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A giggle bubbled up at the obvious understatement. She imagined Cooper’s shock at finding Wes, his intimidating scowl and razor-sharp gaze. The laughter escaped.
Wes hiked a brow, humor glinting in his eyes. “Really? I’m lying here helpless and your intimidating law-enforcement brother comes in here, giving me the evil eye, and you find this funny?”
His description only made her laugh harder. She covered her mouth. “Sorry.”
His lips twitched. “You don’t seem very sorry.”
“Come on, it’s a little funny.”
“He seemed like he wanted to kill me. And he probably knows all the ways to do it without getting caught.”
“Stop it.”
“And I wouldn’t have even been able to defend myself.”
It felt so good to laugh. She’d been under a lot of pressure and this weekend was so important. She didn’t realize how much she needed to let go. Wes was so good for her.
The thought was sobering. She caught her breath as her humor faded. She gestured to the medications on the nightstand. “Well, it’s obvious why you’re here. And he didn’t text or call so he couldn’t have been too concerned.”
He gave a mock scowl. “You didn’t see the look in his eyes.”
Affection for Wes bloomed, swelling until it overwhelmed her. She bent over and dropped a kiss on his brow, then straightened. “I promise I won’t let him hurt you.”
The humor slipped from his face. His gaze roved over herfeatures, landing on her mouth. Awareness crackled between them.
Time to go.
She moved the items on the nightstand closer to him. “Um, you need anything else before I turn in? More water? Another pillow? Anything?”
“No thanks.” His voice was as thick as honey. “I’m good.”
“Well, just holler if you need something.” She turned for the door. “Want me to turn out the light, or are you going to read some more?”
“Think I’ll read awhile.”
“All right.” At the threshold she offered a smile. “Good night, Wes.”
“Night.”
Avery pulled the door shut. It wasn’t until she headed down the hall that she realized her legs wavered beneath her and her heart hammered in her chest. Ten minutes later she settled on the couch with a blanket and pillow, but it would be a long time before sleep found her.
Chapter28
It was a sad state of affairs when a Keurig wasn’t fast enough. Between the lumpy sofa, anticipation for today, and her unsettling thoughts about Wes, Avery hadn’t gotten nearly enough sleep. The possibility that the insomnia was an early symptom hovered in her mind like a pesky mosquito.
No, she wouldn’t think like that. Wouldn’t let herself become paranoid—also a symptom of Huntington’s, come to think of it.Argh!
She glanced down the hall. Not a peep from Wes yet this morning. She’d heard him once in the middle of the night. His footsteps were so slow she nearly got up to help him. But the memory of last night’s interaction kept her on the sofa.
While Boots ate her kibble, Avery set out an extra mug and the cream. The clinic didn’t open until nine, but she wanted to grab donuts from the bakery and brew a pot of coffee before Lucy arrived. Today, the prospective doctor would meet the rest of thestaff—except for Katie, who had the day off. Hopefully Lucy had slept well in the apartment.
Just as the Keurig finished, a knock sounded on her door. Lucy? Avery was still in her pajamas. Not to mention—she glanced down the hall as she approached the front door—she had a male guest in her bedroom.
A quick peek through the peephole revealed her brother. Cooper wore a T-shirt, Braves cap, and a formidable scowl.
Great. Avery pulled open the door before he could knock again and wake up Wes. “Well, good morning, Brother.”
“Can we talk a minute?” Cooper’s gaze darted over her shoulder before returning to her. “Out here.”
