* * *
GRAY RUBBED HIS sweaty palms against his pant legs as he sat in the waiting room of Stacy’s office.
“She wants you to try the Voss,” Tammy told him, handing him a bottle.
“Sure,” he agreed. Now was not the time to argue. Not when Stacy had texted and asked him to meet her, explaining that she wanted to discuss his proposal. If his ex-wife wanted him to drink special water, he wasn’t about to complain.
The door to the inner offices opened and Stacy appeared. “Thanks for waiting, Gray.”
“Thanks for the water,” he said, holding up the bottle as he stood.
She nodded at Tammy in approval. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Please follow me.”
“Okay.” He tried to ignore the tightening in his gut. Something about her friendliness put him on edge. It had been a long time since Stacy had smiled at him in the way she was now. Maybe she’d had a great conference or finally saw the logic of his plan for sole custody. She had to understand that he still wanted to be partners in raising their daughter, but Violet needed the stability he could give her.
He and Avery could give her.
His shoulders relaxed slightly as he remembered he wasn’t alone anymore. Someone had his back.
“How are things?” Stacy asked as he followed her into her office, closing the door behind him.
“Good.”
“Your injury?”
“Fine.” He shrugged. “It was minor.”
“Your job is dangerous,” she said, taking a seat behind the gilded desk he’d helped her design when she’d planned her office space.
“I’m careful, Stace. You know that.”
Her glossy lips pursed. “Perhaps not as careful as one might expect with your choice in girlfriends.”
“What are you talking about?” He resisted the urge to bristle.
“I don’t think I want a woman like Avery Keller near my daughter. She certainly isn’t the kind of influence that can benefit Violet.”
“Avery is great with Violet. She’s worked hard to connect with her.” Anger pounded through him. Now he understood Stacy’s smile. She was like a hyena, a sinister predator circling for the kill.
“What do you know about her life before she arrived in Magnolia?”
He opened his mouth to answer, then paused. What did he know? That she grew up in San Francisco and had left her job before making the cross-country drive. She was an only child and had a close but often strained relationship with her mother. Sure he wanted to know more but figured it would come in time. She was dealing with a lot of change. Although she’d told him she loved him, he didn’t want to push. To potentially push her away.
“Enough. Don’t play games. If you have something to say, spit it out. Avery is a part of my life and she’s good for Violet. Nothing you can tell me will change that.”
“Maybe.” She clicked one manicured nail against the lacquered desktop. “Did you know the son of her ex-boyfriend ended up in the hospital and she was responsible?”
Gray swallowed but didn’t respond.
Apparently, he didn’t need to because Stacy continued, “Her boyfriend was also her superior and the former coworker I spoke to says she seduced him. A married man.”
Disbelief flooded him. Avery wouldn’t do that. He knew her last relationship had ended badly but surely the details weren’t this sordid.
“Stop, Stacy. Whatever you think you know, I don’t want to hear it.”
She flipped open the laptop on the desk, hit a few buttons, then turned the computer toward him. “I tracked down someone close to the man’s wife. They were married at the time Avery was with him. These are photos of their son in the hospital with injuries he sustained in the car accident.”
Bile rose in his throat, his gaze riveted to the photos of a dark-haired boy only a few years older than Violet. The child’s head was bandaged and both his right arm and leg casted. He didn’t want to look. He couldn’t believe the Avery he knew was capable of causing injury to an innocent boy. But none of the myriad of rationales racing through his mind explained why she wouldn’t have told him about her past. She knew what Stacy’s betrayal had cost him, the damage caused by the destruction of his marriage.
“Tell me how,” he whispered, his mind reeling at the memory of Avery evading questions about her past. “How did she cause it?”
His ex slammed shut the laptop. “You can ask her. Or don’t.” She gave him a pointed look. “The details don’t matter. That woman isn’t fit to be part of my daughter’s life. You have to see that.” She stood. “And certainly your pathetic bid for a change in our custody agreement is ridiculous in light of this.”
“One has nothing to do with the other,” he said, but the words sounded weak even to him.
“Of course it does.” Stacy walked around the desk and strode to the door, hips swaying as if she owned the world.
Owned him anyway. Which it appeared she did at the moment.
“I might be dedicated to my career,” she said in a strident tone. “Perhaps I’ve missed a few scheduled visitations. But I’m careful about who I let into her life.”
Gray wanted to argue. Stacy didn’t let Violet meet her boyfriends because she dated the type of guys who were interested in a sophisticated doctor, not a single mother with the complication of a kid who needed her.
But he didn’t protest. It took enough for him to stand with his weak knees and walk toward the door with his head held high.
“I still want custody,” he managed to say. “It’s best for Violet.”
“What about your girlfriend?” Stacy arched a brow as he moved past her.
“I’ll deal with it,” he promised, although he had absolutely no idea how to manage that when he could hardly catch a breath. Not when his heart had just broken in two.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
AVERY SMOOTHED A hand over her hair when she heard Gray’s truck rumble into the driveway later that afternoon.
“He’s here,” Violet said, clapping her hands.
Spot yipped and ran in an enthusiastic circle around the girl’s legs. Avery couldn’t help but smile. A few weeks ago the dog wouldn’t have bothered to get up. Spot was now down four pounds, well on her way to a normal weight for a dog her size. It was time, she knew, to let the animal go.
She had no doubt Meredith would find a great home for Spot. The real question was whether Avery could stand to let her go.
Would it be so wrong to keep her? Could she claim this new life, dog and everything?
The conversation with the Realtor still played in her mind. She had to make a decision. If she could convince Douglas Damon to sell the property downtown and her sisters to support the idea, the money would go a long way to helping her start on a new path. But she knew how much the gallery meant to Carrie and how nervous Malcolm and the others were about losing control over the business district. She’d given them a plan for revitalization and if her path led her to remain in Magnolia, there was no reason to sell.
Stay in the moment, she told herself. Gray’s mom had been with Violet after school while Gray finished his shift. But when Lila had asked Avery to stay with the girl so she could attend an author event with her book club, Avery had gladly agreed. A month ago, it would have terrified her to be responsible for a child. Now she saw it as a privilege.
“Daddy,” Violet called when Gray walked into the house. “We made meat loaf. I squished my hands in it. It was super yucky.”
Avery laughed as she turned from setting the table. “She washed her hands, and I hope it tastes better than it sounds.” As simple as the iconic recipe was on paper, Avery remembered making meat loaf with one of her many after-school babysitters. Her mom had done little home cooking, and although Avery seemed to be following in her footsteps, she’d had a great time in the kitchen with Violet.
“Where’s your grandma?” Gray asked, crouching down to hug his daughter.
He hadn’t yet looked at Avery, and something about the edge in his voice made her stomach clench.
“She had to meet her book clubby friends. Me and Avery went to the grocery. I got a free cookie.”
“Free cookies are awesome.” He smiled at his daughter, but his shoulders remained rigid. “I need to talk to Avery for a minute, sweetheart.”
Violet made a face. “Grown-up talk?”
“’Fraid so.”
The little girl turned to Avery. “Can I take Spot up to my room?”
“Of course,” Avery answered. “The meat loaf has about twenty more minutes until it’s ready. We’ve got plenty of time.”
“Come on, Spotty.” Violet picked up one of the dog’s favorite chew toys and headed for the stairs.
Avery couldn’t help the pride that swelled in her chest as the dog trotted after Violet. Spot was happy and healthier now, and Avery had accomplished that.
As Violet disappeared up the stairs, she took a step toward Gray. “What’s wrong? Did something happen at the station?”
He held up a hand, as if he didn’t want her to get too close.
“Tell me about Tony Monteroy,” he said, finally meeting her gaze. The accusation in his tone pierced her heart.
“How do you know about Tony?”
“Stacy filled me in on the details.”
“Your ex-wife went looking into my past?” Icy dread pricked along Avery’s skin. “She had no right.”
He gave a barely perceptible nod, as if acknowledging her distress. A stand-up guy even when he was obviously mad as hell. Avery really didn’t deserve him. An interesting observation at the moment because she had the feeling she was about to lose everything.
“Why didn’t you tell me yourself?” His voice held no trace of emotion, which she hated.
“I was embarrassed. Falling for the wrong guy ruined my life. I trusted him, and he lied to me just like he betrayed his wife. I didn’t tell you because it was a mistake. I don’t know what Stacy heard or who she talked to, but you know me. I never would have gotten involved with Tony if I’d understood he was still married. His son...” She choked back a sob at the thought of the little boy who’d been hurt. “I feel terrible for what happened to that boy, but his accident wasn’t my fault,” she told Gray after a moment. Despite her guilt, she’d finally come to the realization that she didn’t have to shoulder the blame.
“Stacy is going to use your history against me.”
Avery sucked in a breath. Of course. Why hadn’t she thought about that possibility? She might know in her heart she wasn’t completely responsible for the lives that had been ruined, but that didn’t change what people thought of her role in destroying a supposedly happy family.
“Will you let her?” she asked when she trusted herself to speak without her voice shaking.
Gray rubbed a hand over his jaw and looked away.
In that moment, she understood the truth and her heart splintered. She thought she’d been brokenhearted after the breakup with Tony, but that was more like an explosion of shock and pain. The deep sorrow she felt now was akin to the loss of an integral part of herself.
“Violet has to be my priority,” he said finally.
Not exactly an answer to Avery’s question but she got the meaning behind his words. She did not matter. Again.
“Yes,” she whispered because what else could she say? He was a good man and a great father. The lack was with her.
His shoulders hitched as his gaze slammed into hers. Had he expected her to argue? To get down on her knees and beg him to give her another chance?
Oh, she wanted to beg. But she wouldn’t because this was always to be the ultimate outcome of their relationship. It had been stupid for her to believe she could have something more. She simply wasn’t built to be loved unconditionally.
“I should go,” she told him.
Gray took a step forward as if to stop her, then shook his head. “Probably for the best.”
The best for who, she wanted to scream. Certainly not her and her shattered heart. She could feel the tears tracking down her cheeks but didn’t bother to wipe them away. Her eyes would dry eventually but she feared not even time would mend the physical pain that threatened to consume her.
* * *
“HOW BAD IS IT?”
“She hasn’t showered in three days, and I can’t get her to eat more than a few bites at a time.”
“Does she stink?”
“Is that really of consequence right now?”
“I’m curious.”
Unwilling to listen to her sisters’ incessant arguing any longer, Avery grabbed the book that sat on the nightstand next to her bed and hurled it at the cracked door. “I don’t stink,” she called, her voice raspy from crying.
Carrie pushed open the door and stepped into the room with a mug of tea in one hand and a paper bag in the other. “Meredith stopped by to see you,” she said with false cheer. “She was worried.”
“Not about you,” Meredith clarified as she followed. “I wanted to make sure Spot was okay. By the way, you might not smell but you look like death warmed over.”
“Spot’s fine.” Avery smoothed a hand over the dog’s soft head. The little animal perked up, then settled back against Avery’s hip. Other than to do her business a couple of times a day, she’d refused to leave Avery’s side since Carrie had picked them up after the breakup with Gray.
Meredith stepped toward the bed, arms crossed over her chest. “She needs exercise.”
“This place is way bigger than the carriage house and it has stairs.” Avery glared at both her sisters. “She’s fine. I’m fine.”
“Hunky-dory,” Meredith agreed with a sniff. “You remember that guy in the first Alien movie? The one who had the creature pop out of his chest? I bet he thought he was fine, too.”
Avery flopped back against the pillow. “Go away.”
“She brought you a bear claw,” Carrie announced, moving to the bedside table and placing the tea and pastry bag on top.
“Only because Carrie made me. I’m mad at you.”
“You’re not even friends with Gray,” Avery said, pressing her palms to her forehead. “Shouldn’t you take my side?”
“I heard you were trying to convince Carrie to sell the ranch.”
“Who told you that?” Carrie asked, her voice shocked.
“Shae saw Avery and that Realtor meeting,” Meredith answered. “She overheard them talking about listing the buildings downtown and then he asked about the ranch.”
“You’re selling the gallery?” Carrie snatched the bag off the nightstand again. “You can’t do that. Nothing has been finalized with the estate.”
“I talked to Douglas,” Meredith said before Avery could explain the situation. “He has the authority to sell during probate. It’s more complicated but can be done.”
Carrie gasped. “How could you—”
“I’m not selling,” Avery shouted, sitting up. “I don’t want to sell.” She tossed aside the covers and climbed out of bed. “I don’t want to leave Magnolia and I’d never make that decision without talking to the two of you.” She threw up her hands. “Why does everyone think the worst of me?” Her voice cracked on the last word, and she hated how vulnerable it made her. Hated caring the way she did about these people and this town.
“No one thinks the worst of you.” Carrie held out the bag from the bakery like a peace offering.
“I kind of did,” Meredith admitted.
Avery laughed softly at that. Leave it to Meredith not to pull any punches.
“You both know about my initial meeting with Jacob Martin,” she explained. “It was before I’d decided to stay in Magnolia.” She unrolled the bag and ripped off a small
section of pastry. “He put out some feelers and has a buyer interested in the downtown properties. I told him I wouldn’t sell.”
“But do you want to?” Carrie asked softly. “If you and Gray aren’t together, does that change how you feel about staying?”
Avery thought about her answer as she chewed. After swallowing, she shook her head. “Gray wasn’t the only reason I want to be here,” she said, dropping her gaze to the floor. “Magnolia feels like home because of the two of you. I like having sisters.”
“Me, too,” Carrie whispered and they both looked at Meredith.
“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” she said with a shrug.
“But do you want me around?” Avery forced herself to ask. “Look at the damage I caused back in San Francisco and now with Gray. I hurt people.”
Carrie plucked the bag from her hand and took out the bear claw. She pulled it apart and handed a piece to Meredith.
“Hey,” Avery protested. “That’s my breakfast.” Spot shoved her nose against the back of Avery’s leg. “I’m not sharing with you, either,” she told the pup.
Carrie took a small section for herself and gave the rest to Avery. “Sisters share,” she said simply. “We’ve been over the situation in California. You made a big mistake in choosing the wrong man, but what happened after isn’t your fault.”
“Gray will come around.” Meredith plopped down on the edge of the bed. “That guy is head over heels for you.”
“I don’t deserve him.”
Carrie stalked forward and slapped at the pastry. It landed on the floor next to Avery’s feet. “Enough,” she yelled. “You don’t deserve to be rewarded for your extended pity party.”
Avery blinked.
“I would have eaten that,” Meredith muttered.
Carrie pressed her fingers to her mouth, as if shocked she’d lost her temper. Avery had the feeling her sister could use more letting go. They all had something to overcome. She needed to stop mentally face punching herself for not being perfect. All the self-incrimination was doing nothing for her life.
“Tell us the truth. Do you want to sell the gallery?” Carrie asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “If the money means that much to you, I want you to have it.”
The Magnolia Sisters Page 24
