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“You want me to hide in the barn?”
“Do you have a better idea?”
I kissed her once more, turned, and started toward the barn, instantly remembering that I wasn’t wearing a jacket and praying the damn thing was heated.
Chapter Sixteen
AVERY
With my fingers to my lips, I dashed back into the house, softly shut the door, and made my way up to my room.
My entire body was still humming after Beck’s attentions. When I stepped into my bathroom, I shut the door and sagged against it. If my parents had come home minutes sooner or later, we would have been caught. I slapped my hand over my mouth until the threat of laughter slipped away.
Turning on the water in the shower, I stripped out of my clothes and stepped under the hot spray, careful not to get my hair wet. Quickly washing my entire body, I rinsed and stepped out of the shower. Reaching for a towel, I dried off, wrapped it around my body, then headed to my closet.
After spending way too much time finding something to wear, I ended up with a pair of jeans, a cashmere sweater, and boots that were not practical at all for snow. I looked in the mirror and smiled. “At least you look cute.”
The doorbell rang, and I realized I hadn’t even had time to put on makeup. I blew out a breath and quickly started down the steps.
“I’ve got it,” my father said, walking much faster than he normally would.
“I thought you were taking a nap,” I said, following behind him.
Ignoring me, he opened the door and smiled. “Beck. How was your time with Bradly?”
Beck’s smile faltered some, and I willed him to stay calm.
Don’t break. Don’t break. Don’t break.
Right at that moment, Bradly came walking up. “Hey, Dad. I thought you were volunteering this morning?”
My father looked between my brother and Beck before he answered. “I got the wrong day.”
Bradly laughed. “Bet Mom was pissed.”
My father let out a huff and motioned for Beck to come in. “Where’s your coat?”
“In the rental,” Beck answered with a smile.
“So what are you and Avery going to do this morning?” my father asked.
“I thought I’d take Beck to that new kolache place on Main.”
Bradly pouted. “What? That place is amazing! The cherry kolaches are the best.”
I smiled and reached into the closet to get my coat. My gloves were in the pockets, and I pulled them out. “They are. So are the apple ones.”
“Avery, don’t forget the lunch plans with the girls. We’re meeting them at one-thirty,” Mom said as she walked up and stood next to my father.
Beck helped me put on my coat, and my heart skipped a little in my chest. He was so thoughtful and such a gentleman—except in the bedroom. My cheeks instantly heated at the thought.
“Why are you so flushed, Avery?” Bradly asked, a knowing smirk on his face.
“I was rushing to take a shower and get ready,” I replied, trying my best not to look at Beck or Bradly. Instead, I made the mistake of looking at my mother, who raised a single eyebrow.
Shit.
I averted my eyes and looked at my dad. He was clueless, thank God.
Clearing his throat, Beck said, “Should we head out?”
“What are you doing after breakfast?” Dad asked, walking us to the door.
Beck and I looked at each other before I finally said, “Just showing Beck around the area. Nothing big.”
“Well, have a good time, and be careful driving on the roads, Beck. They’re all clear now, but there’s a chance of a storm coming in later.”
With a nod, Beck said, “Will do, sir.”
He placed his hand on my lower back and kept it there as we walked down the steps and to his rented SUV.
“Do you think they suspect anything?” he asked softly, holding the door open as I slid in.
“Nope.”
I decided not to tell him that I was pretty sure my mother knew. Of course, he was aware Bradly knew he’d at least been in my room…and I knew my brother wasn’t going to let that one go for a very long time. I pushed the thought away.
Once Beck was in the car, he started it, turned around, and headed down the drive.
“So, what should we do after we go to the kolache place? It’s Sunday, so I’m thinking most everything is going to be closed today or not opening until later.”
Turning in the seat, I just stared at him.
He glanced my way quickly and asked, “What?”
“Beck…we’re alone.”
He smiled and reached for my hand, bringing it to his mouth. “I know. This’ll be fun.”
I wanted to laugh. How was he not putting two and two together?
Clearing my throat, I pulled out my phone and looked something up. The address for Bitterroot Inn was quickly entered into my GPS, and I hit Go. The directions started to play through the speaker on my phone.
