Right Where We Belong (Silver Springs #4)(57)

16

Gavin didn’t go in when he dropped off the kids at home. He pulled into the drive, told them to tell their mother he’d see her later and left. He hated how torn he felt in Savanna’s presence, felt he’d be smarter to limit contact as much as possible. Besides, he had to get the football field mowed before school let out, since Track and Field used it.

By the time he arrived at New Horizons and got the riding lawn mower fixed, he barely had enough time to get it done before the bell rang. He generally developed new ideas for songs or thought about his music career while cutting the turf. Thanks to the contacts of a fellow performer he’d met at one of his gigs, he’d been able to record a couple of demos in a studio in LA, which he’d sent to Republic Records. He was hoping to interest the label in his first two songs, but he knew he probably wouldn’t hear back. It seemed like the only way to sell a song these days was to move to Nashville, make connections, perform at the various bars, become a known entity and build from there. He’d read blog after blog stating the same thing—some from experienced and successful songwriters who’d lived in Nashville for years and were still busting their asses, hoping to attract a big label or a major artist.

Even if he relocated, he knew his chances were slim of attaining the kind of success he occasionally allowed himself to dream about, which was part of the reason he hadn’t felt too bad about trying to hold out until Aiyana married Cal. He didn’t want to leave his mother and the students at the ranch without his help and support only to have his career go nowhere, anyway.

Today, he didn’t think about music, however. He thought about how difficult it was going to be to support Savanna while he was in town, even as a good friend and neighbor, while trying to fulfill Heather’s needs at the same time.

Putting his foot on the brake, he shifted into Neutral, pulled out his phone and texted Eli. Do you think Mom will ever really marry Cal?

He pulled off his cap and wiped the sweat from his forehead while waiting for Eli’s response. But at least the answer, when it came, was hopeful. I think they’re getting darn close.

How much longer?

Is there any rush?

“Yes,” he muttered in frustration. But that wasn’t what he texted back. He wrote, Of course not, and shifted into Drive so he could finish cutting the football field. He didn’t want to push Aiyana into Cal’s arms. He just wanted to start preparing for his move so he wouldn’t be tempted to spend his nights in Savanna’s bed.

*

“What’s wrong?”

At the sound of Eli’s voice, Aiyana glanced up to see her oldest son standing in the doorway of her office. She’d been so deep in thought she hadn’t even heard him approach. “Nothing.”

He came in and closed the door. “Sorry, not buying that. I saw the look on your face when I walked up.”

“I’m worried, I guess.”

“About...”

“Gavin. I admire his sense of duty, the kind of man it makes him. But I fear, in this instance, his honor is leading him down the wrong path.”

“You mean with Heather.”

“That’s exactly what I mean.”

Elijah folded his long body into the chair on the other side of her desk. “You don’t like her.”

“Not a great deal.”

He rocked back. “Whoa! You saying that is like someone else saying they hate her.”

“Stop. I don’t hate her.”

“Do you believe she’s trying to trap him?”

She nibbled at her bottom lip. That was a serious allegation. She didn’t want to go that far for fear of misjudging Heather. “I have no idea, but I believe she’s secretly elated to think she will finally have the man she’s always wanted. She’s gone after Gavin so many times. And he’s tried to like her in return, given the relationship chance after chance. He just doesn’t feel for her what he should feel, and I can’t stand the thought that getting with her might make him unhappy.”

“So what do we do?”

“Is it even our place to get involved? He’s an adult. We have to let him live his life.”

Eli rested his chin on his steepled fingers. “He just asked me when you were going to marry Cal.”

She felt a fresh fissure of alarm. “He did? I wonder why he’s never asked me that question.”

“He doesn’t want to push you.”

“But...”

“I think he’d like to make sure you’re taken care of, so that he can feel free to move on with his life.”

“I didn’t realize I was holding him back.”

“You aren’t. His love for you is. Now that Heather’s pregnant, I bet he’s planning to leave Silver Springs. To pursue his music.”

“If he’s having a baby, wouldn’t he be smarter to stick around here, where he has family? Surely, he’ll want us to be part of the child’s life.”

“I’m guessing he knows he won’t be entirely happy with Heather, and this is how he’s planning to compensate.”

“You’re essentially agreeing with me—at least when it comes to Heather.”

“I am.”

“So do we have a talk with him? Or would that be too intrusive? I’ve never wanted to be overly controlling.”