Broken Love (Broken 4)

My mother cleared her throat as she adjusted something on Nickolas. “Well, Ava I figured you weren’t going to drop everything for a last minute trip.”

“To fucking Montana I would!”

“Watch your language,” my mother said with a slight grin. She always told me I was her little me and I knew I was. I also liked being compared to my mother. Not only was she beautiful, but smart as hell and sassy to boot.

My arms crossed over my body and I pouted as Liza lost it and laughed full on.

“Oh, stop being a baby, Ava. We just decided this earlier today when your father got the email from Mr. Montgomery. He wants us to come before they start getting colder weather in.”

“I’m in!”

“What about your job?” Liza asked.

“It’s fine. The owner of the boutique owes me a huge favor, so I can take some time off from there. And I can work anywhere for Maurice with the designs.”

My mother smiled big and said, “Well, it looks like we’re taking a family vacation to Montana!”

Liza and I both let out soft screams of joy so we didn’t wake up Nickolas.

Minutes later we were pulling up and parking in front of Layton and Whitley’s house. Whitley came walking out onto the porch and down to the car with a huge smile on her face. “Oh I love when my daughter comes to visit me!”

Liza laughed. “Mom! I see you every day when I come to work!”

Whitley brushed off Liza and headed to me where she pulled me into her arms and hugged me. “I’m talking about my adopted daughter.” Pushing me back some, Whitley let her eyes wander all over me and then pulled me back into a hug as she whispered, “You look so beautiful, but your eyes are totally bloodshot.”

I let out a chuckle as I whispered back, “Is it that obvious?”

Whitley stepped back and quickly said, “I have eye drops, don’t worry.”

Laughing, I gave her a friendly push as I headed up to the house.

“Everyone is outside; Jase just started grilling some steaks!” Whitley called from over her shoulder as she scooped Nickolas out of Liza’s arms.

Wrapping her arm with mine, my mother and I headed through the house and to the back. “Now, Ava, try to keep your very outspoken thoughts to yourself.”

My mouth fell open as I let out a gasp. “Oh my God. What do you think I’m going to do? Offend the little old consultant men, and then they won’t want to work for us?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”

Liza bumped my shoulder as she rushed past me. “Don’t worry, Court, when she sees them she’ll be too busy wiping the drool from her mouth to even talk.”

I rolled my eyes and took off after Liza as she yelped and ran through the kitchen with me hot on her trail.

“This is not the first impression I’m talking about, Ava Moore!” my mother called out as I followed Liza out onto the back porch. Liza immediately took a right turn and I didn’t realize how fast I was going. Trying to come to a stop, I hit the stairs and ran down them only to run right into the back of someone, causing their drink to go everywhere.

“Shit!” I shouted as my head throbbed from slamming into what felt like a brick wall. As I put my fingers up to my temple and closed my eyes, I prayed the hangover would just go away.

“Ava?”

I know that voice.

Peeking one eye open, the other one quickly followed as I gasped and said, “Ryder?”

I quickly scanned around only to find everyone staring at both of us, and I couldn’t help but notice the stunned expression on my father’s face. “You know my daughter, Ryder?”

The smile that spread across Ryder’s face spoke volumes.

“Yes, sir, I do.”