4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
Spencer
There's a fresh layer of snow on the ground when I step out of my cabin the next morning. Dawn paints the sky pink, and birds are singing in the surrounding forest. I slept like shit though and can't appreciate it. Guzzling my second cup of coffee, I climb into my truck and head into town.
Avery's resignation letter has me tied in knots. Once the anger wore off, the very real possibility of her leaving left me completely unsettled. I've been attracted to her from the first day I saw her, but that's not something a man my age would act upon. Besides, I had my chance at love, and it slapped me in the face. Having Avery as my assistant was enough. I could see her, listen to her stories about Dottie's cat and the people in town, and keep a respectable distance.
Yesterday, when I realized that I wouldn't be able to see her every day if she left, something inside me snapped. I couldn’t draw a full breath, couldn’t concentrate.
My day wouldn't be right if she wasn't there handing me coffee with a bright smile. I can't accept coffee from some other person sitting at that desk pretending to be Avery. That's insane. How would I function? What if the person wanted to be quiet in the morning instead of chattering away like Avery does? What if they want me to talk instead?
No. It can't happen. I must convince her to stay.
Throughout the night, I considered and tossed aside dozens of ideas. Hundreds. Some, like fetching her coffee and breakfast this morning, seemed a simple way to start. A raise and more vacation time, surely. Most employees want that. What else? I think she lives with Dottie. Should I build her a house? Should I lead with that or start with the coffee? Coffee and a raspberry muffin, and then the house? I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t know what she wants most in life. Whatever it is, I’ll find a way to make it happen. I need her.
Half an hour later, I park my truck in front of the job site trailer. My foreman and a couple other guys are already here, sitting on the unfinished cabin porch, drinking their coffee. The old green Cadillac Avery shares with Dottie isn't here.
I gather our coffees and the other things I bought, lock the truck up, and pull open the trailer door. Stepping inside is like walking into a garden in bloom. Avery's floral scent lingers, filling my senses and settling the strained beats of my heart. The flowers in my hand don't smell half as sweet, even though I bought the biggest bouquet at the flower shop. I set them on the corner of her desk, along with the coffee and muffin, then debate where I should be. In my office pretending I'm already working? Waiting to hand her coffee as she always does for me?
I hear a car door and the light click of heels on the metal treads before I can make a decision. The door swings open behind me. Avery enters the office, her eyes widening when she sees me next to her desk.
“What is all this?”
I clear my throat, feeling my cheeks heat. “Coffee. For you.”
“And the flowers?”
“Also for you. I wasn't sure what your favorites were, so I bought a mix.”
She takes the coffee, a bemused look creasing the little space between her eyebrows. “Is this about my resignation?”
“Yes. No.”
She cocks her head, looking at me as if I've lost my mind. Perhaps I have. “You must—” The phone rings, cutting me off. “Leave it.” But Avery is already answering the phone.
“Oh yes, he's in, Mr. Manning. One moment.” She covers the phone with one hand. “Ezra Manning wants to talk to you about the contract on those cabins he wants built. You were supposed to call him yesterday.”
I should finish this conversation with Avery. I only have a limited time to change her mind about leaving. Time is precious. But Ezra's project is one I believe in, so I take the call in my office. “Eat your muffin, Avery.”
She rolls her eyes at me, a little grin spreading over her lips when she turns away. A burst of warmth fills my chest at the sight.
“Sully. How's Hope Peak?” Ezra asks when I pick up the call. Hearing my old nickname from my Air Force days releases the tension in my shoulders.
“Good. How’s the family?”
Ezra was living in his truck, fighting an old injury, when our mutual friend, Gideon Blake, found him and gave him an old family cabin to fix up in White Falls. The peace he found while renovating the place changed him. He went from being almost a shell of a man to happily married in a few short months, and now they’re expecting a baby.
“I'm calling about the project we discussed last month. I have crews working to clear enough trees for a road and the four cabins.” Keeping the mountain landscape as undisturbed as possible is an important part of his plan. Ezra intends to open them to service members struggling the way he did, in hopes they will also find peace. It's a damn noble effort I'm proud to put my name behind.
Peak Construction will deliver the materials and build the basic structures. The rest will be up to the men and women who decide to live there. Avery will have to come with me when we start his project. I can’t have her working here while I’m there. Hopefully Dottie will be back by then, otherwise we’ll have to bring Oscar. Do cats travel well?
“—-ackwood?”
The name brings me back to the conversation. “What was that?”
“I asked if you ever met Anson Blackwood? He was in my unit for about a year. Big guy. Black hair. Scary quiet.”
I don't remember him, but that name... “Does he have a sister?” I hear myself ask.
“Fuck if I know. Can't get anything out of the man. He used to make interrogators sweat.”
A silent Blackwood? He can't possibly be related to Avery or Dottie. Chattiness is in their genes. It must be a coincidence.
I confirm our delivery dates and update the project calendar. As long as Lane doesn't decide to make any additional changes to his million-dollar rustic cabin, we should be on track to start Ezra's cabins. We're finalizing some details when I hear voices from the outer office.
Avery gives a strained laugh, and though I can't make out what she says, there's an edge to her voice I haven't heard before.
“Ezra, I'll call you back.”
I'm around my desk and through the door in seconds. Norwood Lane III, owner of the monstrosity currently under construction outside, is leaning a hip against the side of Avery's desk. His blond hair is slicked back, a wide smile on his face.
“It's Valentine's Day, Avery. A beautiful woman like you shouldn't sit home alone, reading a romance and petting her cat. That's for old ladies.”
Avery ducks her head, a flush spreading over her cheeks. “Thanks for that. But—”
“She has other plans.” I grip his shoulder and yank him away from her desk. Lane stumbles to right himself and straightens his jacket. I step in front of Avery, blocking his view of her.
“Sullivan. I was waiting to talk to you about an idea I had.” He clears his throat. “I was just passing the time asking Avery about Valentine's Day, hoping to get some ideas for my wife.”
She coughs behind me, covering an angry curse.
“Send me an email, although at this late in the construction project, we won't be able to accommodate further changes.”
Lane straightens. “That’s unacceptable. I’m paying you damn good money to make this house what I want.”
“Within reason. Which you exceeded weeks ago.”
“I'm the client here, Sullivan. You work for me.”
I step into his personal space, arms crossed. “Then I suggest you consider how you want this business relationship to go. I'm not always this pleasant to work with.”
I ignore the delicate snort behind me.
Lane stares at me hard, then turns on his heel and leaves the office.
I watch until he's in his fancy SUV and down the gravel drive before I turn back to Avery. She comes around her desk to stand before me.
“Thank you for telling him I had other plans. He was making me uncomfortable.”
“You're welcome. And you do.”
“Valentine's Day is tomorrow. I think I'd know—”
“You have them with me.” We can go to dinner, or she can work all damn night. Whatever she wants. I'm not leaving her side.
Avery swallows and licks her lips. Her gaze drops to my mouth, then back up to meet mine.
My heart skips. I've dreamed of kissing her. Would she want that?
“Are you asking?” She sways closer, her voice breathy.
“Yes.” For all of it. Her kiss, a date, the future. Anything she wants. I brush my fingers over the soft skin of her throat, judging her reaction.
Her eyes flutter and a blush steals over her cheeks.
Cupping my hand behind her neck, I draw her up onto her toes and claim her mouth with mine.