Age of Ava by Melanie Moreland

Chapter 9

Ava

Ilifted my face to the sun, enjoying the rays. Hunter was throwing sticks to Cash, who barked and chased them, returning them to Hunter’s feet and waiting impatiently, his tail swishing in the air like a set of windshield wipers on high for Hunter to throw the stick again.

Hunter glanced at me. “He needs a walk. Feel up to going?”

“Sure.”

I stood and joined them. Hunter had a leash he’d picked up, but he didn’t attach it to Cash’s collar. He smiled at my inquisitive look.

“He won’t go far from my side, and if I call him, he’ll heel right away.”

We set off, and instinctively, I headed in the direction I always used when coming to check on Mr. Owens. Hunter followed me, not speaking. We both enjoyed the quiet, neither of us feeling the need to fill it with unnecessary chatter. When we reached the boundary between the two properties, we stood, looking at the view.

“Amazing how different, yet similar the two are,” Hunter murmured. “The contrasts in the landscape.”

“It’s lovely anywhere along this stretch.”

He nodded and turned to head back. I stopped him, laying a hand on his arm. He met my eyes. “What, Little Dragon? What has you suddenly so serious?”

I pointed behind him. “About five minutes through those trees is my house. I’d like to go change if you wouldn’t mind.”

He tensed and didn’t say anything.

“No one would see us. My house backs into the trees. All the second gen are in Toronto today at an afternoon charity event.”

“Second gen?” he asked.

I smiled. “We refer to Nan and Pops as Generation One. Our parents are Gen Two. I’m part of Gen Three. Gracie’s little girl is Gen Four…” I shrugged as he lifted an eyebrow.

“You sure this isn’t a commune, Ava? Or a cult?” he asked, but his voice was teasing.

“Maybe. If I get you in, I get bonus points because of the dog. We’ve never had one before.”

“Oh yeah?”

I nodded. “Bringing the two of you into the fold means a new toaster oven. Cash guarantees me an air fryer one.”

For a second, he stared, then threw back his head in laughter. “Lead on, then. If my presence gets you that, I hope I get to reap the benefits of it. I hear wings are good in those machines.”

Still chuckling, we headed down the trail. It had been a while since I’d walked it, and it was overgrown. I stumbled at one point, and Hunter reached out to steady me. After that, he kept his hand wrapped around my arm, walking close behind me. I liked the odd sense of protectiveness I felt from him.

We walked up the steps to my back door, and I entered the number on the keypad. Cash trotted in as if he owned the place, collapsing on the kitchen floor with a long, exaggerated sigh. Laughing, I took a bowl from the cupboard and filled it with water. He lapped at it, looking grateful. I turned to Hunter. “There’s water or soda in the fridge. Help yourself. I’ll only be a moment.”

He nodded, looking uneasy.

“I was only kidding about the cult thing. You know that, right?”

He flashed his teeth at me. “Yes.”

“We’ll be out of here in a few minutes.”

He waved me off, pulling a bottle of ginger ale from the fridge. “Take your time.”

“Back in a minute.”

* * *

Hunter

I looked around, curious. I had no idea how I had gotten here. Why I had asked Ava to stay last night and again to spend the day with me. That wasn’t my usual MO. Then again, Ava wasn’t my usual sort of woman.

I hadn’t expected to end up at her house, but now that I had, I decided to explore a little. I wandered into the living area and turned to take it all in. Designed as an open plan, it was light and airy. The colors were muted greens, grays, and creams. The furniture simple and comfortable-looking. The kitchen had a lot of open shelving and tons of bottom cupboards and drawers. A large island separated the two spaces. A small two-seater table was tucked into the corner, situated under a window that overlooked the heavily treed back.

The front wall housed a nice-looking gas fireplace, the mantel made of rough stonework. I ran my hand over it, noting the craftmanship. A TV was higher up in an alcove fashioned for that purpose, all the wires hidden. My eye caught the wall opposite, filled with pictures, and I walked over, studying them. I recognized the older women as my visitors in many of the pictures and drew my assumptions about the men beside them as their husbands. There was a family picture of Ava with her parents and siblings. She resembled Cami a great deal, and she hadn’t been kidding when she said her dad and brothers were huge. They all towered over her and her mother, and they resembled their father. There was a large photo which I assumed contained most of, if not all, of the family. I lost count of the number of people in the picture, but I recognized the water behind the group. It was professionally done, the families in small groupings within the photo. They were all smiling and happy, and something tugged in my chest. I often wondered what it was like to belong to a family. It was something I had never experienced and knew I never would. I wasn’t built that way. My DNA didn’t allow me the peace to settle somewhere or connect strongly enough with a person on an emotional level to want to even try. Yet, there was a strange longing that drew me to the picture, and I studied it.

“That was taken last year,” Ava said, appearing beside me.

I startled, looking down at her. She had changed into a loose shirt and some sort of drapey cropped pants with old, beat-up runners on her feet. With no makeup and her hair loose around her shoulders, she was stunning.

“You’re not all related.”

“By blood, no. But we’re a family, nevertheless.”

The words were out before I could stop them. “I don’t understand.”

She smiled, tracing her finger over the picture. “My dad didn’t have a family growing up—not a good one anyway. Neither did Maddox or Bentley. They became their own family, and once they each fell in love, it grew. Most of us third gen grew up here. Some came and went, but they were always part of us. Part of holidays and good memories. I love them as much as if they were one of my brothers.” She shrugged. “I can’t explain it. They are all part of me. I would do anything I could to help them, and they would do the same for me.”

That was a completely foreign concept to me. With a shake of my head, I turned. “You ready to go?”

If my abrupt change of subject startled her, Ava didn’t show it. She stopped by the chair in front of the window and picked up a book. “Maybe I can read today,” she mused.

“You like to read?”

“Very much. But lately, I’m too tired.” She frowned. “I’ve been wanting to start this one for a while, but I can’t seem to keep the words straight.”

I plucked the book from her hands. “Historical romance?” I smirked. “I would have taken you for a murder mystery kind of gal.”

“I love those too, but this is my guilty pleasure.”

Before I could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps on the front deck echoed in the room. I met Ava’s startled gaze.

“Stay quiet,” she said, panicked.

But the sound of the footsteps, followed by the loud knocking, was too much for Cash. He began barking, rushing to the door, his tail wagging.

“Shit,” Ava muttered. “Sorry. I think it’s my brother.”

She moved past me, and I had no choice but to stand there. I wasn’t going to hide in the bedroom as if I were doing something wrong. Besides, the barking Cash did had blown any chance of a quick exit.

Ava opened the door, and a large man stepped inside. Cash went berserk, jumping up, wagging his tail, spinning in circles, beyond excited about a new visitor.

The man glanced between Ava and me, then hunched down, stroking Cash.

“Hey, boy. Aren’t you a handsome dog? Yes, you are,” he crooned.

“It’s a girl,” I snarked. “You just insulted her.”

Ava shot me a look. “No, he’s not. That’s Cash.” She pointed at me. “His dog.”

The man stood and crossed over, Cash pressing against his leg. I had to roll my eyes—what a traitor my dog was.

“Ronan Callaghan,” he said, holding out his hand.

Part of me wanted to ignore it, yet I couldn’t. I took his firm grip. “Hunter Owens.”

His eyebrows flew up. “Mr. Owens’s grandson?”

“Yep.”

He glanced between Ava and me. She smiled nervously. “I made friends with Cash last week. He got off his lead again and ended up in my backyard. His, ah, collar was caught on a branch, and I got him free. Yes, that’s what happened. Hunter was just coming to find him. He just got here!” she rambled as she lied.

Badly.

Ronan pursed his lips, looking at the empty can of ginger ale on the coffee table, the book I had clutched in my hand, and Ava’s flushed cheeks.

“Where’s your car?” he asked.

“Um…” She trailed off. “In the garage?” she offered lamely.

“I looked as I went by. It was empty.” He crossed his arms, clearly enjoying himself. “I noticed no lights on last night or any sign of you today.”

“I went to bed early last night, and I slept in.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I meant in the garage in town. I’m going to pick it up soon.”

“What happened?”

“Er…”

I had to step in. She was a horrific liar.

“Flat tire,” I said. “She was just telling me. I offered to drive her into town to say thanks for getting Cash loose and looking after him.”

“Well, that’s neighborly of you.”

I lifted my shoulders, dismissing his words.

“I’ll take you, Ava. I have to head into town anyway,” Ronan offered.

Her eyes widened to the point of hilarity. She glanced between us, unsure what to say.

“Ava is going to point out a few places in town for me, Ronan. I’d appreciate her help.”

A smile tugged his lips. “Okay, then,” he drawled out. “As long as you’re all right, Ava.”

“I’m fine.”

He turned his attention to me. “I hear you’re doing some work on the old place.”

“Yes.”

“I’m around. So are Liam and a few other guys. Happy to lend a hand if needed.”

“He’s looking for an architect,” Ava interjected.

“Oh. Well, happy to help there too.”

“You know someone?”

He smiled, big and wide, and I saw the same mischievous glint in his eyes that Ava had. “I am the architect.”

“Oh. Well, thanks.” I left it at that and didn’t say anything else.

He seemed to clue in because he simply shrugged. “Okay, I’m off.” He turned to Ava. “You coming to brunch tomorrow?”

“Yes, I’ll be there.”

He headed to the door, and I relaxed. We’d fooled him, or he really didn’t care. Either way was okay with me. “Good to meet you, Hunter. Oh, and Ava?”

“Yeah?”

“You might want to cover your neck tomorrow. I doubt Mom and Dad will believe those marks on your throat are from freeing a dog from tree branches or anything.” He winked in my direction. “I’ll be seeing you around, Hunter.”

“I doubt it,” I said dryly.

He shook his head, his amusement evident. “Oh, buddy, you can count on it.”

Then he was gone.

* * *

We were quiet on the walk back. I threw sticks for Cash, who trotted ahead of us, happy and carefree. I wasn’t sure if I should bring up the subject of her brother or not, then decided to let it rest. When we got back to the bluff, I glanced down at Ava. She had been remarkably silent. I wondered if she was regretting agreeing to spend the day with me or if the fact that her brother knew something had happened between us was bothering her. I needed to know.

“Not too late if you want to head off and do your errands,” I offered.

“You want me to go?” she asked. I detected the soft note of hurt in her voice, and I turned, planting my hand on her waist and pulling her close. I brushed my mouth over hers.

“No.”

She rolled up on her toes and kissed me back. “Good.”

“Okay, then.”

She scrunched up her nose. “What are the plans?”

I gazed at her wordlessly, amused when color crept into her cheeks. “Again?” she murmured. “Isn’t he satisfied?”

I smirked. “When it comes to you, apparently not, but we can save that for later.”

She pushed against my chest, and I let her go but not before stealing another kiss from her pretty mouth. I had never particularly enjoyed kissing—it was more a means to an end—but with Ava, I couldn’t seem to stop myself.

I rubbed my chin. “I was going to do some measurements for the extension, but we can do something else. You want to sit in the sun and read or something?”

She clapped her hands. “No, I can help you. I’m good with a measuring tape and recording.”

She sounded so excited I didn’t want to burst her bubble. I wasn’t used to help—even on jobsites, I was known as a loner who got the job done. It was only a few measurements.

“Okay. I’ll get the paper and the measuring tape.”

“Great!”

Inside, I grabbed what I needed, changing into a pair of long shorts and a T-shirt. I grabbed a baseball cap, knowing the sun would be overhead, then picked up a second one for Ava. I walked out back, trying not to gape at the scene in front of me. Ava, bending over to pick up something, her long, bare legs set off by a pair of tight shorts. Her ass was full and round, and I recalled how it felt in my hands. Firm and perfect. I cleared my throat, and she straightened.

“Didn’t you have, ah, pants a moment ago?”

She nodded. “I had these on under them. In case I got hot.”

She was making me pretty damn hot. My cock was sweating already, and we hadn’t even started the project. It didn’t help that she had tied her T-shirt in a knot at her waist, the sliver of skin above her waistband tempting and sexy.

I shook my head to clear it. “Fine,” I said gruffly. “I brought you a hat.”

I groaned inwardly as she bent again, gathering up her hair and tucking it under the cap. A few strands escaped. She looked sexy, younger than her early thirties I guessed her to be, and happy standing in the sun, her creamy skin on display and dressed so casually. It was very different from what I was used to seeing with her.

“Will you burn?”

“Nope. I used sun block spray before I got dressed. I figured we’d be outside.”

“Huh.”

“What?” she asked, cocking her head in query.

“You’re very easy. Not high-maintenance.”

She laughed. “Let’s see how you feel in a few weeks.”

I had no clue what to say to that statement. It was rare that anyone would remain in my life for a few weeks. Yet her words only made me grin, so I let it go. “Let’s get to work.”

Half an hour later, I bent over the drawing Ava had made on graph paper I had given her. I stared at it with narrowed eyes. What I had seen in my head didn’t seem to work on paper. She had been correct—she was great with a measuring tape and recording the figures. I had a template of the house already sketched out on several sheets so I could tweak as needed to take to an architect for the final renderings. I knew this might take a few attempts to get what I wanted.

I blew out a huff of air, looking around. Something was off, and I wasn’t seeing it. Beside me, Ava sat quietly, her head bent over another piece of paper. I glanced over to see what she was doing, but she turned so I couldn’t see. Amused, I pretended to turn back, and when she relaxed, I slid my hand over, snagging the paper. She gasped and lunged, but I was too fast for her, standing on the top step and holding it over my head.

She stomped her foot. “Give me that back!”

“I want to see it first.”

“I’m not finished.”

“I don’t care.”

She crossed her arms, looking down at the ground. “Fine.”

Suspicious, I stepped back and glanced at the paper. I blinked and brought it closer, looking at what she had done. With a few extra strokes, the image in my mind had been copied to her paper. I looked at her in amazement. “What have you done?” I asked. “Explain this to me.”

She hesitated and took the paper from my hand, sitting back down. I sat beside her as she explained. “I extended this piece, so the kitchen becomes bigger, as well as the bedroom. You can add another bath here if you want, and right here, you can install an outdoor hot tub. Imagine sitting outside at night with the view, the hot water bubbling around you, a glass of wine in your hand. It’s so private up here, it would be amazing.”

I tapped the corner. “An overhead trellis for some sun protection.”

“Yes,” she agreed enthusiastically. “Sliding doors off the bedroom. A wraparound deck you can access from the kitchen to the master bedroom. I know you said you plan to rent the place. That would be a huge draw.”

I nodded, her vision spot-on.

I ran my finger along her lines. “Adding to the kitchen will change the inner layout.” I had only planned on making the master bedroom bigger to attract holiday renters—add a small en suite. The front porch was already going to be bigger. I would paint and refurbish the kitchen but had planned on leaving it rustic. Cottagey-like.

“Yes,” she agreed, her tone hesitant.

I glanced at her. “You have ideas?”

She didn’t meet my eyes. “Maybe.”

Recalling the way I had snapped at her last night, I couldn’t blame her reticence. Except I wanted to hear her ideas. See the place through her eyes. I knew she had good taste—I had seen her home. And despite my better judgment and our angry words yesterday, I knew I could trust her. It was disconcerting since I rarely trusted anyone, but with Ava, it felt right. There was something so different about her—what it was, I didn’t know, but it was there.

I stood and faced her. She looked up, her lovely eyes bright in the sun. I leaned down so my face was level with hers. I tucked a strand of loose hair into the baseball cap on her head and rested my cheek against hers so my mouth was close to her ear. “The moon is rising on the Seine despite the clouds,” I whispered conspiratorially.

She giggled, the sound infectious.

“Show me your plans, and I’ll show you something else rising over the Seine later.” I pressed a kiss to her cheek, then the side of her upturned mouth.

The giggles became laughter, which became guffaws. I had to join in her amusement, once again filled with wonder at how she made me feel this way. Light. At ease.

I held out my hand. “Come show me your ideas.”

She let me pull her up, still smiling and amused. I led her inside and waved my hand. “Talk.”