When To Let Go (36 page)

Ryder never questioned him, only threw him a blanket.

Ava was still on a high from the previous night, humming while she wiped off a dirty table. She had never stood up for herself before. It was exhilarating.

She didn’t know why it had been that moment, but she didn’t care. All she knew was she was tired of the way Dakota treated her. She deserved better than that. She vowed from then on to only surround herself with those who uplifted her, those she admired. Like the Baxters.

“Ava!” Dick barked from the kitchen entryway. “Get over here.”

What now?
She thought, tossing the rag into the dirty bin behind the counters.

He thrust an envelope into her hands, retreating back to his father’s office.

Payday. She had forgotten. Out of curiosity she opened it, her jaw hitting the ground. It was next to nothing! She pulled it all the way out. The jerk had taken out expenses he felt she was responsible for. This wasn’t the first time he had done this, but it would be the last.

Ava barged into his office. Her stomach was a knotted mess of nerves but she careened forward, slapping the paper on the desk, “The coffeemaker breaking wasn’t my fault.”

Dick didn’t even glance at it, “You were the last to use it.”

“I’m the
only
one who uses it!” That was mostly true.

“There you go.” Dick handed it back to her.

“I’m tired of being fined for things that are out of my control. That thing was ancient. I’m surprised it lasted this long. Even your dad went on and on about needing to get a new one, but he was loyal and didn’t want to give up on it just yet!”

Ava didn’t know why she’d told him all of that. She was fired up and couldn’t hold it in, “And another thing! If you don’t give me the time to experiment, then I won’t be coming up with any new flavors. Also, I want a percentage of the sales they make.”

Her mouth threw the last one in, but she stood her ground, liking the idea. No, loving it. Her cupcakes were the bakery’s number one sellers.

“Darlin’ you don’t get to make demands. Now get back to work.”

“Great idea, thanks for thinking of it,”

Puzzled, he looked up, “Idea?”

She nodded, “Yes. I’m taking the rest of the day off. I need to take care of something.”

She left him in a state of bewilderment.

On the way out she grabbed her purse, halted at the door, turned back (ignoring Dick, who was standing at the kitchen entryway, hands on his hips), and retrieved a peanut butter and honey cupcake.

The drive was short, which Ava was thankful for. She wanted to do this before the adrenaline wore off.

She knocked on the front door.

Mrs. Denlow answered the door, “Ava, what a wonderful surprise!”

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Denlow,” she wiped her feet on the welcome mat before stepping in.

“Will you ever call me by my first name?”

Ava avoided the question, hearing it every time they saw one another, “I came with something important to discuss with your husband. Is he available?”

Trying not to chuckle at how serious Ava was being, Mrs. Denlow led her to the living room, where Mr. Denlow was doing a puzzle.

“Look who’s here!” Mrs. Denlow announced.

Mr. Denlow glanced up, a bright smile when he saw her, “Ava! I was wondering when you’d come visit me again. It’s been over a week! I still need to finish teaching you your poker face.”

“I know, I’m sorry, but today I didn’t come to visit.” Ava took in a deep breath, letting the words out with her exhale, “Your son doesn’t love the bakery the way we do, and I don’t want to see it go under. Let me run it. I know I have problems with numbers and words, but I swear to you I’ll work triple time to keep everything running.”

Mrs. Denlow guided her to the couch, “Dear, sit down before you pass out.”

Ava did what she was told, ready to faint after she had just made the offer. She could do it though. She knew she could. The bakery was like home to her.

A glass of over-sweetened lemonade was handed to her.

Mr. Denlow waited to speak until she had taken a large gulp, “A bakery takes a lot of work.”

“Yes, sir,” she confirmed around the glass.

Talking more to himself, he stared at a painting above her head, “You basically already do it all. Have been for some time.” He slammed his fist on the card table, tiny puzzle pieces spilling over the side. Both women jumped. “Should have thought of this sooner!” He extended his hand out to Ava, “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

“Really?” Was her lame response.

“Won’t happen overnight. I’ll have to train you, but yes. I think it’s a fine idea. Wasn’t really wanting to go back to working so many hours anyway. Ready to be home with the love of my life, woo her in all the ways I’ve been too busy for in the past few decades. Now, you gonna shake my hand or what?”

“Oh, yes,” Ava accepted with a firm shake. “I won’t disappoint you.”

Mr. Denlow patted the top of her hand, “I know. Ready for more poker?”

“Not today. I’ll come by on my day off.” Ava hugged them both, giving them a kiss on the cheek.

Ava stood on their front porch, eyes closed, sunshine beating down on her. She had done it, she was going after her dream. She wanted to celebrate. She drove to the one person her mind kept thinking of since the second she’d decided to stand up to Dick.

The adrenaline in her veins kept her from doubting her decision. The endorphins had her believing she was ready to conquer the world; a new feeling that was almost as good as being in love.

For the second time that day she knocked on a door.

Mrs. Baxter opened it, “Ava!”

For the third time that day she got straight to the point, afraid any moment now her newfound boldness would disappear, “Is Wes home?”

“He’s in his room.”

Mrs. Baxter called after her as she ascended the stairs, “I think he’s changing. He just got out of the shower after finishing at the gym with his dad.”

Sure enough, when Ava entered Wes was in his room, pulling boxer briefs on over his naked body.

“Knock much…” Wes faded out when he saw who it was. He lifted the briefs up the rest of the way, eyes never wavering from hers.

For the second time that day, she exhaled and the words expelled from her mouth, “I did it! I stood up to my boss, or rather my boss’s son. It was amazing.” She began walking the length of his room, talking with her hands, words rapidly flowing from her with no filter, “Then I went to his house. My boss’s, not his son’s. I asked to be in charge. Me! How crazy is that?! What’s even crazier is he said yes. Yes!” Her hands slapped her thighs, still not believing it to be true.

Wes was observing her like she had lost her mind. Maybe she had.

“The whole time it was happening I kept thinking of you. I’m always thinking of you. Then when he accepted my offer you were the first person I wanted to tell. You’re always the first person I want to share things with.” She stopped her pacing. “I never stopped loving you. You are the one person I was meant to love. The only person I want to love. I needed you to know that.”

Wes ran a hand through his wet hair, “I think you and I have different versions of love.”

“I think you’re right. You have the kind that never doubts or has insecurities. Mine is the kind that never felt worthy,” Ava spoke from the heart, revealing everything. “They’re the same in their strength, though. I should have never let you believe Erick kissed me or that I didn’t want you anymore. I thought you deserved better. I believed I was holding you back. Maybe I was, maybe I will, I don’t know. I still have all these insecurities to work out, but I’m done holding back from you.”

Her breathing was fast, her chest rising heavily.

Wes tugged the ends of his hair, a dazed expression on his face as he looked down at the carpet, “Are you telling me you only broke up with me because you didn’t think you were good enough?”

“Yes.” Her adrenaline was beginning to fade.

“You didn’t think I deserved a say in this, on what I thought was good for me? What I wanted?!” He lifted his head, his body red with anger. “You practically destroyed me. Fuck, Ava. And now you’re here, wanting me back?”

“No, I just needed you to know.”

“No? You don’t want me back?”

“I do, but I don’t expect you to want me.”

“So, what? All that fucking pain you put me through was for my own good?”

All earlier happiness vanished, “I thought–”

“No, you didn’t think. If you cared about what was good for me you never would have left me. You never would have broken my fucking heart.”

“I thought I was setting you free.”

“That’s bullshit. Such fucking bullshit. God!” He roared, beginning his own pacing, “You need to leave. I can’t look at you right now.”

“Can we talk about this?”

“What’s there to talk about, huh?”

She headed towards the door, “You’re right.”

“No,
you’re
right,” Wes blocked her way, arms crossed over his chest, towering over her. “Let’s talk about this, shall we? Let’s talk about how the first year we were apart I can hardly remember it, in a fog and so fucking depressed I couldn’t eat or sleep. Or maybe this past year where I was determined to find a new life for myself that didn’t include you. I actually started to feel happy again. I even went on a few dates, slept with a few of them too.” His biting laugh had her flinching. “Oh, did that hurt? Couldn’t have matched the guilt I felt right after. Decided I was more of a commitment kind of guy, decided not to sleep with a girl until I was sure I cared for her. This year I was ready to see if I could find a girl like that. You want me to keep going? You want to keep talking about this?”

“No, you made your point,” Ava left with a tail between her legs. She didn’t regret going to him though. Now he knew the truth. Maybe now they could both move forward with their lives.

A few hours later, Ava woke from her nap when a second body rocked the hammock.

Wes laid next to her, resting his hands across his chest, “If we do this, you can’t pull something like that again. You’re in it, no matter what.”

“No matter what,” she vowed.

“We talk shit out, work past it together.”

“Agreed.”

“No more deciding what’s best for me on your own.”

“Never again.”

“No holding grudges over what happened in the past. Meaning, I can’t get mad at you for breaking up with me, and you can’t get mad over me sleeping with other girls.”

“How many other girls?”

“Three.”

That wasn’t so bad, but it still twisted her insides. “Deal.”

“First, before we kiss on it and seal the deal, I need to know how many guys there were for you.”

“None.”

“None?”

“None.”

“Not even a kiss?”

“Not even a peck. You’re it for me, Wes. Forever.”

“God, I love hearing you say that,” Wes turned his body to the side, resting his head on his hand, cupping her face with the other. “I love you. I never stopped either. I don’t think I could have ever stopped.”

His lips met hers and Ava prayed every day could be this good.

Thirty-two-year-old Ryder Stone rocked his five-month-old in his arms, smelling the top of her head and her sweet baby scent.

Parker poked his head in the room, “I need you downstairs. I have an announcement to make.”

Ryder reluctantly laid Juniper down in the crib Lily had in Violet and Maggie’s old room for when the grandkids came over.

He came down the stairs to be greeted by his wife, who gave him a kiss, “She asleep?”

“Yeah.”

“How long ago?

“About an hour.”

Maggie laughed, taking his hand as they joined the others.

June had become a good excuse to get away. Whenever she fussed or cried he was the first to soothe her, taking her away to a quieter place.

Ryder loved his family; however, it didn’t change that he needed his space, time away from all the craziness that went with it.

Three-year-old Lincoln Baxter was rolling around on the floor with his grandpa, declaring his victory at pinning the large man down.

Noah easily lifted Lincoln up and over his shoulder, the boy squealing with delight, extending his arms and legs out, “Fwy me!”

“Okay, everyone. Gather around.” Parker was standing in front of the Christmas tree, the largest smile Ryder had ever seen on his face.

“Presents?” Lincoln hoped, trying to get out from Noah.

“Not yet, bud. Soon. I promise. Why don’t you go sit with your Mama.”

He stomped his foot in disappointment, then bounced back the way only a three-year-old could, screeching as he ran, leaping for his mom’s lap.

“Whoa, careful,” Wes grabbed his son before he landed on his mom’s lap that was already overtaken by her massive belly.

Lincoln patted his mother’s belly, “Sorry wittle brother.” He poked the belly, “Uncle Parker said if I did this you might pop.”

Ava laughed, “Remember what I told you about things your uncle tells you?”

He nodded his head proudly, “That it’s a bunch of bologna.”

“Hey,” Parker frowned.

Violet came in from the kitchen, “She’s not wrong. You fill that kid’s head with craziness.”

“I’m offended! I’m a great uncle!”

Parker truly was. They all knew it. The two of them were already building a go-kart together on days Lincoln spent time at the tracks, going back and forth between family members instead of daycare. Parker and Wes were now running the tracks, Wes more on the business side of things.

Ryder tried his best with his nephew. He didn’t really know how to talk to kids. Instead, he read to Lincoln. It helped them bond. He came for sleepovers just so they could read together. They were already onto children’s books with chapters.

Maggie won his love with fresh baked cookies every time she saw him. She didn’t bake them; they always came from the bakery that she and Ava owned and ran together.

Ryder supported his family still doing construction jobs, now as a contractor. The pay was better and he still got to work outdoors. He’d come a long way. He was still claustrophobic (he didn’t think that would ever change), but he didn’t mind people touching him, or at least those he loved, like his family. Strangers were another thing. Maggie always intercepted when someone new tried to shake his hand – one of the many ways his wife had saved him.

Parker cleared his throat, demanding everyone’s attention.

Lily, Violet, and Ryder’s moms stopped talking. Ava quieted her son and husband, who were thumb wrestling. The kid never had an off button (unless Ryder was reading to him).

Parker beamed brighter than the glowing tree behind him, “After years of begging, Violet has finally agreed to be my wife.”

Everyone cheered and clapped.

Parker reached out his hand for Violet to take.

Their arms wrapped around each other so they were facing the room, side by side.

“He’s been asking since our first date. How was I supposed to ever take him seriously?”

He dipped her for a kiss, “I would never kid about such things.”

“Tell us how it happened?” Stevie asked, bouncing with excitement.

“He asked me like he does every morning,” Violet began. “This time, instead of laughing, I said yes. You should have seen the look on his face when he registered what I had said. My ears are still ringing from how loud he whooped.”

“When are you going to give me another grandkid?” Noah came over to embrace them both.

Violet pointed to Wes and Ava, “Probably sometime during their fourth or fifth.”

“No way,” Ava protested, rubbing her belly that was due any day. “I’ll go for one more and that’s it.”

Wes whispered into Lincoln’s ear, loud enough for the room to hear, “Remember what we practiced.”

Lincoln sat up straighter on his dad’s lap, putting on a pout and puppy dog eyes, “Pwease mommy, I want to have wots and wots of brothers and sisters to wove.”

Ava shook her head while rolling her eyes, used to them teaming up against her, “Wes wants five, but he’s not the one who has to carry and birth them.”

Wes affectionately rubbed her belly, “But you’re so sexy when you have our babies inside of you.”

Ava blushed, leaning over as best as she could to give her husband a kiss.

“When can we start planning?” Lily and Stevie pressed at the same time, overjoyed.

“We were kind of thinking we’d just go to the County Clerk’s Office,” Violet informed the room. “You know how busy I am with the non-profit, and I’m not really the whole wedding dress kind of girl.”

“Plus,” Parker added, “I can’t wait much longer.”

Ryder didn’t blame them; he and Maggie had eloped. The family would have been disappointed if they hadn’t already had a huge wedding for Ava and Wes the previous year.

Naomi came out with a bottle of sparkling apple juice and they all toasted the couple before digging into the massive pile of presents under the tree.

Lincoln sat on Ryder’s lap, presenting him with a new book for them to read.

Ryder sometimes had a hard time believing this was his life. He’d never dreamt he could be this happy. He owed it all to the people in this house, his family, and that’s all that truly mattered.