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But Lillian wasn’t Avery. “Yeah, of course. That’s fine. A movie it is.”
She tilted her head. “You sure? I don’t want to be a wet blanket, but I’m a little tired after taking on this recipe.”
He’d thought he knew Lillian pretty well from all the letters and phone calls. But he was starting to see they were things you couldn’t know about a person until you met them face-to-face.
He attempted to dredge up a modicum of excitement about another evening in front of the TV. “Whatever you want. The movie sounds good, and I’m sure dinner will be delicious.”
Chapter38
Avery grabbed the empty burger platter and carried it inside her parents’ house. The cool waft of air was a welcome relief from the August heat. For the life of her she couldn’t figure out why they’d eaten outside tonight.
Laughter carried through the screen door. Sounded as if the rest of her family was having a great time. She wasn’t sure why that left her with an exaggerated sense of loneliness.
In the kitchen she found Lisa doing dishes. Her stepmom sported a short blonde ponytail and yellow sleeveless top that exposed her freckled shoulders.
Avery set the platter beside her on the counter. “That’s the last of it.” She picked up the dish towel and started drying the stack of plates in the drainer.
“I got this,” Lisa said. “You should go outside and play cornhole with the others. You’ve been working too hard.”
“I’m fine. I have fewer hours than ever before now that Lucy’s on board.”
“I’m sure that’s true but”—she spared Avery a glance—“you still look tired. And you don’t seem yourself lately. You could probably use a little fun in your life. You should go out more.”
Avery ignored the pinch of irritation as she reached for the next plate. “I’ll play a game after I finish here.”
“Do you and Katie still go out? Just because she’s with Cooper now doesn’t mean she doesn’t have time for you—and yes, I know you work with her every day. But sometimes it’s good to let loose and just relax with your friends.”
“I know that. We still go out sometimes.”
A beat of silence passed. “Are you getting enough sleep, honey? As I get older I’m finding melatonin is my new best friend.”
“I’m fine, really.” How many times did she have to say it? Time for a change of subject. “How are the plans going for Trail Days? Katie said you have plenty of volunteers this year.”
“We’re right on schedule. It’s a lot easier now that we have the first year under our belts. We’ve just tweaked a few things that could’ve gone better last year. But all the vendors are enthusiastic, and after last year’s crowd, the bands are eager to perform again.”
“That’s great.” Avery thought back to last year—Cooper’s run for sheriff and the scandal that plagued him. God had brought them through all that. He’d also bring Avery through this... desert in her life.
The designation made her feel ungrateful. At the relatively young age of thirty, she’d already achieved her career goals. But that knowledge did nothing to fill the cavity in her chest. Something was missing in her life. In her heart.
Wes.
She hadn’t heard from him since that one text three weeks ago. Even so, she jumped to check her phone every time a message arrived. The cycle of hope and despair left her worn and exhausted. Was he settled in Albany? How were things with Lillian? Had he kissed her yet? Of course he had. He’d said he loved the woman. He’d probably scooped her into his arms the second he saw her. The thought of his lips pressed against another woman’s ripped her heart in two. Her chest actually ached with grief.
She scowled at the plate in her hands. She had to stop thinking about the man. Had to put him behind her. He’d moved on and she needed to also.
“Howisthe new doctor doing?” Lisa asked. “She fitting in okay at the clinic?”
“She’s been great. She’s fantastic with the patients, and she blended right into the staff. Today was my first Saturday off since I opened the clinic.” Avery didn’t mention she’d spent it catching up on paperwork. Somehow all that extra time she had now only worsened her mood. Gave her the feeling she’d been hiding behind her work all this time. “She’s assumed half the on-call hours so I can finally get a good night’s sleep.”
“What a blessing.”
Not that Avery was actually getting a good night’s sleep. The insomnia continued, some nights worse than others. But even though her workload had been greatly relieved, dealing with the possibility of an illness was its own kind of stressor—and the insomnia only perpetuated the anxiety as she continually worried the first symptom had struck.
Time to think about something else. “How’s Dad doing?He says he feels good, but I’m not sure he’d tell me if he felt otherwise.”
“He really is doing well. He’s taking his meds and not having any symptoms. You don’t have to worry about him, honey.”
It was hard to feel reassured when she wasn’t sure Lisa would tell her if somethingwerewrong. With the back of her hand, Avery wiped the sweat from her brow. She was just irritable from the heat and from the... emptiness she’d been feeling. The heartache.
