Page 78 of More Than Anything

“True. Well, good night, Dan. Sweet dreams,” Avery told her, then kissed the top of her head and, as she walked on past, slapped her on the ass.

“Eeek! Okie-dokie! See you in the morning!” she squeaked. Avery heard the refrigerator door open, but he didn’t look back.

Back in the bed, his drink deposited safely on his nightstand, Avery looked at the sleeping woman tangled in his sheets and felt his heart swell with love and pride. If they could get to the other side of his nightmare, things would be fine.

* * *

The next morningwas bright and full of promise. He woke the way he wanted to wake every day for the rest of his life?with Lydia in his arms and her head on his chest. It was hard to climb out of bed and leave her there, but the cows had to be fed. He padded in his sock feet down the stairs, Skipper right on his heels, and found Jason there, a pot of coffee started, and a sappy, goofy grin on his friend’s face.

“Good night’s sleep?” Jason asked.

Avery nodded. “And you?”

“Not a wink,” Jason said from inside his coffee cup, the corner of his lips escaping the cup’s edges with the smile he couldn’t squelch.

“Yeah. Just as I figured. I’ve got to feed the livestock,” he said, carrying his coffee cup toward the laundry room to put on his boots and head out the back door.

“I’m going with you,” Jason announced.

“Why?”

Jason gave him a stern frown. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the sheriff tell you not to be alone?”

“Yes. He told me not to be alone.”

“Then you’re not alone. Besides, I need to learn how to feed them, so let’s go.” Jason stepped into his boots, pulled the legs of his jeans down over them, and yanked the back door open. “Hallelujah, smell that fresh country air!”

“You’re a crazy fucker, know that?” Avery snarled.

“Nowthere’sthe AveryHolcomb I know and love!” Jason laughed out, and Avery smiled. It was kind of nice, having the relationship with Jason that he’d had before Shannon had done everything she’d done and ruined his life.

But in that instant he realized that she hadn’t. He’d salvaged it, and it was better than before. Now if he could just keep her away from him, everything would be fine.

Their return from feeding the cows and horses was rewarded with eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, and sawmill gravy. As the men ate, the women fussed over them, and Avery decided there was nothing better than a hearty breakfast served by a beautiful woman in nothing but panties and one of his tee shirts. And having a second one in nothing but her panties and his best friend’s tee shirt, buzzing around both of them, didn’t hurt a damn thing either.

As soon as he was showered and dressed, Avery strapped on his pistol and told Lydia and Danette that he and Jason had errands to run. Both women had to go home anyway, so he told Lydia to just lock up and he’d see her later.

His first stop of the day was at Frank’s office. Not only did Frank have papers drawn up for the divorce, but Avery told him there was a need for a will. They talked about what would be in it, and Frank told him that, under the circumstances, it would be ready in two hours so he could sign it. After thanking him, Avery and Jason headed down to the farm equipment lot to check on some parts Avery had ordered for his tractor, then looked at a couple of late-model pickups at the only car dealer in town. A sign at the discount store advertised jeans on sale, so they stopped there and got a couple of pairs apiece. After that, they set out to find some lunch.

They’d been in the diner for about fifteen minutes, their lunch had come, and they’d both taken a few bites when Jason whispered out, “Don’t turn around.”

Avery froze. “What?”

“Shannon’s car?silver Lexus?”

“Yeah.”

“Then she’s across the street,” Jason mumbled.

Avery’s hands fumbled with his phone, and when he put it to his ear, the voice on the other end said, “Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”

“Shit!” Jason sang out. “She’s leaving!”

Avery told the dispatcher what was going on, and in minutes a sheriff’s deputy strode into the diner. “Mr.Holcomb?”

“Yes. I called. Have a seat.” Both men explained to the deputy what Jason had seen, and he radioed the dispatcher to have all officers watch for the car. They watched as he left, just as frustrated as they were by the whole situation. “Well, at least we know she’s still around.”

“Yeah, and we know she’s skittish. She knows everybody’s looking for her.”

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