His mother knew him too well. He hadn’t been in the door five minutes and she was already calling him out. “There is someone. Her name is Avery.”
His mother took her glasses off her head, where they were perched amid her soft grey curls, and settled them on her face. “Okay, I wanna hear all about her.”
Ty’s mother had a way of questioning him that made it feel more like an interrogation than idle chitchat. “She’s my publicist, Ma.”
“Your publicist?”
He knew that in his parents’ world, publicists were as foreign as sushi. “Yeah, she prepares press kits, releases, arranges public appearance, interviews...” He laughed at his mother’s bewildered expression. “Let’s just say she’s helping me with my career.”
She smiled and shook her head ruefully. “So, what’s she like?”
Just thinking about Avery made him smile. “She’s beautiful, smart, successful...”
“Sounds like you’re pretty taken with this girl. I haven’t heard you talk about anyone like this since...” She cleared her throat, looking uncomfortable. “Well, in a long time.”
He patted her hand. “It’s okay to talk about it, Ma. In fact, I want to talk about it. In fact, that’s part of the reason I’m here. I want to get a divorce.”
“Well, it’s about time. What took you so long, boy?”
He took a long drink of his coffee, trying to find the words to explain. “You know why I stayed in this marriage. Abby’s parents...”
She patted his hand. “I know, darlin’, but eventually they have to be willing to let her make her own mistakes. Just like we had to let you make yours.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, when I screw up I do it in a big way, don’t I?”
She patted his hand. “I don’t know about that. If you hadn’t met Abby, Melanie never would’ve come into your life and I know you wouldn’t trade your time with that little angel for anything.”
“You’re right about that.” He sighed. “Anyways, I wanted to talk to you and Dad about what the divorce means for you guys, in terms of the loan.”
She waved her hand. “Don’t give it another thought. Your daddy and I have been thinking of selling off some of the land. Now would be the perfect time. That’ll allow us to pay our debts and have a nice little nest egg for our retirement.”
He grabbed her hand. “No, Mama, I can’t let you do that.”
She frowned at him. “I don’t remember askin’ your permission. I was telling you, not asking you, son.”
He flushed, humbled by her quiet determination. “I didn’t mean to...”
“Honey, your daddy and I have been talking about this for a long time now. We wanted to hold onto the ranch because we thought you and your brothers might want to work the land someday.” She shook her head, looking sad. “But it’s pretty clear that’s not gonna happen now. David’s off in the military, Derek’s committed to the police force, you have your music, and J.T.’s off trying to be a rodeo star when he’s not working the ranch. He does it because he feels he has to, not because he wants to.”
Ty felt guilty, pursuing his dream while his brother was here at the ranch, shouldering the burden for all of them. “Has he said something to you about it?”
She traced her finger around the edge of her coffee cup. “No, your brother wouldn’t say anything. He’s a good boy. He wouldn’t want to make us feel guilty, but I know he’s not happy here.”
“Maybe with this recording contract, I could pitch in a little more, financially. We could hire a few more hands, find a way to make it work.”
She squeezed his hand. “Honey, this ranch was our life, your daddy’s and mine. And we wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world, but we’re at a different stage in our lives now. We don’t need or want that kind of responsibility anymore.”
He was still trying to wrap his head around this. Selling the ranch was something he’d never even allowed himself to consider. “You’re sure this is what you want, Mama?”
She smiled. “Positive. Old Joe Foley’s been after us for years to sell to him. We didn’t want to until you boys had figured things out, but it looks like you finally have.”
He laughed. “Took us long enough, huh?”
“It takes as long as it takes, sugar.”
“So, will you keep the house?”
“Oh, we’re not goin’ anywhere. This is our home, always will be. We’ll keep the twenty acres surrounding the house and let Joe have the rest.”
“Okay, if that’s what’s gonna make you happy, then I’m happy for you.”
She reached over to kiss his cheek. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you finally seem to be claiming your own happiness, son. It’s long overdue.”
Lisa stormed into Avery’s office, beaming. “I just heard your boyfriend’s new song on the radio.” She fanned her face with a file folder. “Avery, you are one lucky lady. That boy is H-O-T.”
Avery shifted in her seat. She and Ty agreed that for the time being, downplaying their relationship would be in the best interest of his career. Given how hard she’d been working to help him build a fan base, the last thing she needed was negative publicity to negate her effort.
“Lisa,” she said carefully, “Ty is not my boyfriend. He’s my client and my friend.” Both of which were true statements. In the past weeks, Ty had become her shoulder to lean on at the end of a grueling day, the first person she called when she had a problem. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to remember what her life had been like before Ty and she knew that was venturing into dangerous territory. She had always prided herself on being strong and independent, believing she didn’t need anyone to make her life complete. But he had walked into her life and filled a void she hadn’t even recognized.
Lisa rolled her eyes. “Sure, whatever you say, boss.”
Lisa had worked for her for several years. She trusted her to run her office and protect her client’s right to privacy, but they were co-workers, not friends. “Do you have those press releases for me?”
Lisa waved the file folder in her hand. “I have the hard copies right here.” She handed Avery the folder.
“So, I guess Ty’s going out on the road with Trey in a few days, huh?”
Avery tried to ignore Lisa’s obvious attempt to pump her for information about the status of their relationship. “You’ve seen his schedule, Lisa. You know where he’ll be as well as I do.”
“First stop is Florida, right? Will you be going with him?”
Avery pretended to scan the press releases. “No, I don’t think so. Why do you ask?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I was just curious. I wanted to know whether I’d have to hold the fort down while you’re gone.”
It seemed like a logical explanation, so Avery decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. “He’ll just be passing through, five cities in five days. I’ve arranged a few interviews with local radio stations, but Luc intends to be there so Ty won’t need me.”
Lisa winked. “I bet he wishes you were going instead of Luc though, am I right?”
Avery set the file down and glanced at her assistant. In the four years they had been working together, Lisa had never taken an interest in her social life or travel schedule. She couldn’t imagine why Ty’s presence in her life should pique Lisa’s curiosity. “Why are you so interested in my relationship with Ty?”
Lisa blushed, feigning a sudden interest in her manicure. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just making conversation.”
Avery sensed Lisa’s uncharacteristic discomfort at her probing. “Are you sure about that?” She leaned back in her chair, studying Lisa carefully. “I get the feeling there’s more to this than you’re telling me.”
The phone rang and Lisa flinched. She craned her neck to check the call display. “I’ll get that in the outer office. I thought you had a lunch date with Luc?”
Avery stood, straightening her slim back skirt. “I do. I’ll be leaving in a few minutes. Do you need anything before I go?”
“No, no, you go ahead. I’ll just eat at my desk.” She paused in the doorway. “Any idea what time you’ll be back?”
Avery retrieved the nondescript paper bag from her desk drawer. “I shouldn’t be more than an hour or two.”
Lisa smiled. “Take your time, boss.” She closed the door with a definitive click.
Avery waited until she could hear the soft lilt of Lisa’s voice on the phone before she stepped into the powder room adjacent to her office. She set the paper bag down on the small vanity and took a deep breath as she faced her reflection in the mirror.
It had been five weeks since the night she and Ty made love without protection and she was late. Not that she was surprised; her cycle had never been regular. But there were other signs, signs that were harder to ignore. She was torn, part of her was excited about the prospect of having a baby with Ty, but the other part, her logical self, told her that the timing couldn’t be worse.
Her hand shook as she extracted the box from the bag and read the instructions. Once she had read and reread the small slip of paper, she performed the test, washed her hands, and waited for a small plastic stick to tell her whether her life was about to change forever.
She closed her eyes and leaned over the sink, drawing deep breaths to calm her erratic breathing. When she had finally counted off three minutes in her head, she opened her eyes and stared at the test strip in disbelief.
She was pregnant.
As far as Ty was concerned, she had taken the necessary precautions to prevent this pregnancy, only now she would have to tell him that she had made the decision without his input. She settled her hand over her flat stomach and said a silent prayer that Ty wouldn’t hate her for turning his life upside down.
Once she and Luc were seated at the restaurant, Avery pulled a folder from her briefcase, trying to force herself to focus on the business at hand. She had driven the short distance from her office to the restaurant on autopilot, her mind racing with thoughts of Ty and the baby. How would he feel when she finally found the courage to break the news that she was pregnant?
She slid the folder across the table. “These are the press releases I sent to the radio stations in the five cities Ty will be visiting this time out.”
Luc frowned as he grabbed the file folder and opened it. “Avery, you emailed this to me last week. I already approved them, remember?”
She cursed herself for the memory lapse. Until Ty came into her life, business had been her one and only priority. Luc hired her to represent his label because he knew she was a workaholic, steadfast in her commitment to helping her clients succeed. Luc was a ruthless businessman, if he even suspected she had taken her eyes off the target, he wouldn’t hesitate to give the job to someone else. “I’m sorry Luc, I...”
He leaned forward. “Hey, are you okay? You don’t look so good, honey. Are you not feeling well?”
Her stomach was churning, but she couldn’t tell Luc about her condition so she faked a smile and took a sip of water. “I’m fine. I guess I’m just a little tired.”
He offered her a forgiving smile. “I know you’ve been working hard on this project. But it’s really starting to pay off. Ty’s debut single is shooting up the charts. Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it. For an unknown artist to...”
She realized she hadn’t been listening to a word Luc said when he finally stopped talking.
He sat with his arms folded, glaring at her across the table. “I’m sorry. Am I keeping you from something more important?”
The last thing she wanted was to incense the man who held her career in the palm of his hand. She had no choice but to tell him the truth. “I’m sorry, Luc. I didn’t mean to be rude.” She took a deep breath. “It’s just that I’m working through a personal issue right now.”
He raised an eyebrow. “This doesn’t have anything to do with Ty, does it? Because I’m telling you, I need his undivided attention right now.”
She looked around to make sure the wait staff wasn’t hovering. “I’m pregnant,” she whispered.
A look of astonishment crossed his face. “When did you find out?”
“Less than an hour ago.”
He shook his head. “Now I understand why you’re so distracted. Does Ty know?”
She lowered her head, unable to respond.
“Am I wrong in assuming the baby is his?”
“No, it is, but I just don’t know how I’m going to tell him. Let’s just say he’s not expecting it.”
Luc sighed. “Can I ask you a favor?” He held his hand up. “You can say no; this is your call. But do you think you could wait until he gets back to tell him about this? The first few concerts are always nerve-wracking and adding this to the mix right now might send the poor guy over the edge.”
She shook her head in agreement. “You’re right. I don’t want to give him more than he can handle.”
Luc reached across the table to grab her hand. “Don’t worry. Ty’s gonna be thrilled about this.”
Her mind was a crazy mix of fear and hope. “I don’t know about that, Luc. I hope you’re right.”