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Scout had put in a solid ten-mile run, showered, and was finishing a quick supply check for the coming week when he caught sight of Avery coming out of the clinic. He hoped everything was okay, but the way her forehead was furrowed, and she kept glancing down at Jayne laying in her carrier, he felt worry rise in his chest. Before he realized it, he had been walking their direction.
“Hey, everything okay,” he asked, before even wishing her a good morning.
Avery looked up at him with worry etched in her face as if she could not figure anything out.
“Hey, Scout. Yeah, Jayne just has some sniffles and is a bit fussy today. I am trying to figure out what to do,” she said absently.
“What to do?”
“Emily and I were going to accomplish a deep clean at the B&B today. Unfortunately, the nursery is closed, and Jayne won’t tolerate me just leaving her in a playpen for any period of time.”
“I can watch her,” he said, shocked as the words left his mouth.
“No, I wasn’t asking for help, but rather trying,” she stopped, when he held up his hand.
“I think I can,” he leaned down when Jayne started to fuss, “do you mind?”
She shook her head, and he unbuckled and removed the squirming baby. Jayne looked up at him and snuggled closer.
“Emily was doing so well and was so excited about a couple of ideas on rearranging furniture upstairs,” Avery started. “She is like a new woman these last two weeks. I hate to disappoint her in any way.”
“Go. Seriously. Is Jayne contagious?”
Avery shook her head, “No, Nancy just thinks it is her teeth and maybe a little cold.”
“Great. Why don’t we head on down to the diner for some breakfast, as I am famished? Then I will take her to my house for a nap and play.”
“Are you sure? She can be a huge handful.”
“Mary is literally two doors down if she gets to be too much, and you know she LOVES Jayne.”
Avery laughed, “I think Jayne is as much the reason she is out here all the time as Marissa.”
“See, problem solved. What are friends for if not babysitting in times of need?”
“Tell Emily I said hi. I will say that I think the other night at the bonfire was the first time I had seen her smile.”
“Yeah, her father spent years tearing her spirit down and keeping her virtually a prisoner on their farm. To see her building up confidence little by little and doing so well has been a real treat for me. I can’t wait to see what the next couple of months and years hold for her.”
“Well, you do your project. Call when you are done, and I can bring her out here.”
“No, I can come into town and get her. It should not be more than a couple of hours. You also have the number to the B&B if something occurs.”
“You don’t have a cell phone?”
“Why? Everyone I talk to is here on the ranch. Besides, I cannot really afford it yet; babies are expensive.”
“Understood. I will see you when you finish,” he said, as Avery stood on her toes to kiss Jayne’s forehead.
She handed the carrier to Scout and the diaper bag, which he looked like a pro carrying. With a backward glance, she confirmed he was chatting up a storm with Jayne as if he expected her to respond. She smiled all the way back to the B&B, shaking her head the entire way. It seemed like when she needed something the most; the ranch had always provided. She did not like the idea of Scout being one of those blessings, but she was fast coming to learn that his arrival was an answer to some prayer; she did not even remember offering up. Fighting him off at every turn only seemed to draw him nearer, so maybe it was time to see what happened if she gave in and let things flow.
As she climbed the stairs to the B&B, she saw Emily and stopped in her tracks. Her hair, which she usually wore in the strict braid down her back, was loose this morning, and she wore a bright blue top and a new jacket. The refreshed appearance from the usual greys and black worn clothing she had dressed in daily since her arrival was not the only change. The huge smile she wore as her face was upturned to capture the rays of the sun on her face, made Avery’s heart jump.
“Good Morning.”
“Morning. I love the sun on my face,” Emily returned, turning her full attention on Avery. “Where is Jayne?”
“She wasn’t feeling good, so Scout is going to watch her,” she replied, trying to keep her face from giving away any other details.
“You like him,” Emily said, without question in the statement.
“He is very nice.”
Suddenly, Emily’s face turned down just enough to alarm Avery. “Do you think anyone will ever like me?” Emily asked quietly.
Avery stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the woman, “Oh my goodness, yes!” She backed up, so she could look Emily directly in the face, “You are cute, caring, and a hard worker. Someone will recognize how wonderful you are; I know it. You are working so hard to improve yourself and become this wonderful young lady. Give it some time, and it will happen.”
“Thank you. I am so glad I came here. Do you think it’s bad that I don’t miss my Papa, and hope never see him again?” She asked in a whisper as her voice broke?
“You have to do what is right for you, and your Papa, for some reason, did some terrible things to you. Not wanting to see him because of his actions is normal, but he is still your Papa. You can be grateful that he gave you life but not want to see him for now. Someday maybe that will change if he gets some help, but for now, focusing on being healthy is all you should worry about,” Avery responded hoping the words were the right ones for the moment.
When Emily nodded her head slowly and rose to smile at her, she knew it had been the right response. “Let’s get this show on the road,” she said with a huge smile as they both turned to enter the B&B.
