Page 36 of Close to Heaven

Twelve

The image of Jax in a towel accompanied Avery in and out of every store in Pigeon Forge. In the candle store, every scent reminded her of him: woodsy, clean, spicy. In the clothing store, when she was trying on jeans, she imagined him standing there, watching her, and wondered if he liked what he saw. When she purchased a camo-print bra and panty set, Dakota looked at her like she was nuts.

“Wouldn’t you rather buy something pink and lacy instead?” Dakota said.

“I own plenty of pink and lacy. I feel like trying something different.” Avery couldn’t tell her the real reason, that she hoped Jax might see her in them someday.

She also dragged Dakota into an outdoor store, where she bought a few flannel shirts, hat, gloves, and a good pair of hiking boots.

“Wow. You’re really getting back to your roots,” Dakota commented as they walked out of the store.

“Well, if I’m going to be here a while, I needed a few more things.”

Dakota appeared to accept Avery’s explanation, but she sent a few curious glances her way.

Before they’d left to go shopping, Avery had tried calling Trevor. He hadn’t answered (no big surprise), but she’d left him a message stating they needed to talk. Now that she’d decided to break up with him, she wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. The sooner it was done, the sooner they could both move on.

“What did Jax say about the breakfast?” Dakota asked.

When Avery had returned from his cabin, Dakota had been in the shower, and Avery had been relieved. Her cheeks were still flushed from seeing Jax half-naked, and she hadn’t been ready to face his sister.

“He thought it looked good and thanked me for bringing it.”

“Seemed like you were gone for a while.”

Avery shrugged. “We talked about his hike, and I was petting Smoky.”

“Isn’t he so cute?”

Avery wrinkled her brow. “Jax or Smoky?”

“Smoky, not my brother!” Dakota said.

Avery laughed. Cute didn’t begin to describe Jax anyway. Rugged, strong, and sexy were a few words that leaped to mind. She could still see his broad chest with the trail of dark hair down the middle, his arm muscles flexing as he reached overhead, the towel dipping dangerously low. She imagined a dozen scenarios where the towel came undone and revealed what was underneath. Then he’d pick her up, cradle her in his arms, and carry her upstairs to his bedroom. It would probably never happen, but a girl could dream.

“We should probably head over to my dad’s now,” Avery said as they climbed back into the Jeep.

“Yeah, especially since there’s no room for any more packages,” Dakota teased.

The backseat was filled with bags, but in her defense, Avery really did need more clothes for the upcoming winter season. She could just imagine sitting by the fireplace in her cozy cabin, bundled up in one of her new flannel shirts, and sipping coffee. She could envision Jax and Smoky there too, but maybe, instead of a flannel, Jax was only wearing a towel…

After a few moments of quiet, Dakota broke into Avery’s thoughts. “Are you thinking about Trevor?”

If she only knew. “I wish he would call me back so I can get this over with.”

“You probably won’t be surprised, but I think you’re doing the right thing.”

“I figured you’d say that.”

“I never thought he was the right one for you. You deserve better.”

Avery almost told her that Jax had said the same thing, but she kept her mouth shut.

“Break-ups are never easy, though.” Dakota turned her gaze out the window.

About a year ago, Dakota had gone through a bad break-up, and she hadn’t dated much since. It reminded Avery that she wasn’t the only one with man troubles.

When they turned off the main highway and onto the two-lane road leading toward Townsend, Dakota’s phone beeped. She immediately plucked it out of her purse, glanced at it, and smiled.