Out Of Focus: An Adams Grove Novel Part 40

He hugged her and put his cheek to her hair. He pulled back slightly. "I told you there was value in a country music network."

"You were right."

"People helping people, it's what country folks do," Cody said.

Scott nodded. "Couldn't be more true."

"You've done so much for me," Kasey said to Cody.

"It didn't work out so bad for me either. You know that song went gold."

"'A Mother's Love'? I didn't know. Congratulations."

"I was thinking I owed you a big thank you." He gave her a wink. "Two, really. If it hadn't been for you and our talks on tour, I never would have looked up Lou again."

"I'll never be able to thank you enough," Kasey said.

"I guess we'll be friends forever then, won't we?"

"I sure hope so. And Lou, you have a great guy here. I wish you both so much happiness."

Lou hugged Kasey. "I feel like I already know you. We'll come back. I promise."

Kasey walked them out to their car. After they drove away, she stood there staring at the sky. Among the stars, in the heavens, she knew Nick was with her. "Nick, our baby is home. Thank you for watching over us."

She went inside. Riley, Von and Scott had all moved into the living room. She sat on the couch with her arm across Jake's ankles. He looked so sweet sleeping there, without a worry in the world. He seemed to have no understanding of the drama that had been going on for all these months, and she was thankful for that.

A tear ran down her cheek. "I still can't believe he's home."

Riley snuggled against Von in the loveseat. "I don't think I've felt this happy in a long time. We are so blessed."

Scott leaned forward in the oversized leather chair. "Kasey, I need to tell you something."

"What?"

"When I got called away from the airport, it was about Jeremy?" Scott let out a long breath, then leaned in closer to her. "While he was being treated at the hospital, he...he took his own life."

Kasey opened her mouth, then shut it. She froze. "I'm not even sure how I feel about that." She blinked. "He was like family. None of it makes sense. Part of me wants to say he deserved to die, but that's wrong and I know that. I wouldn't wish that on him, or on his family." She shook her head. "I guess we won't be getting a lot of answers then."

"I know." Scott leaned toward her and rested his cheek on the top of her head. "A lot of emotions tangled up."

"Y'all are going to stay the night, aren't you?" Scott asked Von.

"Yeah. Thought I'd head back in the morning, and I think you're staying another day, aren't you, honey?" Von patted Riley's leg. She nodded.

Scott stood. "Good deal. I'm going to head on out, but I'll stop in and check on things tomorrow, if that's okay with you."

"I'd like that." Kasey got up from the couch and looked back down at Jake.

Scott gave her shoulders a squeeze. "Happy endings. Good stuff."

The next morning Jake woke up before Kasey. She'd snuggled up on the couch with him, unwilling to let even a room separate them.

"Mommy! We're at the surprise house."

"Jake?" His shouting scared her to a sitting position. She relaxed a bit when she saw the smile on his face. "Yes. We're at the surprise house." She'd almost forgotten the whole surprise regarding the house.

Jake's little mouth formed an O. "Me and Daddy made it."

"I know. I love it."

Von came out from the guest room in a jog, with Riley at his heels. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah." Kasey smooched Jake's tiny fingers. "We're good. Sorry we woke you up."

Von bent over and opened his arms to Jake. "Where's my buddy?"

Jake giggled and ran toward Von, full-speed. Von caught him and airplaned him around. "Vrrrrroooooom."

Jake laughed so hard he hiccupped.

Von set him down and Riley slapped Von on the b.u.t.t. "No horsing around in the house, boys. Anyone hungry?"

Von and Jake both raised their hands. "Me. Me," they yelled.

"I gotcha covered." Riley disappeared into the kitchen.

Soon the smell of bacon to wafted into the living room.

Kasey called to Riley. "Need my help?"

Riley leaned into the living room with a dishtowel over one shoulder and a spatula in her hand. "You're kidding, right? I know how you cook. You stay right where you are."

Kasey twirled her hair and flopped back on the couch. "Works for me."

Ten minutes later, Riley banged a spoon against a plate and yelled into the living room. "Breakfast's ready. Come and get it."

Kasey and Von each grabbed one of Jake's hands and ran into the kitchen, swinging Jake through the doorway.

"Awwwww." Kasey's head tilted as she spotted the plate of pancakes on the table. "Heart shaped pancakes. Aren't you just a regular Martha Stewart?"

"It is Valentine's Day." Riley walked over to Von, slung the dishtowel around his neck and pulled him to her for a kiss. "Be mine?"

He hugged her tight. "Better believe it. You're my Sweet-tart, sweetheart."

Kasey sat at the table and took a bite of the pancakes. "These are tasty." She took a sip of coffee. "I can't believe I almost let Valentine's Day sneak by."

Riley twirled her fork in the air. "You've had a little bit going on, my friend."

Kasey wrinkled her nose at Jake. "Yeah. Good stuff."

Jake chomped on his pancakes. "My favorite." He took another bite and swung his feet. "Hey, Mommy?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

He tilted his head. His lips glistened from the sticky syrup "Am I your valentine?"

"My very favorite valentine."

"Good." He grinned, then dug back into his pancakes.

Von finished his breakfast, then got ready to head home. Riley walked him out to the SUV while Kasey helped Jake up to the kitchen sink to wash the syrup from his hands.

"h.e.l.lo," Scott yelled from the front door. "Kasey? Riley said you and Jake were in here."

"In the kitchen," she answered.

Jake jumped down and ran to greet Scott. "Hi."

"Good morning, Scott," Kasey said.

"Bet you slept good."

"Best night in a long, long time."

"I brought you something. Sort of a welcome home present for Jake."

"You didn't have to do that."

He lifted a shoulder. "I wanted to. I hope you don't mind. It's out in the car. Can y'all come outside?"

"Sure." She took Jake's hand and followed Scott out to the porch. Riley waved to Von as he backed out the driveway.

Scott put his hand up to stop Kasey and Jake. "Stay right there."

They stopped. Riley joined them. "What's going on?" she asked.

"Scott said he has a present for Jake."

Scott opened the pa.s.senger door of his truck, then leaned over, disappearing behind the open door.

"What's he doing?" Riley asked.

"Who knows?" Kasey stood on her tiptoes, trying to see.

A little golden puppy pranced out from around the truck, across the yard. A huge silk bow, with pink and red hearts on it, tripped her up about every fourth step. The pup paused, twisted, then nipped at the huge floppy bow.

"Mommy!" Jake ran across the yard and knelt in front of the puppy. He placed his hand flat on the puppy's back and stroked her. "He's soft. Does he have a name?"

"He's a she." Scott looked up and locked eyes with Kasey. "Her name is Shutterbug. She likes getting her picture taken."

"That's a funny name." Jake looked up at Scott. "My mommy loves clicking pictures."

"I've heard that about her."

The puppy flipped her long pink tongue out to kiss Jake. He laughed and fell back on the ground. There must have been syrup on his face, because Shutterbug licked Jake's face making him wiggle and twist away, which only encouraged Shutterbug.

"She's so funny," Jake said. "Mommy, come see her."

Scott gave an innocent look. "Shutterbug needs a home, and I thought you might need someone, too. Is it a good match?"

"Mommy, can we keep her?"

Kasey smiled at Scott. "You don't play fair. You know she's my favorite one."

"You could say you'll love her and give her a good home."

Kasey bent down and picked up the puppy. "Oh, I do love her." She snuggled Shutterbug. "So sweet."

"She's adorable," Riley said.

Kasey squatted next to Jake. "I had to leave Dutch at the old house. He was too old to make the move, and he likes being a farm dog with his old friends. Do you think Shutterbug could live with us?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'll take good care of her. I promise."

Kasey turned to Scott. "How can I say no to that? Thank you. The puppy was a thoughtful gift."

"She's Jake's present. I have something for you, too," Scott said.

Just then, a car pulled into the driveway. Kasey recognized the vehicle. "That's Chaz."

Chaz got out of his truck and walked toward them. "I heard there was reason to celebrate today." He handed Kasey a foil-covered plate.

"You heard right," she said, grinning. Her cheeks hurt from smiling.

"Seems like every time I run into one of you, the other is around." Chaz gave them a knowing look, wagging his finger between Scott and Kasey. "That's good. Real good."

Jake glanced over. His eyebrows shot straight up when he recognized Chaz.

Chaz waved to him.

"Mr. Hucktabeeeeee," Jake yelled as he ran toward him. "Mommy knows about the secret."

"I know." Chaz said.

Jake put his hands on his hips. "Did you tell?"

"No. Not until we were supposed to."