Page 24 of Close to Heaven

His face had gone blank, so she filled in the name. “Trevor.”

“Right. Maybe you could date one of them.”

She shook her head. “That will never happen.”

“Why not?”

She’d lost interest in eating and pushed her plate away. There were so many reasons, but she settled on the simplest. “I work for them,” she said as if that would be enough of an explanation.

“Who cares? Workplace romances happen all the time.”

“Have you been watching The Office again?” she teased.

He chuckled, but he didn’t answer, and she wondered if he’d forgotten about one of his favorite shows.

“Besides, I don’t think Dakota would approve of me dating one of her brothers.” They’d jokingly discussed it a few times, and Dakota had scrunched up her nose like the thought was revolting.

“Far as I know, they’re both single, right?” Carl said as if she hadn’t even spoken.

“Um-hmm.” Cody was too much of a player for her taste, which left Jax. Even if she were interested, which she wasn’t, she would never date one of Dakota’s brothers.

“I’ll clean up and box the leftovers,” she said, standing abruptly.

“I can do it,” Carl said.

“Please, Dad. Let me help you.”

They eyed each other for a moment, and then Carl nodded. “Okay, then.”

He went back to the dining room table and immersed himself in the puzzle while Avery cleaned up and took care of the leftovers. She also added soda to the grocery list on her phone so she could bring some over on her next visit.

Afterward she joined him at the table and helped put in some puzzle pieces. They were quiet for quite a while until Carl broke the silence.

“Shouldn’t you be getting home?”

“It’s not that late.”

“Maybe not for you, but it is for me.”

She knew better than to argue. She pushed back her chair and stood. “Is it okay if I bring Dakota by to see you this weekend?”

“Dakota?”

Had he forgotten who she was already?

“Why would she want to see me?”

Whew. He remembers her. “She’s staying with me this weekend, and when I mentioned I’d be coming to visit you, she said she’d like to come too.”

“Hmm. Don’t you girls have anything better to do?”

“Dad.”

“Fine, but only if you promise not to stay too long.”

She smiled. “Why, do you have a hot date or something?”

“Yeah, with Pam from The Office.”

She burst out laughing. Maybe he remembered more than she thought. Regardless, she was happy to see his wit was still intact.

A few minutes later, as she was driving back to Sawyer’s Ridge, she thought back on the evening. Other than a few little blips, Carl had seemed much like his usual self. His puzzle hobby was new, but she was glad to see him occupied, and if it helped slow down the progression of the disease, all the better.

What had struck her the most were his comments about Trevor and the Sawyer boys. Her dad had only met Trevor a few times, but he’d formed a less-than-favorable opinion of him. Still, she was reluctant to give up on Trevor so easily. After all, she’d been the one who’d moved away, not the other way around. Shouldn’t she put forth some more effort before giving up on them? Didn’t he deserve that?

An image of Jax came to mind, but he was no boy. He was all man, complete with hard muscles, chiseled jaw, and intense stare. He oozed sex appeal, though he seemed completely unaware of it. Unlike Cody, Jax was reserved and unassuming. He kept to himself and was more at home in nature than with people. Yet he was fiercely loyal and protective of his family and employees.

Did that include her too? She flashed back to the interview and his obvious reluctance to hire her. However, after they’d gone hiking together, he’d been concerned about her walking home alone. He probably would have been the same with any woman, right? Then she recalled his expression whenever he saw Cody flirting with her at the front desk. She’d noticed the tightening of his jaw and the tension in his stance. Why did it seem like he was trying to protect her, and what was he protecting her from?

She pulled off the highway and onto the road leading to the resort and admired the mountain vista spread out before her. Despite her troubles, the mountains infused her with a sense of peace and strength. It was here that she’d find the answers, and she was suddenly extremely glad she’d come home.