Sprinkled with Love

Jillian wished she could help Avery buy the Crooked S Ranch.

She’d thought about it last evening and again this morning, but she still had no suggestions for him. A man who loved cowboying, animals, and the great outdoors definitely deserved his own ranch.

Jillian could understand that sort of passion. She’d loved making jewelry since she was a kid. She had all of those jewelry-making kits. There were the braided bracelets. The million bead sets. And her favorite, the shape-it and bake-it jewelry. For years and years, her dream was to have her own jewelry shop. And now her dream had come true. But for Avery, he had the agony of being so close and yet so far from his dream.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The rapid knocking drew Jillian from her thoughts. Only one person knocked like that—her mother when she was in a rush. Jillian hoped her mother didn’t want her to babysit Romeo that evening. She loved the little guy, but he was a handful. He was definitely not the mellow lap cat she’d imagined she was getting when she’d spotted him at the shelter.

“Come in.” Jillian called out from where she was pouring her second cup of coffee.

“Was that Avery I saw at your place last night?” her mother asked, dispensing with any friendly morning greeting.

Jillian wasn’t sure how to take her mother’s directness. “Yes, it was.”

Her mother’s frown deepened. “What was he doing here?”

Jillian suddenly felt like she was twelve again and was about to be grounded. “Since when do you dislike Avery?”

“Since you sat around for six years waiting for him and then nothing. He used you as long as he needed you and then he discarded you.”

Her mother had never been this vocal about her feelings for Avery. And Jillian didn’t know whether to be touched that her mother cared so much for her well-being or angry that her mother was making it seem like Avery had done something wrong when in fact, he hadn’t done a thing to warrant this hostility. He’d never once led her on. She’d gotten her hopes up all on her own.

“Mother, we talked about this before. He never did anything to lead me on. I liked him. He just didn’t see me that way.”

“But he let it go on—”

“He did no such thing. I worked as the nanny when he was working on the ranch or out of town. End of story. So give the guy some slack.”

“I just don’t want to see you hurt

again.”

“I promise, I won’t get hurt. I’m long over Mr. Avery Wainwright.”

Her mother’s eyes said she didn’t believe her, but her mother nodded just the same. “So have you found a date for the wedding?”

“Would you like some coffee?” There was just enough left in the pot for another mugful.

“No, thank you. I already had some and too much makes me jittery. Now, stop stalling. Did you find a date? Or should I call one of my friends?”

Oh boy, this is where things were going to get sticky. Jillian considered putting it off, but she knew it was best just to put it out there. Maybe her mother would be able to vent and get it out of her system before the wedding this weekend.

Jillian took a sip of coffee. “Actually, I do have a date.”

Her mother’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful. Who is it?”

Jillian took another sip of coffee. “It’s Avery.”

Her mother’s smile fell. “Jillian, why would you ask him?”

“Because it made sense. I don’t want a boyfriend and he doesn’t want a relationship. We’re going as friends. He’s nothing more than my plus one.”

Her mother shook her head as though none of this made any sense to her. “If that’s what you believe, then you’re more foolish than I ever imagined. You two will never just be friends.”

And with that ominous statement, her mother turned and headed for the door. Her mother didn’t even say goodbye. Instead, there was the resounding thud of the door as it swung shut.

What in the world had gotten into her mother? She always made a point of trying to get along with everyone. She acted as though Avery had walked out on Jillian on their wedding day. And that was so far from the truth.