Worth the Wait (4 page)

CHAPTER THREE

The sound of his instructor coughing snapped Wyatt awake just as he’d begun to nod off. Maybe he should’ve taken a rain check on taking an art class that started at eight in the morning. Today they were using watercolors to paint a vase filled with flowers, a far cry from the nude models he thought he’d be painting when he’d
signed up for the class. He’d marched to the registrar to drop the class, but Avery had cut him off at the pass. She’d convinced him that it would be therapeutic to focus on something creative for a change. Besides, he loved to draw and paint, a byproduct of having a hobby-oriented mother. Ceramics, woodworking, you name it. His mom made sure they were well-rounded young men. Avery had even convinced
him to be part of the set design crew when she got a part in a play. He’d had a good time helping construct the set while keeping an eye on her. She’d also reminded him that he was a role model to Colby and Matt, who thought it was cool and helped them embrace their artistic natures. She made sense, like she always did.

It had been weeks since he’d seen Avery and he was pretty bummed about
it. He’d called her last night, but she didn’t pick up. He thought about going to see her but he still didn’t know what to say. Which was terrible, because they’d never had that problem before. One look into those warm, caring eyes and he’d blurt out secrets he’d never tell another living soul. He’d confided in her that he was happy Bo was back in his life. Getting reacquainted with his oldest
brother helped him understand his mom more. From outward appearances, she was a free-spirited flake, but after spending time on the ranch with Bo Sr., a lot of his mom’s idiosyncrasies had become clearer to him. She’d been living in two worlds for years. The one she had with Bo Sr. and Bo. And the one she’d created with his dad Buck after she’d left Texas. Avery had helped him understand that he had
nothing to do with the thing that happened a million years ago. What mattered now was that everyone in his blended family was making an effort to get along and leave the muddled past behind.

She’d listened and comforted. She didn’t tell him he was a slacker who wasn’t concentrating on his future. She never cared that he didn’t focus as intently on his studies as she did. He partied hard,
but when it was time to get his schoolwork done, she’d be there pushing him to buckle down and get good grades. She’d told him one day during a horseback ride around the ranch that she knew he’d be his own man some day. He didn’t have to be a carbon copy of his overachieving brothers. He could be himself and retain those charming quirks that made him unique. It had meant so much that she had faith
in him.

The instructor’s voice snapped him out of his reverie. “OK, class. Good work today. I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

Wyatt cleaned his workspace, then proceeded back to his apartment. He had a meeting with his career counselor later in the day, which meant he could catch up on the missed sleep. His schedule was pretty light for the rest of the week, and he’d be working at the Bright
Star over the weekend. He made the obligatory calls to his parents, but he’d been ducking Bo’s calls since he’d returned from his honeymoon.

While he appreciated big brother’s worrying about his future, he still didn’t have any good answers. Thank God, Corbett was too distracted fighting with Courtney to lecture him. The fight they had the night of Bo’s wedding had blown up into a big deal.

Wyatt got a whiff of cotton candy perfume when he put the key in his apartment door, distracting him from thoughts of his brother. That scent could only belong to Kelly Burton, his neighbor down the hall. She was sexy, fun, and wasn’t subtle about her interest in him. She also had an uncanny knack for greeting him at his door.

“Hey, handsome.”

“Hey, Kelly.” He plastered on his
best smile and turned around.

“I can’t believe I haven’t seen you around lately.”

“I house-sat for my brother when he went on his honeymoon.”

“Corbett finally got married?”

“No. My brother Bo.”

“That’s right. The
other
sexy, nerdy one that runs some big corporation.”

“He’s just big brother Bo to me.” He shook his head, not wanting to think of his brothers that
way. “Is there something you want Kelly?”

“Well.” She licked her lips in a seductive way and put her hand on his shoulder. “What do you have in mind?”

He let out a dry laugh and moved away. “If you’re looking for food, I have some leftover pizza in the fridge and a yogurt.”

“No, thanks.” She pouted. “I need your big dry-erase board. The one we use to play Pictionary sometimes.”

“Oh.” He opened the door and dropped his bag on the couch and headed toward the closet. “What do you need that for? You stink at the game.”

“No, I don’t. I lose on purpose so I’ll have to take a shot.” She grinned. “I’m practicing for a presentation I have to give in my communications class.”

“Good luck.” He handed her the board.

She put it down near the couch. “So how are
your career plans going?”

“I’m still working that out.”

“I can’t believe how time has flown. I know you transferred as a sophomore, but I feel like you were part of the freshmen class with the rest of our group.” She winked. “It helped that you were really cute and cool. No one can resist you.”

“I like to think I just have an easy going personality. I adapt to change quickly.”
He shrugged.

“I have a confession to make.” She came closer. “I’ve had the biggest crush on you since we had that bonfire at the lake during sophomore year. We have so little time left before we graduate…and you’re one of the things on my to-do list.”

“I thought my buddy Duane was on your ‘
to-do’
list.” He did air quotes with his fingers.

She shrugged. “We were never serious.
We just hooked up.”

“That doesn’t make it any more appealing.” He went into the kitchen and got a bottle of water out of the fridge.

“We can keep it casual. Just between us. I won’t tell anyone. Not even your prissy little girlfriend.” She grinned again. “I’m surprised she’s not here now. If you were my boyfriend, I wouldn’t leave you alone for a second.”

“Avery keeps her mind
focused on what’s important. That’s why she’s finishing school a whole year early and going to med school.”

“Figures. She’s wound pretty tight. I can see why you call her Princess.”

His jaw ticked. “I call her princess as a term of endearment.”

“Oh yeah? What do you call me?” She went over and put her arms around his neck.

“Trouble.”

* * *

Avery
waved good-bye to Morgan and Teri-Lyn as she pulled off. When Teri-Lyn had asked Avery to drop off the monogram cufflinks that Wyatt had left in Bo’s guesthouse, she’d fumbled for excuse not to do it, but nothing plausible reached her lips. How could say no to Teri-Lyn? She couldn’t. So she took the box and promised to deliver them. She was just grateful the family hadn’t asked any probing questions
about her disappearance at the wedding that night.

Despite getting hooked into making what would be an awkward delivery, a visit to the ranch had been just what she’d needed to recharge her batteries. She’d taken Comet for a ride and spent time with Morgan, something she’d been doing a lot of lately. She knew her aunt was doing a great job of managing her health since being diagnosed with
lupus, but that didn’t stop Avery from wanting to be near her more lately. Besides, it was fun playing with the kids. Gabe and Owen had gotten so big and were crawling all over the place. And it was always entertaining seeing what new things Mackenzie was getting into these days. Being at the ranch had recharged her batteries, and for a little while she’d forgotten about her problems with Wyatt.

The alarm sounded on her cell phone. Time for her weekly call with her dad. She’d been helping him plan a special night out for her mom’s birthday. But Avery had another surprise in store for them too. She’d gotten her parents tickets to a cruise for their upcoming anniversary.

“Call dad,” She said, loud enough for the Bluetooth microphone to acknowledge the command. He picked up on
the first ring. “Is this Lieutenant Robert Reed, also known as the most awesome dad, ever?”

He laughed. “Guilty as charged. Hi, Baby.”

“Hi, Dad. How are you?”

“I’m just fine now that I’ve heard your voice. How’s my budding neurosurgeon?”

“Dad.” She rolled her eyes. “I haven’t decided on what my field of concentration will be in medical school.”

“Whatever it is, I’m
sure you’ll do great. It’s going to be nice to have a doctor in the family.”

“We do. Cousin Melissa’s husband Lawrence is a podiatrist.”

“Lawrence is an idiot. He doesn’t count.”

“Well, we used to have a neurosurgeon in the family. Does Aunt Taylor still count?” The car in front of her was going so slow it was painful. She checked her mirror for a safe lane change.

“In
her mind she’s still part of the family.”

“Would you believe she sent me a congratulatory e-mail? I was kind of shocked.”

“I’m not surprised. She still has her ear to the family grapevine.”

Avery checked her mirror again and got into the middle lane on the highway. “Isn’t that a bit strange to be keeping in touch with your ex-husband’s family? It’s been a while since she and
Uncle Jared parted ways for good.”

“Sounds like she may still have some regrets she’s working through. According to the rumor mill, she never had that baby she claimed she wanted. I’m sure hearing Jared and Autumn are going strong isn’t helping matters.”

“Do you think she’ll ever get over Uncle Jared?” She couldn’t help thinking of Wyatt as she asked the question, seeing his handsome
face in her mind.

“I don’t know sweetie. It depends on the person.”

“Ah.” She cleared her throat. That was depressing, in more ways than one. “Did you get the e-mail confirmation for the concert tickets I ordered you and mom for her birthday?”

“I did, thank you very much. She’s going to love seeing her favorite old groups on that nostalgia tour.”

The house had always been
filled with music and laughter when she was growing up. Her dad even liked to serenade her mom while cooking dinner. So when Avery saw the advertisement for her parents’ favorite yester-year singing group, she knew it would be the perfect evening out for them.

“I thought you could make a night of it, so I booked the romantic champagne package for you—a room at that fancy hotel near the arena.”

“That was very thoughtful of you. And to think there was a time when you thought romance was gross.”

She laughed. “Oh, it’s still gross for people your age.”

“Watch it, young lady. I am not above hopping on a plane to give you a spanking.”

“You’ve never spanked me a day in my life.”

“I know.” He sighed. “Because you were a perfect child.”

“
Dad
. I am not perfect.
Not by a long shot. The higher you build that pedestal, the farther I have to fall when I finally become human in your eyes.”

“You are perfect to me. And if you ever fall, which I doubt, I will be there to pick you up and dust you off.”

“Thanks.” She smiled. He always made her feel like she was twelve, but it was as sweet as it was annoying.

“So I talked to Morgan last night
and she said you visited the ranch by yourself this time. No Wyatt?”

“No Wyatt. We’ve been out of touch lately.”

“He still doesn’t know what he’s going to do after college? The kid’s got a lot of raw talent he could put to good use.”

“I don’t know. What kind of raw talent?”

“He’s funny, charming, smart, and quick on his feet. These are qualities of a successful person.”

Avery was dumbfounded, surprised her dad had been paying attention. He wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t like her dad to actually say nice things about Wyatt. As a matter of fact, he usually grunted at the sound of his name. Now he was giving a detailed assessment of his character? Clearly the world had gone crazy. “And since when are you on team Wyatt?”

“He’s taken good care of you for the
last three years. He can’t be all that bad.”

“You mean he’s abided by the threats doled out by the male half of the family to keep his distance from me.” She put her right signal on for the upcoming exit and tried not to speed, even though she was getting a little worked up.

He chuckled. “There’s that too.”

“What have you done with my father? The intimidating cop who never cut
any guy a break? The man who was conspicuously cleaning his gun every time I had someone over to the house? Or worse, unleashed his nephews on some unsuspecting soul.”

“I’d like to believe I’ve matured over the years.”

“I don’t know about that.” She’d love to believe that her father was no longer an overprotective nut but the truth was that her attending school in Texas amped up the
Blake’s family campaign to watch over her. “You still put Uncle Charles and Uncle Jared into headlocks when they disagree with you.”

“I have to remind them that I’ll always be the big brother.” He laughed.

She laughed too. “Luckily, as an only child I never had to worry about things like that.”

She pulled into Wyatt’s section of the apartment complex. Her apartment was on the
other side of the property. “Dad, I have to go. I e-mailed you all the confirmation details for your special night with mom. Call me if you have any questions.”

“I will. Have I told you how proud I am of you?”

“Yes, but thank you for saying it again. Love you.”

“Love you too, sweetheart. Be careful.”

“I will.” She disconnected the call, turned off the car, and grabbed the
jewelry box that held the cufflinks from the passenger seat. She put her hand on the door handle but hesitated before opening it. She could do this. Sure the last time they saw each other they were hot and heavy and in the throes consummating their relationship. Before he’d completely rejected her and tried to get her out of the guesthouse as if he was embarrassed by her lack of experience. Or
worse, that he didn’t want her at all…