Age of Ava by Melanie Moreland

Chapter 14

Hunter

Islipped away while Ava was sleeping, finding my way home easily in the dim light. I had stood beside her bed looking down at her, confused and torn, before letting myself out, making sure to lock the door behind me.

I had no idea why I returned to her every evening. Why, by the end of the day, I was filled with longing, the need to see her. To make sure she was okay. The first time, I had used the book as the excuse, certain once I had her again, the ache and need would go away.

It hadn’t. In fact, it had grown.

It was a shock to realize how much I enjoyed her company. Listening to her talk, hearing her laugh. I liked sharing a meal with her, hearing about her day. She asked questions about mine, seemingly as interested in my banal news as I was in her far more entertaining words. I wasn’t used to sharing. Or this endless craving I had to see her.

Every day, I swore I wouldn’t allow it to overtake my senses. Every day, I found myself at her door. In her bed.

I climbed the steps to the house, opening the door and letting Cash out. I went in and made a cup of instant coffee, thinking how horrified Ava would be over it. It was easier at times than making a pot, and unlike her, I didn’t have a fancy machine sitting on the counter.

I carried the cup outside and set it on the tailgate, watching Cash roll in the grass, stretching his legs out in the sun in contentment. He trotted over, getting some headbutts and attention, then he lay by my feet, gnawing on one of the treats I had gotten him at the pet store earlier in the week. He chewed and I sipped, both of us enjoying the quiet.

I thought about Ava’s past she’d confided in me last night. I shook my head in disbelief that a woman as beautiful and confident could be discounted by any man. I thought she was amazing. Strong, fearless, smart, funny, and gorgeous. How she managed to attract two losers who made her question her self-worth was beyond me. She needed someone equally as strong, someone who valued her strength and vitality. Who appreciated her quirks.

Another strange thought came into my head. She needed someone who would look after her. She hid a quiet vulnerability. She worked too hard and in a business that forced her to show only her tough side. She needed a place to be Ava. To be soft and peaceful. She needed to be held and read to. Brought dinner. Tucked into bed to get a good sleep.

Made love to regularly to let her know how incredibly sexy she was.

She needed someone like me.

I stood, shocked at the thought.

I wasn’t in the market. Soon enough, I would crave a new place, and the need to pack up and move on would overtake everything else. Even this insane desire for her. I was simply overreacting to the intimacy of last night. Hearing Ava’s words. Using my body to show her just how wrong those other men had been.

That was all.

Needing to move, I picked up Cash’s favorite stick and tossed it. For the next while, I concentrated only on him and the stick. Pitch and return. Farther. Farther away still. Watching him run, his tail wagging as he raced to find it, his head held up happy and proud as he returned it to me.

Inside my head were a barrage of unwelcome thoughts. Unbidden feelings about Ava. Slowly, I sorted them. I was reacting to my anger. That was all. I found Ava attractive, and I had been without feminine company for a while and was enjoying it. Simple. She was amazing in bed, and I liked exploring that with her. It was natural. The fact that I hadn’t been with anyone for a long time was what drove me to her nightly. Totally feasible. I would have to exercise more control about the daily visits, and once I found my balance again, we could see each other every few days. She was enjoying the relationship as well, so there was no need to end it.

Yet.

I simply had to stop giving in to these ridiculous cravings for her.

My shoulders slumped as I threw the stick one last time, this time almost sending it over the bluff. Cash grabbed it and came back, although his pace wasn’t as quick as it had been. I glanced at my watch, surprised to see I’d been tossing it for over an hour. I patted his head as he dropped the stick at my feet. “Come on, boy. I need a shower then I’m going to head into town and pick up a few supplies. I’ll work all afternoon, and the deck should mostly be done.”

I looked at the new structure. It was going to be awesome when finished. The company I had hired had poured the footings for the cedar columns and new framework, as well as completing the installation for the heavy wood columns. Now, I was almost done with the rest of the framing. Once that was complete, I could work on the deck boards, then move on to the extension on the other side of the house.

I headed inside, my day planned. I would grill something easy on the barbecue later and tonight work on the supply list I would need to start the next project—the extension. I still needed to find an architect to draw up the needed plans, and I decided I would make that the next priority.

I nodded, satisfied, as I stepped into the shower. I had lots to keep me busy—right up until midnight. I wouldn’t visit Ava tonight. I wouldn’t see her for a few days. Break the pattern.

It was a good, solid plan. It just didn’t work.

* * *

I never made it into town. Instead, I threw myself into work, and I got a lot accomplished in the afternoon. I finished framing the deck and rebuilt the steps. I worked late into the evening until the light began to fade and my body was exhausted. Dinner ended up being a sandwich eaten over the sink and drinking the milk straight from the container. I needed a trip to the grocery store, which I planned on doing in the morning. The rest of the evening was spent in pursuit of mindless endeavors. None of which accomplished what I wanted—which was to stop the nagging desire to head over to Ava’s. I glanced through some magazines, not really seeing the pages. I sorted through some drawers in the kitchen, tossing out most of the junk inside them. I paced and tried a couple of shots of whiskey to help calm the nerves that suddenly seemed to be on the outside of my body, taut and exposed. Flipped through the few TV channels available, thinking I needed to upgrade the TV and the Wi-Fi here. I played music but somehow had no desire to dance. I looked at the clock, convinced it had to be after midnight, shocked to find it was only ten. I gave up and went to bed, planning on sleeping hard and getting up early.

I spent the night tossing and turning. Pulling the pillow Ava had slept on close to my face and catching the faint whiff of her perfume. Wondering if she was sleeping. Contemplating what she would do if I showed up at three a.m. and climbed into bed with her. I moved to the sofa, thinking it would be better. It wasn’t. Eventually I drifted, but my sleep was far from restful.

In the morning, I went to the town hall and spoke with Milly, asking if she could recommend a local architect.

“Mr. Shuman is retired but still does some work,” she replied, pursing her lips. “I’ll give you his number. He tends to be hard to get a hold of since retiring, though.”

“Anyone else?” I asked.

“Not local. But I can give you the number of a couple of places. One is in Mississauga and one in St. Catharines. Of course, there are others, but I know these names off the top of my head.” She paused. “Ava Callaghan’s brother is an architect. A very good one.”

I smiled grimly. “Yes, I was told that.”

I accepted the paper gratefully. In my truck, my stomach growled, and I headed to the diner, deciding breakfast out would be good. Then I would do my errands and head back to the house and work on the deck. The weather was perfect to be outside. Not too hot, with a light breeze. It made the grueling task of handling the big project on my own easier when I wasn’t sweating and having to stop every few moments to wipe my head or get a drink. I parked my truck and began to head inside when I saw her.

Ava was at a booth, sitting by the window. She had a file open, a cup of coffee in one hand. Her hair was down, brushed to one side, the deep sable color glinting with the purple streaks in the sun. She wasn’t looking at the file, though, but staring into space. She looked…dejected. I stopped, simply staring, then before I could help myself, tapped on the window.

She glanced up, startled, a smile clearing away the sadness. She lifted her eyebrows and tilted her head in a silent invitation, and I was powerless to refuse it. I headed inside and, without thinking, slid into the booth beside her. It was natural to press my mouth to her cheek, remembering where we were.

“Hey, Little Dragon,” I breathed against her skin.

“Hi,” she responded. “What are you doing here?”

“Just came from town hall. You?”

“I have a meeting at eleven. I decided to treat myself to breakfast before heading to it since my day is booked solid. Not sure I’ll have a chance to eat again.”

Connie came over and smiled at me. “You staying or just visiting?”

I laughed. “Staying. Coffee and the special, please. Over easy.”

“Got it.” A mug appeared, and I sipped it with appreciation.

“You look tired,” Ava said, not meeting my eyes.

“I did a lot of work on the deck. Finished the framework and steps and plan on starting the boards today.”

“You didn’t come over last night.”

Her words hung between us. For a moment, I was at a loss, then I cleared my throat. “I fell asleep on the couch. I was whacked. Never made the dinner on the barbecue I had planned either.” It was a partial lie, but it was all I could offer her. I had no plans on telling her how strong a hold she had on me. I could barely acknowledge it to myself.

“So, you’ve come seeking sustenance.”

“And I got you too.” I nudged her with my elbow. “Double bonus.”

“I missed you,” she whispered.

I wasn’t sure how to respond, but I dropped my hand to her leg, found her fingers, and squeezed them.

“The couch wasn’t as comfortable as your bed,” I admitted.

She rolled her eyes but, Ava being Ava, let it drop. She asked about Cash, the next step in the renovation, and entertained me with more stories of her work escapades.

Our breakfasts came, and I had to laugh as she slipped one of her eggs onto my plate and scooped some potatoes from mine without asking. I had no objections since I preferred the eggs over the spuds, but it seemed such an oddly intimate thing between us. She already knew my likes and also knew I wouldn’t mind.

We ate in companionable silence for a few moments. I was starved, and the food was good. Simple, but tasty. I finished my toast, and Ava slid hers my way, letting me take a piece to finish off my eggs. I grinned at her, laughing as she speared the last potato from the edge of my plate.

The harmony of the moment was interrupted by two large bodies sliding into the booth with us. We were startled and looked up, meeting the wry grins and dancing gazes of Ronan and Liam. They filled the booth, barely fitting on the bench. The look of sheer delight on their faces was enough to make me groan.

Ava spoke. “What are you two clowns doing here?”

“We came for breakfast,” Ronan replied. “Imagine our shock when we saw our sister having breakfast with her neighbor.”

“Showing him around again, Ava?” Liam asked.

“He saw me here and asked to join me. No point in the two of us eating breakfast alone. Not that it’s any of your business,” she added haughtily.

Her tone didn’t make them back down.

“Oh.” Ronan looked at Liam then cast his gaze around the booth. “Are we sitting on imaginary friends that joined you too? I assume that’s why you two are fused at the hip on the same side of the booth.”

Liam smirked. “And sharing food. Isn’t that so…” He trailed off as Ava glared at him. “Kind.”

Ronan nodded, leaning back in the booth. “Neighborly. She’s a great neighbor, Liam. The best, I’d say.”

I wanted to tell the two of them to fuck off. Except it was too funny. They both knew what was going on. They weren’t trying to be assholes, simply humorous. And the bottom line was I didn’t care. If they didn’t give me a hassle, I wouldn’t be rude. I knew how much her family meant to Ava, and although I didn’t understand it, I could respect it.

“She is the best neighbor,” I agreed. “She already told me not to expect too much from you two slackers in that department. She explained she was the responsible, polite one in the family.”

For a moment, they were silent, then they began to laugh. I joined in, shaking my head.

“You want coffee?” I surprised myself by asking.

Somehow I wasn’t shocked when they said yes.

Connie brought the fresh mugs, filled up mine and Ava’s, and left after assuring Ronan that, yes, they had the grilled cinnamon bun and she would bring him the biggest one they had. Liam ordered one as well, and Ava piped up, saying she and I would split one.

Apparently breakfast had two courses today.

Over the delicious buns and coffee, Ronan asked about the house. I told him what I told Ava, adding in the fact that I was going to call Mr. Shuman about the plans.

“Good luck.” He grinned. “He’s probably fishing. He’s always fishing.”

“Well, I’ll try the places she gave me numbers for.”

He nodded. “They’re decent, but you’ll wait awhile.”

I shrugged, unsure what to say.

“You could let me have a look,” Ronan offered quietly. “I’m good.”

I felt Ava’s eyes on me, and I sensed her sudden tension.

“If you wanted to, I suppose I could.”

“Great. I’ll come over later and check it out.”

“Sure.”

They finished their snack and coffee and stood to leave. “See you kids later.” Liam winked.

I chuckled as Ava flipped him the bird. I grabbed the bill before they could, shaking my head. “On me,” I insisted.

They thanked me and left. For a moment, I contemplated moving to the other side of the booth, then changed my mind. I liked sitting beside her, feeling her leg pressed against mine. Ava finished her coffee, then wiped her mouth.

“That was unexpected.”

“The visit, or the fact that I didn’t shut Ronan down?” I asked honestly.

“Both.”

I drained my mug. “I’m just letting him have a look. No harm in that. He’s your brother. Even Milly mentioned him this morning.”

She turned, meeting my gaze fully. “Thank you.”

I shifted. “It’s just a look. Don’t expect anything.”

“I don’t. I don’t expect anything from you. I know you’re only passing through and what is between us is a for-now sort of thing. But I still appreciate you bending on this.”

Her simple acceptance made me smile. “Why is this so important to you?”

She shrugged. “I’ve always loved the property. I just want to make sure it’s given the best. And Ronan is the best.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond. Her words were honest and real. Her next statement surprised me with its intuitiveness.

“You can visit anytime, Hunter. And I want to see you when I feel like it too. It doesn’t mean I think there’s more between us than there is. It just means we like spending time together. Nothing wrong with that. We’re big people, and we both know what’s happening.”

She glanced at her watch. “I have to go.”

I paid the bill and followed her out. She dug in her purse for her keys, looking up when I grasped her elbow. “I missed you last night too.”

She smiled, although it looked forced. “Well, you know where I am.” She pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Thanks for breakfast. Have fun with Ronan.”

I snorted and watched her drive away.

I felt conflicted as I slid behind the wheel of the truck. She was basically giving me permission to fuck her anytime with no strings. And telling me if she was in the mood, she’d visit me for the same thing. She knew we had an expiry date, and she was okay with that. It was a perfect scenario.

Why, then, did I feel so torn up about it?

* * *

I finished drilling a deck board in place and lifted my water, draining the bottle. As with every job I was doing on my own, it took longer, but in the end, it would be worth it. The house would be fixed up and should provide a nice income for me, plus a place I could return to if I wanted. I wiped the sweat off my brow. I’d never had a home base. A steady source of income. I had done a lot of research, and properties around here fetched a good rate for summer and fall rentals. I would have to hire a company to look after the paperwork and keep the place clean, but there would still be money coming into the bank.

The thought of leaving did something odd to my chest. I had to admit I liked it here. The peace and quiet. The water. Even the little town.

And there was no denying the biggest draw of them all. Ava.

Leaving her behind was not going to be easy, but we had no future. She loved her family, her life, and her job. She was settled and content. I had no idea how to be part of a relationship, never mind a family. I never settled anywhere. My life was a string of endless jobs, people I met but never got to know, and no roots. The only things I could count on were my truck and Cash—and even those wouldn’t be around forever. I also knew once I left, even if I came back, there would be no picking up the threads with Ava. Whether she knew it or not, she wasn’t that sort of woman. She needed someone who fit into her life. Who would meld into her family.

That certainly wasn’t me. I knew it and accepted it, but still, the thought of not seeing her left me with a strange feeling.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. That was a few weeks, maybe months from now. I still had a lot of work ahead of me to get this place done.

After we’d finished eating, she went off to her meeting, and once I finished my errands, I came here and started working. I enjoyed the unexpected chance to see her again. Even though it had only been a short time since I’d seen her, I liked having a meal with her and talking. Even if her pain-in-the-ass brothers showed up. They were decent guys.

I headed to the pile and grabbed the next board, getting ready to cut it. A truck pulled into the driveway, and I stopped, watching as Ronan and Liam climbed from the vehicle. I shut off the saw and waited as they approached. Ronan carried a clipboard and a laser measure, a pencil tucked behind his ear. They had changed and were both in T-shirts and jeans.

I nodded as they came close. Cash wove around their legs, accepting pats and attention like it was his due. The damned dog seemed to love Ava’s family. Traitor.

Ronan whistled. “Wow, that is some porch. Love it.”

“Thanks. Want to make the most of the space and view.”

“Absolutely.” He indicated the house. “Show me.”

For the next half an hour, I showed him and Liam the house and the plans, including the ones Ava had sketched out. Ronan was quick to see what I was trying to accomplish and added a few of his own suggestions. His hand flew over the paper on his clipboard, and he showed me a few ideas. I was impressed with his instinct and had to admit I liked his concepts. Inside, he had some thoughts.

“You should blow out that wall and add to the guest room. Extend the porch so it wraps around the whole house. Take advantage of the views there too.” He scratched his neck. “Ava says you plan on renting the place. Views sell.”

“Hadn’t thought of that.”

“I know our rental units that do best lean toward luxury rustic. The cabin feel, but with all the amenities. Views, screened-in porches, modern appliances. The hot tub will be a big hit.” He gazed around the property. “No room for a pool, but there is the beach.” He indicated the small patch of sand and rock on the opposite side of the bluff.

“It needs a set of stairs to get to it,” I pointed out. “My grandfather never developed it. It’ll have to wait awhile since it’s not in the budget.”

“I assume you’ll advertise it as an adult getaway?”

I nodded, reluctant to talk too much about my plans. I had no idea that the company they had held rental properties.

Ronan let it go, not pushing me. “Let me have a few days, Hunter. I’ll show you my ideas on paper. If you like them, great. If not, no worries.”

“You sure you have time?”

He smiled, the brilliance of it reminding me of Ava’s beam. “This is easy. Move a couple of walls, throw up a few others. Now, if you wanted a whole new house, that would be different. And your spec drawings help a lot. I’ll do a basic draft, and you can look it over.”

I hesitated, my instinct about never accepting help, never trusting anyone, kicking in. Then I thought of Ava and how much it would mean to her. “Okay.”

“Great.” He clapped me on the shoulder, and we headed outside.

Liam, who had been quiet in the house, spoke up. “A little grunt work out here could make this a nice space. Clear out those dead trees, add a little patch of cedars here, maybe some flowering bushes over there. Some easy to care for planters on the deck and porch would add a nice touch.”

“Thanks for the ideas.”

They walked toward the truck, and I was surprised when they tossed the clipboard and other items in and both snapped on tool belts and headed back toward me. I narrowed my eyes.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Helping you with the porch.”

“I didn’t ask for help.”

Ronan shook his head. “We know that. But think of how much quicker it would go. Liam can cut, you and I can install. Three sets of hands will make it go three times faster.”

“Maybe I like to work on my own.”

Liam scoffed. “We get the loner aspect, Hunter. But we’re not trying to encroach on your property. We’re not here to twist your arm or get you to sell to us. We understand you’re not interested. We’re here as neighbors and Ava’s brothers.”

“Ava and I are not a couple.”

Ronan snorted, covering his mouth and coughing something that sounded like bullshit into his hand, then he shrugged. “Whatever you are is between you and my sister. But we’re still neighbors, and that’s what neighbors do. Help one another. Plus, it’s a great afternoon, and I feel like swinging a hammer and sweating. You gonna let us or what?”

“Fine,” I agreed grudgingly.

“Great. Hit the tunes, and let’s get at this.”