Page 34 of Deacon (Men of Clifton, Montana #52)

Saturday morning at eight, Deke rolled his truck onto Ava’s front driveway and let out a low, drawn-out sigh. He was so damn tired of this trip. If Ava hadn’t agreed to come live with him, it would be hell on both of them.

He killed the engine and climbed down from the cab. The morning air smelled of cut grass and dew. He climbed the three wooden steps to the front door and rapped on it firmly. It opened almost at once, and there stood Rudy, grinning.

“Deke, how’re you doin’, son? Come on in. We figured we’d drop by and help with the loading.”

Deke returned the smile, shook Rudy’s hand and stepped inside. Cardboard boxes crowded every corner of the living room, their taped seams bulging. He scanned the room and spotted Ava beside a blonde-haired woman. Ava’s cheeks warmed as she met his gaze. He lifted his chin in a quick nod.

“I’m doing all right, Rudy. Yourself?”

“We’re terrific,” Rudy said. “This lovely lady here is Jessica Frazier. Jess, meet Agent Deke Anderson.”

Jessica extended a slender hand. She wore a soft sweater and had a welcoming smile that put Deke instantly at ease. He clasped her hand. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

“Please, call me Jessica.” Her voice was warm.

“Thank you, I will.” Deke turned to Ava. “Hey.”

Ava said hello in a whisper, her eyes bright and flushed. They held each other’s gaze until Rudy cleared his throat. Deke offered him a teasing grin, which made Ava laugh. “Dad!”

“What? You two are ignoring the rest of us.” Rudy laughed, shaking his head.

“I’m going to check on Ellie, she should be waking up soon.”

“Mind if I tag along?” Deke asked softly.

“Of course not.”

“We’ll be right back,” Ava called to her father, and they turned down a narrow hallway lit by sparse morning light.

The floorboards creaked under their steps.

Deke stopped beside her and brushed his thumb across her palm, then leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips, but once he felt her soft lips under his, he deepened it.

“Good morning,” he murmured with a grin.

Ava’s lips curved. “I’ll take a kiss like that every morning.”

He chuckled. “Works for me.” He nodded toward the door. “Ready?”

Ava eased it open, and they stepped into the nursery. A soft carpet muffled their footsteps. Sunlight poured through pale curtains pooled on the crib where Ellie lay curled and breathing in gentle rhythm, hair damp at her nape from sleep.

“What time does she usually wake?” Deke whispered.

“Anywhere between six and nine, since some nights she’s been staying up later.” Ava’s brows drew together with concern. “This is going to work, right?”

“It’ll work,” Deke interrupted, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “But we’ve got to build more than… being great between the sheets, but that’s a start.”

Ava inhaled and nodded. “I know. We’ll get there.”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Yes, we will. Now let’s get back before she opens her eyes.”

They slipped from the nursery and rejoined Rudy and Jessica in the living room. The air smelled faintly of cardboard. Ava scooped up a medium-size box, its tape fraying at the seams.

“Let’s load up the vehicles,” she said.

“I’ll handle the heavy ones,” Deke offered. “No need for you or Jessica to strain.”

“Thanks.” Ava lifted a smaller box and carried it outside to her SUV. She set it on the driveway, opened the hatch, and arranged it carefully behind the one folded-down back seat.

Deke trudged out with a larger carton. He wedged it into the bed of his truck, the tailgate rattling against it. When he turned, Ava stood nearby, the early sun glinting off her hair.

“I’m really glad your dad and Jessica showed up. Between us two alone, it’d take all day, and with Ellie waking soon… I’d like to hit the road as soon as possible.”

“As soon as everything’s in,” Ava said, stepping back inside for another box.

“Okay,” he said. “If we roll out by ten, we’ll hopefully hit Clifton by three.”

She paused, hands on her hips, and gave him a watchful smile. “Then let’s get it done.”

With that, they dove into the steady work, each box bringing them one step closer to home.

*** *

As they all stood beside the vehicles under the bright morning sun, Ava kept blinking back tears that shimmered in her eyes.

This was ridiculous, she thought to herself, she was only going to be five hours away.

The air was filled with the scent of fall and the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

“Come here, sweetheart,” her father said, as he pulled her into a warm, familiar hug.

Ava wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling the rough fabric of his shirt under her fingers, trying to hold back the flood of emotions.

“It’s going to be fine, Ava,” he assured her, his tone steady and soothing.

“I know. It’s just that it’s been a long time since I didn’t live here,” she replied, her voice tinged with nostalgia and a hint of trepidation.

“I get that, but this is for the best. For you, Ellie, and Deke. I’ll miss my girls, but we’ll talk and visit each other,” he promised, his eyes twinkling with both sadness and pride.

“Okay,” Ava whispered, nodding.

“Mama? Go bye-bye,” Ellie chirped from her car seat, her tiny voice breaking the tension and making them all laugh.

“In a minute, baby,” Ava said softly, turning to embrace Jessica. “Thank you,” she murmured, her gratitude deep and sincere.

“Of course. Oh, and I think you and Deke will do fine. There is a lot of heat between you two. A lot! He’s so handsome. I’m sure he’ll be good to both of you,” Jessica said with a knowing smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I know he will,” Ava replied, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks as she glanced at Deacon, who was engrossed in conversation with her father. “He is handsome, isn’t he?”

“Very handsome. You know we’re here for you. In fact, let me give you my number and you can call or text me anytime,” Jessica offered, her voice warm and reassuring.

“I’d love that,” Ava said, feeling a sense of comfort in the offer.

As she entered Jessica’s number into her phone, she heard a vehicle coming up the drive and gasped when she saw it was Joella. Tears filled her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks.

She watched as Joella stopped her car, opened the door, stepped out and ran toward her. Ava ran to her and they hugged and cried.

“I’m so sorry,” Joella said.

“No, it’s not your fault. I should have told you. I’m so sorry I kept it from everyone, but especially you. How did you know I was leaving?”

“Tyler called me.” Joella smiled.

“I love my brother,” Ava joked.

Joella looked over Ava’s shoulder and her eyes widened. “Is that him?”

Ava glanced over her shoulder to where Deacon and her father stood, then looked back at Joella.

“Yes.”

“Damn. He’s gorgeous and a cowboy,” Joella said with a sigh.

“Yes, and he has two brothers.” Ava grinned.

“Looks like I’ll be visiting.” Joella laughed then sobered. “I am going to miss you so much.”

“I’ll miss you too. Please do come visit.”

“I will. I have to see my goddaughter.”

“Yes, you do.”

“Ava?”

She turned to see Deacon walking toward her and snickered when she heard Joella sigh.

“He’s even hotter close up,” she whispered, making Ava agree.

“Deacon, this is my best friend, Joella Barton. Joella, this is Ellie’s father, Deacon Anderson.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Deacon.” Joella shook his hand.

“You too, but please, call me Deke. Ava is the only one who insists on calling me Deacon.” He grinned. “I’m glad you showed up.”

Joella laughed. “Me too. I’m so glad Tyler called me. I couldn’t let her go without seeing her.”

Ava hugged her again. “Please come visit.”

“I will. I’ll let you go. I know you want to get on the road.”

“Yes.”

Joella walked to the back door of Ava’s SUV and opened it. She leaned in and kissed Ellie’s cheek.

“I’ll see you soon, baby. I love you.”

“Love Jo,” Ellie said with a grin.

After one more hug, Ava climbed behind the wheel of her SUV, and turned the seat warmer on.

It was chilly this morning. She started the engine, the gentle purr of the motor filling the air.

With a nod to Deacon, she signaled it was time to go.

After one last wave at Joella, her father and Jessica, she pulled out behind him, the tires crunching softly on the gravel, and together they headed for Clifton, the road ahead full of promise and new beginnings.

After two hours on the highway, the afternoon sun slanted through the windshield, making the dash glow. Ava tapped the little phone icon built into her steering wheel and listened while it rang through the speaker .

“Anything wrong?” Deacon’s warm voice came through.

“I’d like to stop and check Ellie to see if she needs a change.”

“Okay. I’ll pull into the next rest area.”

“Perfect. And I’d like to grab her something to drink while we’re there.”

“No problem. The one coming up has a lot of vending machines. I’ve used them plenty of times.”

Ava’s lips curved into a grin even before she answered, “Great. Lead the way.”

“It’s about a mile ahead. We’ll be turning off soon.”

“Sounds good.” She ended the call, settled her shoulders, and followed Deacon’s truck as he eased off the ramp.

They coasted into a small lot ringed with pines. A row of family cars clustered near the low building marked ‘Restrooms Visitor Info,’ so they parked at the far end, across from the glass entrance. A breeze rustled the leaves overhead, carrying the faint tang of pine and machine oil.

Ava unbuckled Ellie’s car seat and lifted her out. The toddler’s soft pink dress fluttered around her knees, and stray wisps of hair escaped her tiny barrettes. The moment her feet touched the pavement, she squirmed, ready to bolt.

“We have to walk, Ellie,” Ava said, gathering the diaper bag on her shoulder and reaching for her daughter’s hand.

“No!” Ellie planted her feet and sank to the ground.

Deacon appeared beside them, looking impossibly calm in the afternoon light. He crouched down so his eyes were level with Ellie’s .