by Various
Laura sniffed and smiled. “You’re the best.” Laura hiccuped.
Avery grinned. “I try.”
“No, really. You’re always calming me down when I get crazy. What would I do without you?”
“Go crazy, as I would without you. How many times have you calmed me down, especially lately?”
“So, anyway, tell me about last night.” Laura changed the subject quickly.
“Oh, the show was awesome. Rodney wants to hook us up with some music reps, and Lucas showed up. And I have this feeling he and Rodney don’t care for one another. Oh yeah, and did I mention the flowers Lucas sent?” Avery sighed, leaning back. “Can we say confused much? I don’t want to be so drawn to him, but I can’t help it. It’s more than attraction. I just don’t know how to describe it.”
Laura giggled. “I’ve seen Lucas. He’s hot.”
“Laura!” Avery exclaimed, laughing. “Yes, he is. But he’s confusing. One minute he wants me to make him feel, the next he’s pushing me away. I don’t know what to make of him. Hell, I don’t even know why he’s here.”
“But you like him. Want him.”
Avery sighed. “Yeah, I do. Is that bad? I still feel a tad guilty.”
“Why? Because of Jameson?”
Avery nodded.
“From what you’ve said, and what I’ve noticed, you and Jameson are going to be fine as friends. Don’t feel guilty for moving on. I’ve told you once, and I’ll keep saying it. Sometimes, you can’t help or understand what you feel. You just feel it. Stop letting your guilt get the better of you.”
“I’ll make a deal with you. Don’t feel guilty about being pregnant now, and I won’t feel guilty for moving on.”
Laura’s mouth fell open and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Touche. You suck, by the way.” She stuck her lower lip out in a pout. The look didn’t last long. Laura chuckled again.
Avery laughed. “No, I proved a point. You just hate that I’m right.”
“I hate you!”
“Nope. You don’t. You’ve already admitted the opposite earlier.”
Laura growled, though she did it with a smile. “I’m pregnant. I can change my mind as often as I want.”
Avery groaned. “Oh no, you’re not going to play that card. Too early!” Both women burst into giggles.
Avery checked the time. “Shoot, I need to go soon. I’ve got a shift at the inn in about an hour.” She started to gather everything and toss it in her bag.
“Thanks for coming to help.” Laura got to her feet to help Avery clean up the notebooks, folders and photo albums they had been looking at all morning.
“But of course. Well, with your news, I have a few adjustments to make to your party.” Avery winked, loving that she had the means to torment Laura a little bit about her bachelorette party.
Laura stuck her tongue out at her. “Have I mentioned you suck?” Laura stacked the books in a neat pile on the coffee table.
Avery reached for her keys from her purse. “Umm, yeah, you kinda did. But that’s what best friends are for.”
“I can’t wait until you’re getting married. Payback. That’s all I have to say. Karma, my friend.” Laura raised her eyebrows.
“Not afraid!” Avery waved. “See you later.”
On the way home, an ambulance passed her truck, sirens wailing. It didn’t take long for her to register that the ambulance appeared to be on the way to the inn. She drove a little faster, pushing just past the speed limit to find out what was happening. Dread pushed up from her gut. Her heart pounded louder, blood roared in her ears as the ambulance parked right near the entrance to the inn.
The next few motions were all a blur to Avery. She followed the paramedics inside to see what was wrong. Lucas emerged from behind the crowd of people and paramedics.
“What happened?” Avery’s knees went weak, buckling beneath her.
“Avery! I was about to call you.” He grabbed her shoulders to steady her.
“Lucas? What’s- what’s going on?” The room was spinning. This couldn’t be good. Mom or Dad? Rodney?
“Your mom, she fainted. I was coming back from grabbing a bite to eat when I saw her.”
“Fainted? Mom? Where is she? I’ve got to-” Avery couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. She tried to push past Lucas to see. “Where’s my dad? Is he with her?”
“Honey, she’s okay. She’s a little shook up, and your dad is insisting she go to the hospital. She might have hit her head, and they’re trying to make sure she didn’t break anything and that there’s no concussion.” Lucas kept a firm grip on her. “Here, come on. Be careful, let’s not get in their way. Let’s get you over to see her so you can put your mind at ease.”
Avery allowed Lucas to lead her. She didn’t realize how hard she gripped his hand until hers actually hurt from squeezing so hard. Oops. She loosened her grip. She just wanted to see her mother.
There she was. The paramedics had her on a stretcher, but Lucas was right. Mom sat up, awake, alert and looking unhappy to be on the stretcher.
“Mom!” Avery released Lucas’s hand and rushed to her. “Are you okay?”
“Avery, of course I’m okay. Your father again, insists I go to the hospital. As do these fine young men,” Mom said crossly.
“I’m going to have to agree with them, Mom. You don’t just faint for no reason,” Avery said gently, touching her mother’s cheek.
“You’re supposed to be on my side,” her mother grumbled, but she cracked a smile. “Are you going to be able to hold down the fort for awhile?”
“I- I can try. I’d like to go with you, but I know things need to be taken care of here.” There wasn’t time to call anyone in. Even if she called Alice, or anyone else, it could take up to an hour before someone arrived. Who knew how long the hospital trip would be?
It was better to handle things here.
“I’ll make sure you’re as updated as possible,” her father said, kissing Avery on the top of her head. “Hey, be happy. You won’t have to hear her grumble.”
“Ha ha, darling.” Mom swatted Dad’s backside.
“I’d appreciate that. I won’t be able to concentrate otherwise,” Avery said.
“I know. I’m sorry you’ll be stuck here. I know you just want to be with Mom and I. But we’ll be back soon, okay? I just want to get her looked over,” Dad reassured her.
“I’ll be glad to keep you company, Avery,” Lucas commented. He still held her hand, and at that moment, the gesture felt so good. Comforting.
Avery swallowed, suddenly not feeling so well. But she kept her composure. She caught her lip between her teeth, then released it. “Okay. But please, let me know everything when you can. I love you both.” She kissed her mother’s cheek, then her dad’s.
Dad nodded, as Mom grumbled again. Avery stepped back to allow the paramedics to roll her out. Avery stared at their retreating backs, helpless.
“Hey. It’ll be okay.” Lucas tipped her chin up so that she could see his face. He expressed such concern for her.
With little warning, Avery’s eyes welled up with tears. “I know that. I’m just ... I’m a wreck. There’s so much going on. I think it’s all just hitting me hard.” Avery sniffled. She had to get a grip! Right now was not the best time to fall apart. She had a job to do, especially in her parents absence. Crying was not on the agenda.
Lucas wrapped his arms around her, gathering Avery in a warm and comforting hug. She rested her head on his chest for a moment, losing herself in his embrace. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?” Lucas asked, his hand resting in her hair.
“For not running the other way when I burst into tears. For being here. For- Just for being so great.”
“I’m not that great, Avery. But you’re welcome.”
Avery sighed. “I didn’t even get a chance to change, or anything. I saw that ambulance, had a bad feeling and rushed immediately over here. And my shift is going to start in a half hour.”
>
It was going to be a long night.
The desk phone rang. Avery stared at it, cleared her throat and then reached for it to answer. A few seconds later, she frowned, hung up the phone, and sighed heavily.
And here it starts. The day just kept getting worse.
“What is it?” Lucas asked. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her the whole time.
“Well, that was our evening cook. He’s got the flu and won’t be in tonight. Our other cook is on vacation this week. There won’t be any dinner tonight for the guests.”
Of all nights for things to start falling apart, this was not the best one.
Lucas touched her shoulder. “What time does dinner need to be done by?”
Why did he want to know?
“Between six and seven.”
“Show me the ropes of what needs to be done. I’ll be your chef tonight.”
What? Lucas, be the cook tonight? But ... there really weren’t many options. “Lucas! You’re a guest! I can’t-”
Lucas put a finger to Avery’s lips. “Tonight, I’m your friend. You are in distress, and I want to help. So let’s just forget who I am right now, and let me help you. Okay?”
Avery could kiss him right now. Instead, she just nodded, speechless. He was coming through for her right now, and who was she to turn down help? Sure, it wasn’t a normal thing, but Avery needed tonight to run as smoothly as possible. “Okay. Come on. I’ll run you through the process.”
Despite how the beginning of Avery’s shift started, things turned out better after the first hour. She randomly checked in on Lucas, but he seemed to be holding his own just fine. Soon, Avery caught a whiff of something delicious cooking, as the aroma affected her nose. Gosh, she was hungry!
Dad called and let her know that they’d gotten her mother set in a room, but they were still waiting. Gotta love hospitals. They still had a forever waiting time. But at least her mom could lie down and rest.
“How are things going at the inn?” Dad asked.
“After a rough start, actually, things are going better. Alvin has the flu, which left us short a cook, but um, Lucas stepped in to help.” How was he going to react to Lucas cooking tonight?
“He’s a fine and helpful young man, I’m learning,” Dad said. “We must find a way to thank him for what he’s been doing for us. No guest should take on as much as he has.”
“I know. I was hesitant at first. I thought you might get upset,” Avery admitted.
“I can’t get upset if someone is kind enough to help keep things running for us. I just hope he’s not getting into more than he can handle.”
Avery laughed. “I’m sure he’s dealt with worse.”
Considering the things he’d told her in his drunken faze the other night.
“Well, I’ll let you go. Thank you, darling, for all your help. I love you.”
“I love you too, Daddy. Please give Mom a kiss for me.”
“Will do, honey. Talk to you soon.”
“Something smells heavenly!” one of the elderly guests exclaimed, coming down from the elevator. She’d been here with her husband a day or so. The woman’s blueish gray eyes were warm and friendly as she smiled.
“It does, doesn’t it? We have a new cook tonight, someone helping out.” Avery inhaled, taking in the smell. It made her mouth water.
“Well, whoever they are, I can’t wait to go in there and taste their cooking. If it tastes as great as it smells, I bet we’re in for a treat.”
“Enjoy.” Avery waved, and the woman departed into the dining room. What she wouldn’t give right now to be in that kitchen with a spoon, dipping into whatever Lucas had cooking. Her stomach growled. She needed to eat something soon, but no one was here to relieve her at the front desk for another hour. Avery sighed. Oh well. She had to settle for drooling over the scent for now.
The next hour flew by. When Alice walked in, Avery heaved a sigh of relief.
“I heard about your mom. Is she okay?” Alice asked, sliding her purse underneath the counter. She grabbed a hair clip from the strap of the purse and clipped her long black locks into a bun.
“Last I heard, they were still waiting. Mom keeps insisting she’s fine, but Dad says she will get checked out. I’m really not sure what’s going on. I know she’s been tired. But I’m guessing there’s much more to it.” Avery reached for her own purse.
“I hope she gets released soon,” Alice replied sincerely. The woman could be annoying most times, but she did care about her employers.
“Me too. I’m going to call and see if they want me to come by.”
Avery filled Alice in on all the details of the day, then headed for the kitchen to see how Lucas was holding up. From all the compliments about the food, she guessed it was a hit.
Lucas was washing pots when Avery entered the kitchen. He looked up at the sound of the door and smiled. She took in the sight of how clean everything looked, as most of the dishes were already cleaned up. “Lucas!” she exclaimed. “It looks so clean in here!”
He laughed, then feigned a wounded look. “I cook, and yes, I clean too, Avery.” He flicked a handful of soap suds at her. “Don’t sound so surprised.”
“I- Oh wow. That sounded all wrong, didn’t it?” Avery laughed. She wiped away the suds that landed on her shoulder.
“I know what you meant though. It’s all right. Hey, I saved you a plate if you’re hungry.”
Lucas dried his hands on a dish towel, then turned and pointed at the microwave. “You may want to warm it up for a minute or so.”
How thoughtful.
“Thank you, Lucas. I appreciate that, so much. I’ve been smelling the aroma for hours and wanted so badly to eat.”
She put the microwave timer on for a minute.
“I know you didn’t get a chance to do much when you got here. I just wanted to make sure you took care of yourself, too. I know you’re worried about your mom and all.”
Avery leaned in and hugged him, resting against his broad chest. “Thank you. So much. You’ve been wonderful tonight.”
His arms snaked around her, drawing her to him. “It’s the least I could do, Avery. I know I’ve been a big contradiction, driving you crazy. I’m sorry for that.”
“I think I’ll forgive you, this time,” Avery teased. She looked up in his eyes. So dark, so full of question, so ... beautiful. “I want to get to know you, Lucas.”
“I want to know you too, Avery. But if you knew more about me, I’m not sure you’d want to know anymore.”
“I can’t imagine that.” Despite his backing away when things got intense, Lucas had been there when Avery thought everything would fall apart. He didn’t have to be here right now, but he’d chosen to stay and help.
The microwave beeped then, killing the moment. She still stood holding Lucas, feeling so content in his embrace.
Lucas pulled away, returning to clean up duty. “Why don’t you eat?”
There he went again. Pulling away when they shared a close moment. Avery hid her disappointment, and opened the microwave. The pot roast, potatoes and carrots looked amazing. Her mouth watered again. Lucas handed her a rolled up napkin with utensils and smiled. “I hope you like it.”
“As a woman said earlier, if it tastes as good as it smells, I’m in for a treat.” Avery took the plate into the office, which was located behind the kitchen.
It was good. More than good. Lucas had a way in the kitchen. Wow! The meat tasted tender, soft, and moist, full of flavor. Avery practically inhaled the dinner, taking in every last bite. When she brought her plate back to the kitchen, Lucas was still there, finishing the last of the clean up. He took her plate from her.
“I can do it!” Avery protested. He’d already done much more than she anticipated. The least she could do was wash her own dish.
“It’s okay,” Lucas said, already running the water to wash it.
“Lucas, that was an amazing dinner. You impressed me. Thank you. Thank you for everything tonight. I k
eep repeating myself. I don’t think I can thank you enough.”
He turned to face her after placing the dish in the drainboard. He cracked a smile. “It beats working alone. Are you going to the hospital to see your mom?”
“I thought about it. Dad told me earlier I should just get some rest, and that he’d call me when he had more news. I want to go but-” Her voice trailed off.
“Maybe he’s got a point. I’ll walk you to the house, if you’d like.” Lucas removed the apron, his shirt lifting up when his arms raised over his head. Avery admired his chest, but quickly looked away when he watched her. “I saw that.” His brows arched in an amused look.
“So?” Avery challenged, matching his expression.
“So nothing.” Lucas advanced toward her. He reached for her hand. “I’m just giving you a hard time.”
Was he ever. In more ways than one.
“Ready to go? Is there anything else to be done?”
Yeah. Kiss me. And don’t run away.
“No. Looks like you’ve got everything handled nicely.” Avery gave the kitchen one last look. Not that she needed to. Everything was clean, organized and spotless. Her purse strap fell from her shoulders and she went to straighten it. “I’m ready. We can go the back way. It’s a shorter distance to the house.”
“Okay.”
Cool, crisp air greeted them as Avery and Lucas exited the inn. Not too bad of a night weather wise. Nearby, a twig snapped. Avery jumped. “What was that?”
“Probably an animal,” Lucas guessed. “A little jumpy tonight?”
Avery’s mind went back to that text from earlier. “Maybe a little bit.” She wasn’t fully sure why. A combination of stress and lack of sleep, maybe.
“I’ll protect you from the big bad wolf,” Lucas teased.
“Oh? So what if you’re the big bad wolf? Who’ll protect me from you?”
Lucas halted. “You think I’m the wolf, eh?”
“Well, you haven’t proved that you aren’t yet,” Avery shot back. God how he riled her. She hated how much she enjoyed it sometimes.
“I’m guessing you like the wolves then, because you liked this before.” Lucas reached for her, and his lips met hers. Avery’s heart melted. She wrapped herself into Lucas, leaning into his kisses. He tasted sensational. Each kiss drove her further over the edge.