Sprinkled with Love

“How’s Marshmallow doing now that no one is home much?”

He shrugged. “She’s not too crazy about it. She stays at my neighbor’s house. Luckily, the older woman next door loves cats and doesn’t mind taking in one more from time to time. I don’t think Marshmallow likes the other cats over there, but I don’t have any other options at this point.”

Jillian started for the front door. “If you ever need someone else to take Marshmallow, perhaps my mother could try it. Obviously Romeo wouldn’t mind. I’m just not so sure Marshmallow is as fond of him.”

They both smiled.

“I’ll keep that in mind. It might be best.” When Jillian briefly frowned, he couldn’t help asking, “Why don’t you look happy about that? If you think it’d be too much for her—”

“It’s not that.” Jillian shook her head. “Never mind.”

“Talk to me, Jillian.”

“I was just thinking that if you didn’t have Ma

rshmallow you’d be all alone.”

Oh. Is that all? He breathed a little easier. “It’s not bad being alone. You should know.”

“I’m not alone. Trust me. Now that I live next door to my mother, I see her every single day and she has me babysitting Romeo any chance she can. She’s worried that he’ll get lonely.” Jillian rolled her eyes. “This isn’t good.”

“What isn’t?”

“I just realized I’m turning into my mother.”

He chuckled. “That isn’t such a bad thing. I like your mother.”

“Thanks. But no one wants to turn into their parent. And yet, I’m bothering you about ending up old and alone like she does with me. Ugh!” Jillian pulled open the door. “On that note, I’ll say goodnight.”

Avery watched her go and realized he was still smiling. For the first time since he’d returned home, he’d actually enjoyed himself. But he knew not to get used to having Jillian around. They wanted very different things in life.

While she longed to be tied down with a baby, he’d already raised a family. He may be anticipating the commitment of a ranch, but that was far different than the pressures of a family—of always wondering if he was doing a good enough job as a guardian or a parent.

The truth was he didn’t feel worthy of his own family. He’d already done so much damage to the family he had with his parents and siblings. If only he’d done things differently—

Chapter Ten

Jillian yawned.

For the most part, sleep had evaded her the night before as she’d contemplated the pros and cons of the deal she’d just made with Avery. His presence at the wedding would hopefully make her mother happy. As for her relatives, they’d probably still comment about her being the last single female of her cousins. Didn’t they know that train of thought was antiquated?

But the part that concerned her the most was that if not for Romeo, she and Avery would have kissed the night before. Just the memory of the way Avery had stared at her made her insides shiver with excitement. How was it possible that he’d slipped past her very carefully laid defenses?

She swallowed hard as she considered this serious turn of events. And the way she saw it was that their chance of happiness had passed them by. Whatever happened last night had been a fluke—a glimpse of what might have been. It didn’t change things.

She was over Avery. He was a friend. Nothing more.

Exceptionally tired that morning, not even the two mugs of coffee had pumped her up. She yawned countless times as she drove to work. The shop door jingled as she let herself inside. Suzanna was already hard at work painting a figurine.

“Good morning,” Suzanna said cheerily followed by a bright, glowing smile.

“Don’t you ever sleep in?” Jillian grumbled.

“Not when I have things I want to do.” Suzanna studied her. “I take it you didn’t have a good night.”

Jillian shrugged. “Too much on my mind.”

“Anything I can help with?”