AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Whatever. It’s not changing anything. Now, are you finished interrogating me or can we move on to more pleasant subjects?”
He leaned back against the island. “Sorry. Sometimes I forget you’re all grown up.”
She almost mentioned she’d just had her thirtieth birthday, but that would be counterproductive. She placed the French vanilla pod in the machine and pushed the Brew button.
“Cooper said you’re going out with Rick this weekend.”
“The family grapevine is definitely alive and well.” She wished she’d just held firm with Cooper, but she hadn’t, and now, short of coming down with a virus, she would have to suffer through. At least Katie and Cooper would be along. They were fun and their presence would keep things casual.
“Watch out for Rick. I know Cooper thinks a lot of him, but he seems like a player to me.”
Avery raised an eyebrow. “Again, give me some credit.”
“Can’t seem to help myself. Over the hill or not, you’ll always be my baby sister.”
She cut him some slack, an old habit. Gavin was only trying to spare her the heartache he’d suffered. It couldn’t be easy being thirty-three with a failed marriage in your rearview mirror. Especially when his brother was currently engaged to the woman he’d wanted for himself.
“Well, try. I can handle my own life.”
A few minutes later Gavin gave her a quick hug and left. Avery took a few minutes to enjoy her second cup of coffee as she read her daily devotion at the island while Boots nipped at her kibble.
When Avery was finished reading, she glanced out the kitchen window. Was Wes up yet? How was he feeling this morning?
That she’d opened up to a stranger the previous night surprised her. It was probably only because he wouldn’t be here long. He was practically a vapor, here for a moment, then gone. If befriending him (and flirting a little) eased the ache of loneliness and tediousness of her workaday life for a couple of weeks, why shouldn’t she indulge?
Chapter10
Wes was dying—not of a virus but of sheer boredom. At four o’clock he shot Avery a text.It’s been 24hours.He didn’t expect to hear from her until the clinic closed at five, but he was raring to go. He’d already measured the windows and made a list of the supplies he’d need.
He went to the sink to wash his lunch dishes. He should’ve asked Avery last night if she’d be free to run to town tonight. Surely she’d want to pick out the windows and roof shingles.
His thoughts went back to the pleasant evening they’d spent on the back deck last night. Avery had loosened up and he found himself enjoying her company. Enjoying the southern cadence of her voice.
Okay, so he was attracted to her. Big deal. She was an intelligent, warm, beautiful woman. Maybe he should’ve mentioned Lillian. But why would he do that? He was out of here in a coupleof weeks. He’d get on with his life, and the doctor would get on with hers.
The story of her mother’s sudden passing made him ache for her. In many ways the traumatic event had determined who she’d become. He wasn’t so different. He didn’t even remember his mother, but the nomadic lifestyle his dad had inflicted upon him certainly affected him.
As he turned off the tap, a knock sounded at the door.
Avery stood on the stoop, wearing a lab coat over peach scrubs. A stethoscope snaked around her neck. Silky strands of hair had escaped her ponytail, and pale freckles peeked through any makeup she might be wearing.
“No ibuprofen in the past six hours?” she asked by way of greeting.
“Nope.”
“All right, let’s have a look at you.”
He sank onto a kitchen chair that seemed old enough to make him question its sturdiness. It only gave a minor complaint as he eased his weight onto it.
Avery whipped a thermometer from her pocket and stuck it into his mouth, then proceeded to listen to his heart and lungs. She set a hand on his shoulder as she moved the stethoscope to his back. She had steady hands and a gentle touch. A good bedside manner. She cared about people—even a smelly, hairy stranger who showed up unexpectedly on her porch. On her birthday.
From beneath his lashes he watched as she listened through the earpieces. Sunlight flooded through the kitchen window, making her green eyes appear as deep and mysterious as a secret swimming hole. A closer study revealed spokes of amber and adark limbic ring encircling her iris. The pink tones of her high cheekbones appeared natural, and her cute nose seemed to have been custom sculpted for her delicate face. Her lips appeared soft and lush in their relaxed state. If he hadn’t already committed himself to Lillian—
The thermometer beeped.
Avery curled the rubbery stethoscope around her neck and slid the thermometer from his mouth. “Ninety-eight point eight. Looks like you’re officially well, Mr.Garrett.”
“I was hoping we could head to Asheville tonight and get the windows and roofing supplies. The windows are standard size so that’s good news. You mentioned borrowing your brother’s truck?”
