Page 132 of Thaw My Heart

Averie’s mouth opens, but nothing comes out.

Before she can respond, Cole and Annie pull her in for hugs, saying their goodbyes. Waving at us at the threshold as we walk Averie outside to her Jeep. Light and fluffy snow brushes against Ryker’s jean jacket as he straggles behind us with his hands tucked into his pockets, staring at the frosted ground.

Sadie throws her arms around Averie when we reach her Jeep, covered in softly packed snow. “I’m going to miss you,” she murmurs into her hair.

“You have to visit me,” she pulls her in tighter, surely squeezing her too tight, but Sadie doesn’t protest. “Tell Kit to share from time to time.” She gives me a look, and I smile back with a nod, confirming I will.

As much as she wants to.

Sadie laughs, pulling back with glassy eyes. “Of course,” she promises. A single tear falls from her cheek, and my arm instinctively wraps around her torso, tucking her close. “Oh,” she glances at her sweater. “This is yours.”

“Keep it,” Averie smiles. “Looks better on you, anyway.” She turns to Ryker, studying him for a moment. “And umm… thank you, Ryker. For calling me.”

Ryker smiles, but he doesn’t move. Standing a few feet away with a sad look in his eyes that I’m too familiar with. He also doesn’t respond, which surprises me.

Averie opens the driver’s door.

“One drink,” Ryker pipes up, desperation clinging to his strangled voice.

Sadie’s eyes dart between them, and I’m positive I know more than she does. She looks as if she’s trying to do a crossword puzzle but keeps coming up empty on seven down.

It’s cute as hell.

Averie glances back with pink blush in her cheeks, and for a moment, I think she’s considering it. Taking longer than I thought she would. “Maybe next time, Malone,” she smiles.

“I’m holding you to that, Knox,” Ryker smirks, trying to hold her there as long as he can.

And that’s when I feel the air change between them. I was never sure why Ryker chased after her. She’s way out of his league, but the shift between them is as clear as day. He smirks, and she blushes. Pretty sure Sadie sees it now, too.

“I figured as much.” Averie purses her pink lips and then hops in. Waving at us as she drives down the winding driveway, taillights glowing in the evening light. Soft pink and orange streak the big Montana sky.

After a few moments, Sadie picks up Foxie, heading to my truck, ready to go home. Ryker hangs back, sitting on the snowy porch steps, watching Averie disappear behind the pines with his hands tucked under his chin.

“You need a ride?” I ask him.

He shakes his head. “I’m going to sit here awhile.”

“She’ll come back,” I assure him. Despite her new life in Nashville, she always came home. And I’m sure she’ll come back every now and then just to see Sadie.

“I know,” he quietly smiles. “And I’ll be waiting.”

I place a firm hand on Ryker’s shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze before heading to my truck.

One hand is on the steering wheel, and the other is in hers as we drive back to our spot on the ranch. She traces patterns on the top of my hand, staring out the windshield. Soft country music plays while Foxie is passed out cold in the back seat. I’m sure Bandit is already fast asleep on my front porch, waiting for me to come home.

“Ryker has feelings for Averie, doesn’t he?” She turns towards me, quirking her brows.

A low chuckle rumbles in my chest as I adjust my hand on the steering wheel. “You could say that.”

“What kind of feelings? From what I’ve heard about Ryker… he can be quite the player.”

I now understand her fear. She’s worried that Averie is just another one of his flings. A fear I’ve also had, but I don’t think that’s the case. “Well, they’ve known each other since grade school. There’s… history between them.”

“History?” Her voice rises.

“Not that kind of history,” I laugh. She relaxes at that. “I don’t think Averie knew he was alive back then. They didn’t exactly hang out in the same crowd.” From what little Ryker told me, Averie was popular in high school, and Ryker was sort of an outcast. They were worlds apart.

“Yes, that part she’s mentioned to me.” She crosses her arms tight against her chest, sighing deeply. “But she didn’t mention the fact that she finds him attractive.”