Page 54 of Searching for Love

ChapterEighteen

Over the next couple of days, Lucas stuck close to his family. After taking Avery back to Pride, he returned to his mom’s place and spent a couple of nights in his old bedroom.

He wanted to spend the night with Avery again, but he knew she had things to tend to for Wyatt and Hannah’s wedding that next weekend.

Graig kept stopping by and things were growing awkward watching the man and his mother now that they’d decided to try and make their relationship work again. He liked that the man watched over his mom and Sophia, but with the guy’s hours and his duties with his daughter, he knew neither of them could watch his family full time.

He’d planned on only spending one night at his mother’s place, but in the end, he stayed for two nights.

It didn’t surprise him when his sister insisted they stay up all night to watch movies in the living room both nights.

He suggested that she switch her bedroom with his old one for a change, but she rejected the idea and kept trying to persuade their mother to sell the house and move to Pride.

When he returned home, he missed his time with Sophia. He desperately wished that his mother would at least consider buying the place in Pride, even if things started going well with Graig.

He drove by the little home again and even had Hannah let him inside once more.

“Just make an offer,” Hannah said. “I’m sure they’ll accept it. You know Todd Jordan owns all of this. He likes you, likes taking care of those who own businesses in town.”

Yeah, he knew Todd Jordan. He’d met the man and his family a few times in town. Todd had made a point to welcome him to town and told him to let him know if there was anything he ever needed. The man’s sister was the mayor of Pride.

He knew without a doubt that if he made an offer on the home, Todd would accept it. But this place wasn’t for him. It was to be for his mother and Sophia. Wasn’t it?

The more he thought about the home, the more he could see himself having a life there. A life with Avery.

Since Avery had the day off work, he spent his time training some of the new hires, including Rico, who was shaping up to be a perfect floor manager.

The sign was being installed out front but until his grand opening, which was set for the Tuesday after Wyatt and Hannah’s wedding, he wanted the name he’d chosen to remain a mystery. There was a thick dark film over the square sign that held the lettering and the logo his sister had helped him come up with.

He itched to see the sign up in its full glory but knew it would be worth the wait and the added excitement for the townspeople to hold off on the unveiling.

His mother had yet to return to work due to her injuries, and Sophia wasn’t returning to school for another few weeks. He was surprised when the pair of them walked in halfway through the day.

“This is a surprise.” He kissed both of them. “What brings you down my way?”

“I convinced Mom to let me drive her down here to look at the house,” Sophia answered excitedly.

He wouldn’t admit it but a pang of jealousy hit him square in the heart. He’d started thinking about making an offer on the home himself. Even with his furniture upstairs in the apartment, his sister had been correct. It wasn’t the home he envisioned raising a family in.

“That’s good.” He helped his mother sit down on one of the bar stools he’d purchased on his third trip to Ruby’s antique shop with Avery.

“You’ve done wonders with this place,” his mother said after sitting down. “I’m so very proud of you.”

“Thanks.” He sat down next to her. “You’re getting some color back. Your bruising is lightening up.” He touched her face.

She chuckled. “Thanks to makeup. You still look like you went toe to toe in the ring.”

He chuckled. “Oh on that note, did I tell you that I met Reece Crawford? His sister is Hannah, Avery’s brother Wyatt’s fiancée.” He took a deep breath. “Anyway, he lives in Pride.”

His mother was a huge boxing fan. They’d had a cookout to watch Reece’s big fight in Vegas the year before. The one where he’d been shot after he’d taken the title.

“I knew he lived in Pride,” his mother said. “Did you get his autograph for me?”

He chuckled. “No, but he did promise to be here on opening day. So you can ask him for one personally.”

His mother’s face turned a slight pink. “He’s very handsome.”

Lucas laughed. “Not to mention half your age and happily married now. How are you and Graig doing?” he teased. His mother waved her hand.