Sprinkled with Love

“Oh boy, you have it bad for her.”

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter now. I’m leaving town.”

“Heading back to the rodeo?”

“It’s where I belong.”

“Would you say the same thing if I told you there is absolutely nothing romantic going on between Jillian and Glenn?”

“But this weekend at the Bake-Off, I heard them. It isn’t over.”

Suzanna paused as though considering her options. “I’m going to tell you something that could get us both in trouble with Jillian, but I think you deserve to know.”

His curiosity was piqued now. “What is it?”

“The only thing between Jillian and Glenn is that he tried to use her and Tangled Charms to secure a loan. Apparently he’s in deep financial trouble.”

“Really?” Avery never would have guessed any of this. “And Jillian didn’t know about it?”

“Not until the bank called her.”

“But why didn’t she say anything to me?”

“My guess is her pride got in the way. She was embarrassed she ever dated him and she was trying to get him out of her life as quietly as possible—but Glenn isn’t good at taking a hint or even a blunt statement.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure she’s been in love with you since she was a teenager. She tried to move on, but once you came back in her life for the Bake-Off, she couldn’t deny her feelings.”

It was Avery’s turn to lean back against the opposite counter as he digested this news. What did this all mean? Had he totally misread everything?

Suzanna moved to start cleaning the kitchen island. “I think you’re foolish if you let Jillian get away again.” Her pointed words sliced into his thoughts. Suzanna continued. “Most people only get one shot at love. You’ve now had two chances with Jillian. You won’t get another one. So don’t waste this opportunity.”

Her profound words struck him. The truth was he loved Jillian more than he thought possible. And he knew it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime loves. That’s why he was planning to leave Marietta. He just couldn’t bear to be so close to her and yet so far away.

But now—now he knew what he had to do.

He just had to hope it wasn’t too late.

Chapter Twenty-Three

This could be the biggest mistake of his life…

Or it could be his smartest move.

Avery dismissed the contradictory thoughts. They were of no help and they were starting to give him a headache.

It all boiled down to the fact that he had to do something drastic because there was no way he could lose Jillian. He knew an apology for not being the man she needed him to be in the past wouldn’t be enough. He had to show her that he’d changed. And he was willing to risk everything to make things right with her.

He chose to walk to the Graff Hotel for the final round of the Bake-Off. The physical exertion of walking in the chilly February air was just what he needed to clear his head. Between the competition and trying to win over Jillian, he was a bundle of nerves.

Tonight not only would he be putting his limited baking skills on display for the town, but he also planned to make his feelings for Jillian known to everyone. That was not an easy feat for a cowboy who was used to keeping everything inside.

When his parents died, he’d learned to keep his emotions tucked inside where no one could see them. After all, he’d suddenly gone from the cool big brother to a fill-in parent who had no clue what he was doing. And his siblings had needed all of the support and security that he could muster.

He never knew by stifling his emotions that he’d also miss what was right in front of him—the best thing in his life—Jillian. He just hoped it wasn’t too late to convince her to give him another chance to get this right.

The closer he got to the hotel, the faster he moved. He pulled out his phone and texted Suzanna to make sure Jillian would be at the event. His finger moved rapidly over the screen.