Page 35 of Chasing the Flame
A giggle escapes my lips as Tony dusts himself off before entering the van. When I finally turn my attention back to Jettson, he’s staring at me with a look that makes my pulse race in anticipation.
“You look beautiful.” He says, before reaching for my hand.
“Thank you,” I murmur, taking his hand and lacing my fingers through his. I shouldn’t, but god it feels natural. He doesn’t say anything else, just leads me to the truck in his quiet way.
Jettson treats me like a fucking queen, and opens the truck door for me. “So, where are we going?” I ask after he slides behind the steering wheel.
His answer is another grin, the mischievous look in his eyes sending a wave of excitement through me. There’s something about his expression that has me grinning back at him. He always seems to put me at ease instantly. It’s been that way since the first moment I met him.
After a moment, he says, “You’ll see.”
And just like that, we’re off, speeding out of the driveway and driving down the main road. We head into town, passing straight through and taking the road by The Gilded Oak. For a second, I panic, thinking he’s taking us there.
As luck would have it, we don’t pull in and instead head down the road toward the thick greenery surrounding us. After about thirty minutes, we pull off the main road and into a long driveway that winds on a narrow road.
It takes us several more minutes to reach the end, and when we do, my jaw drops. The sight before me nearly steals my breath. There’s a gigantic cabin, stained dark with elegant but practical metalworking, and a beautiful new barn surrounded by evergreens.
Matt and Tony’s van is to the right of us, but I can’t see them anywhere. Though, the thought leaves me as quickly as it came. Especially when I see a gigantic version of Jettson hurrying down the porch steps, and a woman behind him in a cute lilac summer dress, her dark hair streaked with silver. Before I can say anything, Jettson hops out of the truck, calls a greeting, and opens the door for me. He retakes my hand, leading me toward the pair with ease.
Jettson doesn’t rush me or force me to speak. Instead, he takes the reins and introduces me with warmth. “Dad, this is Averie.” He waves a hand toward the gentleman, “And Averie, this old man is my father, Elliot.”
My heart stutters, my gaze widening as I sneak a glance at Jettson. He gives me an encouraging smile that seems to say, "It’s okay.”
I turn my attention back to Elliot, who really is just a bigger version of Jettson. His eyes are the same shades of blues and greens, like an endless ocean. His gaze turns appreciative as he gives me a once-over, a rakish grin appearing in place of the smirk he was wearing. Finally, after several moments, he says, “Well, it’s nice to finally put a face to the name Jettson’s been wearing out around here.”
I grin at him, practically beaming from ear to ear. “All good things, I hope,” I say, tossing a fake glare in Jettson’s direction.
He groans, running a hand down his face. “Dad, can you just…not?”
Elliot’s smile is feral, wolfish even, as he stares at his son. A disgruntled chuff fills the air, and the woman steps forward with an outstretched hand. “Since these two seem to have forgotten their manners, I’m Lucy,” she says. “Why don’t you come into the house with me? We’re grilling out tonight, having a few beers, and playing pool. I could use a hand getting some stuff out back.”
Her iridescent blue eyes shine with mischief, and I decide then that I like her. “Sounds good to me,” I reply, giving Jettson a deviously sweet smile as I follow her inside. “Besides, you can give me all the dirt on these two.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder in Elliot & Jettson’s direction.
Jettson’s curses fill the air, followed by Lucy’s cackle. I grin, swishing my hips intentionally as I follow her up the steps and to the cabin. Before I can disappear inside, I don’t miss Elliot giving Jettson a hard time. “Seems like you might have met your match with that one, huh, son?”
“Oh, shut up,” he grumbles, and I have to clamp a hand over my mouth to stop the giggle that threatens to escape.
Yes, Jettson and his father are two peas in a pod, and their antics will probably keep me guessing. And as I make my way to the kitchen, I can’t help but wonder if that’s such a bad thing.
Or if maybe, just maybe, it’s exactly what I need.
“What are you doing, son?” My father’s disappointed voice filled the air. I almost groan, but at this rate, I’m just glad he waited until Averie was out of earshot.
She’s alone, Dad. New town, strange house…it just didn’t sit right with me.” I grumble, jerking my chin toward the barn. “I need to feed the chickens, the goats, and the horses before dinner.”
He sighs, “Come on, I’ll help you settle the animals.”
“Thanks,” I mutter, heading toward the barn.
We get busy, moving from stall to stall, working together silently. In no time at all, we manage to feed and water all the animals. I should feel relieved, but I find myself growing antsy. An intense and burning desire to check on Averie crashes through me. “I see that look in your eye, go on. I’ll finish up here,” my father says.
“No, I’ll help you finish. We’re almost done.”
I move to reach for the saddle in his hands, but he takes a step back and gives me the look. “I said I got it. Now go, before I change my mind.” The twinkle in his eyes is pure orneriness. I grin, holding up my hands as I back away slowly from him. Dad just chuckles, shaking his head before turning and heading toward the tackleroom.
I don’t waste another second, heading to the backyard where I know they’ll be. Sure enough, the fire is already going, and the picnic tables have been set. But all of that pales in comparison to her. I quickly find Averie, enraptured as she flits to and fro, helping Lucy with the final touches. She’s fucking glowing, completely and totally in her element. Seeing her so at ease with Lucy is a beautiful sight, and I find myself stalling just to watch her.
Matt and Tony are down at the lake, setting up the rest of the surprise. It’s Dad’s birthday dinner, a fact I may have forgotten to mention to Averie. The surprise, though? That’s all for her.
