Once inside, her eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim interior. The room was filled with farming equipment, and she found Nick bent over the bonnet of his truck. The sleeves of his navy shirt were rolled to his elbows, his muscles flexing as he tinkered with the motor. She could appreciate a good-looking man, it was nothing more than that.
“What are you doing?”
His shoulders tensed for a beat then released before he answered without taking his eyes off the motor. “Checking the oil and water.”
“I can’t believe you still have this old truck,” she said, kicking a tire.
“Nothing wrong with it.”
“Do you work on the farm now?” she asked.
He made a grunting sound. She took that as a yes.
“I thought you wanted to take over Collin Benson’s old mechanical workshop.”
Nick shoved his fingers through his hair. “Ava, I’m busy. I don’t have time to catch up on the last ten years. Nor do I want to.” He slammed the bonnet shut, the sound vibrating through the shed.
Through gritted teeth, she said, “Believe me, it’s not rainbows and unicorns being stuck here with you either. But it is what it is. We can at least try to be civil to one another.” Even though she hated being here with Nick she could try to make it as painless as possible.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he sauntered around her and got into the truck.
Dashing for the passenger side, she slid onto the seat before he could take off without her.
He slid her a long look. “What are you doing? Get out of the truck.”
“No, I’m coming with you.” She closed the door and arranged her coat so she could sit more comfortably.
“What happened to you cooking me a three-course meal?”
She scoffed. “Like that would really happen.” She pointed to the opening of the shed. “What are you waiting for?”
“For you to get out.”
Stubbornly, she said, “Not going to happen.”
“I’m going to check on fences and do repairs.” His lips flattening in a stern line, the words sounded strained.
She didn’t know why she was so determined to stay with him. The resentful feelings bouncing off of him and her own bitterness should have made her want to stay at the house. Maybe it was the fact she bugged the hell out of him, which pleased her immensely.
“I can help you check the fences.”
His gaze swept over her, and he let out a short, harsh laugh. “You’re gonna help me dressed like that?”
“I can spot the damaged ones for you from the inside of the truck.”
He shook his head. “No way, Avi-baby.”
Ava gasped and Nick slammed his lips shut. They both stared wide-eyed at each other at the mention of the playful nickname he’d called her when they were younger.
Clearing his throat, he broke eye contact and started the truck. “If you want to tag along, you’re gonna have to help.”
She didn’t mention anything about her nickname. She wasn’t exactly sure how she felt hearing it again after all these years. “But my outfit…”
“Is fucking ridiculous,” he finished.
“I wasn’t exactly planning on being stranded on a farm.”
“What happened to the clothes I gave you last night?”
She let out a surprised laugh. “You don’t expect me to wear your oversized track pants and t-shirt, do you?”
“It’s better than what you have on.”
“If I change, will you wait for me?”
“No.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Then I’ll stay dressed as I am.”
He growled something she didn’t quite understand, but by the tone she knew it wasn’t anything pleasant.
They sat in stony silence as they drove along the gravel driveway. She was sure Nick hit every pothole and bump on purpose, bouncing her around. After hitting a particularly deep hole, Ava bounced high off the seat, landing very close to him. Reaching out to grip the edge of the seat to steady herself, her hand instead landed in Nick’s lap, grabbing his crotch like a handbrake. She snatched it away as if she’d been burned. He slammed on the brakes, and the truck skidded to a stop.
A flare of heat lit up his eyes, but it was gone in a flash, replaced by a deep frown. She covered her mouth with her hand in mock surprise. She wasn’t about to let him know her heart was hammering in her chest. “Oops. Sorry about that.”
Hooded eyes stared at her. “Anything you want to continue with? I know I told you I didn’t want to talk about old times, but I’d be happy to screw like the good ol’ days.”
Two could play that game. Ava slid closer, so their thighs pressed together, and trailed an index finger from his knee toward his crotch. She leaned in, making sure her breasts brushed against his arm, and whispered in his ear, “Find the nearest cluster of trees and let’s see if we’ve still got it.”
A strong hand slammed down on her exploring finger before it hit the mark, and he flicked it off his thigh. As he took off, gravel spun from the tires.
She slid closer to the passenger side door, putting as much distance as she could between them. What was meant to cause him discomfort and put him in his place, backfired when she’d felt his hard thigh. Her body burned like fire from the inside out, and she squirmed in the seat.
She propped her elbow on the window, portraying a look of nonchalance. “Why Nick, have you suddenly grown bashful?”
Without taking his eyes off the road, he answered, “No, my standards of who I have sex with are higher these days.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, but before she had time to retaliate, he continued like they were having a casual conversation about the weather.
“I have to make a stop and pick up Molly.”
Ava glanced out the window. He drove into the driveway of the house they’d passed last night, her curiosity about Molly overriding Nick’s insult. If Molly was his daughter, why was she here and not at the house with him? After his comment a moment ago, surely he wasn’t married, but if he was, she’d personally help his wife castrate him.
Nick pinned her with a hard look. “Stay here.” He got out of the truck, hunched his shoulders against the rain, and ran toward the wide, timber veranda.
“Not a chance,” she muttered. Retrieving her makeshift umbrella, she held it over her head and followed.
As she reached the shelter of the veranda, Nick spun toward her, and his expression grew dark. “I told you to stay in the truck.”
She met his glare with one of her own. “I don’t take orders.” She then grilled, “Who’s Molly? Is she your daughter?”
His eyebrows rose with surprise, and he laughed. A real laugh, reminding her of the youthful, happy guy she’d once loved. No, thought she loved. They’d been too young for something so serious. Obviously, her assumption about Molly was wrong, but she didn’t have a clue what he thought was so funny.
“Molly, come here, girl,” he yelled through the screen door.
Excited barking echoed somewhere from inside the house, and the sound of tapping on timber floors came rushing toward the front door. Nick opened the screen, and a hyperactive cattle dog bounded out onto the veranda, jumping up and down in front of him, wanting his attention.
He bent down on one knee and scratched the dog under the chin. “Hey, beautiful girl, did you miss me?”
Molly answered by licking his face. He laughed and wiped off the slobber with his shoulder.
He rose and introduced the happy dog to Ava. “This is Molly.”
Ava clapped her palms on her thighs to get Molly’s attention, and the dog happily jumped up and put her front paws on Ava’s legs, looking for more love.
“You could’ve told me Molly was your dog.” She stroked the top of Molly’s head.
“And ruin the surprise?” He clicked his fingers. “Molly, sit.”
The dog left Ava and obediently sat next to his feet.
“Have that control with all women?”
She snickered.
“If I did, you’d still be sitting in the truck.”
She pulled a face.
“Ava, is that you?” a familiar voice called from inside the house.
Nick groaned.
“Does your mother live here?” She threw him a look.
Before Nick had a chance to answer, his mother Maggie stepped out onto the veranda. Ava’s heart tripped a beat seeing her after so many years. A few extra lines creased her smooth, creamy skin and her dark brown hair had some grays scattered through it, but those were the only changes. Piercing blue eyes as bright as Nick’s smiled. God, Ava had missed her.
“Oh my gosh, it is you.” Maggie wrapped her in a tight hug. Ava breathed in deeply the familiar scent of vanilla and orange blossoms. Maggie pulled back, leaving her hands on Ava’s shoulders. “It’s so wonderful to see you. It’s been so long.”
“It’s great seeing you too, Maggie.” Nostalgia lodged in her throat. “I’ve missed you.”
Maggie’s blue eyes misted. “I’ve missed you too.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “I’m turning into such a sook. Come inside and I’ll make us a cuppa and you can tell me what’s brought you back home.”
Ava flinched at the word home, but Maggie didn’t seem to notice. Why she was in Sunland Valley, she wasn’t exactly sure yet until she spoke with Bella. “I’d love to catch up.” Then her gaze swept the front of the house. “Do you live here?”
“Didn’t Nicky tell you?”
Ava shot Nick a glare. “He isn’t exactly full of information. I’m lucky if he mutters more than two words to me.”
Maggie gave her a sympathetic smile. “That’s because you broke poor Nicky’s heart.”
* * * *
“Let’s go.” Nick caught Ava’s arm and pulled her toward the steps of the veranda. He needed to get her away before his mother said another word.
“Wait, Nick. I’d like to stay and visit with Maggie.” Ava tried pulling him to a stop, but he kept moving.
“No time, we have fences to mend. See you later, Mum.” He didn’t even give Ava time to cover her head with the jacket she’d brought along. Nick whistled at Molly, and she followed close behind.
Ava stumbled down the stairs. “Nick, slow down!”
He didn’t; he just kept pulling her toward the truck. If she’d only listened and stayed inside the truck. No, stayed at the house, so she wouldn’t be staring at him with wide eyes over the bomb his mother dropped.
Ava yanked her arm free, flung open the passenger door, and threw herself inside. Normally, he would let Molly ride in the tray, but he didn’t want her traveling in the rain, so he gave her a command and she leaped inside. Muddy paws landed straight on Ava’s coat.
“Molly, no!” Ava cried and tried to pull it free. But Molly propped her head on top of her paws and made herself comfortable.
Ava glowered at Nick. “Do you mind getting your dog off my coat?” Then she held a finger under her nose and wrinkled it with disgust. “God, she stinks.”
“Suck it up, princess.” Silently, he agreed that Molly stank. Wet dog wasn’t the greatest of smells. He couldn’t even wind down the window, but he wasn’t about to make things comfortable for Ava.
She threw her hands in the air. “You know what? Take me back to the house. Tagging along was a big mistake.”
“I have too much to do to turn back. Unfortunately, we’re stuck together.”
Folding her arms across her chest, she blew out a breath and looked out the passenger side window. After a few moments of silence, she turned to face him. “What did Maggie mean when she said I broke your heart?”
He clenched his jaw shut. Was it too much to hope she wouldn’t mention it?
“Why did she say that, Nick? I couldn’t have broken your heart. You didn’t love me.”
He let out a short, harsh laugh. “You were always too…”
When he didn’t finish the sentence, Ava swiveled her head to stare at him. “I was always too…what? I can’t wait to hear it.”
“You were always too busy planning your big escape to notice.” He stopped the truck. “We’re here.”
She followed him outside, carrying the stupid jacket above her head that did nothing to protect her from the rain. Unaware of the tension surrounding her, Molly danced with excitement around their legs.
Knocking him on the shoulder to get his attention, Ava said, “Nick, you didn’t love me.” Her eyes narrowed like she was probing for the truth.
Ignoring her, he spun away and pulled a roll of fencing wire from the truck and hooked it over his shoulder. Next, he hoisted out a battered toolbox and marched over to the fence.
Ava trailed after him unsteadily as her heels sank into the mud. She let go of the jacket with one hand long enough to tug at his sleeve, pulling him around to face her again. Anger had replaced her skepticism. “You can’t imply you loved me and leave it at that. You don’t expect me to believe you had such strong feelings?”
The wire and tool box he held dropped to the ground. Couldn’t she just let this go? The past was well and truly buried. He’d spent years digging the hole. He stomped along the fence line, inspecting last night’s repair.
“Will you stop for a minute?” she snapped.
Nick had the impression she wanted to stamp her foot like a spoiled brat, but her heels were stuck too deep in the mud. Frustrated, he heaved a heavy sigh. “I have a lot to check on today, and it will take twice as long in this weather. Can we save this conversation for another time?” Or never if he had his way.
“The sooner you explain what Maggie meant, the sooner you can go back to being Old MacDonald. Did you love me?”
“No, I didn’t love you,” he lied.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips, and she nodded. “Good. That’s great. Because how ridiculous would that have been? So crazy. We were so young. I don’t know why Maggie thought—”
He couldn’t listen to another word and trudged toward her until they were inches apart, cupping her face in his hands. Her eyes widened just before he kissed her.
Chapter 5
For a beat, Ava’s body stiffened against Nick and then melded against his chest. The jacket she’d held above her head to protect her from the rain dropped on the ground when she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, knocking the cap off his head in the process.
He pulled her closer, fusing their mouths and bodies together, drinking her in like he’d been in a drought. Hot, fast, and hungry. Kisses that had once been young and playful had matured into something deeper and more ardent.
Digging her fingers into his rain-soaked hair, she shuddered against his body. Heat slammed into him, and he vibrated with desire.
And as quickly as it started she pulled away and stumbled a step back. Her chest heaved as she sucked in deep, shuddering breaths, her eyes wide with shock.
He took a couple of rough breaths to fill his own oxygen-deprived lungs and probably mirrored her exact same expression.
“Look at that, just like old times. ’Cept I used to catch you two locking lips in the hay shed.”
Nick and Ava swung toward the interrupting voice and found Percy, Nick’s farm manager, parked next to them. He hadn’t heard the truck pull up, and by the surprised expression on Ava’s face, she hadn’t either. He used the distraction to close his eyes for a moment and take a few steady breaths to settle his hammering heart. Shit! Alone together for five minutes and she was fucking with his mind.
“Percy?” Ava, now thoroughly soaked through and not bothering with the discarded jacket, ran as best as she could in her stupid heels over to the old man who sat in the truck with the window down.
Nick’s father had hired Percy to be farm manager when he bought land to start his cattle farm twenty-eight years ago. For as long as Nick could remember, Percy had looked the same. With his tanned, weathered face, salt-and-pepper hair, and tall, lanky frame, Nick didn’t know if he was fifty or one hundred and fifty.
Ava leane
d through the opened window and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s so good to see you, and looking as handsome as ever.”
“I never thought I’d see you back on the farm again. And it didn’t take the two of you long to pick up where you left off.”
“No, it’s not what you think,” Ava tried to explain.
“You were the best thing to happen to Nick. What an idiot he was for lettin’ you go.”
“Percy!” Nick barked. “Have you checked the top paddocks?”
At Nick’s harsh tone, Percy slid a confused look between Nick and Ava.
“I sent Kev there.” Nick gathered his equipment and threw it in the back of the truck. “I’ll see if he needs a hand. I repaired these fences last night, double check them, the tension of the wire could be tighter. And take Ava back to the house when you’re done.” He avoided looking at her as he drove away.
* * * *
Mud flung out from the back of Nick’s tires as he sped off.
“Coward!” Ava yelled after him, not caring that Percy was watching her with curious eyes. How could Nick kiss her in a way that made the earth shake then drive away? And why the hell did he kiss her in the first place?
“Ava, get in the truck before you drown in this rain.” Percy’s voice snapped her back to reality.
The rain had eased a little since she’d left the house, but it still drenched through to her skin. She shivered and climbed inside Percy’s truck. He’d cranked the heater on high, and she was grateful for the measly warmth it provided.
“I’ll take you back to the house now before you shrivel into a prune.”
“What about checking the fences?”
“They’ll keep. I’ll be back soon enough,” he said as he navigated through the muddy paddock.
“It’s so wonderful to see you, Percy.”
Percy flicked her a pleased grin. “It’s good to see you too, sweetheart. It’s been too long.”
Once more she found herself wringing out water from her hair after being caught in the pouring rain. Would she ever be dry again?
“Time got away from me.” Even to her own ears her excuse sounded insincere. She’d left Sunland Valley with no intention of ever returning.
Chasing Trouble Page 4
