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“Hey,” I say, trying to keep my voice light, “you’re not an idiot. Next time I ask you something personal, feel free to tell me to mind my own damn business, okay?”
Avery shakes her head. “It’s n-not you. I’m s-sorry,” She lifts her head up off my tear-sodden shirt. Our faces are almost touching as those red-rimmed brown eyes meet mine, and my mouth is dry as sandpaper as we stare at each other for a moment, something pulsing through the air between us. She looks so sweet. So vulnerable. I should go and make her a cocoa or something useful, but I’m totally frozen. My eyes drift down to those pretty rosebud lips, and for a moment, I swear her face moves closer. Then, all at once, the moment is gone.
“Sorry,” she says, standing up and moving away from the couch. “I’m so sorry.” She looks at my shirt, her cheeks burning. “You’re all wet.”
“It’s no problem.”
She can barely meet my gaze as she dries her eyes, suddenly looking mortified. “Um, which room is the guestroom?”
“The best one is down the corridor. Second door on the right. I’ll show you.”
“No!” she says frantically. “No, it’s okay. I can find it. Thank you, Hunter. I really appreciate you letting me stay.”
She gives me a weak, wobbly smile, and before I can respond, she shoots off down the corridor like she wants to get away from me as fast as possible. I hear the door open and close, and I’m left sitting on the couch wondering what the hell just happened.
3
Avery
I close the door to the guestroom behind me and let out a groan of embarrassment, burying my face in my hands. I can’t believe it. I showed up at a stranger’s house only to start sobbing all over him.
Jesus, what must Hunter think of me?
With a sigh, I look up and take in the guestroom. It’s roomy and spotlessly clean with big windows looking out over the ranch. This would be the perfect place to start putting my life back together if only I wasn’t so distracted by the growly cowboy I just cried on. There was a moment when our eyes met. A crazy moment where I thought he was going to kiss me. But it’s a ridiculous thought. Why would he want to kiss the crazy, sobbing stranger who just showed up at his house uninvited? He’s probably counting down the seconds until I leave, and right now, I can’t blame him.
I collapse onto the bed, breathing in the scent of fresh sheets as I bury myself beneath the covers. It’s still light out, but today has been a whirlwind and I’m totally drained from it all. Plus I don’t think I can face Hunter again today. Not after my dramatic sobbing session. I try to push it from my mind, but I spend hours tossing and turning, a million thoughts whirling inside my head, and it’s a long time later when I finally drift off to sleep.
* * *
The gentle rapping of a fist against wood stirs me from my slumber. I blink a few times, trying to remember where I am as I look around the unfamiliar bedroom. The sun is rising outside the window, spilling its golden rays across the valley, and I push myself into a sitting position, rubbing my bleary eyes.
Damn. I must have been asleep for ages.
The knocking sound comes again, and immediately, I’m wide awake.
Hunter.
“Come in,” I call, trying to flatten my sleep-mussed hair just as the door opens.
Hunter strides into the room holding a breakfast tray laden with orange juice and pancakes. He looks unbearably handsome in the soft glow of the morning, and my heart stutters as he moves closer to the bed.
“Sorry to wake you,” he says in that deep, gravelly voice as he sets the tray down on the nightstand beside the bed. “I have to start work on the ranch and I figured you might want some breakfast before I leave.”
Warmth spreads through me at his kindness, and it’s almost enough to make me forget how I broke down in front of him yesterday.
“Thank you, Hunter. You didn’t have to do that.” I smile at him affectionately, and he nods his head.
“I wanted to. It’s part breakfast, part apology.”
I frown at him as I take a sip of orange juice. “An apology? For what?”
“For yesterday.” Hunter looks shame-faced, avoiding my gaze. “I was a dick when you knocked on my door, and I’ve been feeling pretty shitty about it. I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I should never have just shown up like that. I should have booked a hotel.”
“No.” Hunter’s response is so forceful that I’m momentarily lost for words. “I’m glad you didn’t go to a hotel, Avery. I’m glad you’re here.” He runs an agitated hand over his beard. “I’m just so used to living by myself that I forgot how to treat a guest. That’s on me.”
I don’t know what to say. Hunter Ryder is far too good at leaving me tongue-tied. This man is full of surprises.
