by Kate Pearce
Ry stared out across the barn and studied the endless blue sky. Maybe it was time for him to take a risk, and be proactive. He liked that word. He liked it a lot.
“I’m going to Vegas.”
“To see HW?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, that’s a start.” Chase slapped his shoulder. “Do you need a plane ticket?”
Ry pretended to pout. “No private jet?”
“That was a one-off, but my admin can probably wrangle you first class. But in return you have to promise to bring him back with you for the party.”
“If I can, I will. Even if he won’t come, I’ll be back.”
“Good man.” Chase winked at him. “What about Avery?”
“I’ll go into town and see her right now.”
“Then I’d better get those tickets sorted so you can keep on going to the airport.”
* * *
“Avery, Ry’s in the lobby asking to speak to you,” Marley called up the stairs. “Shall I tell him you’re coming down, or are you still sulking, I mean, avoiding him?”
Avery clutched the bedspread to her chest. Was she ready to face him yet? Was she willing to turn into one of those people who could never let anything go?
“Tell him I’ll just be a minute, and make sure he knows I don’t have much time to chat.”
“Will do.”
Avery replaced the clean comforter in the linen closet and took a deep breath. The fact that he’d come to the hotel when he probably knew she was working wasn’t a good sign. He probably thought it would only take a minute to break up with her—or for her to dump him.
Making sure her T-shirt was free of dust and lint, she went down the main staircase and immediately spotted Ry standing just inside the door. He wore his Stetson, a brown leather jacket, and faded jeans, and was drawing plenty of admiring glances from everyone who streamed past him. As she drank in his long, lean, relaxed body, she let out a sigh of pure lust.
He looked up and caught her eye, immediately removing his hat as he came toward her.
“Avery.”
She waited, but he just continued to watch her.
“I don’t have a lot of time to talk, Ry. We’re super-busy and understaffed.” Good, she sounded friendly but distant, polite but dignified. Nancy would be so proud.
“So Tucker told me.” He hesitated. “I won’t be at the ranch for a couple of days.”
“Okay.”
“I just wanted you to know that I wasn’t ignoring you or anything.”
She just looked at him.
He swallowed hard and fiddled with the brim of his hat. Maybe making him do all the talking was punishment enough.
“And I wanted to wish you good luck with your interview.”
She debated turning around and letting their conversation stand, but curiosity overcame her.
“Where are you going?”
“To see HW.”
“Cool.”
He half smiled, and she noticed he still had a bruise on his jaw. “I’m not sure about that. But I owe him an apology.”
What about me? She pressed her lips together so hard it hurt.
He cleared his throat. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, and about that—”
He held up his hand. “I know, I suck. Can we talk about it when I get back? I can’t get my head around trying to put out two fires at the same time.”
“And sorting out HW takes priority?”
He studied her face. “Hell, have I screwed up again? I thought I was doing the right thing—giving you time to think—not pressuring you into making rash decisions.”
“Like dumping you?”
His breathing hitched. “Yeah. Like that.”
She raised her chin and channeled Lady Mary from Downton. “I have no intention of dumping you in the middle of a hotel lobby. I will wait until you get back, and we can have a civilized conversation about it then, all right?”
“Fine by me. I’ve gotta plane to catch.” He bent his head and kissed her on the lips. “Take care, honey, and hang in there.”
She stood still, watching him walk away, her fingers pressed to her lips. What had just happened? He’d come to see her, which was both unexpected and kind of amazing, and he’d indicated that he was the one who sucked, which wasn’t true. But then she should’ve known he’d take the responsibility onto himself. She wished she’d taken the opportunity to apologize, but he’d caught her unprepared. She hadn’t had time to prepare her I-forgive-you speech.
“Okay, sis?”
Tucker came up beside her and she jumped.
“I’m good.”
“Everything okay with Ry? Marley said—”
“Marley has a big mouth.” She met his gaze. “Everything is fine. I’ve got to get back to work.”
* * *
It didn’t occur to Ry until he was disembarking from the plane that he didn’t have an address for HW in Vegas. He checked his cell and found no reply to his text. Shouldering his backpack, he texted HW again.
I’m in Vegas. Either come by and pick me up at the airport, or give me your address.
While he waited for a reply, he got some coffee and pretended not to notice the slot machines dotted around the airport lounges. You literally could gamble the moment you got off the plane. He didn’t need to chance his luck in a casino. He was rolling for much higher stakes than that. His phone buzzed.
I’ll pick u up.
Ry let out a relieved sighed. OK. I’ll be out front.
About ten minutes later a battered truck pulled up alongside him, and the window went down.
“Get in, bro.”
Ry picked up his backpack and got into the truck, glancing quickly at his twin as they pulled away from the curb. “Thanks for coming to get me.”
“I was in town. Chase called and said you were coming.”
“He did? That was nice of him.”
HW snorted. “I thought he was giving me the opportunity to avoid you.”
“Possibly,” Ry conceded. “But he really wants you to come to his pre-wedding barbecue thing up at the hot springs on Friday.”
“So he said.”
Ry lapsed into silence as the weirdness of Vegas sped by. They were heading out into the desert. The farther they drove the more ridiculously out of place the city looked, like it had been dropped onto the sand from space.
“Where are you staying?”
“Out on a ranch near Lake Mead—a friend of BB’s from the Marines.”
“Cool.”
HW slowed down for a red light. “I’m sorry I punched you.”
“I had it coming.”
“Maybe, but I still shouldn’t have done that in Ruth’s kitchen.” He sighed. “I felt like a complete shit afterward.”
“So did I.”
HW cleared his throat. “I don’t think you stayed with me just because of Mom.”
“I know.” Ry stared straight ahead. “And I don’t think you’re an irresponsible jerk—well, not all the time.”
“Then, we’re good?”
Ry considered his answer as they turned off the highway and onto a smaller complex of narrow roads. “You didn’t have to tell them all that crap about Mom.”
“They needed to hear it. And if she’s alive? Maybe she needs to hear it, too.”
“There’s no point. You can’t change the past.”
“But you can apologize for your part in it, and move on.”
Ry turned to study his twin’s stern profile. “I always forget what a Dudley Do-Right you are at your center.”
“So are you.”
“Yeah, but I’m the quiet one, and you’re supposed to be the rebel.”
“Maybe that needs to change as well.” HW drew the truck to a stop and punched in a code to open a five-barred gate. He turned to fully face Ry and didn’t move off. “Look, not having you around for a few weeks? It’s made me think. I took you for granted, bro.”
Ry shrugged. “I let you.
”
“I also realized you were right about some of those assholes I was hanging out with.”
“Whoop-de-do.”
The gate slowly opened and they went through.
“So can you stay for a couple of days, and then I’ll come back with you for the party?”
Ry smiled. Sorting shit out with his twin was way easier than dealing with Avery. Maybe that was why he’d jumped at the easier option and left her hanging . . . “I’ll check in with Roy and Chase, but it sounds like a good plan.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Did you hear anything from Chase?” Marley came into the office before Avery got the chance to hide under her desk.
“Nope, you?”
Marley gave her the death glare. “Why would I be asking you if I’d heard myself? Did you talk to Ry?”
“No. He’s in Vegas with his twin.”
Marley sighed. “Then when will we find out?”
“Marley, Chase is getting married in a couple of weeks, and he runs a multimillion-dollar company out of San Francisco. I’m pretty sure we aren’t a priority at the moment.”
Her cell buzzed and she took it out of her pocket. Her stomach flipped as she saw it was from Ry.
Party on Friday?
She texted back. At the ranch?
Yeah. Come with me?
U Sure?
Only if u want to.
Avery frowned at her phone.
“What’s wrong?” Marley asked.
“Ry’s asked me to a party up at the ranch.”
“And?”
“I don’t know why he wants me to go.”
“Because you’re his girlfriend? Duh.”
Avery narrowed her eyes at her sister. “You’re sounding more and more like Nancy every day.”
“Really? Cool. I love Nancy. Of course you should go. Maybe he wants to make up for the horse fiasco thing.”
“I thought we’d all agreed that was my fault.”
“Which it was—which is why you go to the party, apologize to Ry, and then everything will be all right again.”
Avery groaned. “Like relationships ever happen like that.”
“Be positive. That man adores you.”
She sat up straight. “You think so?”
“Yes, God knows why, but he does, so go with it, sis, and make him yours.” Marley headed for the door. “Because if you don’t, some other lucky girl is going to scoop him up, and if it can’t be me—and I’d never ever date one of your castoffs—I’d rather it was you than anyone else.”
“Wow, thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Now go get him, and don’t forget to find out who got the job while you’re there.”
“You have such a one-track mind!” Avery shouted after her sister, who made some snorting kind of noise as she disappeared from view.
She texted back to Ry.
OK, that sounds good. What time?
6 at the house? I’m flying back with HW today.
Sounds good. She hesitated, her finger hovering over the x and then pressed Send without it. When she saw him she’d much rather give him the kiss up close and personal. She could only hope she’d get the chance.
* * *
Avery parked her car beside Ry’s truck and retrieved her backpack from the passenger seat. She made her way up the steps through the screen door and toward the kitchen.
“Hey.”
She stepped neatly to one side as Chase went by her, carrying a load of boxes.
He winked at her and carried on walking. “Ry’s inside getting his orders from Ruth.”
“Then I’ll go and help as well.”
She went into the kitchen, where the table was stacked high with coolers ready to be moved out.
“Hi, Ruth,” she called out. “What can I do?”
“You can carry some of the boxes out to Roy’s truck.” Ruth was taking something that smelled like honey out of the oven. “Ry can give you a hand.”
“Hey.” He smiled down at her and she grinned back like a loon. “What’s up?”
“Nothing much. How are you?”
“I’m good.”
Ruth cleared her throat loudly. “Now you’ve gotten the hard part over, can you stop before you get to the canoodling, and help me out?”
“Sure.” Ry dropped a kiss on his grandmother’s head. “Just being polite.”
“Roy’s waiting for those coolers so he can go on up to the site and get the fires started.”
“Then we’ll take them out to him.” Ry pointed out a couple of boxes to Avery. “Start with those.”
It was nice not having anyone question her ability to help out. She stacked the boxes on top of each other, guessing from the lack of weight that she had plasticware and cups, and headed outside. Ry had propped the screen door open, which made everything a lot easier.
After a couple more trips the table was clear and Roy’s truck was full. He started the engine and leaned out of the window.
“You want a ride, young Avery?”
She glanced over at Ry. “No, it’s okay. I’ll wait.”
“You sure?”
Ry shifted his feet and stuck a hand in the back pocket of his jeans. “You can go with him if you like, Avery. It’s not a problem.”
She looked from him to Roy, and back again. “Is there something I’m missing here?”
“Nope. I can take my truck,” Ry hastened to reassure her.
“He was going to ride over, but he’s right, he can take his truck.” Roy nodded. “Tell Ruth I’ll be back to pick her up in a few.”
Avery stayed where she was as Roy’s truck disappeared down the road, brake lights flashing red in the gloom.
“I’ll just check in with Ruth and get my keys,” Ry said.
Avery took a deep breath and started walking down toward the barn. Sure, her heart was beating way too fast and she was regretting every step, but it felt right. It might be the best way to show Ry exactly how she felt about him.
“Hey, where’re you going?”
She wasn’t sure if she had enough saliva in her mouth to actually shout back, so she just kept moving. He caught up with her and gently drew her to a stop right outside the barn.
“Avery?”
She raised her head and looked him right in the eye. “I think I’d rather ride up there. It’s not that far, is it?”
He went still and just stared down at her, his expression inscrutable.
“You . . . want to ride?”
“Yes. Can I take Dolittle?”
He blinked at her. “Sure. I’ll . . .” He waved a hand in the general direction of the barn. “I’ll ride one of the other horses.”
“Not Nolly, though.”
“No, Chase has already taken him out.”
“Good.” She walked into the barn and down to the last stall. “I’ll get Dolittle if you grab the saddle and other stuff.”
He studied her face for another full minute. “Okay. He’s already got his halter on.”
To his credit he turned his back and walked away, leaving her to enjoy the stupendous stupidity of her own choices without an audience. Muttering a prayer, she went into Dolittle’s stall. He was fast asleep. It took her a while to wake him up and persuade him it was a good idea to move.
She stared him right in the eye. “Look, doofus, you’d better behave, okay? I need to look like a strong, competent woman right now, so do me proud.”
Dolittle sighed, rolled his eyes, and snuffled at her hair. She led him out to the yard, where Ry had already deposited the saddle and bridle and was now leading out another horse.
“This is S’more.”
She glanced over at the white-and-brown quarter horse. “Great name.”
“Maria chose it. She’s got her eye on riding this horse one day. So I need to make sure he’s up to the job.”
He left her to saddle and bridle Dolittle while he worked on his own horse, whistling as he did it. She was all fingers and thumbs, but she managed everythi
ng and attached her backpack to the saddle.
“You ready?” he asked. “Want a boost up?”
“I’ll use the mounting block.” There was no point in being stupid, and she didn’t want him to touch her right now because then he’d know how hard she was trembling. “Can you line Dolittle up for me?”
“Sure.”
She waited for him to take the reins, and managed to mount without looking like a fool or a newb. Gathering the reins in one hand, she forced herself to relax her tense shoulders.
“I’ll have to follow you, Ry. I have no idea where we’re going.”
He came up alongside her on S’more and gave her a quick once-over that she pretended not to notice. “It really isn’t far.”
“Cool.”
His smile was warm enough to calm all her jittery nerves. “Then let’s go.”
It was a nice slow ride, and she actually enjoyed it. Something about the tranquility of the land as it sank into blackness called out to her, calming her nerves, making her realize that her little problems were totally minor in the big scheme of the universe.
“See the lights?” Ry pointed ahead. “HW, BB, and Chase were up here earlier, making the place fit for a party.”
“It’s pretty.” She looked down on the entrance to the hot springs and the grove of trees that were now festooned with strings of lights that swayed gently in the night air. “I haven’t been here for years.”
“Me neither. Did you bring your bikini?”
“I don’t own one. Too many scars. I did bring my swimsuit and shorts.”
“I’m not much of a swimmer myself, but I figure I can stay afloat.”
“Didn’t you surf when you stayed on the coast?”
“No time.” He brought his fingers to his lips and whistled loud enough to wake the dead. “Incoming!”
BB waved. “Come down this way. We’ve made a temporary shelter for the horses.”
Avery followed Ry to the sheltered spot under the pine trees. Nolly whickered a greeting as the other horses drew to a stop.
“I’ve got you.” BB reached up and brought Avery to the ground in one smooth motion. “No mounting block out here.”
