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I’ve never seen the woman beside her, but she looks vaguely familiar. Where have I seen her before? As I take in her features, I recognize those high cheekbones and those blue eyes. Oh, no. Is that Jon’s mother? I get my answer when I see the tall, bulky guy beside her. That’s why everyone is freaking out. It’s not every day a former Cowboy shows up for our little town meeting.
I blink at my wording. This isn’t my town. I’m here trying to figure out what to do next, but I’m definitely not staying in Juniper Springs. Maybe. Like before, I’m thinking of that house as mine, and it isn’t. As it is, I might have to run away from the town to keep from kissing Jon again.
I roll my shoulders, trying to settle my mind because I need to get my thoughts in order when I see the newest person arrive. Nancy and Travis come strolling in with Jon. That has the breath backing up in my throat and my nipples pressing against my bra. How does he look so cute all the time? It’s like all he does is jump out of bed and look perfect. Me, I’m a walking disaster. I watch as his gaze moves over the crowd. I figure he’s looking for his mother.
“Oh, exciting. Jon showing up, and Carter is missing this,” Becca says with a laugh. I glance at her quickly. She’s typing out a text to Carter Hawthorne.
“What’s he looking for?” My sister asks.
“I think his mother,” I say.
“Uh, I don’t think so,” Becca says with a laugh.
I look in his direction and find him staring at me. That intense look has my whole body vibrating with excitement. Oh, damn. The buzzing in the room grows.
“Avery,” Estella says. “I want you to meet Jon’s mother and her beau.”
I smile at the old-fashioned term. Then I pop up out of my seat. “It’s nice to meet you.”
I study Jon’s mother. I see the resemblance in the high cheekbones and her smile. Her blue eyes dance with happiness. It’s hard to believe that grumpy Jon came from such a happy woman.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Avery. I’ve been wanting to meet you forever.”
“Oh?”
She laughs. “I’m on JSE. I’m also a big fan of what you’re doing for the shelter. And Nancy. I know it isn’t easy wrangling people for social media.”
“Thanks.”
“Mom,” Jon says. His mother turns and hugs him. There is genuine affection in their exchange, which melts my heart a little. I learned with my first real boyfriend that the relationship with a mom is essential to pay attention to. If you get someone like Chet, you learn a lot of things to avoid.
I notice Travis inching his way over to Ted, and I laugh.
“Avery,” Jon says.
His voice dips, slipping over the syllables. It waltzes over my nerve endings, sending a wave of heat through my body.
“Jon,” Estella says, “I understand you know Liv and her boy Sammy.”
His gaze stays on mine for one moment longer, but he then looks at my sister, the heat banking just a bit in his eyes. “Hey, Sammy, Liv.”
As Estella introduces Jon’s mom to Liv, Jon steps around that cluster to sidle up to me. “You’ve been missing most of the day.”
“I went home before the meeting. I had volunteer duty today at the shelter.”
He nods. “I saw the posts.”
Then silence. We stand there staring at each other.
“We need to talk.”
My palms are so sweaty. I’m amazed they aren’t dripping. “About what?”
He cocks his head and studies me for a long moment before saying, “You’re denying what happened?”
“Hmm.” I’m not trying to be coy. I really can’t come up with words. I never have issues with words other than I can’t control them from spilling out of my mouth.
“I guess I could put on a demonstration right here in the middle of the meeting.”
