“So how are things going with you?” He wondered if he was being too nosy. But it wasn’t like he’d come straight out and asked her if it was serious with that guy she was kissing earlier today.
“They are good. In fact, they’re real good.”
He nodded. “Glad to hear it. I don’t know if I mentioned it before but your shop is really nice. I’m sure it’s already a huge hit with the residents, and when the rodeo is in town, you’ll end up selling out.”
“I don’t know about that, but it sure would be nice. I’ve sunk everything I’ve got into it.”
“It looks like your gamble is paying off,” he said, regretful his life hadn’t been different, but knowing he had no one to blame but himself.
“I’m still in a wait and see mode.” She sipped her cocoa. “And how about you? Are you done with the rodeo?”
Done with the rodeo? That was a question to which he had no answer. If he could get his hands on the Crooked S, he’d give up the rodeo in a heartbeat. But securing the funding was still iffy.
“I don’t know.” It was as honest an answer as he could give her.
“Of course, you have to see how well your leg heals, especially since this isn’t your first injury.”
No, it wasn’t. Far from it. Over the past ten years on the rodeo circuit, he’d sustained broken ribs, a busted collarbone, and a number of other injuries. His x-rays were a mess of scars. Still, he could only think of one other occupation he would like better—running his own ranch.
A murr from one of the cats had them both turning. Romeo finally made his way down onto the cushion of the chair next to Marshmallow. She immediately stood, gave him a slight hiss and left.
Avery couldn’t help but chuckle at the dejected look on Romeo’s face. “It’s okay, buddy, women are hard to figure out.”
“We are not.” Jillian arched a brow at him.
“Yes, you are.” Each time he ran into Jillian, he became increasingly confused about how she could so easily evoke emotions in him.
“What’s so confusing? We want a career, a family, and a nice home. We want it all.”
Avery’s thoughts hovered on the fact she wanted a family. That’s what he’d just dealt with for the past six years. It wasn’t for the faint of heart. Being responsible for other people’s well-being was a lot. Was it possible he’d misunderstood her?
He cleared his throat. “So you’re looking forward to having a baby?”
“Someday.” She paused as
she stared at the fireplace. “I don’t know if I’ll ever have it all. But I refuse to settle for less.”
Ouch. That left him out of any plans she might have for the future—not that he was thinking of being in her life. He inwardly groaned. How did they get on this subject anyhow?
“How about you?” she asked, drawing him out of his thoughts. “Are you planning on having a family of your own?”
“No.” He didn’t hesitate, not even for a split second. When her eyes widened in surprise, he added, “I already finished raising my brother and sister. That was enough for me.”
“But it would be different if it was your own wife and child.”
He shook his head. “I’m happy with the way things are now.”
“You mean with you being out on the rodeo circuit?”
He shrugged. “Someday I’ll retire.”
“But not now?”
The thought of the Crooked S came to mind and so did the hefty price tag. “I don’t know what the future holds.”
She nodded in understanding and then proceeded to switch the subject by asking, “How are your Bake-Off plans coming?”
“They aren’t.”