8. Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
C hristmas morning dawned with gray, overcast skies and lots of snow. Nothing his four-wheel drive and snow tires couldn’t handle.
Still, as Will held Avery in his arms, he didn’t want to leave.
MaryAnn promised she wouldn’t make the kids wait to open their presents until he got home. She might’ve slyly suggested he could bring home his friend . His sister was a wickedly smart woman. She knew he’d only bail on them if it meant getting laid.
Except being with Avery felt way more special than just getting laid . Sure, a five-year dry spell was a hell of a thing to break. But he was happy to do it. He loved Darla. Always would. But she would’ve been kicking his ass if she’d seen him moping for the last five years.
MaryAnn’s demand for a visit had knocked him out of his complacency.
Avery’s kindness had sort of healed his broken heart.
She stirred.
Then pressed her ass back against his crotch.
His cock stirred.
“Um, do you have time for…?”
He nibbled her neck. “I always have time for…”
Well, he’d make time. And he did. An hour and a half later, after making love and then a shower that resulted in more orgasms, as well as a long walk for Rex, they sat at the breakfast bar in her kitchen, eating the amazing pancakes she’d cooked.
“I get to clean up, right?”
“Don’t you have to get to your sister’s?”
He glanced at his watch and winced. “Yeah.”
“So leave the dishes. I don’t have anything else to do today.”
“What if…” He winced again.
“Sheesh, that doesn’t look good. Just spit it out, Will.”
“No, it’s good.” He raced to assure her. “Just…would you consider coming home with me? Unless you have other plans.” Except she hadn’t mentioned anything, and pretty clearly there wasn’t a man in her life.
She blinked. “I’d love that. My parents are on a Hawaiian cruise for Christmas. They’re going to call tomorrow. Are you sure your sister won’t mind?”
He grinned. “Oh, MaryAnn will be thrilled. She’ll also give you the third degree.”
The dog sniffed and licked.
Avery winked. “I’m pretty sure I can hold my own.” She eyed Rex.
Will leaned over to hold his hand out for the pooch. “I’ll text MaryAnn to see if you can bring Rex.”
In the end, MaryAnn was thrilled to have Avery and Rex join them.
And Avery did hold her own. As witnessed by her survival of Christmas morning at his sister’s house. They sat together on the loveseat as they watched the kids open his presents to them.
Susie, although all of seven, was into all things literature. Dickens, the owner of The Owl’s Nest bookstore—very gay, very cute, very married—had helped Will pick out an enormous pile for his niece.
He also bought a book for Richie, but the young boy was far more entranced with the complex LEGO set Will had bought him—his brother-in-law having helped him select one his nephew didn’t already have.
After presents, while Will watched, feeling a little left out, Avery helped MaryAnn in the kitchen. Not women’s work, he’d been promised. Just a chance for his sister to give his date the third degree.
Barry plopped onto the loveseat beside him. Perhaps a little too close for Will’s liking, but he wasn’t an overly demonstrative man. His brother-in-law absolutely was. Which was great. The man was affectionate with the kids, affectionate with Will’s sister, friendly to every random stranger he met.
Will needed to learn to be a little more like Barry.
Avery could help you with that .
Yeah, she probably could.
Barry handed Will a tablet.
He squinted because, of course, he was too stubborn to carry around the reading glasses the optometrist prescribed last year. Damn things were in his suitcase. Or in the truck. Or maybe in the bathroom…?
To his embarrassment, Barry enlarged the screen. Probably something he could’ve figured out for himself, but he didn’t spend a lot of time around all things electronic. One of the reasons he’d given the kids books and toys that didn’t require batteries. “What is this?”
“It’s a ranch that’s for sale.”
Will perked up. “A ranch?”
Barry laughed. “Well, not a cattle ranch. This one is north of Mission City. They offer riding lessons and trail rides through the hills. My coworkers and I went up one day last summer. A bonding experience.” He blew out a laugh. “Yeah. Can you picture me on a horse?”
Since Will had a decent imagination, he could picture anyone on a horse. But yeah, his awkward, dear brother-in-law who could barely manage not to trip over his own feet? “Well, surely the horse kept you out of trouble.”
Another chuckle. “I got on and fell right off the other side. My instructor said she’d never seen that before. Said I was both impressive and memorable.” He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not sure either was meant as a compliment.”
“But you want me to buy a ranch and, what, offer horseback riding lessons and trail rides?”
“Why the hell not?”
“Dad!” Susie gazed at her father imperiously over her book. “Bad language.”
“Yeah, Dad.” Richie offered a shit-eating grin. “You’re not supposed to say hell. Or fuck or shit or—”
“Richard.” This time, the admonishment came from MaryAnn.
“Sorry, Mom.”
She glared at her youngest child. Then at Barry. “I take it this is your fault?”
Barry pointed at Will.
He elbowed his brother-in-law in the ribs.
MaryAnn sighed. “Okay, kids, dinner’s ready.”
Richie jumped up and ran for the half-bathroom so he could wash his hands.
Reluctantly, Susie marked her place in the book, sighed, then rose and followed her brother.
Barry snagged the tablet back from Will, then handed it to MaryAnn. “I was just telling your brother how great it’d be if he bought the ranch up near Durieu.”
MaryAnn’s gaze shot to Will’s.
His heart took a knock. She’d never say it, but obviously the idea of having him close meant everything to her.
“And I know a great realtor—Cadence Crawford. I suspect he’d get you a great deal.” Barry grinned.
Reflecting on the price Will’d seen, he wasn’t certain much negotiating would be necessary. He had that much in the bank.
Darla’s life-insurance policy proceeds.
And exactly what she’d want him to spend them on. Oh, this wasn’t a cattle ranch. He wouldn’t be assisting in birthing any more cows, that was for sure. But he’d be riding. His first love. And, even better, teaching other people to ride. And taking them up into the hills?
Sounded like bliss.
“Hey, what’s up?” Avery poked her head into the living room. Her cheeks were pink, likely from the heat in the kitchen. Her blonde hair was a little tousled, and her bright-blue eyes sparkled.
“Will’s buying a ranch just north of Mission City. He’s going to give trail rides.” MaryAnn handed the table to Avery.
Whose gaze shot to Will’s.
No missing the anticipation in that expression. She quickly schooled it, aiming for neutral. The twinkle in her eye gave her away. “You think you’d be happy here? Away from the wide-open range?”
He held her gaze. “Yeah, I really think I could.”
She held the tablet out. “What are you waiting for?”
“It’s Christmas Day,” he protested.
Barry was already pulling out his cell phone. “I’ll text Cadence. You don’t want to lose out.”
Despite himself, Will laughed. “No grass growing under your feet.” He nudged his brother-in-law.
“Nor yours. I’m sure he won’t—” Barry’s phone rang. After checking the caller ID, he handed it to Will.
Will swiped, certain his life was about to change forever.