Carter huffed.
Dusty handed Avery a cup as though he’d purchased the drink. The guy smiled at her as if he were aiming at a ten-point buck, ready to pull the trigger.
Carter’s blood ran cold and then hot. His cousin would never push himself on a woman who wasn’t interested, but…
No, just no.
Dusty going out with Avery wasn’t happening.
Not on Carter’s watch.
Hands clenched, he marched over to the pair.
“Well, it’s nice meeting you, Avery,” Dusty said with a charming tilt of his head to show off his dimple.
She stepped away. Her walls weren’t going up, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Given her history, Carter wasn’t surprised.
She stared at her cup. “Thanks for the coffee.”
So Dusty had bought the drink. Why?
Dusty winked. “Just paying it forward with a random act of kindness.”
With the most beautiful woman to step foot in Quinn Valley? Yeah, right. Carter nearly laughed. Not believing that for a second, he cleared his throat.
“Carter.” Dusty raised his cup at him. “Good to see you, man.”
“Sorry I took so long, Avery.” Her expression showed she trusted Carter and was happy to see him. His heart thudded. “I hope you didn’t have to wait too long.”
“I kept her company,” Dustin said. “Being friendly is what Quinn Valley is all about. You should stick around town longer, Avery. Lots to see and do here. Isn’t that right, Carter?”
Instead of answering, she drank.
“Avery has other places to be.” Carter searched her face but only saw relief. “Ready to go?”
Carter hoped she was because he wanted to deck his cousin for flirting with…
Avery wasn’t his girl.
They were friends.
But how Carter felt now went way beyond friendship.
He was jealous.
Pure and maybe not so simple.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this way. What was going on? And why?
“Carter?” Avery asked.
Her voice shook him out of his thoughts. “Yes?”
“I’m ready to go.”
“See you two around.” A smug expression formed on Dusty’s face, one the women in town called gorgeous, but Carter didn’t get the appeal. “Be careful, cousin. They’re dropping like flies around here.”
Dusty meant the Quinn cousins who were falling in love, but Carter ignored him and followed Avery outside.
“Did you get what you needed?” Avery asked once they were in the truck.
“Yes.” He pulled into the parking lot of Ciran’s taco truck. Carter needed a few minutes to settle the unfamiliar emotions flowing through him before he made the drive to the farm. “Let’s grab food. We can eat on the way home.”
Even though it was winter and cold, there was still a line to order, but it went fast. He went with his usual—carne asada and an order of sopapillas.
After receiving their order, Carter still felt off-kilter, but not enough that he couldn’t drive safely.
In the truck, Avery placed the bag with her two tacos on her lap. She bit into one—chicken if he wasn’t mistaken.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“Delicious,” she said. “Not bad for Idaho.”
“Ciran used to live in Texas.”
“That explains it.” She motioned to Carter’s tacos. “You’re not eating.”
“I will soon.” Carter had no appetite. He had too many thoughts running through his head—like whether he and Avery could be more than friends. If he could ask her to stay longer or come back because she might be the kind of partner he needed on the farm…forever. “I want to focus on the road in case of black ice.”
“You never ordered a drink at Fresh Brew.”
“I’m fine.” Except his tone was brusque. He sighed. She didn’t deserve that. Maybe if he said what was on his mind… “I hope Dusty didn’t bother you at the coffee shop.”
She lowered her taco. “Your cousin is a big flirt.”
At least she recognized that. Most people around here knew how Dusty acted. “The biggest in town. Though women don’t seem to mind.”
“I didn’t ask for his attention. I shut him down fast.”
Carter hated how defensive she sounded. “I know my cousin. I never thought you did.”
“This happens to me all the time. I wish it would stop.” Avery sounded as frustrated as Carter felt. She stared out the window. “All I was doing was standing in line behind Dusty. I didn’t notice him. He paid for my coffee without my knowledge. If he’d asked to do that, I would have said no, but thanks.”
Knowing that was a huge relief, but Carter still couldn’t explain his reaction…his jealousy. “Dusty can afford a coffee.”
Her tacos seemingly forgotten, Avery angled toward Carter. Well, as much as the seat belt allowed. “Are you okay?”
Was he? Carter wished he knew. “I didn’t like seeing Dusty flirting with you.”
She sighed. “I handled him.”
“You shouldn’t have to handle any man.” Carter gripped the steering wheel. “Seeing that made me…”
“Jealous.”
He nodded, even though she hadn’t asked a question. “I’m sorry. I know we’re not… I shouldn’t…”
A beat passed. And another.
She faced forward. “It’s…fine.”
Except that wasn’t how she sounded. Her voice was tense, and her posture stiff. Carter wished none of this had happened. He had no idea how to deal with the emotions knotting his insides.
Why was he feeling this way? And what was he going to do about it?
* * *
While Carter showered, Avery went to the barn. A million thoughts ran through her head, but they centered on one thing. One person.
Carter.
She opened Mercury’s stall window so he could stick his head out. “You’ve enjoyed being on the farm. So have I.”
As she rubbed his neck, Mercury leaned into her.
“You’ve made friends with Rain and Cooper. They’ll miss you.”
Mercury snorted.
“I have a new friend in Carter. I’ll miss him.” Emotion tightened her throat. “I like him as more than a friend.”
Mercury’s brown eyes met hers.
“He’s everything I dreamed of finding in a man. Well, other than being a client. But my job with him is almost over, and I don’t know what to do. I thought Carter was different, but then he had to get jealous over his cousin buying me a coffee. As if I’d be taken in by an attractive guy’s flirting.”
Mercury nudged her.
“I know.” She petted him. “It’s just, if Carter acts like this and we’re not even dating, what would happen if we were a couple? I’m afraid he’s the same as everyone else I’ve come across. That means nothing would work out because I’ll end up having to leave.”
A pressure built in her chest, and she had to force air into her lungs.
“I guess I wanted to believe he wasn’t the same as the others. Now that I realize he is, I’m…disappointed.”
She hugged Mercury.
“But it’s okay.” It had to be. “I’m a little sad, but I have you. That makes everything better.”
Or would. Eventually.
As Avery held onto her horse, tears stung, but she blinked them away.
“Avery?” Carter asked.
She stepped away from Mercury. “Hey.”
No smile or dimple on Carter’s face. He looked tired. “You okay?”
Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Missing Mercury?”
Another nod. “I haven’t been out here to talk to him today.”
“He likes that.”
“So do I.”
Carter came closer. “We’re friends, right?”
“Of course,” she answered quickly.
“An
d as long as you’re working here, anything more is still off the table.”
That took her by surprise. “Are you asking?”
“Clarifying,” he said finally.
Earlier today, she would have wanted to be more than friends because of how her affection for him kept growing. Now she wasn’t sure. “Nothing has changed.”
He exhaled. Loudly.
“It’s for the best,” she added, as much for her sake as his.
Avery needed to figure out how she was feeling about him. She kept wanting to believe he wouldn’t treat her as the others in the past had, but she hadn’t known him long. His jealousy bothered her. Sent up a red flag. Were her feelings for him even real?
He rocked back on his heels. “I understand.”
But Carter didn’t sound happy about it. She wasn’t happy, either.
Maybe her leaving was a good thing after all.
CHAPTER TWELVE
As Carter worked in the barn on Thursday morning, he couldn’t stop thinking about Avery. None of his thoughts had anything to do with farming or consulting, but on the woman herself and tomorrow—the day her time with Quinn Organics would officially end.
He should be thinking about his expansion plans. Instead, all he could picture was Avery with Dusty. The problem wasn’t his flirtatious cousin. The problem was Carter.
He didn’t want Avery to be with another guy.
Carter wasn’t a caveman type. Far from it, but something about her made him want to stake his claim in front of the entire town.
Resting against the pitchfork, he wiped his forehead with his gloved hand. Carter still couldn’t remember the last time he’d been jealous. Oh, he’d admit to being envious a time or two when someone local showed off their shiny new Kubota tractor or he heard about a lucky ticketholder winning the billion-dollar Powerball jackpot. But he hadn’t been on speaking terms with the green-eyed monster until yesterday.
Until Avery.
Now he didn’t know what to do about it.
Or her.
He could call his sisters or brothers, but they’d been sending texts and leaving voice mails ever since that dinner at Quinn’s. Ones Carter had been ignoring. He appreciated their well-meaning support and intentions, but he needed more. Something to help him figure out what he was feeling toward Avery and what he should do about it.
One person who might be able to help sprang to mind.
His cousin, Riley.
She was an energy healer. Carter had no idea what she did exactly. She had clients, though, even in a town the size of Quinn Valley. He didn’t need healing, but maybe she had some kind of magic up her sleeve when it came to useful advice.
Calling her was worth a shot.
Carter leaned his pitchfork against the barn wall before pulling out his cell phone. A quick scroll through his contacts brought up Riley’s number.
He glanced at his horse. “I hope I don’t regret this.”
Cooper snorted.
“Not sure what that means, but I’m going to assume you’re saying ‘go for it’.” He pressed the call button.
One ring. Two.
“Thank goodness it’s you,” Riley said without a hello. “We must be on the same wavelength because I was going to call you today.”
Wavelength aside, a rock settled at the bottom of his stomach. “Is your dad okay?”
Last year, his uncle Bob had needed a stent installed due to a blocked artery, but things had been going well since then. Or so Carter had thought.
“He’s fine,” Riley replied to his relief. “But I’ve been hearing stories about the beautiful woman staying at your place. I need details.”
His stomach unclenched. “Stories, huh?”
“You know this town.”
“And our family.”
She laughed. “So spill.”
Carter told his cousin about hiring a consultant and what had happened since Avery arrived on the farm. He left nothing out, because if Riley thought he was holding back, she would drag everything out of him.
“Needless to say,” he continued. “I’m confused. I’m not sure what to think, feel, or do. Things are now weird between us. I’ll be honest, part of me is afraid she’ll leave tomorrow. But the other part is afraid she might want to stay.”
Silence filled the line.
“Riley?” he asked.
“I’m here. I was just thinking.”
“At least one of us is.”
“You called me. That means your brain is still functioning. Though the fact you didn’t call one of your brothers or sisters tells me your level of desperation.”
“I…” He was about to disagree but couldn’t. “You’re the first person who came to mind.”
“I’m honored.” Pride filled her voice. “I believe confusion is your issue, and I have a suggestion, if you’re open to it.”
“I’m open to anything that might help me.”
“Are you sure?” she asked. “You’re so practical, grounded in the earth and what you can see or touch.”
“That’s because I’m a farmer.”
“Well, this will mean stepping out of your comfort zone and paying a visit to Earth Mother.”
“Huh?”
“Our grandmother is right. You don’t get to town often enough.” Riley sighed. “Earth Mother is a shop at the end of Main Street. It’s located in the old purple Victorian.”
Carter gasped. “That’s not out of my comfort zone. That’s an entirely new dimension. The owner Ambrosia—”
“Is a kind, sweet woman.”
“She sells magic potions and who knows what else.”
Riley giggled. “You’ll be able to see for yourself what she sells.”
“I—”
“You want clarity with Avery, right?”
“Yes.” He didn’t hesitate in answering. Clarity regarding the situation would go a long way.
“Then ask Ambrosia for a clear quartz.”
“That will help?”
“A little too woo-woo for the practical farmer?”
“I haven’t said no.” Yet. He wasn’t one to fall for the woo-woo mumbo-jumbo that was peddled to tourists visiting the hot springs, but he had to do something to get the cowgirl out from under his skin. He would have to trust Riley on this. “So… clear quartz?”
“Yes.” Riley sounded like she was smiling. Smugly, no doubt. “I’ll text you on how to cleanse your crystal. Do that as soon as you buy it, or the stone won’t work correctly.”
The hair on the back of his neck stood up. He didn’t want to know. “Thanks.”
That afternoon, Carter drove into town while Avery worked on one of her many spreadsheets. He parked on the opposite side of the street from the big purple Victorian. The expansive front bay window contained crystals and jewelry. The window probably sparkled when the sun wasn’t hidden behind gray clouds. Avery might enjoy seeing that.
He eyed the door to Earth Mother with mixed emotions. If he didn’t do this, Riley would never let him live it down. Plus, he did need clarity.
What did he have to lose?
As Carter entered the shop, the strong scent of incense surrounded him. He closed the door behind him. The place was jam-packed with things on shelves, hanging from the walls, and in floor displays.
Was that a cauldron of wands? He decided to move on and not touch anything, given he wasn’t sure what most items were.
“Welcome to Earth Mother. I’m Ambrosia,” a smiling woman in her thirties greeted him from the opposite side of the counter. “You’re brand new to us.”
“Uh, hello.” Was the woman telepathic? Or did he look that out of place? Probably the latter. “Riley, my cousin, sent me here. Said I needed a crystal. A clear one to give me clarity.”
As Ambrosia studied him, her gaze seemed to pierce into his soul. Uncomfortable at being scrutinized that way, Carter shifted his weight between his feet. It didn’t help.
“Riley Quinn knows what she’s talking about. She sent you t
o the right place.” Ambrosia disappeared beneath the counter before reappearing with a small container. She dug through it until she pulled out a crystal. “This is exactly what you need.”
Relief flowed through him. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” She rang up the sale. After he paid, she handed him the crystal in a small bag. “I included directions on how to cleanse the crystal. It’s an important step you must not skip.”
“I won’t.” Feeling totally out of his element, he clutched the bag. “Riley mentioned that, too.”
“Don’t worry.” Ambrosia’s gaze rested on him once more. “Everything is going to be okay.”
An image of Avery popped into Carter’s mind. He sure hoped so.
* * *
Sitting at this desk was the last place Avery wanted to be. The numbers on the computer monitor kept blurring. She wasn’t tired, but she was preoccupied. She should have gone to town with Carter, except she’d been worried he was getting too close and thought she’d needed distance. But now…
“I hate being alone.”
As if on cue, Ruff nudged her leg. She bent to pet him. “Sorry, boy. I forgot you were with me.”
The dog stared up at her with pure adoration, her momentary lapse about him completely forgiven and forgotten.
“I wish everyone could be as forgiving as you.”
A knock sounded.
Carter’s grandmother had been by. Must be another one of the many Quinn relatives, not a sibling since they hadn’t walked in.
With Ruff at her side, Avery shuffled to the door in her sock-covered feet and opened it.
A thirty-something woman with two kids stood on the porch. “Hi, I’m Heather Shulman, Carter’s cousin. These two are Sophie and Sean. We’re here to pick up our eggs.”
The girl looked to be around eight or nine based on the kids she’d seen taking riding lessons in the past. The boy had middle-schooler written all over him. “There are so many Quinns.”
“Yes, there are. We’re from the McIver branch,” Heather explained. “Libby, my mother, was the second oldest of the five Quinn siblings.”
Ruff nudged her leg and then stared at the three standing on the porch.
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