It meant a lot to Ty that he had her parents’ approval. “Does that mean you and your husband would give us your blessing if I could convince your daughter to marry me, Dr. Collins?”
She laughed. “Only if you promise to call us Anna and Grant from now on.”
He grinned. “You’ve got a deal.”
“Ty, Avery has a doctor’s appointment in a little while. I want you to go, be with her. I was supposed to be there, but I think she’s going to need you.”
Ty leaned forward, his gut clenching with fear. “Is she okay? Is she sick?”
“I can’t tell you anything more, honey. She needs to be the one to tell you. I’m sorry. But, please don’t worry, okay?”
“Then it’s nothing serious?”
She laughed lightly. “Uh, I didn’t say that. Listen, grab a pen. I’ll give you the details.”
Ty scribbled the information down on a scrap of paper and shoved it in his pocket. “Okay, I better go if I’m going to make that appointment. Dr… I mean, Anna, thanks for everything. I mean it.”
“My pleasure, son.”
He disconnected the phone and sprinted to his truck. He glanced at the clock on the dash. He would have just enough time to make the appointment.
Anna’s news had put everything in a different perspective for him. Avery was trying to protect him, which must mean she had feelings for him. Whether those feelings bordered on love, he had no idea, but he intended to find out.
He gripped the steering wheel when he thought about Abby’s part in this. He thought he loved that girl once, but it was clear now, looking back, that he was merely infatuated. What he felt for Avery, that all-consuming, gut-wrenching sensation was love, unlike anything he’d ever felt before.
He drove the distance to the medical building on autopilot, rehearsing his speech for when he finally saw Avery. Whatever she was facing, they would face it together, as husband and wife, if he had his way.
He scanned the small parking lot for her car. There it was, tucked under a tree in the back of the lot. He ran up the steps, taking them two at a time. He couldn’t let her go through this, whatever it was, alone. He needed to be there, by her side, holding her hand.
He walked up to the nurses’ station. “Afternoon, ma’am. I’m looking for Avery Collins.”
She smiled. “It’s nice that you could make it for this. The doctor will be in to do her ultrasound in just a few minutes.” She pointed to a closed door down a short hallway. “You can go on in.”
Ty considered the implications of an ultrasound. What the hell were they looking for? Her mother said it could be serious...
He gripped the doorknob, taking a deep breath. He stepped inside the small, dimly lit room.
Avery was sitting up on the long table. When she saw him, her mouth fell open. “What the hell are you doing here? I was expecting my mother.”
“She called and asked me to come.” He took a step forward, taking her hands in his. “She told me about Abby, about what you did for me.”
She dropped her head, looking at their joined hands. “She told you that I went to see the Eastons?”
He tipped her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. “No, what are you talking about?”
She sighed. “We hired a private investigator to dig up some dirt on Abby. It turns out she has a serious drug addiction, Ty.”
He swore under his breath. “You went there to tell her parents about it?”
She nodded. “I thought they had a right to know.”
Her caressed her cheek, smiling. “You’re amazing. You know that?”
Her lips tipped up at the corners. “As long as you still think so. I’m sorry about…”
He touched his fingertips to her lips. “You have nothing to apologize for darlin’. You did what you thought you had to do. Sure, I wish you would’ve told me about it so we could’ve dealt with it together, but it’s over now. All that matters is you and me. Assuming there still is a you and me?” He prayed she would say there was.
She looked at the ultrasound machine butted up against the bed. “Did my mother tell you why I was here?”
“No, and I’m dying to know, but first, I need to know something else.”
“What?”
“Do you love me, Avery?”
“God yes,” she whispered. “You have no idea how much.”
He felt the oppressing weight of the past months slide off his shoulders. Whatever else they had to face, they would get through it, together. “Does that mean you’ll do me the honor of agreeing to be my wife?”
“What? Are you serious?”
He smiled when he saw the tears in her eyes. He recognized tears of joy when he saw them. “Damn straight. I can’t wait to marry you. If that’s what you want?”
She reached out to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Yes, I want that more than anything, but first there’s something I have to tell you…”
“Is it about the reason you’re here?” He cupped her face in his hands, trying to inject his voice with confidence and strength he wasn’t feeling. He was terrified. If anything happened to her… No, he wouldn’t even allow himself to consider that possibility. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it, sweetheart.”
She smiled. “I hope so, ‘cause I’m sure gonna need your help with this one.”
She was smiling; that was a good sign, right? “Okay, just tell me what you need me to do.”
“Let’s see.” She pressed her index finger to her chin, pretending to be deep in thought. “I’ll need you to show me how to change a diaper, warm a bottle, clip those tiny fingernails…”
He grabbed her shoulders, his heart hammering against his chest. “Wait a minute. Are you telling me you’re gonna have a baby?”
She smiled, resting her hands on his waist. “No, I’m telling you that we’re going to have a baby, cowboy.”
He lowered his hands to grip the table on either side of her as he hung his head. “Ohmigod, I can’t believe this.”
She framed his face with her hands, raising his head. “You are happy about this, aren’t you? You’re not mad that I didn’t tell you right away? I would have, I wanted to…”
He took her in his arms, flattening her against his chest. “Shhh, I don’t care about that. I’m happy,” he whispered. “God, I’m so happy, honey.”
“Really?” She pulled back to look at him. “You’re sure?”
“That night at my place, is that when it happened?”
“Yeah, I went to the doctor the next morning and when we were talking I realized something.”
He stroked her hair, smiling. “What’s that?”
“I’m ready to be a mama.”
He grinned, so relieved, so damn grateful for everything he’d been blessed with this past year. “That’s good, ‘cause by my estimation, you’re gonna be a mama in about six months.”
“I’m not going to lie to you.” She bit her lip. “I’m a little scared, too.”
He laughed and kissed her lips. “Don’t worry sweetheart, I’m gonna be by your side every step of the way.”
“Promise?”
He drew her in for a kiss. “Oh yeah, I promise.”
To learn more about this author or the rest of the books in the Nashville Nights series, visit
To comment on this book, or ask the author a question you can email her at
You can also visit Cheryl on Facebook at www.facebooks.com/cheryldouglasbooks
Relentless
Book Five in the Nashville Nights Series
Nashville Nights Series
Shameless – Book One
Trey Turner may be topping the country music charts, but his life has been going downhill since his wife left him five years ago. He’s desperate to make amends for the mistakes he’s made and convince Sierra that their love deserves a second chance.
Sierra Brooks is happy for the first time since her divorce. She has a career she loves and a man who loves her. Unfortunately, her fiancé isn’t the only man professing his love. He may be able to offer her safety and security, but will she decide to risk everything for another chance with the man who broke her heart?
Fearless – Book Two
Lexi Brooks has overcome adversity to build a successful real estate business that will enable her to live life on her terms. The life she envisions includes travel, fun and excitement, not marriage, kids or commitment. But will Trey’s sexy bodyguard throw a wrench into her plans?
Being a cop has taught Josh Cooper to take calculated risks, but he’s tired of living with the daily threat of danger. He’s ready to settle down with someone who wants to be a step-mother to his two teenage sons. Too bad Lexi isn’t that woman. She’s sexy, smart, head-strong, and they’re totally in sync in the bedroom , but she isn’t willing to settle for a life of domestic bliss. Or is she?
Ruthless – Book Three
Marisa Turner has wanted Luc Spencer forever, but she also wants a baby and it seems Luc isn’t up to the challenge. She has to choose between the man she loves and the family she hopes to have. Fortunately, there’s another man waiting in the wings who would love to make her baby fantasy a reality.
Luc Spencer is tired of hearing about marriage and babies. He loves Marisa, but he’s not a forever kind of guy. After two years together, she tells him it’s over. He’s not worried, he believes she’ll be back. But what will happen when he finds out there’s another man waiting to take his place?
Reckless – Book Four
As a publicist, Avery Collins knows that mixing business with pleasure is a recipe for disaster so she has one rule. Her bedroom is off limits to clients, no matter how enticing and persistent they may be.
Ty McCall is country music’s newest rising star, but he needs the best team in the business of help him make it to the top. That team includes Avery, who gave him the most unforgettable night of his life only to disappear the next morning.
Avery agrees to work with him, but Ty isn’t willing to settle for a professional relationship with the woman of his dreams. Can this sexy cowboy convince her that rules were made to be broken?
Relentless – Book Five
Nikki Spencer is all grown up, but the world still sees her as the cute little girl she used to be. She’s ready to prove to her adoring public and a certain rough riding rodeo champion that sweet little Nikki isn’t as innocent as everyone thinks.
J.T. McCall has a reputation as a rough rider, both on the bull riding circuit and with the ladies. So, what’s he to do when an innocent, like country crooner, Nikki Spencer, sets her sights on him? He plans to do what any good old country boy would do, save the lady from herself. But who will save J.T. when this little firecracker sets his world on fire?
Heartless – Book Six
Derek McCall was devastated when his girlfriend married his best friend, Josh. He respected the boundaries of friendship for years, but one night they gave in to temptation. Feeling guilty for betraying his best friend, Derek left town, determined to put the past and Ashley behind him.
Ashley Cooper has loved two men in her life, her ex-husband, Josh, and her ex-boyfriend, Derek. This single mom is finally ready to start dating again when Derek returns to town, ready to throw his hat in the ring. Her kids are dead-set against the relationship, but will she risk their disapproval for a chance to re-write history?