5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
A very loved Christmas. Christmas on the ranch was always special. The Christmas party, as always, was the pinnacle of the season.
This year, there weren’t as many children as with some years. Although Denise’s client roster was full, not all the parents were in a position to bring their kids out to the ranch if they weren’t here for a session. The ranch was a good fifteen minutes north of Mission City, so not easily accessible to everyone.
Glancing over, she spotted Justin’s children, Opal and Angus, sitting in a corner with Denise’s son, Adam. They were joined by two young girls in matching pink dresses and shiny white shoes.
Just remembering the reason for their visits to the ranch made Avery sad, so she put that out of her mind, and just smiled at the children’s antics. Angus, the eldest, had a way of making everyone smile. Making sure everyone was included. Ensuring everyone felt safe.
“That’s quite a smile.”
Avery shifted and found Will by her side. She grinned up at him. Not too much taller than her. Just the perfect distance.
“I love children.”
“None of your own, I take it.”
She shook her head. “I’ve considered trying to be a single parent. Denise does it, and I have tremendous respect for her. That’s not the right path for me. If I meet someone and they want kids, then I’m absolutely in. I don’t care if the child is biologically mine, an adoption, or even a temporary foster. I love all children.”
“Wow.” Will scratched his stubbled cheek.
Has he shaved since yesterday? Yummy . She didn’t mind a little scruff. Sexy as hell. “Do you have children?” Belatedly, she realized that wasn’t a safe question.
“Had. A stillborn baby. My wife died because of the pregnancy.”
“Oh my God, Will, I’m so sorry. That was callous of me—”
He pressed a hand to her elbow. “No harm done. A simple question I find easier to answer as time passes. It’s been five years, Avery. I still feel grief, and I’ll never forget, but life’s moved on.”
Yeah, but have you?
Because she didn’t want to compete with a ghost.
Holy hell, woman, what the heck are you thinking?
She wasn’t competing with anyone. Hell, she wasn’t even contemplating a relationship with this hunky, gorgeous, damaged man.
Because she spotted the damage. Maybe not visible to everyone, but he clearly held pain. And likely always would. Justin’s job would be to help Will move forward.
“How long are you staying in Mission City?” Safe topic, right?
“Until at least the new year. Then it’ll depend on the weather. I’ve got good snow tires, but if the Coquihalla’s got a lot of snow, I won’t be in a hurry.”
“They don’t need you…wherever you came from?” Damn, she didn’t even know that much.
“Although the ranch has fewer hands in the winter, they’ve still got enough guys. Plus, I’ve been away from my sister too long. Least I can do is make it a proper visit. My niece and nephew don’t even know me.”
“How old?”
“Five and seven. Since I haven’t been out in six years, I hadn’t even met the youngest.”
“Making up for lost time?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, nearly dislodging the ever-present cowboy hat. “I’m a stranger to them. MaryAnn’s trying, but they’re shy. I don’t blame them.” He winced. “I just wish I’d done better.”
Gently, she rubbed his arm. Oops. Not supposed to touch the clients.
When she went to pull her hand away, though, he grasped it. “Thank you. I don’t…no one ever touches me, you know? MaryAnn and I didn’t have that kind of family, and since my wife… Well, it’s been kind of lonely.” He glanced around the party, tipping his head when he spotted Justin and then Kennedy. “Everyone here is so very kind.”
Justin’s husband, Stanley, had his arm around the counsellor.
Rainbow elbowed Kennedy in the arm as they laughed over something.
As Avery panned the room, she found plenty of people touching. Connecting. Bonding. Even Angus, Justin and Stanley’s son, guided his sister while they played with a puzzle. And Adam helped as well.
Finally, as if realizing he still held her hand in place, Will removed his.
The loss of warmth as she released him caught her off guard. Just a touch. Then why did it mean so much?
Will cleared his throat. “You have plans for Christmas?”
Avery chuckled. “I’m the counsellor on call for the ranch. We take turns. I’d do it every year, since I don’t have close family, but Kennedy insists on equality. She did last year, and Denise will do next year.”
Rex brushed between the two adults.
“I think he’s happy to see you.”
“Yeah.” Will grinned. “At least he didn’t pee on my leg.”
Avery gasped.
He shrugged. “Some random dog did while I was walking down First Avenue. Dog sniffed my leg, then lifted his.” He chuckled. “The poor owner, a lovely woman, was mortified.”
“I’ll bet.” Avery eyed her dog. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Rex blinked.
“Well, I should be going.”
At Will’s words, she turned to him. “So soon?”
“I don’t have much use…”
“Well, you could help with cleanup.” Seriously? You want him to stick around so you’re offering that job?
“Sure, I could do that. MaryAnn and the family are going to midnight mass. I plan to stay out until after they’ve left so she doesn’t feel compelled to drag me along.”
Avery cocked her head.
“I might’ve abandoned my faith after Darla died. I mean, it wasn’t that strong to begin with. I’m more into Mother Nature, you know? More of an affinity to the land like our Indigenous peoples.”
She didn’t understand—being so far removed from nature herself. She’d been a city-dweller her entire life. Still, it sounded nice. “You should go for a walk. They’re predicting snow around midnight.” She planned to be warm and tucked into her bed by then.
“Will you join me?”
Or not. Warm beds were highly overrated.
“Sure.”