Jude and I didn’t see each other on Monday because he had to work late. We did, however, have an hour-long phone conversation before we went to bed. While I would always choose seeing him face-to-face over a phone call, I had to admit it was pretty cool that we could talk for an hour without awkward silences.
On Tuesday, Jude got his mom to sit with JP so we could host Chase and Hannah for a long overdue dinner. I was a little nervous about how it would go after everything that had happened, but our time together was easy and fun, just like before.
I knew Chase was probably still a little worried about me hurting Jude again, but he didn’t make me feel defensive about it, and I was glad Jude had such a good friend. In time, I’d prove to him that Jude was my priority.
On Wednesday morning, I took a break from work and called Myla’s mother to see if she had heard from her girl. I wasn’t exactly worried about Myla, but I sure did miss our chats, and it would be nice to know how she was doing. Tammy Garrett said she hadn’t heard a word from her either, but she was trying not to worry because Myla had warned her to expect that.
While we were on the phone, Tammy suggested we get together for lunch one day soon, and I told her I’d love that. I was embarrassed I hadn’t made the effort to connect with her since I moved to town, and I would welcome a chance to catch up and hear all about her one-year-old grandson, Harrison, who was Myla’s brother’s boy.
That evening, Jude and I went back to the rec center. Meredith was there to help again, and while Jude and two other men ran a basketball tournament, Meredith and I worked with twelve girls and two guys who seemed really into learning more about volleyball. Afterward, Jude and I picked up ice cream and took it back to his place to eat with JP.
Although it wasn’t quite as much fun as fooling around in the supply room, it was still good.
Thursday was another phone call day for Jude and me, but on Friday we finally got some alone time. We went out for a nice dinner, then to a small club that was known for its quality live music shows. We listened to a really good country band for a couple of hours before calling it a night and heading back to his place, where I’d left my car.
We were standing by my car, ready to say goodbye, when Jude dropped a bomb and asked me to go to his parents’ house for dinner the next night. Evidently his mother thought it was time I met the family. He added that if I was up for it, his sister was also going to make the two-hour drive to join us, and since JP was starting to use crutches now, he’d be there too.
I was slightly terrified at the prospect, and Jude chuckled and confessed he hadn’t asked me at the beginning of the evening because he was afraid I’d fret about it instead of enjoying the night.
“Is this something you want?” I asked him. “Because I’ll go if you want me to, but if you aren’t ready for it, I’m okay with waiting until you’re more comfortable.”
He allayed that fear by planting a sweet kiss on my mouth. “I’m more than ready,” he said. “I know things are moving pretty fast for us again, but it’s not like we’re teenagers. We’ve both had some years to figure out what it is we want, and to be honest, I’m not interested in slowing things down.”
I grinned, liking the sound of that. “Does that mean you don’t feel like you need space anymore?”
“It means I’m no longer worrying that each day will bring something that’s going to tear us apart again.” He cupped the back of my head. “Every day I’m more certain you’re the woman I’ve prayed for.” He smiled and nuzzled his face into my neck, making me laugh when his stubble tickled. “I’m pretty sure you’re the woman my mom’s been praying for, too, but we won’t know for sure until you two meet. No pressure, though.”
“Oh my word, Jude,” I exclaimed, feeling a moment of sheer panic. “What if she doesn’t like me?”
“I’m not worried,” he said, his lips warm on my skin.
“Not even the slightest bit?”
“She’s been nagging JP and me for years to quit working so hard and tend to our social lives. So she already wants to like you, which works to your advantage going in. By the end of the evening, she’ll love you. Trust me. Just promise you won’t be scared off if she starts talking grandchildren.”
I giggled and plunged my fingers into his soft hair as he kissed down my neck and along my shoulder.
“I haven’t told my family about you yet,” I admitted. “It’s not because I think they won’t like you, I’m just afraid they’ll descend on Hidden Creek en masse to meet you, and the interrogation could be epic. I’m not ready to put either of us through that.”
He lifted his head. “You don’t think they’ll be mad if they find out you met my family first?”
“Of course they will, but they’ll have to get over it. I’m pretty good at calling them out when they get petty.”
“I bet you are,” he said sympathetically. “You’ve had a lifetime of practice.”
Our goodbye was sweet and lingering, and I don’t think the smile left my face the whole way home. I kept replaying what he’d said about believing I was the woman he’d prayed for, and oh, how I hoped it was true. I didn’t want to think about going back to a life without Jude.
An hour later, before I turned in for the night, I knelt by my bed, pressed my face into my hands, and said a fervent prayer for strength and guidance as I fell deeper in love with Jude. I believed God and Grandma had brought us together, even though it had been inadvertent on her part. But I also knew if Jude and I didn’t put God at the center of our relationship, there would be many ways to stumble. I didn’t want to risk that. He was too important to me.
After my prayer, I felt way more peaceful and settled. I was still nervous about dinner with the Kellers, but I wasn’t panicked. If God’s plan was for Jude and me to be together, I could get through the first dinner with his family. Maybe I’d even enjoy it.
***
I got started working early the next morning, because I wanted to have plenty of time to get ready for dinner. I also wanted to pick a nice bouquet of Grandma’s flowers to take to Jude’s mother.
As soon as I logged in, a message from Ian popped up. I saw right away that he was finally responding to the email I had sent him last Saturday—the one with my work log attached.
Call me. We need to discuss what’s going on with you and Abigail.
I pressed my palms to the sides of my head and groaned. Oh please, not today, Ian. I’ve waited a week for you to get back to me—and now it has to be today?
I considered ignoring him, but he’d obviously been waiting for me to log in. He knew I was here, and putting him off would only make it worse.
I picked up my phone and sighed heavily. I had no idea how this was going to go. Would I have a job by the time we hung up? Kicking me off the team because his girlfriend didn’t like me would be a pretty drastic measure, but maybe not totally out of the realm of possibility.
Thankfully, the prospect didn’t scare me like it would have a month ago, as I’d already accepted that my time with the team might be limited. Thanks a lot, Abigail.
I dialed Ian’s number, frowning when the call didn’t go through. Next, I replied directly to the message he’d sent, asking if he changed his number. A moment later my phone rang.
“Ava, what the heck?”
I blinked at his unexpectedly blunt greeting. “What do you mean, Ian? You asked me to call and I tried, but it wouldn’t go through.”
“I have my phone right here, and it didn’t ring. But seriously, what’s going on between you and Abigail? I just read your email from last Saturday—I found it when I was restoring some deleted emails I needed to get back. It never hit my inbox.”
I sat up straight, clutching my phone tightly, red flags waving all over the place. “Ian, I sent two other emails this week asking if you’d read the first one. I also texted you once, but you didn’t respond.”
That revelation was met with dead silence. I knew him well enough to know his mind had immediately gone where mine had. Someone was intercepting my emails and texts—and blocking my calls—before they got to him.
Only a person close to him, someone he trusted, would have that kind of access. The same person who was trying to sabotage me with the team.
I heard a long sigh, followed by a rush of key clicks. “I know what you’re thinking, but come on, Ava.”
“You’re thinking it too,” I stated.
“She’d have to be crazy. I know she has a jealous streak, but what does she think blocking you from contacting me is going to accomplish? Like I’m not going to realize it sooner rather than later?”
“I think we might have underestimated the jealous streak,” I told him, rubbing my eyes as I felt a headache coming on. “It’s clouding her judgment.”
Another sigh. “Which would answer my question about why she’s complaining about your work when the log you sent me shows you’re putting in the time and getting results. I should’ve known better.”
For a moment I considered telling him about the cameras, but decided not to pile on. I stayed quiet, listening as his fingers flew across the keys.
“I don’t see anymore emails from you in this deleted folder, but that’s not surprising. I’m sure the one that got through was supposed to have been blasted altogether. She must have missed the final step.”
“I’m sorry, Ian,” I said, my tone gentle.
He wasn’t in the mood for gentle.
“How long has this been going on?” He gave an angry sounding growl and I heard something slam. “Please don’t tell me she’s been making your life miserable for a long time and you haven’t told me.”
“It’s been fairly recent,” I said vaguely. I still didn’t want to mention the cameras. He’d go ballistic if he knew about those. “Has she been extra clingy and demanding lately?”
“You don’t even want to know, Ava.” He sounded weary and resigned. “I owe you an apology for coming down on you. I’ve wondered about some of the things she’s been saying, but…..I don’t know. It’s just easier to go along with it sometimes. Fighting with her is exhausting. I don’t have the time or the energy.”
I felt awful for him. His work would always come first, that’s just the way it was for people like him. But I knew he cared about Abigail, in his own way, and her betrayal was painful to him.
“I don’t know what to do about it,” I said. “She’s so sure I’m a threat to her relationship with you, and I can’t seem to convince her otherwise. Believe me, I’ve tried.”
“Yeah, well, I obviously don’t know how to handle her either,” he said ruefully. “I thought showing I trust her would reassure her, but that’s backfired pretty spectacularly. Now I’ll be spending the rest of the day making sure she hasn’t done anything else to my systems.” His voice changed from angry to concerned. “I seriously gave her access to everything, Ava. This could be bad.”
I started to respond, then had the sickening thought that maybe Abigail had come up with a way to install cameras in Ian’s office as well, or at least audio. Maybe she was listening to our conversation right now.
I wanted to warn Ian, but I couldn’t think of a way to do it without telling him about her surveillance of me, and I wouldn’t do that unless Abigail forced me to.
“I’m going to have to hang up, Ava. I’ve got a lot of evidence to gather before I confront her.”
“Make sure you’re off-line.”
“Duh, Ava,” he said.
“Sorry,” I said wryly, understanding why he was prickly. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do. And, um, maybe you should make sure your office is, you know, secure. Like, from bugs and stuff.” There, that would at least get him thinking.
“Yeah. Good idea. I’ll be in touch.” And he hung up.
A few minutes later another message from him popped up. Keep going on the project. I’m going to pull Abigail off and put Victor on it with you.
I replied and told him that was fine with me, and promised to get Victor up to speed as quickly as I could. Which meant that knocking off a little early today, like I’d planned, was out of the question.
I’d make it work though, somehow. I might be a little rushed, but I wasn’t going to be late for my first dinner with the Keller family.
***
I drove to Jude’s place first, then he drove JP and me to their parents’ house twenty minutes away. I sat in the back seat so JP could have more leg room. During the drive, I leaned forward and told the two of them about my brief conversation with Ian. It kept them updated on the situation, as I’d promised to do, and also helped take my mind off the impending introduction to their parents and sister.
When I finished, neither man had a good feeling about where things stood, especially since Ian hadn’t gotten back to me since that early-morning call.
“I still say she’s unstable,” Jude declared. “There’s no telling what she’ll do once she knows Ian is on to her.”
“I’m sure he’s already confronted her, and my guess is, he told her it’s over,” I said. “He was really upset.”
“Which means she’s got even more reason to be angry.”
“Maybe, but if it’s over for them, continuing to harass me won’t do her any good,” I insisted.
“Unless she’s transferring blame for everything that’s gone wrong onto you and comes up with a plot for revenge,” JP replied.
I considered the unsettling possibility that Abigail could continue her personal vendetta against me. When I stayed silent, Jude glanced over his shoulder at me, then reached his right arm back and put his hand on my knee.
“We aren’t trying to alarm you for no reason, Ava. I know you like to believe the best of people, but you need to think hard about this one. Take everything you know about Abigail, everything she’s done, and do your best to determine if she’s a danger to you. Don’t give her the benefit of the doubt.”
I nodded. “Okay, but I can’t do that right now. I’m a few minutes away from meeting your parents, and that’s about as much as I can handle at the moment.”
He gave me a smile and squeezed my knee before pulling his arm back. “Okay. We’ll revisit the Abigail situation later.”
I leaned back, trying to put my focus on the evening ahead. I hoped I wasn’t dressed too formally, or informally for that matter. I’d spent ten minutes in front of my closet trying to decide on an outfit, finally going with a tasteful, floral print dress in several shades of blue. It was made of a comfortable, flowy fabric, with a modest rounded neckline, cap sleeves, and a hemline that fell right at my knees. It was the kind of dress my own mother would approve of, and I hoped that translated to Camilla Keller as well.
We pulled into the drive and up to a beautiful brick home, with equally beautiful landscaping. I exhaled a long, nervous breath, then got out and opened JP’s door, waiting while Jude got his crutches from the truck bed.
I must have looked tense, because JP reached out and put his hand on my arm.
“Relax, Ava. They’re gonna love you. Really.”
I was grateful for his reassurance. “Thanks. I hope you’re right.”
I stood back while Jude helped JP out and then handed him the crutches.
“I got it from here, bro,” JP said. “You go on and take your girl inside.”
Jude turned to me and held out a hand, his smile warm. “Come meet my mom, Ava,” he said softly.
***
It didn’t take me very long to realize I’d wasted far too much time worrying about dinner with the Kellers. I’d tried to prepare myself for the worst, just in case, but the reality was anything but. Jude’s parents, Camilla and Hank, were welcoming and easy to talk to, and his sister, Janna, was bubbly and funny and kept the conversation flowing.
They did ask me a lot of questions, but they were simple get-to-know-you questions, not the kind that tried to delve deep into my psyche. I told them about my family and coming to Hidden Creek every summer to stay with my grandma, about leaving college and cutting short my volleyball career, and a little bit about my “website” work.
Janna wanted to know how Jude and I met, and they all laughed when we told them how Lulu’s desperate search for chocolate had played a starring role.
Since the night was warm with low humidity, Camilla decided we should move out to the large back deck for dessert. It looked out over a pond lit by subtle spotlights and an incredible flower garden. It made me feel a little silly for bringing my own homegrown bouquet of flowers for Camilla, but she’d seemed to appreciate the gesture, so I didn’t dwell on it.
When the homemade blueberry pie had all been consumed, JP said he was ready to get home to lie down. He’d had more standing and sitting than he was used to in a day, and I could tell by his pinched expression that he was in pain.
Camilla immediately started fussing over him, but he waved her off.
“I’m fine, Mom, really. I just need to get to bed.”
Jude went to get JP’s crutches, then joined his brother in reassuring their mother. “He’s been doing great, Mom. Better every day. Another couple weeks and he’ll be almost as good as new.”
I watched as Camilla hugged her oldest son, shuddering inside when I imagined how she’d felt when she’d received the call about his accident. Truly one of a mother’s worst nightmares.
We said our good nights, and I felt nothing but warmth and acceptance from Camilla, Hank, and Janna. The evening had been so comfortable and fun, and I couldn’t help but think what a contrast it would be when I introduced Jude to my own family.
Poor Jude.
I decided to warn him when the two of us were sitting out on his porch, after he’d helped JP get settled for the night. I snuggled up against him and told him how great his family was and apologized that my parents and sisters weren’t going to be so easy.
“You don’t think they’ll like country-boy Jude?” he asked in an exaggerated drawl.
I giggled, because he wasn’t exactly a country boy, he just didn’t live in the city. “Oh, they’ll like you, I’m not worried about that,” I replied. “The problem is, simply being a likable guy isn’t enough for Benson and Judith. They’ll ‘interview’ you to within an inch of your life. That includes your life goals and how you plan to reach them and where you fit into the who’s who list around here.”
“They’re going to be appalled when they find out I don’t even know if such a list exists,” he said with a chuckle.
I poked him with my elbow. “You laugh—and you should, because it’s ridiculous—but I’m dead serious. It’s all about power and clout for Mom and Dad. And for Ella and Audrey, too. They’ve completely bought into the scramble to get to the top. Which is sad, because it makes it impossible for them to relax and enjoy life. There’s always another hill to climb, no matter how high they get. I’m seriously worried that they’ll look down on you because you don’t spend your days climbing the social ladder, and that’s going to make me so mad.”
“I climb a lot of real ladders, though,” he joked, trying to lighten my mood.
I grinned in spite of my worries. “I just don’t want them to make you feel inferior in any way, because you’re not. You’re in a way better place than they are.”
Jude threaded his fingers through mine and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Don’t worry about me,” he said. “I’m pretty good at just being who I am, and as long as that’s good enough for you, I’m not going to fret about how your family feels about my social status.”
I nodded against his shoulder. “I know, but the thing is, you do more for your community in one day of playing basketball with the kids than my mother does in a year’s worth of token garden-party fundraisers. Yet she’ll judge you for not being on the executive board of half a dozen non-profits.”
“I can handle it, Ava.”
“Yeah, but it’s just sad because your family was nothing but sweet to me, and I can’t offer you the same.” I shook my head and sighed. “I love my family, I really do, but the word sweet doesn’t come to mind when I describe them.”
“Yet, somehow they managed to raise a smart, caring daughter, who is sweet, and that’s really all I care about.” He shifted sideways and curled a hand around my head, his palm warm on my jaw. “Have I told you how glad I am you moved to Hidden Creek, Ava?” he asked softly, his eyes warm on mine.
I smiled, ready to put my family’s oddities out of my head for a while. “I’m not sure you’ve said it, but you’ve done a good job at showing me you’re glad.” I pulled his head down and kissed him, then grinned. “If you really want to show me, though, you can go to church with me tomorrow.”
He raised a brow and I gave him my best pleading look, which made him laugh.
“Why do I get the feeling this is more than a simple invitation to check out Hidden Creek Methodist?” he asked suspiciously.
I sheepishly explained that my elderly friends were eager to meet him and they wouldn’t give me a moment’s peace until it happened.
“Is this visit to your church going to include the Country Buffet afterward?” he asked astutely.
“That’s very possible.” I shamelessly kissed him again. “They’re sweet ladies, Jude, and they’ll adore you. I showed them your picture and they almost fainted. They think you’re a hunk.”
He chuckled. “I have to say, Ava, you’re the only twenty-five-year-old I’ve ever met who has seven octogenarians in her close-friend group.”
I shrugged. “They’ve transferred their affection for my grandma onto me, that’s all,” I said. “It can be a little stifling, but it’s not like I spend tons of time with them. It’s kinda nice to know they care, you know? And if I ever need anything, they’d be first in line to help.”
“Better make that second in line,” Jude murmured, his eyes crinkling at the corners as his lips tilted up. “Don’t be giving away my spot.”
Oh man, my heart felt way too big for my chest. I could have so easily told him I loved him right then—and I almost did. It felt like it was bursting out of me. I held back, though, because I didn’t know if he was ready to hear it, and things could get awkward if he felt pressured to say it back.
I knew Jude’s definition of love could be a lot different from mine. Maybe he looked at it as something that had to build over an extended period of time, rather than the overwhelming onslaught of emotions that had come on so quickly for me, resulting in the conviction that I never wanted to be apart from him. That I needed him—and only him—to make my life feel complete.
I hadn’t known Jude Keller long, that was true, yet I felt like he was the man who had been in my head and my heart ever since I’d started considering what I would want in a husband. It sounds cheesy, but I really did feel like my heart had recognized him that first night when Lulu had shown up. When we’d talked and laughed, played Battleship, and eaten brownies. My ignorant belief that he was Myla’s ex had almost derailed things, but nothing about Jude himself had disappointed me. Or changed my mind about him being the one.
I snapped out of my thoughts and realized he was looking at me curiously, probably because he could tell I was feeling so much but wasn’t saying anything.
I pushed aside my urge to tell him I loved him and said instead, “Have I told you how glad I am you were staying with Chase and Hannah when I moved into Grandma’s house?”
“I don’t think so,” he said slowly, sliding one arm around my back and one under my knees to lift me effortlessly onto his lap. “How about you show me.”
I grinned at him, liking that we were almost at eye level. “I hope I’ve shown you already.”
He raised one shoulder in a shrug, his eyes glinting. “Yeah, but I’m the kind of guy who needs constant reassurance.”
“You are not.”
He looped his arms around my waist. “Then how about you try to persuade me to go to church with you tomorrow?”
Not that I needed an excuse to kiss the man, but since he was asking for it, I was only too happy to oblige.
A minute later, Jude pulled back, his well-kissed lips curving slowly upward.
“What time does the service at Hidden Creek Methodist start?”