Chapter Twenty-Two
He wasn’t changing his mind.
Avery paced back and forth in the kitchen. He’d just hung up the phone after speaking once more with Rick at the real estate office. There was an offer for the house. It had been made before Rick could pull the listing.
When Rick had tried to explain to the buyers that the house was no longer available, they wouldn’t take no for an answer. They’d been one of the first people to tour it in the few days that it was on the market and they’d fallen in love with it. And now they were offering above asking price to purchase it.
Before he’d hung up, Rick had told Avery to sleep on it. And Avery had agreed. Money from the sale plus the money he’d squirreled away this year would be enough to secure a loan to buy Crooked S Ranch. Not that he was really going to do it. This town was too small for him to avoid Jillian and right now, it would be too painful to stick around, especially if she worked things out with Glenn. The thought twisted his gut up in a knot.
The doorbell rang. It would be Suzanna. He glanced up at the clock. Six-thirty, right on the dot. She was nothing if not punctual.
He didn’t know Suzanna very well. They shared the occasional hello but not much more. And now as they worked to separate egg whites into a large mixing bowl, he found he liked her. She was friendly, considerate, and smart. No wonder she was Jillian’s best friend.
As he followed her directions and whisked the egg whites to soft peaks, she asked him, “Have you known Blake long?”
“I’ve known him since he started working at the Crooked S Ranch about nine or so years ago. He’s a really good guy.”
“That’s what I thought too.”
He had the feeling after spotting Suzanna and Blake in deep conversation at the Bake-Off that there was a romance budding. “Is there anything else you’d like to know?”
“Can you keep a secret?”
“I can.” He had a feeling he knew what she was about to tell him.
Even though it was just the two of them in the house, she whispered, “Blake asked me out, but I haven’t told anyone.”
Avery wasn’t sure how to react so he settled for, “I hope you have a good time.”
It took him a while to get used to folding in the flour. As Suzanna explained the reason for folding the flour in versus whisking it, he worried that he would stir the batter too much and the cake would go flat. He was not enjoying this tedious and stressful part of the process. Knowing his luck, he’d end up with a pancake.
At this point, he had no illusion about winning the Bake-Off. None whatsoever. But he’d pledged to do his best so that’s what he’d do. And afterward, he’d pack up and leave town. The further away he went, the better.
But there was one thing that was still bothering him. Try as he might, he just didn’t get the whole Glenn and Jillian thing. At first, he thought she might be dazzled because Glenn was flashy with nice clothes and a fancy car, but surely she’d seen past all of that by now. Maybe he needed another perspective.
After sliding the angel food cake in the oven and setting the timer, Avery turned to Suzanna. “What does Jillian see in Glenn?”
Suzanna’s eyes widened. “I…I don’t think I’m the person to ask.”
“I just don’t get it. Sure he might have some money and maybe women think he’s good-looking, but he doesn’t seem very nice.”
Suzanna crossed her arms and leaned back against the counter. “I didn’t know you knew Glenn that well.”
“I don’t. But we’ve had a couple of run-ins. I just keep thinking Jillian can do better.”
Suzanna smiled. “You’re jealous.”
“I am not.” Liar. Liar.
Suzanna arched a brow. “You are. It’s written all over your face.”
“It doesn’t matter if I am. Jillian made it clear she still has unfinished business with that man. I don’t know why I ever thought there could be something between us.”
“Oh boy, you have it bad for her.”
He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter now. I’m leaving town.”
“Heading back to the rodeo?”
“It’s where I belong.”
“Would you say the same thing if I told you there is absolutely nothing romantic going on between Jillian and Glenn?”
“But this weekend at the Bake-Off, I heard them. It isn’t over.”
Suzanna paused as though considering her options. “I’m going to tell you something that could get us both in trouble with Jillian, but I think you deserve to know.”
His curiosity was piqued now. “What is it?”
“The only thing between Jillian and Glenn is that he tried to use her and Tangled Charms to secure a loan. Apparently he’s in deep financial trouble.”
“Really?” Avery never would have guessed any of this. “And Jillian didn’t know about it?”
“Not until the bank called her.”
“But why didn’t she say anything to me?”
“My guess is her pride got in the way. She was embarrassed she ever dated him and she was trying to get him out of her life as quietly as possible—but Glenn isn’t good at taking a hint or even a blunt statement.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure she’s been in love with you since she was a teenager. She tried to move on, but once you came back in her life for the Bake-Off, she couldn’t deny her feelings.”
It was Avery’s turn to lean back against the opposite counter as he digested this news. What did this all mean? Had he totally misread everything?
Suzanna moved to start cleaning the kitchen island. “I think you’re foolish if you let Jillian get away again.” Her pointed words sliced into his thoughts. Suzanna continued. “Most people only get one shot at love. You’ve now had two chances with Jillian. You won’t get another one. So don’t waste this opportunity.”
Her profound words struck him. The truth was he loved Jillian more than he thought possible. And he knew it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime loves. That’s why he was planning to leave Marietta. He just couldn’t bear to be so close to her and yet so far away.
But now—now he knew what he had to do.
He just had to hope it wasn’t too late.