Pulling up the driveway that led to my parents’ house, I glanced at the passenger seat of the rental car. My chest tightened when my eyes fell on Mia. She’d fallen asleep not long after we left the airport. I did my best to get her to take a nap during the flight. Instead, she made me the newest member of the alleged mile-high club.

  I chuckled at the thought. Pregnancy hadn’t slowed our sex life. Mia was still comfortable in her body, and I loved everything about it, especially the fact that my child was growing inside her.

  It’s a good thing she got a little sleep. Once she met my family, we would be up for hours. Before the night ended, my mother would invite everyone in the county with the slightest relation to us over to their house. Talk about overwhelming. I hoped my dad would talk her out of it. It’s what I asked him to do when I texted him after the jet landed. I wanted Mia to meet everyone, but not in one night.

  Being home was strange. Coming up the driveway and seeing the old homestead weighed on my heart. This place would always be home, but it wasn’t my future. It was part of my past. I would be with Mia wherever she was. She was the mother of my child and would soon be my wife. I would always come back to visit Tennessee, but Arizona was my new home.

  As soon as I pulled the car behind my dad’s truck, I killed the engine and stretched. Traffic at this time of day was horrendous. I’d spent forty minutes making my way down the interstate. I was ready to exit the vehicle.

  Mia drew in a breath as she woke from her nap. I watched as she blinked her eyes a few times before finding me. As soon as she saw me, she smiled.

  “Hey.”

  “Hi, beautiful. We made it to my parents’ house.”

  “Already? How long did I sleep?”

  I glanced at my phone inside the mount and read the time. “About an hour. I was in traffic for forty minutes. It also took longer to get through town. Traffic was a bitch. What about you? Do you feel better?”

  She nodded, but I could sense something wasn’t right. Instead of raising her seat back into an upright position, she placed her hand against her forehead and sighed.

  “What’s wrong?”

  As I touched her cheek, she leaned into my hand. “I hope your family likes me.”

  “Trust me, they will love you. You have nothing to fear.”

  She gazed at me this time. “They won’t hold Izzy against me?”

  “No.” I leaned my head toward hers and gave her a soft kiss. “My mom knows all the details. She holds nothing against you. No one does.”

  “Okay. Then I believe I’m ready.”

  “Good. I can’t wait to show you off to everyone this week.”

  I heard her snicker when I left the car and shut the door. Once I made it to her side, I noticed the front door opening. I hoped my mom would give us enough time to get inside before she bombarded us with hugs and kisses.

  As soon as I opened Mia’s door, I motioned toward the house. “I thought we would make a stealthy entrance, but I should have known better. My mother could hear a snail moving across the driveway.”

  Laughing at me, she took my hand and eased out of the car. As excited as I was for her to meet my family, it fringed my nerves. Mia and I came from different backgrounds. My parents lived comfortably, but we were far from wealthy. Part of me wished I was taking her to some large estate, like the one that belonged to her family friend in New York.

  Approaching the large deck, I offered Mia my arm just before we ascended the steps. She linked her arm inside mine and smiled. When I felt her tremble, I rubbed her hand. “Don’t be nervous.”

  I meant the words for her, but they reminded me as well. Mia loved me, no matter what. I’d never known her to think differently about someone just because of their social status. Her job was to help people achieve their dreams.

  I was the one with the problem, the one embarrassed he wasn’t rich. It was the reason I gave Mia an attitude when I arrived at Music Haven and heard what she was offering. At no point did she treat me like a charity case. It was coming from little and being offered everything that struck a chord inside me. It was time to move past it. Mia wasn’t ashamed of me. She loved me.

  When we crossed the deck, Mom was waiting just inside the door. Once we were a few feet away, she came outside, opening her arms.

  “My boy has returned.”

  Mia released me as Mom wrapped her arms around my neck and crushed me in a hug. I returned it with just as much zeal. “Hey, Mom. I missed you.”

  “Not as much as I’ve missed you.” She squeezed me tighter, then released me. When she pulled away, I saw her wipe her eyes and laugh. “Sorry. I told myself I wouldn’t cry, but I can’t help it. It’s been months since I saw you.”

  “I know. Life’s been kind of hectic.”

  She nodded as her eyes shifted to Mia. “Hello, sweetheart. You must be Mia.”

  “Hi, Mrs. McAllister. It’s great to meet you.”

  “Likewise, but please call me Kay, or even Mom.” My mother drew Mia into an embrace. “Your pictures don’t do you justice. You’re beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” I noticed the scarlet shade on Mia’s cheeks when she and Mom ended their hug. Mom winked at me, then motioned us to walk inside.

  Entering the sitting room, the scent of cinnamon teased my nose. Mom had the house decked out for Christmas, just like every year. It brought back a slew of memories as I gazed at the seven-foot tree sitting in front of the picture window. Presents were already under the tree, most likely for extended family. Mom never placed our gifts under the tree until late on Christmas Eve. Even when I got older, she kept the tradition going.

  “Where is Dad?”

  Mom shut the screen door and pointed upstairs. “He’s in bed, napping. He told me to wake him once you arrived. Do you want me to take your coats?”

  “No. I still need to get our suitcases. You can take Mia’s, though.”

  “Don’t you need my help?” Mia asked. Her brow folded above her nose as she looked confused.

  “It’s a couple of bags and two suitcases, which are on wheels. I’ve got this.”

  Before she could argue with me, I helped her out of her coat and handed it to Mom. After she took it from me, I noticed her glance at Mia. “Oh, my goodness.” Mom covered her mouth. “You’re showing. How adorable.”

  Mia grinned as she patted her belly. “I think I get bigger each day.”

  “She’s full of it, Mom. She’s barely gained any weight.”

  Mom laughed. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. The baby is healthy. That’s all that matters.”

  “We’re good so far.” Mia smiled at me as she cradled her stomach. It made my heart stutter. God, she was beautiful. I fell more in love with her every day. Each time I saw the tiny protrusion under her shirt, my heart soared. She and the baby were my life. I couldn’t imagine not having them.

  Was this the reason we suffered so much heartache in the beginning? Perhaps I had to lose her to grasp how important she was to me. I knew that now. It was a tough lesson to learn, but I would never doubt her again.

  ~Mia~

  * * *

  Once Kay walked upstairs to wake her husband, Ayden went to get our luggage. I stood inside the sitting room, feeling awkward. As I observed my surroundings, I studied the pictures hanging on the walls, the shelves, and the mantle over the fireplace. The ones of Ayden made me smile. Even as a teenager, he was gorgeous.

  Taking my time to view the pictures, I strolled across the room, enjoying the funny photos of my fiancé. If we had a son and he resembled his father, I dreaded motherhood. All the girls would love him. What was the old saying? I would have to keep a stick around to beat the girls off him.

  I chuckled. Girl or boy, our child would be special, no matter what he or she looked like. The baby would be ours. That alone made him or her unique in my eyes. He or she would be the heir to Music Haven—and my heart.

  When I ran out of pictures to admire, I stood close to the Christmas tree. Multicolored lights twinkled through the branches and ornaments. Adorned with an angel on top, the tree held a lot of history. Handcrafted ornaments spoke of childhood projects Ayden completed. Some were family-made with everyone’s handprint as reindeer. Others were heirlooms, like the porcelain Santa and the snowman made of pinecones.

  Everything about the tree spoke of Christmas and the spirit of the holiday. It made me miss my youth, back when my mother was still alive. We didn’t get a white Christmas at Music Haven, but we usually saw it between Christmas and New Year’s at our family cabin in Flagstaff.

  Backing up to the fireplace, I warmed myself as I stared at the tree, thinking about the ones we’d had at the cabin. Both my grandmother and mother loved decorating, and they allowed me to help when I was old enough. After we finished, we would sit by the tree and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa.

  My favorite part of the trip wasn’t the fact that I had presents waiting under the tree. It was the time I had with my family. Both my parents and grandparents were busy working. Christmas was the one time of year when they didn’t. It was family time, and it was precious. Even as a kid, I realized that.

  I wanted Ayden and me to have more time with our child. We would miss him when he toured, but when he was home, he would spend every minute with us. Those times would be sacred. I would make sure my job wasn’t my number one priority.

  Andi would help, too. If we needed someone else, I had a few prospects in mind. There was always my dad, too. He would help. If it made me happy, he would do it in a heartbeat.

  The screen door creaked as it opened. A cold draft blew around me, but I didn’t mind when I saw Ayden. He set the bags on the ground as he wiped his feet off on the floor mat. When his eyes found mine, he smiled.

  “Miss me?”

  I nodded. My heart beat faster when he walked my way. As soon as he reached me, I took his hands in mine. “Wow, Ayden, you’re cold.”

  “I’m used to this weather. Arizona is spoiling me, though.”

  “I don’t mind the cold. It’s refreshing.”

  His laugh was hearty. “Stay here until spring, then tell me if you feel the same. I said I was used to the weather. I never said I liked it.”

  “So you wouldn’t want to move back here someday?”

  Placing his hand against my cheek, he caressed my skin with his thumb. “I want to be wherever you are. Your life is at Music Haven, so that’s where we’ll be.”

  Ayden tugged my arm and pulled me close. I loved the feel of his arms around me, the way they made me feel safe. His words delighted me, too. I once worried if he would move away from Music Haven after he found success. It was the reason I worried about him finding out I was pregnant. He put those fears to rest tonight.

  The sound of footsteps on the stairs had Ayden easing back and facing them. A tall man walked down the stairs. He wore a smile that reminded me of Ayden.

  “Good to see you, son.”

  “You too, Dad.”

  They shook hands, then his father pulled him into a hug. They patted each other’s backs before breaking their embrace. I could see the pride in Ayden’s father’s eyes. He loved his son. I knew Ayden would look at our child with the same love. It made me eager for our baby to arrive, but I still had several months to go.

  Mr. McAllister glanced my way as he stuck out his hand again. “Hello.”

  “Dad, this is my fiancée, Mia Brooks. Mia, this is my father, Holden McAllister.”

  I gave him a firm handshake and my best smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

  “Call me, Holden, Mia. Welcome to our home. It’s good to meet you.” He studied my face a moment before he released my hand. “You’re the sister, right?”

  His question confused me at first, but when I realized what he was asking, it felt as though lightning had struck me. “Yes, sir. Ayden’s former girlfriend is my half-sister.”

  I felt Ayden watching me, but I couldn’t look at him. My nerves were on edge, and I wasn’t sure how to react. I hoped Holden McAllister wasn’t holding Izzy’s actions against me. It was my biggest fear, and one Ayden swore was nonsense.

  “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot, my dear,” Holden spoke after an awkward moment of silence. “To be honest, I understand why your sister’s such a vile person. She didn’t get the brains or the looks.”

  My face burned with embarrassment. Before I could respond, I saw Kay elbow him in the ribs. “She just met you, Holden. She knows nothing about your personality. You promised to behave.”

  He held up his hands defensively while nodding his head. “My bad. I couldn’t resist. I thought it was the best way to break the ice.”

  “Don’t pay attention to him.” Kay patted my arm, then punched her husband in his. “He likes to make people feel awkward when he first meets them. He’s weird like that. Doesn’t get out much.”

  When she rolled her eyes, I chuckled. Ayden’s hand met the small of my back as he pulled me closer. “Sorry, but Mom said it best. My dad has a weird sense of humor. He wasn’t lying, though. You’re the smartest and most beautiful woman I know.”

  I was back to blushing, but at least this time, I enjoyed it. Ayden had a way of making me feel amazing. He knew how to break my heart too, but I’m glad that was behind us. It didn’t mean we wouldn’t argue, but our trust issues were gone. We were partners in this relationship. Once we got married, we would be partners in life. Whatever was ahead of us, we would face it together.

  That included the birth of our baby.

  “Are you guys hungry? We had lasagna for dinner, but there’s extra. It’s probably still warm.”

  “Sounds good. I’m starved.” Ayden tapped his belly and rubbed it.

  I nodded at his mom. “Food sounds great right now.”

  “Perfect. You guys can follow me to the kitchen. Your dad turned on the heat in the apartment this morning. We figured you guys would like a little privacy. Besides, your grandmother is living here now. She’s over at your Great Aunt Sarah’s house tonight. Plus, Aunt Jenny and Toni are staying with us for a little while.”

  I didn’t miss the way Ayden’s nostrils flared.

  “What happened to her and Uncle Steve?” His mother didn’t answer. Instead, she gave him a grim look. “He better not have.” Ayden’s voice sounded gritty when he spoke this time.

  His mother grabbed his shoulder and shook it gently. “I know what you’re thinking, but don’t. Uncle Johnny took care of it.”

  The more they talked, the more confused I grew. Part of me felt as though I was prying into their conversation. Ayden would explain it to me eventually, but it didn’t make the awkwardness go away.

  When Ayden looked at me, regret burned in his eyes.

  “Sorry to expose you to family drama so soon. Aunt Jenny is my mom’s baby sister. Uncle Johnny is Jenny’s twin. They’re five years older than me, so we kinda grew up together. Toni is Aunt Jenny’s daughter with my Uncle Steve. I shouldn’t even call him that.” His jaw clenched as he glanced at his mom. “Steve has a nasty habit of hitting my aunt. Last time, he broke her arm. What did he break this time, Mom?”

  Kay glanced at him as she hugged herself. “I can’t tell you if you don’t calm down.” Her gaze shifted to me. “My son’s been wanting to return the favor to my brother-in-law for years now. Ayden’s the reason Steve went into therapy. He was doing better when my son left.”

  “What caused the relapse?” Ayden gritted his teeth as he waited for his mom to answer.

  “The same thing as always. Heroin.”

  I wasn’t a stranger to drugs or the people who used them. I’d seen my share backstage with different groups when I was a teenager. Once I took ownership of Music Haven, I made it known that I wouldn’t tolerate hardcore drugs on my grounds. People could smoke pot or drink if they wanted. They could keep the rest of that crap off my property.

  Wesley came close to losing his job when I found out he was using drugs. I could have used it to my advantage and fired him, but it wasn’t right. Regardless of the cruel things Wesley did to me, I never sunk to his level.

  “So what happened to Aunt Jenny? Which bone did he break this time?”

  “It wasn’t Jenny this time.”

  As soon as I felt Ayden tense, his mom grabbed his chin. “Hey. Look at me. Beating Steve’s ass won’t change anything. You’ll end up in jail, something you don’t need. You have a fiancée and a child. Let this go.”

  “Fine. I won’t look for Uncle Steve, but he better not show his face around here.”

  “He won’t. He’s in jail.”

  Ayden’s back straightened. I swore I saw him smirk before he asked, “For how long?”

  “Until his court hearing.”

  This time, Ayden’s dad chimed in. He motioned us to follow them to the kitchen. Once we did, Ayden pulled out my chair, then sat in the one beside me. He laced his fingers with mine as his father sat across from us.

  “Johnny was on the phone with Jenny when Steve arrived. He heard Steve hit Jenny. A second later, there was a loud thump, then Jenny cried. Johnny was working when this happened.”

  Ayden motioned for his dad to pause, then glanced at me. “Uncle Johnny is a deputy with the local sheriff.”

  His father nodded. “The police got involved. Once they showed up at Steve and Jenny’s house, Johnny and Deputy Barker witnessed Steve push Jenny out the door. Toni was trying to get between them, so Steve grabbed her arm and slammed it against the column on their porch.”

  I gazed at Ayden when he clenched his hands. “Unbelievable.”

  His mother brought two plates of food and two bottles of water to the table. She set them in front of us, then joined her husband. “Toni’s little arm snapped like a twig, but the doctor said it was a clean break. Toni thinks she’s cool now because she has a bright pink cast.”

  “Oh yes,” Holden smirked, “and I guarantee, as soon as she sees you guys, she’ll beg you to sign it.”

  Ayden’s hand relaxed as he smiled. “She won’t have to ask twice.”

  Just as he took a bite of his food, his phone buzzed. He removed it from his back pocket and viewed the screen. As soon as I noticed his brows knit together, I grew concerned. Hopefully, it wasn’t Izzy.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23