“Since when did you get a cat? I thought you swore off them. At least that’s what you said when my sister adopted Marshmallow.”
“I never swore off cats. I like them. It’s just—oh, never mind.”
He had a feeling that she’d withheld the most interesting part of that answer, but he didn’t push the subject. “So if it isn’t your cat, whose is it?”
“My mother’s. I was cat-sitting.”
He couldn’t help but smile. “Cat-sitting, huh?”
“Hey, it’s not funny. My mother is visiting with Carol Bingley.”
“I bet your mother comes home with some interesting stories—”
“I don’t think she’ll have time to repeat any gossip as she’ll be too busy yelling at me for losing her cat. Speaking of which, I have to go.”
Jillian attempted to step past him when she suddenly lost her balance. She let out a gasp. Avery turned just in time to catch her in his arms.
He pulled her slight form to him, crushing her soft curves against his chest. He heard the swift intake of her breath. Was it a surprised reaction? Or was it something else? Perhaps the same thing that had his pounding heartbeat echoing in his ears?
He’d never held Jillian in his arms before. Sure, he’d noticed her back in school. How could he not? She had always been and still was a knockout. But he was never around on the weekends to take her out. He’d spent all of his free time working at the Crooked S. It didn’t leave much room for girls.
And then after graduation, in a split second his whole life had changed. After his parents’ accident, he was left with a family to manage. That’s when he’d made one of his best decisions. He’d kept Jillian on, promoting her from babysitter to housekeeper/nanny.
He still remembered the agonizing task of moving into his parents’ bedroom in order to give Jillian his room to sleep in while he was away at the various rodeo competitions.
He didn’t know how he’d have gotten through those rough years without her. And that’s why he’d made sure to keep their relationship totally platonic. Because if they’d gotten involved and things had gone wrong, not only would he have paid the price but his brother and sister would have too when Jillian quit. The truth was he couldn’t have afforded to lose her—her help that is. There had been so much more to being a guardian than he’d ever imagined.
But now that he was holding her, he was starting to realize just how much he’d missed out on. Her gentle curves fit just right against him. And she smelled so good. Was that cinnamon? And there was another scent that he couldn’t quite place. His instinct was to pull her closer and take a deeper whiff of her sweet scent, but he resisted—just like he’d done for years—and just like he’d keep doing until he left Marietta for good.
When his gaze latched on to her big blue eyes, he found his pulse picking up its pace. His gaze lowered down over her pink-tinged cheeks and pert nose to her red lips that were slightly parted. In that moment, the strongest urge came over him.
He longed to kiss her. He wanted to see if her berry red lips were as sweet as they appeared. Would it be so wrong? After all, it wasn’t like it would lead anywhere because soon he’d be packing up and hitting the open road—hitting rodeo after rodeo until he had enough money for his own patch of land. And the memory of Jillian’s kiss would keep him warm on those long, lonely nights.
Before he could put action to his thoughts, Jillian pressed her hands to his chest. She pushed away. “Thanks. I…I stepped on a patch of ice.”
He reluctantly let her go. “No problem. Just be careful. It’s slick out here.”
“All the more reason I have to find Romeo. Anything could happen to him. Not to mention the freezing temperature. He’s not used to the snow and ice.”
“Calm down. Animals are smart. He’ll take care of himself. In fact, he probably already circled around and is at home waiting for you to let him inside.”
Her eyes widened with hope. “Do you really think so?”
“I do. Besides, you’re never going to find him out here in the dark.”
She paused as though considering his words. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Can I give you a ride?”
She shook her head. “Thanks. I’ll walk. It’s just a block or so.”
“Okay. Be careful. And I’ll keep an eye out for—what did you call the cat?”
“Romeo. He’s a tuxedo cat.” When Avery sent her a puzzled look, she said, “You know, a black and white cat. He’s mostly black with a bit of white on his face and chest. And the tip of his tail is white.”
“Got it. I’ll keep an eye out for Romeo. I’ll let you know if I spot him. But he’s most likely waiting at home.”
“Okay. Thanks.” She hesitated as though she had something else she wanted to say, but then she changed her mind and retraced her steps back to the sidewalk.
Avery ignored the throbbing pain in his leg as he watched Jillian walk away. Once more, an opportunity to kiss her had slipped through his fingers. And he had a feeling it would be his last chance. He told himself it was for the best, but it didn’t assuage his disappointment.
And to top it off, he got the distinct impression he was alone in that disappointment. Where Jillian had once been overly friendly and a tad flirty, she was now more reserved.
Had she moved on? Not that there had been anything between them, but somehow when he thought of her, he imagined her as single and available. But as he relived the events of the evening, he realized there definitely was something different about her—something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
Chapter Three
Don’t think about it.
Just pretend it never happened.
Avery attempted to banish the memory of holding Jillian in his arms, but it was impossible. Every time he closed his eyes, she was there—all of her curvy goodness pressed to him and her sweet scent teasing him. He inwardly groaned. And then there were her big blue eyes that felt as though they could see straight through him.
Maybe he had passed up a prime opportunity with her in the past, but he’d had to. His brother and sister had needed Jillian. And as he’d played a part in their parents’ deaths, it had been up to him to make sacrifices.
But that was then and this was now. His siblings were off making their way in the world and Jillian no longer worked for him. Maybe he shouldn’t write her off so quickly. There was time before he left town for them to hook up and find out if those sparks could ignite into flames of passion.
The thought appealed to him—a lot. But he recalled Jillian’s cooler than normal demeanor and her eagerness to pull away from him. Was it worth pursuing? Or should he leave well enough alone?
His eager imagination was getting the better of him. After all, it was good old Jillian. She was not some rodeo bunny. She was…she was Jillian.
Avery shook his head—willing the tangled web of thoughts to fade away.
He limped back to the truck. This sure wasn’t the rodeo season he’d been anticipating. He thought he’d be able to brush off this injury with a long weekend at home, but the more time that passed, the more his knee ached. He was beginning to think the diagnosis of four to six weeks to recuperate might be right. Still, it beat having surgery by a long shot.
He carefully hefted himself into the driver’s seat. After attaching his seat belt, he eased the truck back in gear. He gently let off the brake and crept the rest of the way home. He told himself that he was just being extra cautious as the road was treacherous. And since he was going this slow, it didn’t hurt to scan the road and sidewalks for any sign of Jillian’s cat. He knew it was silly. Cats could fend for themselves. If this Romeo didn’t head straight home, he would find a warm spot to curl up in for the night.
Avery’s destination was just a few houses up the street and there was no sign of a cat or any other living creature on this brutally cold evening. He slowed before turning into the driveway. Not exactly home sweet home. He got out and paused to grab his duffel ba
g from the back seat. He learned a long time ago to travel light. It made life so much easier.
Right now, he should be on his way to California for another event, not heading into this dark, empty house. There wasn’t even a porch light on. That’s because there wasn’t a soul there to greet him. Then he thought of Marshmallow. He wondered if the cat would be happy to be back in her own house.
Avery limped up the snow-covered walk to the front steps. He grabbed the banister and hefted himself up the steps, one at a time. His injured leg protested, but he didn’t let that stop him. He swung the door open and stepped inside. He dropped his duffel bag near the front door and then fumbled for the light switch before closing the door. Home at last.
Meow! Hiss! Hiss!
“Marshmallow?” Avery looked around, trying to find the unhappy feline.
It wasn’t like her to put up a fuss. She was usually a very sweet-natured cat. Something must be amiss. Avery took off in the direction of his sister’s bedroom. That’s where the cat spent most of her time. Marshmallow really missed Beth since she went off to college. And he was proving to be a poor substitute. Perhaps it was time to consider finding Marshmallow a permanent home.
Avery flicked on the light. Immediately he spotted Marshmallow on the bed. But a movement at the foot of the bed garnered his attention. A black cat stared at him and blinked his eyes.
“Where in the world did you come from?” Avery asked the cat.
Meow.
A bit surprised by the feline’s response, Avery said, “Sorry, buddy. I wish I spoke cat.”
Murr. Murr.
He studied the cat for a moment. It seemed docile enough. It was definitely someone’s pet. Its coat was black and white. And the tip of its tail was white. Was it possible this was Jillian’s missing feline?
“Well, you certainly are a chatty one.” Avery stepped further into the room. “Would you happen to be Romeo?”
The cat’s ears perked up. Murr.
“Hmm…you must have snuck in the door when I came in.” And then Avery looked at Marshmallow. “Is this your boyfriend?”
Marshmallow’s eyes narrowed as though she was frowning at him. Avery couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. Romeo inched closer to Marshmallow. Obviously Jillian’s cat had been aptly named.
“Well, boy, it’s time you went home.” Avery approached the cat, who watched Avery’s every move.
When Avery put out his hand to pet him, Romeo sniffed his hand. Avery ruffled the cat’s shiny black coat. He wondered what Marshmallow thought of him befriending her admirer. She’d turned her head away, ignoring the entire scene.
“Hey, Romeo, if you’re trying to win over Marshmallow, looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”
Just then Avery went to pick up Romeo, but the cat darted away with lightning speed. The cat slipped under the bed. Avery dropped down on his good knee, bent over, and peered into the darkness. He stretched out his arm, but he couldn’t reach the cat.
With a sigh, Avery stood. He pulled out his phone to call Jillian. He may not have caught the cat yet…but at least he could let her know Romeo was safe.
Jillian answered the phone in a frustrated tone. “He isn’t here—”
“Because he’s here.”
“He is?” Her voice suddenly took on a gleeful tone. “Don’t let him out of your sight. I’ll be right there.”
“Well, that’s the problem. I can’t see him or touch him. He’s hiding under the bed.”
“Did you say under the bed?”
“I did.” He couldn’t help smiling at her confusion. This evening had indeed been quite confusing. “I was hoping you could coax him out.”
“But how did he end up in your house? Wait. Never mind. I’m on my way.”
Avery wasn’t sure seeing Jillian again was a good idea after everything that had happened earlier. But it wasn’t like he was going to act on his impulses. It had been just a momentary lapse in judgment. It wouldn’t happen again.
*
At last, some good news.
Romeo was safe.
Jillian wasn’t sure she wanted to see Avery twice in one evening. He hadn’t been acting like himself. There was something about the way he talked to her. And was it her imagination or had he held her longer than necessary when she’d slipped?
Still, she didn’t have any choice but to go to his place. Jillian pulled her coat back on. She grabbed her keys and purse from the kitchen counter. She assured herself that his reaction to her had been a figment of her imagination. After all, he’d had years to notice her but he never did.
Nothing had changed. And even if it had, it was too late. She’d moved on with her life. She was so over Avery Wainwright.
Now, if only she could get to Avery’s house and back before her mother returned, none of this miserable experience would have to be repeated. And to think for years she’d been a nanny for Avery’s younger brother and sister. Who’d have guessed watching humans would be easier than watching an ornery furbaby?
Jillian dashed out the door. This time she decided to drive. Having grown up in Marietta, she came from hearty stock. But tonight it was just too cold out to walk. And she wasn’t taking any more chances with Romeo. He was anything but the docile lap cat the shelter had portrayed him as.
Less than two minutes later, she pulled up in front of the Wainwright place. It was a bungalow house with moss green siding, white trim and a dark red front door that Jillian had always liked. The door was just the right signature touch to make the house stand out without being over the top.
Jillian exited her car and if not for the ice, she’d have run up to the front door. Not that long ago, she’d have thought nothing of letting herself in the door without knocking, but a lot had changed since those days. Now she paused and pressed her finger to the illuminated buzzer adjacent to the door.
It took a bit before the door swung open. When it did, there stood Avery, all six foot two feet of him. His brown hair was tousled and there was a hint of scruff trailing down his jaw. He’d definitely grown into a strikingly handsome man. If not for his determination to remain the bachelor cowboy, she was certain Avery could have his pick of any number of women.
Not so long ago, she’d have been one of those eligible women vying for his attention. After all, with those broad shoulders and dreamy eyes, it was hard not to fall for Avery’s charms. But she’d managed to move past all of that. She was immune to him now.
As he stood in the doorway, she couldn’t help but notice his clothes. She found it odd that on one of the coldest days of the year, he was standing there in nothing but a white T-shirt with a sports logo and gray sweat shorts. But it was the black knee brace that held her attention. Realizing that she was staring, she returned her gaze to his ruggedly handsome face.
“Thanks for coming over,” he said. As though he didn’t notice her staring, he turned to head further into the great room. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to get the cat out of Beth’s room with this thing on my leg.” He gestured toward the brace. “It makes getting around difficult at times.”
“Should you even be standing?” Her gaze returned to his knee, giving it more intense scrutiny.
“I’m not good at sitting around. I’ll ice it in a little bit.”
“What happened?”
“It’s a partial tear of the ACL. Since I don’t normally put too much strain on my knees, the doc said surgery was optional. I chose to skip it.”
She nodded as though she understood. But she couldn’t help but wonder if Avery was telling her the whole truth. This was the man who never stopped cowboying, even if he had the flu.
He was stubborn. It’s why he’d ended up with pneumonia. That was the only thing that had stopped him in his cowboy boots. Between herself and Beth, they’d kept him on bed rest for two weeks. Amidst his protests, she’d plied him with homemade chicken noodle broth and ginger ale.
It had happened the first winter after Avery had become the twins’ gua
rdian and she’d accepted the full-time position of nanny/housekeeper. From laundry to cooking to shuttling the kids around town, she did it all. Avery had compensated her well, perhaps too well. She’d wondered how he could afford it. Any time she tried to broach the subject, he’d brushed it off. He was definitely a stubborn man.
And now, she couldn’t help but wonder if Avery had selectively taken pieces of what the doctor had said about his leg and come up with his own answers, determined to get back out on the rodeo circuit ASAP. She just hoped he wouldn’t pay for that stubbornness in the end. She reminded herself that it was no longer any of her concern. Avery now had his life and she had hers. Both separate and distinct. And that’s how it would remain.
She glanced around the great room to see if much had changed in the year or so since she’d worked there. During the twins’ senior year of high school, she’d moved out. The kids had been eighteen and not really kids anymore. She’d stopped by and checked on them when Avery was out of town, but it had been determined by the family that the twins were old enough and responsible enough to care for themselves.
Jillian scanned the living room. It was a little messier with magazines, some random articles of clothing, and a couple of coffee mugs on the coffee table. But other than that, it was how she remembered.
This room normally felt quite spacious and the vaulted ceiling made it seem even bigger. But this evening with Avery there, the room seemed to have shrunk considerably. And with a fire crackling in the fireplace, it was downright cozy. Too cozy for her comfort.
“Where is Romeo?” she asked, hoping to wrap this up quickly. She assured herself that her rush to leave had everything to do with beating her mother home and absolutely nothing to do with the sexy man standing in front of her.
“He’s still in Beth’s room, under her bed. You might need a broom to get him out. I can get it for you.” He turned toward the kitchen.
“I don’t think I’ll need it.” She didn’t like the sound of using a broom to get Romeo moving. Hopefully she could manage with far less drastic actions.
Sprinkled with Love Page 2
