensed he and Claudia needed a few moments alone.

“I can’t thank
you enough,” she said, reaching for Brent’s hands. “I never
expected you to offer to help us. When I came to your office, I was
only hoping to buy a little time to figure out another way to save
the business.” She sniffled. “This is more than I ever could have
hoped for.”

When Brent
looked into her eyes, he saw a glimpse of the mother he used to
know. He’d told himself and the rest of the world that his mother
was dead to him, but he hoped they could find a way to resurrect
their relationship. He’d wanted to believe he didn’t need anyone,
but Ava taught him that wasn’t true. He needed her, and maybe he
still needed his mother too.

Brent said, “I
can’t make any promises. I’ll know more when we have the books
analyzed, but I feel confident that we can turn things around.”

“It means
everything to me that my boys will finally be working together. You
don’t know how many times I’ve wished for that.” She hugged him,
tentatively at first, until he returned the gesture.

“It’s time to
put the past behind us, Mama.”

***

When Ava pulled
up to Brent’s building site, he was sitting on the hood of his car
staring at the view. He didn’t even turn around.

Ava crept up
beside him and sat down on the hood. “It sure is pretty out
here.”

Brent turned,
looking startled. “I didn’t expect you.”

“I know.”

“How’d you know
I’d be here?”

Being so close
to him after wondering whether she would ever see him again made it
difficult to remember the speech she’d rehearsed on the way over.
“Jasmine came to see me. She told me y’all had a meeting.”

“Does that mean
she’s not coming?” Brent glanced at the lake when a fish jumped out
of the water and made a small splash as it disappeared beneath the
surface.

“No. Are you
disappointed?”

“I’m anxious to
get started on the house, but no, I’m not disappointed you showed
up instead.”

He was keeping
his cards close to his vest, and Ava found reading his melancholy
mood difficult. If he was happy or relieved to see her, he was
keeping it to himself. “How’s your father?”

“Better,
thanks.”

She looked at
the wood posts in the ground. “It looks like they’ve started to
stake the site.”

“Yeah, Tucker
and his crew should be ready to break ground next week.”

“It didn’t take
long to get the permits.” Ava hated wasting time making small talk
when their future was at stake.

“It’s amazing
how quickly things can happen when you have money.” He sighed. “Why
are you here, Ava? I know it’s not to talk about my building
project.”

“I’ve missed
you.” That wasn’t easy to admit, especially when he hadn’t given
her any indication he felt the same way.

“I’ve missed
you too.”

She glanced at
him. “Have you really?”

He nodded.
“Sitting around doing nothing isn’t my style, but I realized I
can’t make you love me.”

“No, you
can’t.” She set her hand on his thigh, and he looked at it before
turning his attention to her face. “You can’t make me love you any
more than you can stop me from loving you.”

His eyes
searched her face. “Are you saying… that you still love me?”

“That
depends.”

“On what?” He
grabbed her hand, holding it tight.

“On whether you
trust me, whether you believe I’m never going to leave you. If I
choose you, it’s forever. I don’t ever want you to question that.”
She loved him with her whole heart, but she couldn’t risk her
future on a volatile man who didn’t trust her.

He brought her
hand to his lips and kissed it twice before he cast another glance
at the water. “I went to see my mother today. I had a talk with her
and my brother and stepfather. I think I have a better
understanding of why she left.”

“Does that mean
you’re giving up your vendetta?” Ava didn’t want to belittle his
feelings, but she couldn’t imagine spending her life with a man
consumed with hatred.

“Yeah, I’ve
extended the olive branch, offered to help them get their business
on the right course.”

Ava slipped her
arm around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad
to hear that.”

“I’ve changed a
lot over the last couple of months, Ava, because of you.”

Ava’s heart
swelled. That complex man loved her enough to face his demons so
they could build a life together. “How so?”

“When I met
you, I was all about making money and taking my pound of flesh.
I’ve realized that’s not what matters anymore.”

“What matters
now?” She knew what she wanted him to say.

“You… and my
family. The family we could have together someday.”

Emotion clogged
Ava’s throat, rendering her speechless. She loved him so much, she
didn’t even know how to express it with words.

Brent palmed
her face. “Tell me you want that too.” He kissed her, deepening it
when she responded. “Tell me you can imagine living here with me.
Make my dream home complete, baby, please.”

“Your dream is
my dream.” She smiled when his eyes reflected with the same
emotions she knew were in her eyes: hope, happiness, disbelief that
they’d finally found the love of their lives in a relationship that
started with a silly crush. He had been her first lover, and he
would be her last.

Brent slid off
the hood to stand in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her
waist as he helped her to the ground. ““Come on, let me show you
around
our
new house.” He grinned. “But you’ll have to use
your imagination.”

To learn more about this author or other
books in the Nashville Nights or Next Generation series,
visit
www.cheryldouglasbooks.com

To comment on this book, or ask the author a
question you can email her at:

[email protected]

You can also visit Cheryl on Facebook
at
www.facebook.com/cheryldouglasbooks

Twitter: CherylDouglasNN

Please consider leaving a review for this
book or other books in the series.

Thank You

Two New
Nashville Nights Short Story Collections

Breathless

Imagine

To sign up for email notification of new releases,
visit the ‘New Releases’ page of the website.