29. Vail
29
VAIL
After seeing the photograph of Hartley’s grandfather when he was younger next to Lane, I knew they had to be related. Until they read the results, it was a strong hunch.
Jordan and I didn’t blame Hartley for wanting to open the envelope with Forest or for going to Lane after instead of us. Hartley would tell us when he was through.
We waited for him to enter our home and were there with open arms. The confirmation was what we already knew. It was a matter of Hartley and Forest coming to terms with the situation and that their grandfather hid it from them for so long. Knowing him like I used to, he did it for a reason. It was most likely so Hartley and Forest didn’t seek Lane out, or ask questions their grandfather wasn’t ready to answer.
He loved his wife with his whole heart by the way he used to speak about her. Did he care for Lane’s mother or was it just a one-night fling? A moment to get lost in one another and forget the rest of the world?
For Jordan’s part, he didn’t need to be asked to lighten the security around Lane. No, Lane still couldn’t go anywhere on his own, but he was free to go out now. His father and brother were out there somewhere, waiting, biding their time. Jordan didn’t think Lane was the target. While Edison would be pissed his son was in Jordan’s building, he had bigger people to go after, namely Jordan. And to get to Jordan, he would try to harm Hartley or me. So, Lane got more freedom while Hartley and I never left the building with less than two guards on us.
Jordan’s men were searching day and night trying to find where Edison and Noel were hiding with no luck or leads. No one had seen them; just heard murmurs they were around. It wasn’t ominous at all.
The thing was, I’d been down this road before with Gil. I was constantly afraid while we didn’t know where he was. I wasn’t about to let that fear ride me again. The guards would protect us. Besides, if I wasn’t in Jordan’s building, I was at Untouchable. I’d stopped private lessons for now. Jordan didn’t ask me to. He didn’t have to. I could see the look on his face, the worry etched into every line and the clench of his jaw. Whatever I could do to alleviate some of that, I would.
Today, I was going to have fun with Ava and my sister.
Nudging Ava where she sat between Cat and me, I said, “Thanks for coming with me.”
“It’s nice to do something different. You’re still not going to tell me where we’re going?”
I shook my head. “Nope. It’s a surprise for you and my sister.”
“I didn’t sign up for this,” Cat said grumpily with her arms crossed.
Dana had called me a couple days ago to say Cat had been doing better and was more comfortable at home, thanks to her therapy sessions, but she needed to get out more. At least Dana thought so. An idea formed so I put the wheels in motion. The only two who didn’t know what I was up to were Cat and Ava.
“If I wanted to look at farmland, I’d go for a drive,” Cat said.
“God, you’re miserable. Did you sleep?”
“Yes. I was comfortable. I don’t need you dragging me out of the house. We could have stayed there, had some of the strawberry shortcake Dana made and talked. We didn’t need to go for a drive.”
“Smile, Cat,” Oleander said from the front seat. He grinned at her in the rearview.
My sister’s lips twitched. She wanted to smile, and she loved Oleander like family.
“I see it,” he teased. “It’s little but it’s there.”
“Hush, you.”
“You’re lucky Shel is in the vehicle behind us, or he’d tease you too.” Cat wouldn’t admit it, but having Oleander and Julia with us in this SUV and Sheldon and Vincent behind us made her more at ease. I hated seeing her hurting. It ate at me. Hopefully this afternoon would pull that smile of hers into full bloom.
Ava was still in the jeans and T-shirt she wore to school, not having time to change when she got home. I asked if she wanted to join me, and she jumped at the chance. Hartley and Jordan were both working. Hartley down at his studio and Jordan off with Albert and Reghan somewhere I didn’t want to know about.
“Hey, Cat?” I asked. I’d already filled her in about Lane. Ava knew since we tried not to keep important things from her. She said she liked Lane and was glad he’d be around more. She also knew what I was about to tell my sister.
“Yeah?”
“I have a favor to ask you.”
She turned to me; her gaze serious. “Anything. You know that.”
“How do you feel about officiating my commitment ceremony to Jordan and Hart?”
Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “No! You’re serious?”
“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t.”
There was no holding back her joy. She smiled and squealed in delight. Her feet even tapped on the floor. “I can’t believe my brother is getting married. Did you pick out rings? What are you going to wear? Of course, Hartley will handle that. What about a location? You should have Tahoe involved somehow and Ava, of course. Wait, you know, right?” she asked Ava.
“Yes, they told me the next day.”
Cat’s eyes narrowed. “How long ago was that?”
“Ummmm…” I stalled. “I don’t remember the exact date, but there was so much going on and I wanted to tell you in person.”
She reached around Ava, sure to be clear of her, then smacked me on the arm. “Vail Ayers, how dare you not call me immediately and tell me what you were doing. I should have been the first to know. The only reason I’m not angrier is because you asked me to officiate. I don’t have to get certified or anything, right?”
“No.” I smiled. I loved my sister so much. When Jordan and Hartley agreed she would be perfect to officiate, I smothered them both in kisses and thanked them. “Since it’s not a legally binding ceremony, you don’t have to do anything.”
She nodded. “You’re going to have Ruined and Relinquished play, of course. You didn’t ask them yet, did you? I know they’re on tour overseas, but maybe they’ll be here when you have the ceremony.”
Before she could say more, Oleander slowed and turned down a driveway which drew Cat’s attention.
Cat looked out her window then mine. Her mouth dropped open before she grabbed Ava’s hands in hers. “Do you know where we are?”
Ava peered out the windshield. “A house on a farm?”
“This isn’t just any house. Next door is the farm, though this is on the same land. And on this land is a restaurant called Ashford’s. Ring any bells?”
Ava gasped and turned to me. “Really?”
I nodded. “They’re practicing in their studio as we speak on break from touring. Slater said we could come by so you could meet them.”
Ava let out a high-pitched scream that caused Oleander to jerk the wheel and momentarily stray from the driveway. “Jesus,” he muttered.
“I can’t believe we’re here and I’m going to meet Ruined and Relinquished. You have to take lots of pictures. My friends aren’t going to believe I met them.”
“I definitely will.”
When Oleander stopped the SUV, Sheldon pulling up alongside us, I hardly got my seat belt off before Cat was throwing the door open and jumping out, pulling Ava with her .
They didn’t get far when Dash strode toward them with his arms open. “There’s my girl.”
Cat threw herself at him, ending up with her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs around his waist as she hung on. Dash was such a good sport. He hugged her back and laughed. But Cat didn’t forget she wasn’t the only one who wanted to see the band. She climbed down from him and said, “Dash, this is my niece, Ava. Ava, Dash Meadows.”
Ava wiped her palms on her jeans then offered her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Meadows. I’m a big fan. I love your music.”
“Why thank you. Can I get a hug, or would you prefer the handshake? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“I can hug you?”
“Of course. Get in here.” He crouched a little so she could reach his neck to put her arms around him. Dash lifted her off the ground and spun her in a slow circle. Luckily, I had my phone out so I could capture the moment. He gently put her down. “Let’s go inside so you can meet the rest of the band. We have the house to ourselves today. Our partners are off doing other things while we work on new music.”
“Your brother should have told me to come by another day,” I said.
“Nonsense. We welcome the break. We’ve been at it all day. Elic baked cookies and Adria brought over scones. That’s Reed and Casper’s mom,” he told Ava.
“I know who she is. I know who all of you are.” She practically bounced when she walked beside Dash.
Cat let Ava walk ahead of her so my sister could loop her arm through mine as the people who came with us brought up the rest of our party. Actually, Oleander went inside when we weren’t paying attention to make sure the coast was clear. We knew it was, but they would always double-check.
“Thank you, big brother.” Cat put her head on my shoulder. “This was a nice thing you did.”
“I missed your smile.”
“Well, putting me near Dash will certainly bring it out. But more than that, seeing Ava happy does as well. Her smile is contagious.”
“It is. I’ll give her the world if she lets me.”
“You might have to fight Jordan for that honor.” She chuckled. It was the truth though.
Inside, we made our way to the studio in the house. The door was open and soft chords floated from the room, thanks to Slater’s or Casper’s guitar. I couldn’t tell which one. They stopped playing when Dash entered with Ava.
“I’d like to introduce you to my new friend. Ava, this is my brother, Slater, Reed, and Casper. Everyone, this is Ava. She’s going to play the drums for our next song.”
“I am?”
“Of course. Unless you don’t want to.”
“I do.” She spun to face me. “Oh my gosh.” Rushing over to me, she put her arms around my waist and hugged me. I embraced her back. Before I could say anything, she was off with Dash for a quick lesson.
I shook the guys’ hands and waited for my sister to choose who she was going to fawn over next. It was Casper, who sat on a stool with his guitar in front of him.
Slater put his down and came over to me.
“Thanks for having us,” I said.
“It’s no problem at all. It’s been a long day, so this was needed. ”
While the idea was fresh in my mind, I asked, “Have you guys ever played a wedding?”
That was the start of a conversation and congratulations. Slater gave me the dates they’d be home next and, luckily, they lined up for an August wedding. We hadn’t set a date yet so we could work around their schedule. There was a two-week window we could take advantage of. I just had to clear it with Jordan and Hartley.