Come Home, Cowboy

by Julie Benson

  “You’ve got to be kidding.” Reed shook his head. “You’re determined to crush my ego today, aren’t you?”

  “Like yours can’t take the hit?” Avery teased.

  “I’m willing to try if you are, Uncle Reed. Then you could help me give him his medicine.”

  For a moment, despite the dark eyeliner, Jess’s wide brown eyes filled with innocence and she looked her age. How the hell could he say no to her when she looked at him like that? Had he ever been that innocent or trusting? Even before his mother died? “We’ll give it a shot.”

  Avery spent the next couple of minutes working with him and the dog. At one point he looked at Avery and said, “Thor’s not the only one who needs reinforcement for positive behavior. I want some props for my effort here.”

  “Good job, Reed.” Avery tossed the words out in a high, squeaky voice.

  “That wasn’t what I had in mind.”

  “Too bad. That’s all you’re getting.” Their light banter reminded him of how comfortable he’d always felt with Avery. He’d been in love with her for dozens of reasons, one being how at ease he felt with her, but that was before he damn near beat his dad to death. Before he’d talked to her father and realized he loved her so much he had to let her go because she deserved better than he could give her.

  Being back here still wasn’t good for him, and she refused to live anywhere else. His thoughts stopped him cold. “I’ve got the idea. Jess and I can work on this at home.” Before Avery could say anything, his cell phone rang again. “We done here?”

  Avery nodded, handed the dog to Jess and headed out of the room. He answered the call and told the client he’d call back in five minutes. Then he joined Avery and Jess at the front desk. Reed scanned the bill, amazed that the charges were bigger than the dog.

  “Avery, what’s this I hear about the shelter not owning the land our building resides on?” The sparkle disappeared from Avery’s gaze, and she stiffened as though someone had tied a broom handle to her back. Reed turned to see a woman with short salt-and-pepper hair dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with an elk on the front stride toward them.

  Avery made the introductions. “Reed, Jess, this is Harper Stinson, the shelter’s board president.”

  Years ago, when he’d been on the board of his boss’s pet charity, Reed had learned a lot about the people who served on them. Some were crusaders. Others were out to make community business connections. Others still were bored housewives looking to find purpose. But no matter who they were, everyone had an agenda. What was this woman’s?

  “So, you’re the Reed Montgomery that has everyone in town talking. I want you to know I’m keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers,” Harper said. “We’ll all be glad when your brother’s back home safe and sound.”

  No one more so than him.

  Jess tossed him a let’s-go look. “Thor and I will wait outside.”

  As the door swooshed open and thunked close with Jess’s exit, Reed glanced at Avery. “I appreciate you working Thor in this morning. I hope you got some paperwork done after I left.”

  When he turned to leave, Harper partially blocked his exit. “Since you brought up the topic of paperwork, Avery and I are developing a new business plan for the shelter. What do you think—”

  “Reed’s a busy man. He doesn’t have time for shelter business,” Avery insisted.

  Her stiff posture and the way she nibbled on her lower lip told him Avery had reached her patience limit. Something was going on between these two. Any businessperson worth two cents knew better than to discuss their business in public, especially in front of strangers.

  “Avery’s right about that. I’ve got my hands full with Jess and my own company.”

  “Our main sticking point is staffing issues,” Harper continued, completely ignoring his and Avery’s comments. “I’m sure you know that while no one likes to cut staff, sometimes it’s necessary to lower operating costs.”

  Now he knew her agenda. Harper wanted him to back her up against Avery. “I’ve found people often latch onto that solution because it’s easier than working to find other ones,” he said.

  He glanced at Avery and found her eyes shining with gratitude. When she smiled, his insides twisted, and he swore his chest puffed out.

  Avery flashed him a tight smile. “Reed needs to go, since Jess is waiting for him. I’m sure she has homework to do. If you have any other problems with Thor, call me.”

  As he left he almost pitied Harper. He’d seen that look in Avery’s eyes today, and unless he missed his guess, Harper was in for a stinging lecture on business etiquette.

  * * *

  AS AVERY USHERED HARPER into her office, she struggled to control her temper. How dare she burst into the shelter and take her to task in front of Reed and Jess? Worse yet, she’d tried to pull Reed into their disagreement and use him to get her to knuckle under.

  As Avery sank into her worn desk chair, it squeaked under her movement. Before she could explain her position, Harper said, “Why wasn’t I informed the minute you received word from Sam Weston’s lawyers?”

  “I wanted to research our options before talking to you.” Avery placed her folded hands on her desk. When her fingers started tingling, she loosened her grip. “If you need to talk to me about shelter issues, especially our disagreements, I’d prefer we discuss things in private.”

  Three months ago, Avery had loved her job. Harper’s predecessor had valued her opinion and trusted her instincts. He’d allowed her to do her job. All that had evaporated once Harper assumed control of the board and insisted she be consulted on every issue.

  The more she delved into the business side of the shelter, the less Avery liked her job. Holding her hand out for donations and managing a staff weren’t why she had gone to vet school. While she’d taken a couple of business classes in college in preparation for opening her own office, she hadn’t enjoyed them.

  When she’d accepted the shelter’s offer, the board had hoped to hire an executive director within six months. She’d figured she could hold on until then, but that was over a year ago. The plan was that this year’s Pet Walk would allow them to hire a director. Then she could focus on what she loved, taking care of animals and educating owners. So much for that.

  “I know it’s been hard for you to understand that working for a nonprofit organization in a small community means everyone knows your professional business, but that’s a fact you need to adjust to,” Harper said, her tone bordering on condescending.

  Avery concentrated on her breathing, counted to ten and mentally listed Harper’s good qualities. She truly cared about animals. Her heart was in the right place. She possessed valuable business connections and used them to recruit new shelter supporters. A great ambassador and advocate, she donated generously.

  Her temper reined in, Avery said, “Our disagreements need to remain between us. You wouldn’t want me to discuss problems I had with your shop or your merchandise in front of customers. I expect the same professionalism from you.”

  Realization dawned in Harper’s eyes. “My mistake. I was upset about the news that we don’t own the land. However, I do believe Reed could be a valuable resource for us.”

  The last person Avery wanted invading her professional life was Reed. “While he knows the corporate world, he lacks experience in the nonprofit arena and with fund-raising, and that’s our biggest concern right now,” Avery said in hopes of channeling the conversation to the task at hand. “The first thing we need to do is move up the date of the Pet Walk. I spoke with the executors. If we take out a loan to buy the land, the papers must be signed by the deadline. Since the land price is three hundred thousand, that means we need sixty thousand dollars for the down payment.”

  Harper paled. “The most we’ve ever raised from the Pet Walk is thirty-five thousand, and that
was in a better economic climate.”

  Avery refused to let the shock and worry in Harper’s voice rattle her further. They could do this. They had to. “Getting more and bigger sponsors is the key. I hope to tap some of my brothers’ contacts.”

  Avery’s oldest brother, Rory, modeled designer jeans for a large New York–based clothing company. Her brother Griffin was the host of the reality show The Next Rodeo Star. “If I can get Devlin Designs and Griffin’s network to write us big checks, that’ll go a long way to achieving our goal. However, the first thing we need to do is make sure that buying this land is our best option.”

  Harper tapped her manicured nail against the chair arm, something she did frequently as she thought. The habit grated on Avery’s tightly strung nerves. “No matter what we do, we’ll have to obtain a loan. To give us one, the bank will require proof we can afford the increase in our monthly operating costs.”

  Yesterday, Harper’s micromanaging had been Avery’s biggest problem. Now her shelter needed sixty thousand dollars to remain open, and the only man she’d ever loved was back. What she wouldn’t give for a time machine.

  * * *

  FRIDAY AFTERNOON, REED sat jotting down discussion points for Monday’s staff-status meeting as he waited for Jess in the school’s pickup lane. Thank goodness for wireless technology to make productive use of otherwise wasted time.

  The truck door flew open, Jess’s backpack flew behind the seat and then the door slammed shut. He rolled down the passenger window. “Where are you going?”

  “Out with friends.”

  “Get in. I’ll drop you off after we talk.”

  “They’re waiting for me.”

  “If I don’t get more details, you don’t go.” Reed almost winced as similar things his father had said rang in his ears. He inhaled deeply before he continued. “Text them that I’ll drop you off in a few minutes.”

  The door flew open again, and this time Jess crawled in, mumbling something about the Spanish Inquisition and teenagers having rights, too.

  As the line of cars inched forward and Jess texted away, he asked about the specifics of her plans.

  “We’re going to hang out. We might go to a movie.”

  “What movie? Who with? What time will it be over?”

  “I don’t even know if we’re going to a movie, so how can I know when it’ll be over? Dad doesn’t give me the third degree.”

  Reed wasn’t sure if he believed her, but whether he did or not didn’t matter. He was here, and Colt was in Afghanistan. Instead of saying that, he reiterated his stance that without enough details, she didn’t go.

  “We talked about going to the new Robert Pattinson movie, and before you ask, it’s PG. I’ll be home around eleven.”

  “Your dad said your curfew was ten-thirty.”

  “Whatever.”

  She was testing him and, he suspected, trying his patience on purpose. Did she really think her dad wouldn’t tell him about her curfew or that he wouldn’t remember? “How are you getting to the movie?”

  “Jeez, my teachers ask less questions on quizzes. We were going to walk downtown and shop first, then go to McCabe’s for pizza. If we go to a movie we’ll walk. Otherwise we’ll go back to Lindsey’s house.”

  As he pulled out of the school parking lot onto the street, Reed said, “Text me when you know whether you’re going to a movie or to a friend’s house. I need to know where you are so I can pick you up.”

  Jess rolled her eyes. “You want to fit me with a GPS?”

  “Don’t tempt me,” Reed said.

  * * *

  LATER THAT NIGHT, as Reed sat on the couch, a beer in his hand, watching the Colorado Rockies game, he thought over his first week. So far there hadn’t been any major fires to put out at work. Most of his clients understood his situation. The two customers he’d been scheduled to visit next week had agreed to conference calls instead.

  He and Jess had settled into a routine. To deal with the departure-time issue, he’d set all the clocks ahead five minutes, which meant they left for school relatively on time. After two days of him banging on her door at seven, Jess started getting up on her own. A success in his book, especially considering neither of them had done bodily harm to the other.

  He stared at the spreadsheet in front of him, but couldn’t focus. How pathetic was it to be working on Friday night? Usually he met friends for a couple of drinks. They talked shop, investments and sports. Or he’d go out on a date, although he hadn’t done that in a while. After all, what were his chances of having a decent relationship with a woman with his parents’ marriage as an example? Colt had tried that, only to end up with a less than pleasant foray into wedded bliss, and Colt wasn’t nearly as like their father as Reed was.

  He had to get out of the house before he went crazy. Not knowing what else to do, he snatched his cell phone off the coffee table and dialed Avery’s number before he could reconsider. “Do you want to go out for pizza? You know, test out this friendship thing.”

  “I’ve got plans.”

  He told himself not to ask, because he wasn’t jealous. He didn’t want to know if she was seeing someone, but the words refused to stay put. “Hot date, huh?”

  “Yup. It’s Griffin and his wife Maggie’s first night out since they had their baby, my gorgeous, amazing niece, Michaela. I’m meeting them at Halligan’s.”

  “Griffin’s a father? The world’s ending, and I didn’t have a clue.” Her brother getting married and becoming a family man was like saying the Pope had become an atheist.

  “He went on the reality show Finding Mrs. Right.”

  “So he married a gorgeous bachelorette?” Now, that made sense and sounded more like Avery’s playboy brother.

  “No, he didn’t. How he and Maggie got together is actually a funny story.”

  “Tell me about it at Halligan’s,” Reed said, fishing for a formal invitation.

  “You remember what the place is like, right? A down-home country bar. Not like the fancy California clubs you’re used to where everyone’s dressed to the nines and sits around sipping expensive wine and chatting about their investments.”

  Was that what she thought of him? How close she came to the truth shouldn’t have stung, but it did. “Are you saying I won’t fit in?”

  “Between the peanut shells on the floor and the spilled beer, your expensive designer duds wouldn’t last the night.”

  He couldn’t miss her derisive tone, or the implication. He was a city boy now, wouldn’t fit in and he no longer interested her. Now he was going no matter what she said. He had something to prove.

  “I’ll see you there.”

  “I’ll be with my family.”

  “I’ve spent almost as much time with them as my own.” And, with the exception of Colt, he had liked hers a whole hell of a lot better. “Are you saying you don’t want me to come?”

  “I know I said we could be friends, but I’m not sure I’m ready for us at Halligan’s.”

  He knew what she meant. Us together at Halligan’s. The down-home bar and grill had been everyone’s favorite hangout, no matter their age. He and Avery had spent a lot of time together there. Laughing. Talking. Planning.

  “It’s Friday night. It’s been a long week with Jess. Taking care of her and running my business long-distance is tougher than I expected.” And the responsibility was weighing him down. “I need to get out, and I haven’t spoken to anyone from town other than you since I left. Remember old man Aldridge and how pitiful he looked every Friday night?”

  Tom Aldridge sat at the bar alone until he’d had a couple of beers. Then he wandered from table to table, telling the same lame jokes until someone finally took pity on him and asked him to join them.

  “That could be me.”

  Silence met his r
equest.

  “What is it, Avery? You afraid you can’t keep your hands off me?”

  Avery’s husky laugh reached deep inside him. “That’ll be the day.”

  Chapter Four

  As Avery sat at a table at the edge of the dance floor with Emma and her sisters-in-law, Elizabeth and Maggie, she still couldn’t believe Reed had asked her out. Sort of. She’d almost dropped the phone. Though he’d added that they should test out “this friendship thing,” warning bells had clanged so loudly in her head that her ears rang.

  Part of her wanted to see what their relationship would be like now that they weren’t fumbling teenagers. They’d always had great chemistry, and it had been so long since she’d wanted to be with a man.

  The problem was she knew they couldn’t have anything permanent, and she wasn’t sure she could handle a casual relationship. She’d never done well with those.

  “I talked with Mick,” Emma said, referring to Halligan’s owner. “He said we could put pitchers on the bar for donations. I thought I’d call you up onstage to explain what’s going on with the shelter before we start our set.”

  “Sounds good.” As Avery glanced again at the front door, she trailed her index finger through the condensation that had formed on her beer bottle. Luckily she faced the entrance, allowing her to keep her door preoccupation under wraps.

  “What is it with you tonight?” Emma asked as she leaned closer.

  “I keep thinking about work.” She hoped her friend would be satisfied with her answer.

  She was distracted all right, but not by her job. When she’d said they could start over as friends, she’d never expected Reed would press the issue. She’d imagined their truce would mean if they met on the street they’d smile, nod at each other and go on their way.