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Avery took a quick peek at her list and placed it back in her purse, pushing Jayne in her stroller along in front of her at the same time. She was thoroughly enjoying the weather today, as she continued through her list of errands. She had first made a stop at the post office to return a package to Amazon with clothes that had not quite fit Jayne. After a quick stop at the children’s boutique, she made one last stop for some baby food at the grocery store. This caught her errands up for the week.
She loved the weather this time of year, just as the seasons began to change with that little bit of crispness in the air. The leaves were starting to change color, with the trees bound to be in a spectacular bloom in a few more weeks. There is no other time of the year the ranch is more beautiful than during the fall color change. Avery was grateful every day for this being the home where she would be able to raise Jayne. There were people around that loved her daughter like their own, which for someone without a support system was critical. She did miss a few friends back at the base, but she knew this was her real home now.
As she looked up from her thoughts, her heart flipped ridiculously and started to race when her eyes found themselves resting on Scout Westbrook. For a moment, she considered turning and running, but upon looking at the stroller, she realized how foolish an endeavor that would be. The man unnerved her in a way no one had been able to do in a long time. She and Michael had been high school sweethearts, and their love had been born of loneliness as neither had siblings. The friendship in the early years had transformed in later years to a deep love and interdependence. Their lives had just fit together, without drama or fuss. Unfortunately, his service had kept them apart over the last few years, and she had discovered her independence and a personal strength being on her own she hadn’t expected. Whatever God’s plans were, they had not included her growing old with Michael apparently, but that did not mean she was ready for the feelings Scout raised in her, with a single look. Besides, he had made it clear that a single mom was not on his desirable list of partners, and the man could have his pick. He was the very definition of tall, chiseled, and handsome in her mind.
“Avery,” the object of her musings broke in.
“Scout,” she said, hoping the smile she plastered on her face looked genuine.
“And who do we have here,” he said, shocking her when he hitched up his pants and crouched down to Jayne’s eye level. “Is this the lovely Ms. Jayne,” he said in a sing-song voice that almost made Avery want to laugh aloud, it did not go with the tough-guy persona.
“How are you today, cutie pie?”
Jayne elicited a gurgling happy response and then tried to reach out and place her slobbery finger in Scout’s mouth, giving her stamp of approval.
“Thank you, but I have my own,” Scout said, wiggling his digits at Jayne.
Avery watched this interplay for a moment and felt her resistance to the man give. Jayne loved the silly exchange and was baby chattering away at him.
“Running some errands today?” He directed the question to Avery, while still engaging with Jayne.
“Yeah. We only had two guests last night, so the morning clean up and reset were super quick.” “I thought I would take the opportunity to drive into Little Bend and do a few things.”
“I really should be working, we have a pretty hard deadline looming, but my work gloves have to get replaced.”
“I don’t know if anyone let you know, but most of the merchants in town have a small discount for Living River Ranch employees.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” he said, and seemed to be trying to decide something in his head watching Avery’s face.
Finally, he asked, “is the diner in town good?”
“They have some good home cooking, but don’t you dare tell Marissa I said that,” she chastised him with a slight finger wag and a grin.
“Got it. Care to join me for lunch?”
Avery’s pulse skittered to a halt, before picking up and racing away from her. Was he asking her on a date? Come on; it is just lunch, she chastised herself silently. Do it! NO, that has disaster written all over it. Her internal voices went to battle as she tried to figure out a response. Finally, safety won!
“I appreciate it, but we really must get back.”
He stood to his full height and moved slightly, so he was directly in front of her. She had the unnerving desire to wrap her arms around his ample waist and see if he was as warm and comforting as all that muscled mass looked from this distance. He was really going to be a problem, as she had not had this reaction to a man – well probably ever.
“You know I hope we can be friends,” Scout said, with a serious gaze holding her eyes.
“We are coworkers, so we’ll run into each other like this quite often. That is until you leave anyway,” she finished more to remind herself than anything else.
He nodded contemplatively. “I’m sorry about your husband, Avery,” he said softly.
“Thank you. My husband is the reason I choose my relationships, friends, or anything else so selectively. I don’t want to be built up again to depend on someone, want them around, and then feel that tearing down in my soul when they leave,” she finished resolutely.
“Fair enough. What happens, though, if I stay?”
Avery glanced at him, trying to read his eyes. Finally, she averted her gaze to rearrange bags nervously on the stroller handle. “Well, we need to be on our way. Jayne will need a bottle soon.”
“I’ll see you around,” he said, and then crouched back down, “and you also Ms. Jayne,” he waggled his fingers into her belly this time. That elicited an incredibly happy baby belly laugh.
Avery moved forward as soon as he was clear of the stroller. The man needed to be kept at a distance. The entire interaction had her feeling alive, conflicted, and in need of a lot of deep cleansing breaths. Back to the safety of the ranch, they went, and hopefully, she could avoid Scout until his contract was done late this fall.
