Page 30 of Mountain Dreams

“Were you there? At the funeral, I mean.”

“Um-hmm.”

“Me too. If you didn’t know, Dakota Sawyer is my best friend.”

“Is that how you met Jax?”

Avery smiled like she’d recalled a specific memory. “That’s how I met him the first time. The next time was when I applied for a job here.”

“Ah.” Maddie took a sip of coffee, her nervousness dissipating. Avery was open and easy to talk to, and she was truly enjoying her company.

“At first, he didn’t want to hire me, and it had nothing to do with my credentials. Somehow I convinced him to, and now we’re talking about moving in together.”

“Really? Cody didn’t mention that.”

“That’s because he doesn’t know yet. Jax is very private, and he doesn’t want to tell his siblings until we’re sure.”

“Are you thinking about getting married?” Maddie felt a twinge of sadness when she said it. After all, she’d been engaged just two days ago.

Avery eyed her closely, looking like she’d sensed Maddie’s mood change.

“We’ve talked about it, but we’re not in a huge hurry. We want to take our time truly getting to know each other.”

Maddie nodded, although she’d known Wyatt for eight years, and look what had happened to them. She pushed away her negative thoughts, not wanting to inflict them on Avery, who was positively glowing. Come to think of it, had she ever glowed with Wyatt?

“I heard about the trouble you were having with your boyfriend. Is everything okay?” Avery asked.

Maddie wasn’t put off by the question. In fact, she welcomed the opportunity to confide in another woman, especially someone who didn’t know Wyatt and could remain objective.

“We broke up. I was on my way to stay with one of my sisters when Cody called and altered my plans.”

Avery reached across the table and squeezed Maddie’s hand. “I’m sorry to hear that. Breakups are never easy.” She looked away for a moment as if accosted by an unhappy memory, but then she quickly recovered. “It’s nice that Cody’s here for you.”

Maddie nodded, and Avery took her hand away.

“So, what happens next?”

“Cody said he’d go apartment hunting with me after work. I told him he didn’t have to, but…”

“The Sawyer men can be pretty persistent.”

Maddie nodded. “Exactly.”

“It helps that they’re easy on the eyes.”

Maddie raised her brows. Though the statement was accurate, she felt funny admitting it, especially since she should still be grieving her breakup.

“Jax and Cody are very different, but they have some similar qualities,” Avery continued. “They’re both loving, loyal, and protective. There isn’t anything they wouldn’t do for their family and friends.”

Maddie thought Avery had emphasized friends, but she couldn’t be sure. In any case, her eyes welled with tears, and she furiously tried to blink them away.

Avery squeezed her hand again. “If you ever want to talk, I’d be happy to lend an ear.”

“Thank you,” Maddie said with a watery smile.

“I should get going. Good luck with the apartment hunting.” Avery took her coffee mug to the sink and rinsed it, and then Maddie walked her to the door.

“I probably won’t be able to get one right away.”