Return to Me Page 8

  Chapter 8

  He’d made his decision.

  Austin was on his way to see Bree. He was going to tell her everything before they went to dinner. He didn’t think it wise to discuss such a sensitive topic in a public place.

  She was at her office and requested that he pick her up from there. Her neighbor’s car was disabled, so she’d let Sara use her vehicle.

  “Sweetheart, can we talk?” Austin asked when he arrived. Her staff had already left for the day, so they were alone in the office.

  “Sure,” she responded while peering into her computer. “There’s something I need to discuss with you. I just need to make a quick note in this file and then I’m done.”

  Moments later she turned off her computer screen and joined him on the sofa.

  Austin reached over and took her hand in his. “Bree, we’ve been together for a few months now, but I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

  She smiled. “I feel the same way about you. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. You’ve become very important to me, Austin. Because of that, I think it’s time you met my son.”

  He was surprised by her words. “Are you sure?”

  Bree gave a slight nod. “I’m positive. Instead of going out, why don’t we eat in...the three of us. Emery doesn’t have a father figure in his life. As much as I love him, I can’t teach Emery how to be a man. He needs a positive role model. It should be you, Austin.”

  He kissed her.

  “I promise I will be here for you and Emery. Nothing will ever change that. I can’t put into words how much I care about you.” Austin held her close. He was finally going to meet his son. To tell her now would likely change that—it wasn’t a risk he was willing to take.

  * * *

  “Thanks for watching Emery, Miss Sara.”

  “It’s my pleasure. You know how much I love that li’l boy. He’s just so precious.” Her gaze traveled to Austin. “Now, who is this handsome man?”

  “This is Austin DuGrandpre.”

  “Whose son are you?”

  “Etienne,” he responded.

  She seemed pleased with his response. “He represented my father several years ago. Your daddy is a good man.”

  The moment had finally arrived for father to finally come face-to-face with his son.

  A little curly-haired boy burst into the room. “Mommy...” He peered at Austin and slowed his steps.

  “Sweetie, I want you to meet someone,” Bree said. “This is Austin. He’s your aunt Jordin’s brother and he’s having dinner with us tonight. Can you say hello?”

  “Hel-lo...” He clung to her like a lifeline.

  Austin felt an instant’s squeezing hurt. He reminded himself that this was their first meeting. Bree had mentioned in conversation that Emery was shy when it came to meeting new people.

  He kneeled so that he was eye level with his son. “I hear that you like Batman. Superman, the Hulk and Ninja Turtles.”

  Emery smiled. “Spider-Man.”

  “I like him, too.”

  The little boy looked up at Bree in expectation.

  “Austin,” she said.

  “Au’tin.”

  He blinked rapidly to keep his tears from falling. Austin spied a Spider-Man toy on the floor in the family room. “Hey, why don’t you show me your superheroes?”

  “’Kay...” Smiling, Emery went off to his room.

  “You know he’s going to bring out every toy he has,” Bree said with a soft chuckle.

  “I’ll help clean up.”

  She seemed surprised by his words.

  “I’m serious,” Austin stated. “I love playing superheroes. When I was a little boy, I wanted to be Superman.”

  “C’mon Au’tin.”

  “I’m coming, buddy.” He winked at Bree before walking briskly to join Emery in his bedroom. This was the moment Austin had been dreaming of since he first found out about the little boy.

  * * *

  Joy, like a sunburst, went off inside Bree as she watched the man who had come to mean so much to her spending time with her son.

  She could hear them laughing and talking while she prepared dinner. Bree counted herself fortunate to have Austin in her life. Her feelings for him grew stronger each day. There was a time when she refused to even consider the idea of marrying again, but now, she found herself looking forward to the future—hopefully one that included Austin.

  The trio enjoyed dinner together. Afterward, Austin and Emery settled into the family room while Bree cleaned the kitchen.

  Fifteen minutes later, Bree entered the room, pausing to watch Emery pushing a car toward Austin. She was amazed at how good he was with children. She felt a moment’s sadness that she couldn’t have a child with him. He would be a great father.

  Slow down, girl.

  Austin looked up at her and smiled.

  She returned it with one of her own. “Looks like you two really hit it off. Whatever you were doing really cracked Emery up.”

  “He was Thor and I was the Hulk. I’m afraid he knocked me out with his hammer. More than once.”

  Emery played with Austin for another hour before Bree put him to bed.

  Austin watched them from the doorway. It was obvious how much she loved Emery.

  They returned to the kitchen for dessert.

  Seated at the table with Austin, Bree pushed her plate away and asked, “So, what do you think of my little boy?”

  “I’m in love.” The words were out of his mouth before Austin realized that he’d said them. “He’s such a good kid. I love his personality.”

  She wiped her mouth on the edge of her napkin before saying, “I noticed that it was like you couldn’t take your eyes off him. I’ve seen you with Ryker’s children, but the way you look at Emery...it’s just different.”

  “Maybe it’s because I’m crazy about his mother.” His gaze was riveted on her face. “I love you, Bree.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

  Did he just say the L word?

  “Please tell me that I didn’t hear you wrong. Can you say it again please?”

  Austin smiled. “I love you.”

  Impelled by her own emotions, Bree got up and walked around the table to where he was sitting.

  He pushed his chair away from the table.

  She sat down on his lap.

  Gathering her into his arms, Austin held her snugly. “This feels so right to me,” he whispered.

  “I love you, too.”

  After putting the dishes in the dishwasher, they left the kitchen and settled down in her family room.

  Austin kissed her, his tongue sending shivers of desire racing through her.

  Bree matched him kiss for kiss.

  He slowly pulled away, saying, “It’s getting late and I have to be in court first thing in the morning.”

  She groaned in protest.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispered in her ear.

  Bree wrapped her arms around him. “I don’t want you to leave.”

  “I don’t want to leave,” Austin responded honestly. “But it’s best that I do. I don’t think you’re ready to take our relationship to the next level.”

  “I haven’t been with anyone since Caleb. My body tells me to keep you here by any means necessary, but I appreciate you for not pressing the matter.”

  He tightened his embrace, drawing her as close.

  “When we make love, I want you to have no shadows across your heart.” Austin lowered his lips to hers and kissed her. “Until you’re ready... I’ll wait.”

  “You’re too good to be true, Austin DuGrandpre.”

  * * *

  The world was suddenly a much brighter place as far as Austin was concerned. He was in love with a won
derful woman and getting to know his son was an amazing experience.

  Briefcase in hand, he made his way toward the elevators.

  He was soon joined by a colleague. “Graham, I heard you and Judge Walsh had words yesterday.”

  Patting his blazer pocket, he said, “My checkbook’s a little lighter as a result. It’s gonna probably cost me money every time I walk into that man’s courtroom.”

  “You might want to set aside some cash, then,” Austin responded with a grin. “I hear that he’s not the one to mess with.”

  Graham shrugged. “Walsh needs to retire. He’s been around since I was a little boy. And he was old then.”

  Laughing, the two men stepped off the elevator when the doors opened.

  Austin waved at the receptionist as he walked passed her desk. He continued through the doors, which led to the office area.

  Rochelle DuGrandpre walked out of her office, heading straight for him. He groaned inwardly.

  “Good morning, Aunt Rochelle.”

  “You know, I didn’t think you’d still be here, Austin, but I was wrong.”

  “Why did you think that?”

  “I figured your mama would’ve convinced you to go back to Dallas. Irene never liked you spending too much time with us.”

  Austin kept his temper in check. “I’m a grown man capable of making my own decisions.”

  She smiled. “You sound just like Ryker. I hope you boys understand that mothers do whatever we have to do to protect our children.”

  “It doesn’t go unnoticed, Aunt Rochelle.”

  She leaned and whispered, “You have no idea how much it pleases your father to have you here in this firm. It is a dream come true for him.”

  “It means a lot to me, as well.”

  Rochelle nodded in approval. “You have a nice day, Austin.”

  “You, too.”

  He poked his head into Jadin’s office. “Good morning...”

  “Morning,” she responded, her eyes glued to the computer monitor, engrossed in her work.

  The next office was his.

  Austin sat at his desk and opened his calendar, reviewing his appointments for the day.

  His eyes traveled the room, imagining photographs of Emery scattered around. His first-grade picture...first football team photo and a host of others. They would share many firsts together—something he never had with his father.

  The way he and Bree connected brought everything together perfectly. Austin knew she was a devoted mom—he wanted her to see him as the perfect father for Emery. This way, when everything came out, she would not feel threatened.

  * * *

  Austin entered Bree’s house, grinning from ear to ear.

  “You’re up to something. What is it?”

  He held up three tickets.

  “What are those?” Bree inquired.

  “Tickets to the Children’s Museum of the Low Country on Saturday. Have you been there?”

  “No, we haven’t. I’d planned to take Emery before the summer ended, so this is perfect.”

  She was beyond touched by his gesture.

  “Make yourself comfortable,” Bree told him. “I need to wake up Emery from his nap.”

  Austin ventured into the kitchen.

  The radio was playing softly and the table was set for three. On the counter was a slow cooker. He lifted the lid and the appetizing smell of chili wafted out.

  His stomach rumbled in appreciation.

  “What are you doing?”

  Turning around to face her, Austin responded, “I was drawn here by a tantalizing aroma. I wanted to see what it was.”

  “Or you’re just hungry.”

  He laughed. “That, too.”

  Emery ran into the kitchen.

  “Hey, buddy,” Austin greeted. “What are you up to?”

  “I was sleepin’.”

  “Little boys need a lot of rest.”

  “So I can be strong?”

  He nodded.

  “Au’tin, I happy at you here.”

  Bree felt a catch beneath her ribs at the pleasure Austin and Emery found in one another. Tears pricked at her eyelids. A deep, tearing need took her breath, and she turned back toward the slow cooker.

  Austin was almost too good to be true. She could not imagine anything more perfect than the way things were going with him. This was the first time there were no warning bells going off in her head.

  Emery picked up the television remote in the family room.

  She soon heard the familiar Spider-Man movie. Her son watched it almost daily.

  She heard footsteps in the kitchen, but didn’t turn around.

  Bree felt his arms around her and leaned into him. Austin’s nearness had an arousing effect on her. “Dinner’s ready,” she murmured, struggling to keep her focus on what she was doing.

  Chapter 9

  Austin invited Bree to join him for a charity event chaired by Eleanor DuGrandpre. When they entered the ballroom, the crowd seemed to part for her as if in a series of orchestrated moves. He had to admit that she was electrifying. Her hair, her eyes and the way her hips swayed when she walked. The hard tap of her heels against the marble floor sounded like tiny gunshots, even over the noise of the surrounding crush of people.

  They found their table and sat down.

  Eleanor walked over, plastering her best professional smile on her face. “I’m glad you two could make it. Have some champagne, look around at what our artists have to offer and enjoy yourself.”

  Austin watched his stepmother navigate through the crowd, charming men and women alike. It was obvious she loved this kind of stuff.

  “What are you doing next Saturday?” Bree inquired. “Emery’s birthday is Thursday, but we’re celebrating over the weekend. We’d love for you to join us for the party at my house.”

  “I’d love to come.” He was aware of his son’s birthday and had already purchased a gift for him.

  They moved about the room, eyeing the artwork.

  “I love this one,” Bree said. “It’s perfect for my office.”

  “I notice you seem to love landscapes.”

  She nodded. “I do. I find that they promote calmness within my clients.”

  Austin pointed to a painting hanging nearby. “This one’s nice.”

  “I like that one, too.”

  Jordin walked up to them. “Hey, you two. Found something you like?”

  “I think I’m going to bid on this one,” Bree stated. “It matches the other paintings in my office.”

  “Are you just getting here?” Austin asked his sister.

  “Yeah. Ethan’s flight was late.”

  “I’m having Emery’s party on Saturday,” Bree announced.

  Jordin exchanged a quick look with her brother. “You know I’ll be there for my sweetie.”

  “Can you believe he’s already turning three? My baby is growing up so fast.”

  Austin embraced her. “He’s still got a long way to go, babe. There may come a time when you can’t wait for him to grow up.”

  Bree shook her head. “I don’t think so. I dread the thought of him leaving me. I’m already praying he’ll choose to stay close to home when it comes to college.”

  “She’s serious,” Jordin interjected. “Bree’s been saying this since we were in school. She wants to keep her children close to her.”

  Austin took her hand. “It’s a good thing for them to leave the nest, sweetheart.”

  “I know,” she murmured. “I’m fine with them leaving—I just don’t want my children spread out all over the country. I want to host family dinners like the ones your family has.”

  He understood why Bree felt this way. She didn’t have family and while she didn’t say much about it—he knew it bothered he
r.

  She walked over to a painting a few feet away.

  “I need to find my husband,” Jordin said, looking around. “I see some pieces that would look great in our living room.”

  “Talk to you later, sis.”

  Austin joined Bree. “This is very nice.”

  “I love this one, too.”

  At the end of the evening, Austin handed his credit card to the cashier. “I’m paying for all three.”

  “You don’t have to pay for mine,” Bree said.

  “I want to do this,” he said. “I insist that you take the money and put it in Emery’s education fund.”

  “Austin DuGrandpre, you never cease to amaze me.”

  * * *

  “Au’tin, it my burtday.”

  “Happy birthday, buddy. Now, how old are you?”

  “I tree.”

  “Three years old...wow. You are such a big boy.”

  “Hey, cousin,” Ryker greeted. He gave Austin a knowing smile. “Looks like you and Bree are getting along well.”

  “We are.”

  “Emery obviously likes you.”

  “I like him, too.”

  Ryker asked in a low voice, “So, you thinking of settling down anytime soon?”

  Austin simply smiled.

  “Look at that...”

  “What are you two up to?” Jordin inquired.

  “We’re not doing anything,” Ryker answered, “Little Miss Matchmaker.”

  She broke into a grin. “Maybe I should open a dating service.”

  “Or you could come help your husband,” Ethan suggested. He was standing in the doorway. “Kai and Amya just challenged us to a dance off.”

  Austin laughed. “You might as well give up now. Have you seen them dance lately?”

  Ryker agreed. “Garland has them taking lessons and I have to admit—they’re pretty good.”

  “Honey, c’mon. Let’s go get our tails whipped. We’re a team so we have to take this hit together.”

  Jordin chuckled. “I can’t believe you’re falling for this. I know I can dance. Let’s go show these little girls how it’s done.”

  Austin looked over at Bree. “I don’t know about you, but I want to see this.”

  “Right behind you,” she murmured. “I want to check on Emery first. They’re a little too quiet in his room. Three boys...”