26. RHETT #2
“Maybe, but she’s still in Washington.” Rowan stops when we reach the muddied Ford. With the wet weather, the dirt has become mud, and it is everywhere.
“I don’t have a good feeling about this, and the stress it’s putting on Avery…I’m worried it’s making her sick.”
It’s been a few days since the incident on Sunday. Although she insists she’s okay, Avery’s not been eating much, and the couple of times she’s forced herself to eat, she’s not been able to keep it down.
“Look, Doc.” He blows out a deep breath, straightening to his full height.
I already know he’s going to deliver something I won’t like, but I hold on to my head.
“There’s more to this than we can see, and I think you need to take a step back.
Let me handle it. Callie’s talking to some of her old DIA contacts, but with the investigation being led by the feds, it’s hard to get anything. ”
“I can’t jus—”
“I know you want to help, but you’re going to get yourself hurt…or worse. The break-in at the bungalow was a warning. Take it and focus on making sure that Avery is o—”
“No, Rowan.” Opening the truck door, I throw my shit in. “She’s not going to be okay until this is over, and I’m not going to sit back and watch—”
“You have no choice. You’re a doctor. Stick to what you’re good at, and leave me to do what I do best.”
“That’s not how this shit works, and you know that.
It doesn’t matter what I do or what she does, Carl isn’t going to leave her alone.
He was the last person to see Robert, and whatever happened there doesn’t add up.
More than that, he hurt her, and I’m not going to rest until he gets what he deserves. ”
“You’re playing a dangerous game.”
“Then help me win.”
With a scoff, Rowan shakes his head, looking up at the darkening sky. “Fuck! Why do you always have to be so damn difficult? Why can’t you just stay out of trouble?”
“Avery’s worth fighting for. She’s worth risking everything for.”
“Great,” he chuckles. “You pick now to become a romantic.”
A grin cuts his face, and I can’t help but return it. It’s been a while since we’ve understood each other like this, if ever… We’ve always been so different, but I know he gets it when I tell him, “No, I pick them over everything. I pick Avery and Iris over all of this.”
Rowan nods as I gesture around us. He understands that my girls are worth more than this whole life I’ve rebuilt, and with a deep breath he says, “Looks like we’re paying the asshole doctor a visit.”
“I thought I was the asshole doctor?” I tease, starting the truck as he rounds the front of his and gets in, calling back when he’s wound the window down, “You still are, but Haas is an even bigger one, so he takes the title for now.”
When he starts his truck, the music blares out as usual, still the same country pop that Scarlett loves. Although he curses loudly, a broad smile fills his face as he turns the radio down. “Let me make a few calls and we’ll get a plan together.”
While he starts making his calls, I make my way to the ranch. It’s getting a little tight on time, but if I hit the gas, it’ll be fine. Avery likes to be at the school early, and the last few days, she’s been getting to the school way before the bell tolls the end of the day.
When I get to the ranch, she’s already in the Jag, waiting for me.
Same as yesterday, except today it was Rowan and Haas keeping me rather than an overran meeting with the practice’s next potential partner.
So much is happening that time seems to simply evaporate.
There aren’t enough hours in any one day in order to get everything done.
“Make sure you call the attorney, Avery. You need to resolve the situation with the will.”
Avery smiles at me as I get in the driver’s seat and press a kiss to her forehead. It’s cute that she likes me to take the wheel when we’re together.
“I know, Nora, and I’m going to take care of it. Things have been crazy…”
“And you’re putting it off. Your father, God rest his soul, would want you to take care of his estate.”
A suffocated look flits across Avery’s pretty face.
She doesn’t want to talk about it anymore, but she’s too polite to tell Nora to stop nagging her.
Not that I don’t agree with the advice Callie’s mom is giving her, but I think life is complicated and hard enough right now.
Avery doesn’t need another matter to stress over.
“Darling…”
“Nora…” She cuts off whatever Nora was about to say. “I know I need to take care of it all and that he is probably somewhere up there shaking his head at me for leaving it so long, but I’m not ready. I…”
Taking her hand, I lace my fingers with hers and squeeze lightly so she knows that she’s not alone.
That’s half of the problem with Avery—she’s used to dealing with most things on her own.
I’ve noticed that over the time we’ve had together she has to be in dire need of help before she asks for it from anyone.
And I know that it’s not a pride thing with her, which only makes me want to be certain that she knows I’m here for her always, because with her it’s a case of habit.
“I promise that I’ll call the attorney soon and arrange for the reading.”