Authors: Dixie Lynn Dwyer
Tags: #Romance
“It is so nice down there. I can’t wait,” Elise said.
“I’m not sure that it’s safe for you to go swimming,” Tommy said. Elise gave him a look of shock.
“Yeah, there’s uneven ground and dips. You could lose your balance and get hurt,” Vic added.
“For crying out loud. You can’t be serious?” Elise asked them. Ava turned away smiling and knowing that another little argument was about to erupt.
“What’s that smirk about?” Evan asked her as he moved closer to Ava. She was now standing between him and his brother Colton. Both men towered over her, and she was wearing heeled boots.
“Not a thing.” She took another sip of her martini. The liquor felt warm going down her throat. When it hit her belly, she absorbed the sensation and hoped it would relax her. Ava was suddenly feeling a little nervous.
“Are you going to join your friends at the swimming hole?” Evan asked as he eyed her drink. She wondered if he thought she was stuck up because she enjoyed a good martini. Why that even mattered she wasn’t certain, but she was too set in her ways to change for anyone. Beer was meant for pizza and wings, as far as she was concerned.
“I might. I don’t know how to swim though.”
Colton whipped his head around. That statement obviously got his attention and now both Banks brothers were staring down at her.
“Say that again?” Colton asked.
“I don’t know how to swim.”
“Then you’re not going,” Evan stated firmly. Too firmly, for her liking. Colton tapped her wrist and she turned back to look at him even though she felt a bit annoyed at Evan. Who did he think he was anyway?
“He means that you shouldn’t go anywhere near the swimming hole if you can’t swim. It could be dangerous, honey,” Colton said, but the last few syllables came out in a whisper as his gaze held hers. Her heart was pounding inside of her chest, and she could tell that Colton was feeling the same attraction she was.
“I’m a big girl, Colton, and I wouldn’t do anything foolish.”
“Maybe we should join you. That way we can keep an eye on you ladies,” Evan added.
“I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you? But, it’s a ladies-only event. No guys.” She felt that tinge of annoyance at thinking that Evan’s comment meant he wanted to see her and her friends in bathing suits.
She took a sip from her martini.
“Hey, I didn’t mean anything ungentlemanlike about joining you. Not that I won’t be fantasizing about what you may look like in a bikini, but my comment was in concern and consideration and nothing lascivious.”
She looked him over as if contemplating whether he was being truthful or not, but before she could comment, he placed his finger under her chin to tilt it up toward his face and he stared into her eyes.
“Honest, Ava, I mean what I said.”
She swallowed hard and suddenly absorbed the feel of his masculine fingertips under her chin and the way his cologne pleasantly filled her nostrils. He was breathtaking.
“She said she can handle it, Evan. Let her be,” Colton said. When she turned to look at him, Evan released his fingers from her skin and she could tell that Colton looked angry.
She decided that a change in subject would be good right about now.
“So, Evan told me that you guys have a ranch and some cattle. Did you grow up learning about that stuff, or did you decide to try your hand at something different?”
“We know about cattle and horses. Just never had the time until now,” Colton said.
“It’s a lot of work. Long hours on the ranch, I bet.”
“Yeah, but we enjoy it,” Evan added.
“It’s peaceful out on the property. We don’t have too much livestock to take care of but enough to keep us busy most of the day and probably a lot in the winter months.”
“We have someone helping out, too,” Evan stated.
“Who is he?”
His name is Everett Young,” Colton replied.
“Oh, God, I know Everett and his girlfriend Sheila,” Ava stated and both men looked surprised. She wasn’t sure why and then she hoped that Sheila hadn’t told her boyfriend about Ava’s appointment with Dr. Nickles.
“I met her the other day. Nice young woman,” Evan replied, and she wondered why he referred to Sheila as a young woman. He sounded so old when he said it.
“Do you work here every night, Ava?” Evan asked then looked at his brother. Colton looked annoyed again before he turned away as if trying to block out the conversation. She wondered what his problem was and why he was trying to act like he wasn’t interested in her.
“I’m off on Sundays, and Mondays and Tuesdays are slow so during the day I get all my errands and appointments done.”
“Well, would you like to go out for dinner Monday night?” Evan asked, and she swallowed hard. God, she would love to say yes. She was about to say hell yes, when she remembered that she had the doctor’s appointment. She definitely wouldn’t be up for an evening out.
“I’m sorry, I would love to, but I have other plans.” She moved her arm and it brushed against her breast. She remembered looking in the mirror at the bruising this morning. It was beginning to improve.
“Oh, how about lunch on Tuesday then? I could probably swing it.” Evan glanced at Colton and Colton released an annoyed sigh.
She wondered what wasn’t being said between these two men. She also wondered how she might feel after getting her news.
“I guess that would be fine.”
“Great, let me know where you live and I’ll pick you up at noontime.”
“I can meet you in town. I’ll have some errands to run in the afternoon before work anyway.”
“Great. I can’t wait.” Evan gently caressed his fingers against her jaw. She felt her cheeks warm as she lowered her head then took a sip from her glass. From there on out the conversation flowed nicely and before long, she was eagerly anticipating their date on Tuesday. But she still had that nagging feeling as she wondered what was wrong with Colton.
She couldn’t resist finding out. She gave Colton a tap to his elbow, and he nearly jumped away from her. That was odd.
“You’re awfully quiet,” she whispered as he held her gaze and quickly recovered.
“Don’t have much to say.”
“The silent brooding type huh?”
He squinted his eyebrows at her as his deep green eyes held hers.
“I guess.”
“Served in the war, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.”
She nodded in understanding.
“It’s not an easy life, but defending this country is something to be proud of.”
He appeared shocked by her comment.
“What do you know about it?” he asked. She was tempted to tell him that her husband was in the service before he was diagnosed. But that would lead to more questions. Questions she wasn’t exactly in a strong emotional state to deal with.
“I know people. Good friends, who served. Sometimes the scars are more mental and emotional than physical. A lot of guys tend to be quiet and keep to themselves.”
“You have a point. But, I’ve always been quiet. I’m an observer.”
She gave him a smile as he gave her a serious expression.
“Oh really? Well what have you observed thus far?” she challenged, turning her barstool so she could look him right back into his eyes.
She wasn’t expecting him to look her body over and have such a powerful effect on her. She swallowed hard.
Why are my breasts tingling and other parts immediately aroused?
“You’re very caring and in tune to people. You like to help but not accept help in return. You’re also favoring your right side, by your…well, your right side.”
She was shocked. Had he noticed her bandage? What the hell?
She got down off of the stool.
“Well, it’s been nice, but I’m tired. Another long night tomorrow and I should be wrapping things up. It was nice talking with both of you.”
Colton grabbed her hand.
She paused and stared at him, suddenly feeling tongue-tied and dry.
“You okay?” he asked. She felt the tears reach her eyes, which only seemed to make his concern grow. She swallowed hard and nodded her head.
“I’m a big girl, remember?” She winked in hopes of coming off as confident and perhaps flirty to minimize the intensity of this crazy conversation, but Colton remained holding her hand.
“You have a lot of good friends around you. I’m certain you all stick together like glue.” He released her hand.
She nodded in response. Was he some sort of mind reader, too?
“Good night, Ava.”
“Good night, Colton.”
She turned toward Evan, who appeared just as interested in her right side as Colton. She swallowed hard.
“I’ll see you on Tuesday afternoon.” He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek, but his lips lingered there a moment. She closed her eyes and relished the feeling of being held by a man, even if it were just a gentle kiss to her cheek and a hand on her waist.
“Good night.” She got out of there quickly but not before noticing the smile on Susanna’s face. Nothing would happen between her, Evan, and Colton. Her destiny relied on a bunch of tests being analyzed by a load of pathologists.
Susanna sat in the waiting room at the doctor’s office with Ava. She could tell that Ava was way nervous, and she felt her anxiety. As Susanna’s phone vibrated again, she rolled her eyes, annoyed at Monte and BJ for bothering her. She told them that she had somewhere to go and would be back by lunchtime. They of course asked numerous questions and wanted to know where she was. She never went off without telling them where she was going, so it was a given that she was being secretive. But, she promised Ava that she would keep her secret for now.
“You should text them and tell them that you’re with me at the doctor’s. Just tell them we’re going shopping afterward,” Ava whispered as she stared at her then at the cell phone.
Susanna chuckled.
“Okay. They are just so protective.” Susanna texted BJ back and was smiling.
“That’s a good thing. They really love you.”
“Speaking of men paying extra attention to their woman, what was going on Friday night with Evan and Colton? They couldn’t keep their eyes off of you, and I saw Evan kiss your cheek good-night.”
Susanna saw Ava blush then lower her eyes.
“He asked me out.”
“Awesome.”
“Not awesome.”
“Why not?”
“Because one, I am here right now, and two, I’m attracted to both of them, but I don’t think Colton is interested. I really don’t need this kind of added stress right now. I’ll probably cancel the date with Evan on Tuesday.”
“No you won’t. You need this distraction right now. And who said Colton wasn’t interested? I saw him watching you. He was like a hawk all night. Carl and Richie were discussing it, too. You know Colton and Evan had rough childhoods. Then they joined the service. I didn’t get all the details, but they’re just used to being on their own and being soldiers.”
“Well, I’m used to being on my own, too. I’ve had a bit of a rough start in life as well, Susanna. But, I don’t know if I can handle the results I’m going to get today.”
Susanna covered Ava’s hand with her own.
“Ava.” Susanna and Ava looked up to the sound of a deep voice, and when Susanna locked gazes with the older man, he smiled.
“Hi, Jeremiah. How are you?” Ava asked as she greeted the older man. He appeared to be in his sixties, but in great shape, tall with black-and-white hair.
“I’m doing well. I stopped by to see you. I knew you had an appointment today and would find out your results. But I see you’ve brought a friend.”
Susanna recognized the man from coming to Dixie Chix. He never had alcohol but had a club soda with lemon and always conversed with Ava. She mentioned having coffee with him a few times and inviting him along to help when Ava did her volunteer work. Susanna smiled to herself. Ava really thought that she hid her guardian angel activities well. Little did she know that most people around Delite knew that Ava was responsible for various surprises.
Like the Christmas toys she provided for the Miller family after their dad lost his job right before the holidays. Ava had even helped him to find another job, closer to home and with a better salary, when she rewrote his resume and introduced him to Adam, a business owner from Dallas that stopped in at Dixie Chix whenever he was in town.
Even now, as nervous and concerned as Ava was, she spoke to Jeremiah as if they were at the park or in the dance hall and not about to find out whether Ava had cancer or not. Susanna felt the tears sting her eyes.
God, please send some angels to Ava. She needs them.
“Oh, this is Susanna. She is also an owner of Dixie Chix.”
Susanna reached out to shake the gentleman’s hand. He had a nice smile and was kind of attractive for an older man.
“Of course, another Dixie Chix. God, I love saying that. It is such a cool name. Well, I’m glad you brought your friend. You let me know if you need to talk.”
“Oh, I will. Thank you so much for stopping by,” Ava said.