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Groans rose from the other room, drawing their attention. They went to see what was happening with the game. Gavin took a seat on the end of the sofa, and Avery leaned against the wall next to Wes, her gaze trained on the TV.
But her mind was back on the conversation in the kitchen. Who was the mysterious woman Wes had been talking to? Why hadn’t he mentioned her to Avery? And why did the thought of her hollow Avery’s chest?
***
Wes glanced back at the Robinson house as he stowed Avery’s empty crock in the back of the Jeep. It had been an interesting gathering. They were a fun bunch. He’d mostly felt like he fit in. It was comfortable, if a little foreign, to be in the middle of a family setting.
But in the time it had taken Avery to wash dishes, every member of her family had had a one-on-one conversation with him. Each discussion touched on one main point:Be careful with Avery—she’s fragile.
Each person conveyed that message a little differently. Lisa’scame with warmth and kindness. Jeff’s with such subtlety Wes almost missed the point entirely. The brothers’ messages held a warning. Big surprise.
It would’ve been humorous if it wasn’t so perplexing. Wes gave his head a shake as he slid into the passenger seat. Avery was one of the strongest women he’d ever known. She’d moved away from home at seventeen, putting herself through college and medical school in record time. Now she lived independently and ran a thriving clinic. She cared for the entire town’s health needs—almost single-handedly it seemed at times.
Maybe he sensed a certain vulnerability where Avery was concerned. But fragile? He all but scoffed at the idea. The two things weren’t at all the same. Vulnerability was a cracked foundation; fragility was a foundation built on poor soil.
Now, Lillian... sure, he might say she was fragile, especially since her brother had died. She needed someone to be there for her, and now Wes was that person. But Avery was fiercely independent. And yet this was her family. Did they know something he didn’t? Or did they simply underestimate her?
Avery turned as she backed from the drive. “I hope my family wasn’t too much tonight.”
“They’re a lot of fun. They sure do take their baseball seriously.”
“They’re just as bad with football.” She spared him a glance. “Did my brothers behave?”
“Don’t worry about me. I can handle your brothers.”
“I’ll take that as a no.” She pulled out onto the street and gave the Jeep some gas. “So I have to ask—what’s the deal behind the Avocado name? Surely you can tell me.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Right. Well, you’re a doctor so I guess I can.”
“Now you’ve really got me curious.”
“Landon was born with one testicle—he was always joking around about it. He chose the name because the avocado, you know, has only one nut.”
Avery snorted. “I think it’s actually a pit.”
Wes gave her a wry look.
“But, yeah, point taken. What did you say on the trail when people asked you about it?”
“Told ’em it was my favorite fruit.”
“But is it really a fruit?”
“They’re actually considered to be a large berry. They grow on trees, which can take up to ten years to produce fruit.”
She raised her eyebrows at him.
“What? I couldn’t bear the name Avocado for weeks on end without knowing something about my namesake.”
“You’re making me hungry for some good guacamole.”
“That happens to be one of my few culinary accomplishments. If you want to stop at the store, I’d be happy to make you some.”
Avery let out a laugh. “You haven’t lived here long if you think our little store actually stays open till nine o’clock—or carries avocados.”
“Point taken. Well, the offer stands. I could run into Walnut tomorrow and get the ingredients if you’d spare me your ride.”
Avery seemed to consider, then flashed him a smile. “I’ll provide the chicken tacos...”
