“No problem.” A shadow crossed Jameson’s face. “Hey, I heard about Avery’s mom. She going to be okay? Do you know?” He held out the wrap to Lucas.
“I think so. Avery’s probably at the hospital with them now. Last I heard they were running a few tests, but I don’t think it’s anything serious. She fainted yesterday.” Lucas unwound the wrap and worked it over his swollen area, careful not to wrap it too tight.
“I’m glad it’s not serious. Avery would be shattered if anything happened to them.”
“I know.” Lucas shifted in the seat, hoping to get off the subject of Avery. Not that he minded talking about her, but this was her ex, and that made it just a little too awkward.
Especially with the limbo he was in concerning Avery.
“You ready to head back?” Jameson asked, grabbing a water bottle for himself.
“Yeah. Thanks for this.” Lucas grimaced, but he managed to get his sock and shoe back on. He stood, stepping lightly on the foot.
Jameson led Lucas to his truck. On the ride back to the inn, neither said a word. Thankfully, it was a quick ride. Lucas decided he liked Jameson. He doubted that it was him in that car earlier like he’d originally suspected.
“I hope your foot gets better soon, man,” Jameson said.
“Thanks. So do I.”
Jameson pulled into the inn’s parking lot, right in front of the entrance.
“Hey, Lucas?”
Lucas had his hand on the door, poised to push it open. He turned to look back at Jameson. “Yeah?”
“Two things. One, what do you think of that Rodney character, the one that may be her biological father?”
Lucas shook his head. “Honestly, I’m not sure. He appears decent enough, but something about him ... I just don’t know.”
“Yeah, me neither. But Avery seems so happy, it’s hard to express my concerns without shattering that bubble. I’ve already caused a lot of heartache for her.”
There’s another thing the men had in common. They cared about Avery, then they broke her heart. “What’s the second thing you wanted to say?”
Jameson gave him a hard stare. “If you care about Avery, don’t break her heart. I can’t stand to see that girl so sad, so if you’re going to be with her, take care of her. I should have done better.”
It might be a little too late for that, but Lucas was not about to fill Jameson in on the latest with that. “Duly noted. Thanks again for the ride.” This time he pushed open the door and hopped out of Jameson’s truck. Once the door was closed, Jameson sped off.
Avery was a lucky woman for having so many people watching over her. Lucas wished he had at least one person to have his back.
He hobbled into the inn. Would Avery be working the front desk? He’d give anything to see her right now. As he looked around, it was that other woman, the one that seemed to follow him with hungry eyes every time he was around. Right now, she was doing it again, smiling, her gaze warm and inviting. That was one road Lucas did not want to go down. When she noticed his limp, she gasped and ran around the desk to his side. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a running injury. Do you have an ice pack or something I can use?” Just please, don’t hover all over me.
“Oh, sure. I can do that right away! Why don’t you sit down right here and I’ll bring you that ice.”
Lucas complied, only because of the pain, and waited. He kept an eye on the door, hoping for Avery’s entrance. If only he had her number. He wanted to call her, talk to her, hear her voice. Plus, he wanted to know how her mom was doing, and how things were going with her sister, or whatever that Paula woman was to her.
And then, there she was. Avery, walking through the door, distracted. Her head was down and she walked in a rushed pace. She stopped short at the sight of him. Her eyes, they were cold and emotionless when looking at him. That was a stab to the gut. Before, she’d looked at him with such passion. “What are you doing out here?”
To make matters worse, that was the moment the other woman made it back out with the pack of ice. “Here ya go, honey. Here’s that ice you requested,” she purred, handing Lucas the ice and sending a look over at Avery. “Oh hey. How’s your mom? She getting released yet?”
Avery blinked in surprise, looking from Lucas back to her again. “Um, yeah, she got released. She just has to get some rest. She’s overworked. But with her age, they wanted to make sure it was nothing more. She’s home now, and Dad is with her, so I came to check on things here.”
“Oh, that’s good.” The woman smiled at Lucas again, standing way too close. Her flowery scent filled Lucas’s nose, making him want to sneeze. Blech. Too much perfume. Why do women overdo it so much? This one seemed way too eager to get in someone’s bed. She wasn’t going to get anywhere with him, that much was for sure, but the way Avery watched them, Lucas had a feeling she thought that was the case.
Why should he care? He shouldn’t, but it didn’t mean that he didn’t. He cared about what Avery thought. He cared about Avery all together. Damn it, he hated the empty stare he received from her now. What he’d give to put a smile on her face, for her to look at him with affection. Anything but this coldness.
He deserved it, though. He’d been an ass, told her he could be trusted, and then laid a bombshell on her. What else did he expect?
Maybe once she calmed down, she’d talk to him again.
One could hope.
“What happened?” Avery asked, eying the ice.
“I went for a run this morning and had an interesting chase,” Lucas said simply. He wasn’t about to get into details with other ears listening. Avery’s brows climbed, but said nothing.
“Want me to help you to your room?” Alice asked.
“Uh, no. I’m good. Thank you for the ice.” Lucas stood, holding the pack in his hands.
“Anytime, sugar. Just let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.” She winked, then walked back to the desk.
Avery’s face twisted into a disgusted frown.
“Avery-” He started, but she lifted a hand and cut him off.
“I can’t now, Lucas. I’ve got a million things to do.”
“We have to talk about this some time.” He gripped the pack so hard, he thought he’d squeeze the contents right out of it.
“Actually, we don’t. I think we said all of it this morning.” Her tone dripped with ice. She faced him with rounded, furious eyes.
“You might have, but I still have plenty to say. But fine. I’ll let you be. I’m not going anywhere, Avery. I can’t undo things, but damn it, I still care about you.” With that, Lucas hobbled off, leaving Avery behind.
Right now, there wasn’t much more he could do. He needed to let her cool off.
He was not about to give up.
Chapter Fifteen
“Looks like a pretty intense conversation between you an’ Lucas,” Alice smirked.
If she could get away with it, Avery would smack that look right off the woman’s face. How sickening, for her to throw herself at every young guy. Why couldn’t they hire better helpers here?
So, you must still care if you’re fuming over Alice hitting on Lucas.
No. No I don’t care.
Lie! Outright lie!
Great. Now she was arguing with herself. And to top it off, lying.
She cared. She cared a lot. That didn’t stop the hurt or anger, but she couldn’t shake Lucas off that easily.
“So what? Don’t listen in on other conversations. I think you’ve caused enough drama lately,” Avery snapped, tossing her purse on the desk with a loud thump. Alice actually jerked back like Avery had hit her or something.
Whoa. So the girl deserved to be yelled at, but it didn’t mean Avery should have done so.
“Sorry. I’m a little on the agitated side. So much going on.”
“Well you don’t have to take it out on me.” Alice huffed haughtily.
“And I just apologized for doing it! Look, Greg is
coming in later with a new trainee. If you have things under control, I’m going to check a few other things and then get home to Mom and Dad. Call the land line if you need anything.”
Avery slung her purse over her shoulder and got away from Alice as fast as she could. Her bad mood aura was evident, as she seemed to be scaring people off left and right today.
“This place hasn’t changed much,” a voice said from behind her.
Avery gasped. “Oh! Paula, you scared me.”
The woman laughed, which sent her into a hacking cough. When she finally stopped, the woman grimaced. “I apparently have that ability lately.”
Avery didn’t have a response to that. She just kept walking down the hall. She needed to stop in the office for a few things and then be done for now. Hopefully, Paula wouldn’t follow her around.
It had been an interesting day, to finally meet the sister that had never been a part of Avery’s life. Paula’s attitude toward her hadn’t changed all day. She acted like a jealous sibling, hovering over Mom and Dad and trying to push Avery out of the picture. It hurt, stung, and pissed her off, but in a small way, Avery understood. Who was she to try and overstep any boundaries?
But you were officially adopted. You have every right to be there just as much as she does.
So why didn’t it feel that way?
Hot tears pricked her eyes, and she quickly pushed them away. Things were getting to be on the confusing side lately. Lucas, Rodney, Paula. The strangers kept arriving, each one having an impact on Avery’s life.
Paula still followed.
“Do you need anything?” Avery asked as calm as possible. Hopefully she pulled it off. The last thing she needed was to piss another person off. Paula already hated Avery, she didn’t need to make the situation worse.
“Not really. I just haven’t seen the inn for so long.” Paula flipped a lock of hair behind her carelessly.
Whose fault is that?
Okay, so maybe Avery had a twinge of jealousy herself. Mom and Dad were over the moon about Paula’s arrival. It was like this big old family reunion, except add a bunch of tension. Yep. That’s exactly what happened. Avery had to leave the hospital room for awhile just to clear her head and get away from it all.
The prodigal child returns, and Avery felt just a bit slighted.
“You don’t mind if I tag along, do you?” Paula looked at Avery expectantly.
Hell yes I mind!
“No, you can come along.” There wasn’t much sense in arguing or trying to ditch Paula. She seemed hellbent on following Avery around anyway. Why try to cause more problems by lashing out?
Thankfully, the next forty five minutes flew by, and Paula didn’t really get in the way.
She did, however, like to make small talk.
“I hear you’re in a band. Country music, I assume?”
Avery detected a snotty tone in Paula’s voice. Sure sounded like it. Avery ignored the tone. “Yes, country music. It’s what we love best.”
“I see.” Paula nodded. The look of disapproval on her face sent a fire igniting in Avery’s chest. Who was this woman to waltz in here and look down her nose at everyone and everything?
Oh, that’s right. Her ... sister. Adopted or not, Paula was family.
As much as Avery would have enjoyed siblings growing up, she had a feeling she and Paula had no common ground and would probably not have gotten along. How sad, because family was so important. Obviously not to Paula, if she ran off at seventeen without a backwards glance at her mom and dad. Yeah, so maybe she talked to them, what, once a year? What was that? And now, she chose this time to visit? Change of heart, maybe? Paula wanted to make amends before it got too late? Whatever it was, the problems weren’t Avery’s business.
“Are you finished yet?” Paula yawned, fidgeting around the office.
Avery’s head snapped up from the papers she was looking at. “You don’t need to stick around. I’ve got a few things to tend to for Mom and Dad, then I want to get back home.”
Paula snorted.
Fury built up and spilled over the top. “What is your problem with me?” Avery slammed the folder shut. She wasn’t going to get any work done now, anyway. Narrowing her eyes, she waited for a response. This ought to be good. She couldn’t hold it in any longer. Paula had an attitude that needed a major adjustment.
“What are you, the good girl? Doing every little thing Mommy and Daddy ask? Staying in their good graces because at anytime, their real daughter could come back and take your little dream away?” Paula spat, slamming her hand on the desk and meeting Avery’s stare.
“Excuse me?” Avery jumped to her feet. It would be wrong to slap this woman right now, wouldn’t it? Instead, Avery balled her fists and kept them at her sides.
“You heard me. What do you stay around for? You think there’s money invested here or something?”
“You’re really something, aren’t you? Coming back around and throwing judgments at everyone, looking down your nose at everyone from your high and mighty pedestal. What’s your problem with me? What’s your problem in general?”
Paula’s eyes grew narrow, her nostrils flared. “My problem is you.”
“Why, because your parents had the heart to take in an abandoned child, especially while hurting by the abandonment of their own? So that’s my fault I was left in a strange town, no parents to be found? Yes, I totally planned that. I was the smartest baby ever, came with a talking mode and plotted my way into their lives. Yeah, that’s me.” If Avery didn’t get out of here now, Paula would end up getting slapped. Avery wasn’t a violent type at all, but Paula pushed all those buttons without hesitation. She grabbed her purse and made her way around the desk, passing right by Paula.
“Don’t run out of here! I’m talking to you!” Paula screeched, making a grab for Avery.
“Don’t you dare touch me! You’ll do right by leaving me alone, okay? I don’t need your drama. I’ve done absolutely nothing to you, and you are acting like a world class bitch!”
Avery didn’t give Paula time to react. She yanked her arm from Paula’s grasp and stormed out of the office, eager to get as far away as possible.
Wouldn’t you know it, when Avery reached the dining room, she pummeled full force into a body, a male body. To make matters worse, that male body belonged to Lucas, and he couldn’t stop her. They ended up falling on the ground, her landing on top of him. They both cried out an oomph!
“You have this habit of running right into me,” Lucas joked, pushing her gently off him. “You okay? Avery, you’re almost in tears. What’s wrong?”
Avery got to her feet as quick as possible. “I’m sorry, Lucas. I wasn’t paying attention.” Now, of all times, she did not need to face him, either. Why, fate, why? The universe surely had a sick sense of humor.
Lucas stood to his full height, towering over her. He held something in his hand. The ice pack.
Oh, shit, his ankle!
“I hope I didn’t hurt your foot any more than it already is.”
He shook his head. “It’s fine. Right now I’m more concerned about you.”
Right. Sure he was.
“I’m fine. I need to go.” Avery glanced behind her to the hallway where she’d just come from.
“What are you running from? It’s more than just not wanting to talk to me.” Lucas grabbed Avery’s hand. “Hey.” Lucas lifted her chin so she had to look directly at him.
“How do you keep doing this? Driving me crazy, lying, but yet you’re still right there in my face,” Avery whispered. She so didn’t want to give into Lucas right now. She was still so pissed at him, but an ally right now would be nice. Someone to talk to, someone to help her understand. Right now, Avery felt so out of place.
“You’re as white as a ghost, honey. Why don’t we sit?”
“No, I- I need to get out here-” Paula could walk through that hall at any second. Wait a minute. She should have already been out. What was she doing in that office anyway? I
t wasn’t the smartest idea to leave her in there. Who knows what she would do? Avery didn’t trust her. Even if she was Mom and Dad’s daughter.
Then, there she was. Paula, strutting through the hall way, a cigarette dangling from her mouth.
“You can’t smoke in here!” Avery protested.
“It’s not even lit. It’s just in my mouth, so don’t get all high and mighty, okay?” Paula snapped, pulling the tube from her mouth. She shot a disgusted look at Avery. “When did you become the smoke police?”
What an infuriating woman. Avery kept her frustration at bay. Of all the nerve!
“Don’t worry, Princess, I’m going outside to smoke. Then I’m going back to the house to spend time with my parents.” Paula made sure to emphasize that.
Avery scowled at Paula’s retreating back. “For a woman her age, she sure acts like a child.”
“Is that what’s got you so upset? What did she say?” Lucas’s breath tickled Avery’s neck, he stood so close. Avery almost took comfort in his presence. Almost.
“What didn’t she say?” Avery sighed, sinking into a chair. She needed to go home, but a large part of her didn’t want to. It wasn’t right, to avoid Mom when she needed her, but the thought of sharing a room with Paula ... well, that was less than appealing. Avery drew in a breath, attempting to calm her nerves. Her heart raced.
“Take a deep breath,” Lucas instructed, sliding an arm around her shoulders.
Avery didn’t have the strength to push him away. Part of her knew that she didn’t want to. She did as she was told, took in a breath, and exhaled slowly. The tension seemed to lessen as she took in and released a series of deep breaths.
“Better?” Lucas prodded gently.
Avery nodded. “I’m okay now. Thank you. I- I’d better get back to the house. I want to check on Mom, and let them know everything is running smooth here tonight.” At least one thing went right this evening. Everyone was where they should be. The intoxicating scent of dinner for the guests filled the room. Alice was handling the front desk.
“Okay. Hey, can we please talk later? I don’t like this uncleared air between us.” Lucas caressed her shoulder. Damn him and his touch. “I want to make it right, Avery.”
Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) Page 14