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Jackson’s face turns serious. “Listen, on the subject of Edmund, I saw a few suspicious things while I was checking the pastures this morning. Lots of broken fences, and it didn’t look like cattle damage, some of them were obviously cut. Holt and Luke have been going around fixing them all, but the timing seems pretty coincidental.”
A bolt of rage flashes through me. “You think Edmund has been skulking around out here cutting fences?”
Jackson shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m just saying that it’s a possibility. You were fighting with him yesterday, then today a ton of fences are cut.”
The thought of Edmund creeping around the ranch is enough to make my fists clench. I hate the thought of him being within a thousand miles of Avery, let alone on the same ranch.
“I’ll look into it,” I tell my brother.
Jackson waves off my suggestion. “Hey, don’t worry about it. This is your day off, right? We can talk about all that stuff tomorrow. Just go enjoy your time with your girlfriend.”
I nod, letting out a frustrated sigh. “Okay. Thanks, buddy.”
“Hey,” Jackson says, his face triumphant, “you didn’t deny she was your girlfriend! Does this mean I really am the last single man in Blaze Valley?”
I turn my back on him, heading for my truck.
“Don’t forget the red velvet cake!” he calls as I climb in.
“Shove it up your ass.”
I slam the door, a small smile playing on my lips as I watch my brother mount his horse and ride away.
What a jackass.
As I start up my truck, I look back at the farmhouse, imagining Avery still asleep in my bed. I wish she was my girlfriend. Hell, if she was, I’d be shouting about it to the whole world, even if Jackson would probably give me hell for it. I might only have called Avery my girlfriend to keep Edmund away from her, but right now, my heart can’t tell the difference between fact and fiction. We spent an incredible night together, but that doesn’t mean she actually wants to be with me. Maybe she’s still planning to leave in a few days.
Fuck, all this thinking is driving me crazy.
With a grunt of frustration, I shoot one last glance at my bedroom window before I drive down the dirt track, heading for Winterdale.
9
Avery
The morning sunlight wakes me, pulling me gently out of my dreams. As I blink the sleep from my eyes, it takes me a second to remember why I’m so happy. Then the events of yesterday come rushing back to me, and I grin to myself, turning to look at Hunter. But he’s not there. Instead, there’s a note sitting on the nightstand, and I reach for it eagerly.
Morning beautiful,
I’m heading to the bakery to get us some breakfast.
Be ready for all the pastries you can eat!
I’ll be back soon.
Hunter
I smile at the note, kissing the paper before setting it down and getting out of bed. The morning feels so bright and happy as I head for the bathroom, taking a quick shower and drinking in the deliciously familiar scent of Hunter’s shampoo. Once I’m clean and dressed, I head for the living room and make myself a coffee, sipping it as I look out across the lush green fields dotted with fiery wildflowers and orange-leaved trees. Fall is turning Blaze Valley golden, and it stirs something in my chest. Something about this place just feels so right. So cozy and homely. I wish I never had to leave. I’d love to live here on this gorgeous ranch, just me and Hunter, rearing the cattle and caring for the horses.
I know I’m getting ahead of myself. Just because Hunter and I slept together doesn’t mean he wants us to get married and have babies. But still, my daydreams make me smile as I look at the view, listening out for Hunter’s pick-up truck. He doesn’t keep me waiting long. Barely a minute later, I hear the sound of a vehicle barreling up the dirt track, and my heart flutters with anticipation. I listen as his truck door slams shut, his footsteps reaching the front door just as I fling it open. The morning sun blinds me for a moment, and I blink the brightness out of my eyes, ready to leap into Hunter’s arms.
Only it’s not Hunter.
My stomach drops as I look up into Edmund’s sneering face. The bruises around his eye are now a sickly shade of yellow, and his hair, which is usually impeccably neat, is greasy and disheveled. There’s a look of crazed determination in his one good eye, and instinctively, I try to slam the door shut. But he jams it open with his foot.
“Avery,” he says, his voice calm despite his wild appearance, “we can still make this right. Look.”
Through the gap in the door, he holds out a ring box. The same ring box he used when he proposed to me. He flicks it open, showing me the engagement ring that I threw back at him after I discovered how he framed my sister.
