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Avery set the last Crockpot on the picnic table and turned as Wes tossed his last sandbag. It arced through the air and sank through the hole. Lisa and Wes did a virtual high five.
Wes seemed to be enjoying his job with Valley Cabinet Company. The position didn’t fully utilize his skills, but since therewere no builders in town, it would have to do. At least, as he said, the work would keep him busy through the winter, unlike the window-installer position he’d left in Albany. That would allow him to make rent on his new apartment in Mulberry Hollow, just two streets from the clinic.
They had supper together most nights, either out or in. Sometimes on the weekend they even went all the way to Asheville for a night out. Lucy covered the on-call hours, and Avery was learning to let go—she was still a work in progress. Having Lucy as backup had not only given Avery extra time, but it had somehow helped her see that the town wasn’t her sole responsibility. It took all of them striving together to make the community work. She only had to do her part.
From the grill Dad called encouragement to his wife as she hit the board with a critical shot. Wes cheered her on.
Avery had brought him around several times in the past two months since the wedding. His determination to stick by her side no matter her test results had won over her family. As she watched him now, a smile curved her lips. It had won her over too.
She’d never felt a love like this. She pressed her palm to her heart, which seemed to expand several times over every time she thought of him. Medically impossible, perhaps. But some things defied science.
A week after the wedding she’d gotten her lab results back. It took two days to get up the nerve to check them online. And when she did, Wes was right at her side, holding her hand, loving her through the moment.
An entire mountain of weight fell from her shoulders as she read the hoped-for results—she didn’t carry the Huntington’sgene. She would never endure the horrible symptoms as her mother had. She would never have to dread putting Wes through the disease. She would never have to worry about passing it along to her children.
She could look toward her future without that dark cloud of dread hanging over her head. She could make plans that didn’t revolve around contingencies and uncertainties. She had a freedom and a hope she never thought to possess, and it was a wonderful feeling.
As she had every time the results came to mind, she closed her eyes and thanked God for the outcome—and whispered a prayer for all those who weren’t so fortunate. She would never stop praying for them.
She might even do more than that. A few days ago, a seed of an idea sprouted in her head and had since begun growing roots. Maybe when things settled at her clinic, she’d start a foundation that offered financial and therapeutic relief to families who suffered with the disease. There were grants to be had for such causes—she knew all about applying for them, and now that she had Lucy at the clinic, she had more time to devote to another cause.
Speaking of Lucy, she and Rick were officially going out. Avery and Wes had even double-dated with them once. They’d hiked to River Ridge Loop and had a picnic overlooking the river. It amused Avery to see Rick so smitten with the young doctor. And though Lucy seemed adept at playing hard to get, Avery suspected the game had already been won.
A rousing cry arose from the yard as the players disputed the score. The banter was loud and playful and quickly settled, with Cooper and Katie emerging as the victors.
Avery joined her dad at the grill. “How’s it going over here, Dad?”
“You’re just in time.” He plated the last burger and handed her the platter. “Come and get it!” he called.
On her way to the table she glanced at Gavin, and a niggle of worry wormed through her. He’d been awfully quiet tonight. In fact, he’d been quiet lately, period. She could only imagine how hard it was being the only single person in a sea of couples. Especially when he had so much heartache in his past. He seemed to have moved through most of the grief, but he still wasn’t himself. Maybe he never would be again. The loss of a child was surely life-changing, and she had a feeling losing Laurel had broken him in a way that could never be fully healed. She said a quick prayer that God would bring the right woman into his life. He deserved to find happiness too.
The family gathered around the table, Wes at her side. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Cooper cheats.”
She shrugged. “Told you.”
Lisa said grace and the family dug in. Conversations carried around the table, getting louder as the meal progressed. Dad caught them up on Trail Conservancy issues, and Lisa told them about the changes they wanted to make for next year’s Trail Days. They talked about what a cute couple Lucy and Rick made, and Cooper shared a story about a recent car accident with a miraculous outcome.
Three-quarters of the way through the meal, a rare moment of silence ensued.
Avery was about to remark upon it when Gavin spoke up. “So, I was thinking about opening my own business.”
All eyes darted to Gavin. Forks froze midscoop. Drinks stopped en route.
As if he hadn’t just made the announcement they’d hoped for since his return to Riverbend Gap two years ago, Gavin shoved a bite of baked beans into his mouth.
“Oh, honey”—Lisa palmed her chest—“I am so happy to hear that.”
“We need a residential builder here in town,” Jeff said. “I think you’d do real good business.”
“I think so too,” Gavin said. “I’ve been collecting data and making a tentative plan. But I’m going to need some help. Anyone know of a competent contractor for hire?”
Avery glanced between Gavin and Wes. Was that a trick question? Was her brother considering hiring Wes? This would be his dream job.
Gavin frowned at Wes. “I’m talking about you, Garrett.”
Wes lowered his napkin, the corner of his mouth turning up. “Well... you said competent, so I wasn’t sure.”
Cooper’s laugh bellowed in the waning twilight. “I like this guy. You should bring him around more often, Ave.” He took a big bite of his burger.
