Chapter Five
This would be no big deal.
So then why was he nervous?
Avery pulled his pickup to a stop a few spots down the street from Tangled Charms. He cut the engine and then rubbed his palms over his jeans. He assured himself his uneasiness was due to the fact he didn’t have an alternate plan should Jillian reject the idea of mentoring him. It had nothing to do with seeing Jillian again.
Avery glanced out the pickup’s window at Jillian’s brand new shop. He recalled Jillian mentioning that she wanted to open her own shop someday. Avery just never expected it to happen so soon.
Was it wrong that he was a little bit envious of her? Beth had filled him in on how Jillian had risked it all by selling the house she’d bought with the money she’d inherited from her father. She’d moved into her mother’s garage apartment in order to invest as much money as possible into this venture.
He was happy for her. He truly was, but it reminded him of his own unattained dreams. By this point in his life, he’d planned to own his own place like the Crooked S Ranch on the outskirts of Marietta. And if he hadn’t been a guardian for the past six years, his dream would be a reality.
Avery drew his thoughts up short, ashamed of himself for thinking such a thing. He loved his family with all of his heart. And he would do anything for them—hence his presence today at Tangled Charms.
With Jillian’s help, he hoped to make a respectable showing at the Bake-Off. Jillian was so kind and patient. He’d witnessed her many times helping his brother and sister with their homework and showing them how to do basic cooking in the kitchen.
Jillian had always been a real lifesaver. But would she be willing to do it again? Was it even fair of him to ask her? He paused, not sure what to do. But then his phone buzzed with a new text message:
Beth: Did you ask her?
Avery: I will.
Beth: Hurry up.
Avery: Stop pushing.
Beth: Let me know what she says.
Avery climbed out of his pickup. His movements were slow and labored as his knee was not as mobile as he’d been hoping. Not all of the swelling had gone down. And the bruising was now dark and ugly. Today, he’d opted to wear the brace on the outside of his jeans. It was definitely not as comfortable. But he just couldn’t bring himself to go about town in his sweats. And with the temperature below freezing, he couldn’t wear shorts.
He greeted people he passed. A few stopped him to ask about his knee, but thanks to the weather, no one tarried too long.
At last, he arrived at the entrance to Tangled Charms. It had a fun yet elegant style. Wine, gold, and white colors adorned the outside of the store, from the front door to the sign hanging overhead. Clearly a lot of thought had gone into this place.
Once he stepped inside, his gaze was immediately drawn to the jewelry displays and all of the fantastic decorations. He knew he’d come to the right person. Jillian could take the plain and make it fancy. And that was exactly what he needed. He didn’t need to just bake a cake. He had to make it stand out—in a good way.
Suzanna glanced up from where she was working behind the counter. “Well, look what the wind blew in. How are you doing, Avery?”
“Not too bad.” He cleared his throat. “The shop looks really nice. I hope it goes well for you and Jillian.”
“Thank you.” Suzanna moved to the display case. “Did you stop by to pick out something for Beth?”
“No—”
“Oh, do you need a present for a special lady?”
He inwardly groaned. Why did everyone seem to think he had to be linked up with a woman to be happy? What was wrong with being a bachelor? For the first time in years, he could come and go as he pleased without worrying about a nanny. He was enjoying his alone time. At least that’s what he kept telling himself when he’d catch himself talking to Marshmallow.
“Nope. No present needed. I actually came to speak with Jillian. Is she around?”
Suzanna’s brows rose beneath her bangs. “Actually, she just stepped out. Can I give her a message?”
Just then the bell above the door rang out. Jillian stepped inside and stopped. Her gaze settled on him. “Avery, what’s the matter?”
“Why does something have to be the matter?”
“Well, you’re here. In my shop.” And then a range of emotions flitted over her face. “Do you need something for your girlfriend?”
“Not you too. How come everyone in this town thinks I need to hook up with someone to be happy?”
Jillian held up her hand as though to fend off his barrage. “Hey, I didn’t say that. I just don’t understand why you would come here otherwise.”
“I needed to talk to you.” He glanced over his shoulder to find Suzanna hadn’t moved. She was watching them with rapt interest. He turned to Jillian. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”
Jillian didn’t say anything for a moment as though considering his request. “I’m sorry, but I’m working. We’ll have to talk here. Is this about Romeo? Has he come to visit your house again?”
Avery shook his head. “No. Romeo hasn’t returned, but Marshmallow hasn’t been herself. I think she misses him.”
“I didn’t think they got along.”
“I don’t know.” Avery rubbed the back of his neck. “Romeo was pretty persistent and each time he moved, she let him get a little closer. I think there may be something there.”
“Oh boy, wait until my mother hears that her baby boy has a girlfriend.”
“Her baby boy?”
Jillian nodded. “My mother treats that cat like he’s human. And he is spoiled rotten. But you don’t want to hear about any of that. What did you want to talk about?”
Avery shifted his weight to his good leg. “Beth called last night after you left.”
Jillian’s beautiful face creased with worry lines. “Is something the matter?”
“That depends on what you mean.” He wasn’t sure how to broach the subject.
“Avery, you’re starting to worry me.”
“Sorry. I promise Beth is healthy and her grades are good.”
“Then what is it?”
“Have you heard about the fundraiser? You know, the one for Harry’s House?”
Jillian nodded.
“It seems Beth and Joanie have put their heads together and decided I would be a good bachelor to enter in this baking competition.”
“Oh.” A small smile tugged at Jillian’s glossy lips.
“This isn’t funny. I know next to nothing about baking. And I prefer to keep it that way. That’s what bakeries are for. But Beth has this idea in her head, and she thinks I can do anything.”
“You do have to admit you bake the best cupcakes.”
“Not you too.” He glanced down at the white floor tiles. He lowered his voice. “I can’t bake.”
“But the cupcakes?”
He kept his voice low, not wanting his admission to become public knowledge. “I take my mother’s recipe to the Copper Mountain bakery. Every year I pay them extra to make the cupcakes that Beth and Jordan have been receiving all their lives.”
Jillian’s mouth gaped. “And they never knew?”
He shook his head. “When they were younger, I made sure to mess up some dishes and make it seem like I’d been slaving away.”
“But why?”
He shrugged. “I just didn’t want them to think I didn’t care enough to bake them myself. But I was so busy working at the Crooked S on top of rodeoing on the weekends—not to mention looking after them and the house—that I didn’t have much free time. And the time I did have, I wanted to spend with them. So I took a shortcut. I guess it was wrong of me.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t know this. After all of the years I was in and out of your house, there are still so many things I don’t know about you. But your heart was in the right place. That’s the important part.”
“Really? You’re not mad at me?”
“No. Why would I be? I think it’s sweet that you went out of your way to make your brother and sister’s birthdays special. And you kept your mother’s memory alive.”
“Thanks. But it has now gotten me into this mess. Beth thinks I can do this Bake-Off and I don’t want to let her down.”
“What do you plan to do?”
He shrugged. “I have to learn how to bake.”
“Really?”
Did she have to sound so shocked that he’d attempt to bake? He swallowed his indignation. He hoped when he spoke that his voice didn’t betray him.
“Can you help me? You know…teach me?”
*
Whoa!!!
Jillian had promised herself that she was done helping Avery Wainwright. He was a stubborn man who wanted to do things on his own. A man whose mere presence had devastating consequences to her common sense.
She needed to give him a polite no and walk away. But instead, she found herself standing there giving his request serious consideration. After all, it was for a good cause—
No. No. No.
She couldn’t fall into old patterns, not even for Harry’s House. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’ve got this new business. I can’t just skip out and leave Suzanna to manage everything on her own.”
Over Avery’s shoulder she saw Suzanna frowning at her and then signaling for her to go for it. What was up with Suzanna? Her friend knew that if she got involved with Avery again, it would just lead her to disappointment. He was only interested in one thing—the rodeo.
Avery’s eyes pleaded with her. “Please, Jillian. I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important.”
Avery was begging her? She didn’t know what to do about this. It felt kind of good having Avery plead with her. And with every second that he stared at her like that, her resistance was melting.
But would he think of her as anything other than some sort of tutor? She doubted it. If he hadn’t noticed her before, he certainly wasn’t going to notice her now.
Avery pressed his hands to his trim waist. “I know I’m putting you in a tough spot, but I don’t want to let everyone down. Beth says that Harry’s family have already done the paperwork and put up the money to sponsor me.”
“But how did they know you would be home for the Bake-Off?”
“This all happened while I was out of town. As soon as Beth found out about my accident, she phoned Joanie or something like that. I’m a little fuzzy on the details. You know Beth. She talks quickly and skims over details. Anyway, I’m not sure how it all worked out, but I’m officially signed up now.”
“Jillian, you don’t have to worry about the shop,” Suzanna chimed in with a big smile. “I’ve got it.”
Both Suzanna and Avery looked at Jillian with expectant gazes.
“I…I don’t know.” Warring emotions raged within her—common sense versus compassion. “I’ll need to think about it.”
“Oh.” There was definitely a dejected tone in his voice. “I understand.”
Guilt ensued. She stifled it. Why should she always be waiting in the wings when he needed something? Any other time, he didn’t have time for her.
“I’ll let you know,” she said.
“She’ll have an answer for you tomorrow,” Suzanna said and then grinned like a Cheshire cat.
When Avery turned to thank Suzanna for being so understanding, Jillian glared at her best friend. How could she side against her? Suzanna knew about their history and how the whole town was certain after playing house all of those years that she and Avery would eventually marry. But when the kids no longer needed her, she realized that neither did Avery.
He turned back to Jillian. “Thanks. I appreciate you considering it. I know you’ve already done so much for me and my family.”
When he was gone, Jillian turned on Suzanna. “What were you doing?”
“Helping you out.”
“No, you weren’t. You were just making things worse.”
Suzanna sent her a look of disbelief. “And how do you get that?”
“Because you know I swore off that man.”
“What I know is that no other man can live up to the image of Avery that you have stuck in your mind.”
“That’s not true.” Was it? No, of course not. “I’ve been out there dating.”
“Exactly. None of them have stuck around. You broke up with them for one reason or another.”
“That’s not true.” And then she realized that in part it was true. “Glenn was the one who dumped me.”
“And he was a fool.”
“Now that’s something I can agree with you on.”
“So what are you going to do about Avery?”
“If I was smart, I’d give him a polite but firm no.”
“But it’s for a good cause and the whole town is counting on him making a respectable showing.”
Jillian groaned. “Stop. I don’t need you pressuring me.”
“That’s because you already know you want to help him. It’s in your nature. You always help everyone. Look at me.”
“What about you?”
Suzanna rolled her eyes. “Don’t go acting all innocent. You knew I really wanted to go into business with you, but I couldn’t come up with half of the investment so you sold your house to make our dream come true. And I will never be able to repay you—”
“Stop.” Heat rushed to Jillian’s face. She hadn’t done anything that Suzanna wouldn’t have done if the roles had been reversed. “You did me the favor, because I never would have been able to pull this shop off on my own.”
Suzanna busied herself wiping the fingerprints from one of the glass cases. “So as I was saying, you know you will help him. The only question is how long will you hold out until you admit it to yourself?”
Jillian didn’t know. But it wasn’t going to be today. She at least had enough self-respect not to cave as soon as Avery asked.