The Sinful 7 of Delite, Texas 7: Her Double Delite Angels (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (5 page)

He stared at her and held her gaze.

“I agree. What do you think it is?” BJ asked.

“Not sure really. Could be anything, I guess. But she didn’t look well. Maybe she’s coming down with something.”

“I saw her in town by the park, talking with Evan Banks. He got her coffee.”

Susanna swung her head toward BJ.

“You said you didn’t see her in town. And you’re just telling me this now? Give, BJ, and tell more.” She felt a little a bit of hope for happiness in Ava’s life. Ava really kept to herself, and like the other Dixie Chix, her past remained a secret.

“Don’t get all uppity with me, woman. And don’t get your hopes up, either. Evan doesn’t date. He and Colton keep to themselves. They hadn’t even told Chad and Michael that they were living back in Delite right away. I think the war has hardened them. Plus, I didn’t see them together today, it was yesterday.”

“Really? They seemed really friendly the other night at the dance hall. A lot of the women were trying to find out who Evan and Colton were.”

“Well, that doesn’t mean anything. Maybe you should go speak with Ava, to make sure that everything is okay?” BJ suggested.

“You think?”

“Considering the trouble that has surrounded all of you Dixie Chix, I’d say yes. Please talk with her so we can cut off any danger before it’s on our doorstep…literally.”

Susanna widened her eyes at BJ and gave him a light slap on his arm.

“That’s rather presumptuous of you, Sheriff.”

“Something is going on. Why not get to the bottom of it sooner than later. Since the seven Dixie Chix came to town, there has never been a dull moment.”

Susanna shook her head at him. “You are something else, BJ. I thought you didn’t like boring,” she teased, and he grabbed her around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.

“That’s why I got you, baby.” He winked then took a bite of his sandwich as he continued to hold her.

Susanna looked toward the hallway and the stairs leading up to the bedroom. She would give Ava some time to rest, but she would definitely talk with her later on. Ava was family, and Dixie Chix stuck together in good times and bad.

* * * *

Later on in the day, Ava’s door was ajar, and Susanna walked in to speak with her. She knocked first then entered and she noticed that Ava was asleep on her bed. The second thing she noticed was the bandage on her chest.

Susanna immediately felt concerned. “Ava.”

Slowly Ava came to. She cringed as she moved.

“It’s okay. Don’t move. I can see a bandage on your chest.”

Ava suddenly looked more awake and surprised.

“It’s nothing. No need to worry.” She tried to sit up.

“You’re in pain. Tell me what’s going on. You snuck out early this morning. You looked pale when you returned, and now I can see the bandage. What is it?”

Ava took a deep breath.

“I wanted to keep it a secret. I’m okay, Susanna, and I don’t want you or the others to worry.”

“I do worry because I love you. Now, if you’re in some kind of trouble or if this has something to do with your past—

Ava shook her head. “I’m not in trouble and this has nothing to do with my past.”

“Then what’s going on?”

Ava sat up and took a deep breath before she explained about finding the lump, going to the doctor, and having to do a biopsy.

“My God, Ava, why didn’t you tell me sooner? I would have gone with you. You’re not in this alone. What did the doctor say? I mean when will you know?”

“I appreciate that, Susanna. I won’t know for about a week. They send the results to a pathologist and they take their time to accurately diagnose the tissue samples.”

“Jesus. I can’t believe this. I mean, I know this happens and taking a biopsy can rule out further problems.”

“It’s going to determine whether I have breast cancer or not,” Ava said as the tears filled her eyes.

“Oh, sweetie. You got to the doctor right away after finding the lump. What does the doctor think?”

“Dr. Nickles is great. He’s very supportive and knowledgeable. He said early detection is key to treatment.”

“Well, you don’t know if you have any cancer yet. We’ll handle this together and the others will help, too.”

Ava shook her head. “No. I want you to swear not to tell the others about this.”

“Why?” Susanna asked, feeling shocked by Ava’s request.

“I don’t want Elise or Sally to worry. This is a very happy time in their lives and they don’t need to be worried about me. I can handle this alone.”

“Well you’re not handling this alone. I’m here for you and that is final. When is your next appointment?”

“Next Monday, so I have all week to feel sick with worry.”

Susanna hugged Ava. “I’ll worry with you and we’ll get through this together.”

Susanna locked gazes with Ava as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I’m scared, Susanna. I’m really scared,” Ava whispered. Susanna swallowed hard as she pulled Ava into her arms and cried along with her. Susanna was just as scared as Ava.

It was Friday night at Dixie Chix, and Ava was laughing as she talked with Elise and Paula.

“I swear, they are driving me insane. I mean, I am a whole seven weeks behind Sally. Tommy and Vic shouldn’t worry so much,” Elise complained then took a sip from her glass of seltzer.

“They love you, honey. That’s why they worry. Knowing that Sally is on bed rest makes all the men jumpy and nervous,” Paula said.

Elise looked around, seemingly annoyed with her men for their overprotectiveness. But then Elise looked toward the entryway, and Ava and Paula followed her line of sight.

Ava felt her belly tighten at the sight of Evan and his brother Colton accompanied by Vic and Tommy. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from either man as they looked around and shook other men’s hands as they entered.

Evan was dressed nicely, wearing a button-down cowboy shirt and dark blue jeans. He sported the shoulder-length brown hair well, and she could practically see his green eyes from where she stood. She’d thought about him many times after that day in the park and the coffee he’d offered her.

His brother Colton was just as tall with dark brown, crew-cut hair and dressed in a navy-blue button-down shirt with black jeans. Both were older looking and very sexy. She wondered if Evan had seen her crying in the park, but since he didn’t mention it, she was avoiding that fact all together. She was surprised at the way she felt seeing him right now.

“Those two are pretty lethal looking, Ava. Tread carefully,” Elise whispered.

Paula added an “Oh, yeah.”

“What?” Ava asked but didn’t look at either woman. Her eyes were drawn to Colton and Evan as well as the women who blatantly looked them over like fine jewelry.

As they approached, Paula waved and smiled.

“Hey, guys, what’s going on?” she asked, and they all greeted everyone.

“Hey, Ava, how are you?” Evan asked her as he moved toward her and placed his hand on the bar beside her back. His hand brushed across her side, leaving tiny sensations across her skin. She was definitely attracted to the man.

“You look really nice,” Colton told her as he looked her body over. She smiled at him then looked past him as if Colton’s remark hadn’t fazed her.

Nearby Vic and Tommy were kissing Elise hello and then gently placing their hands over her belly. Ava watched and felt the tears reach her eyes. After having the biopsy done and worrying about the results, she had been thinking about her own baby and her husband who’d passed away. She tried to push those thoughts out of her mind and focus on being at Dixie Chix and having a great night. There was nothing she could do right now about the situation. At least she had Susanna to lean on.

“Are you okay?” She felt the fingers touch her hand, and she pulled away then looked up at Evan. He was watching her and she was embarrassed to be caught off guard. After glancing in front of her it seemed that his brother Colton noticed the same thing.

“I’m good. Thank you. So how about that beer I owe you?” she asked him.

“What beer?” Evan replied.

“Well, it’s the least I can do to return the favor when you got me that coffee.” She turned toward Juliet, who was working behind the bar.

“Juliet, give them whatever they want. It’s on me.” Juliet gave Ava a wink and then she smiled wide before pumping her fist by her side. Ava wondered what that was about but dismissed it as she turned back toward Colton and Evan.

“What do you mean?” Colton asked as Evan stood closer to Ava and both men were now watching her.

“He got me a coffee the other day when I was in the park. It was nice of him, so I figured I would return the favor.”

“This didn’t happen to be on Tuesday did it?” Colton asked as he gave his brother a look. Evan smiled then shrugged his shoulders.

“Yes, it was on Tuesday, why?” Ava asked.

“Oh, no reason. It just confirms why he was so late getting back to the ranch with the supplies.”

“Oh, I’m sorry if I caused him to be late.”

Colton turned back to look at Ava.

He looked at her body and then her face as if he were trying to see through her or maybe if she was sincerely sorry. She wasn’t certain at all.

“I guess I’ll forgive him considering that I’d be late, too, if I bumped into you in town or, let’s say, in the woods while jogging.”

She hadn’t expected that, and then she felt her cheeks warm as she lowered her eyes.

“I apologized for bumping into you in the woods, Colton. I did lose my footing on the dirt and pebbles.”

“I know. I’ll accept this beer as an apology and we’ll move on from here.” He winked.

“Well, I should get back to work. You guys enjoy yourselves.” She quickly got out of there.

She couldn’t help but be shocked at her attraction to not just Evan, but Colton, too. Why now, when her future felt so uncertain?

* * * *

“Why didn’t you tell me that you bumped into Ava in town?” Colton asked and he couldn’t believe how jealous he felt. She was a very attractive woman, and seemed sincere and kind of shy. Not anything like the women they had met thus far since returning to Delite.

“I don’t know. You basically attacked me when I arrived back at the ranch. So I guess it slipped my mind.”

“How could speaking with a woman as gorgeous as Ava slip your mind?”

“Hey, apparently it slipped your mind, too. So you met her in the woods while jogging? You never mentioned that to me. You’re not interested in her, are you?” Evan asked.

“No, no, why would you ask that? I don’t date.”

“Well, I don’t either, but she would be worth hopping back into the saddle with. She’s hot, Colton.”

“She’s too young and I’m not interested.” Colton took a slug of beer and stared at Evan. Then Colton looked over Evan’s shoulder until he spotted Ava. She was talking with a group of guys and two girls.

“Oh yeah, my brother finally found what he’s been looking for,” Evan teased.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about your attraction to Ava.”

“Who wouldn’t be attracted to her? She’s perfect.”

“Well, then you and I have a little problem.”

“What’s that?”

“I think I like her and I want to get to know her better.”

Colton felt his chest tighten.

“Then do it,” he whispered, but he couldn’t help but say it in anger, and his brother picked up on his tone immediately.

They stared at one another. No more words were exchanged until Evan spoke after a spell of silence.

“I guess we need to talk about this when we get home.”

“Nothing to talk about.” Colton took another sip from his beer.

* * * *

It was late, and Ava came out from the back room to see that the crowd was slowly dwindling down. Toward Juliet’s bar, she could see the gathering of her friends as well as Colton and Evan. She had to admit that it had been a long time since she felt any type of attraction or zing for a man, never mind two, in quite some time. Sure, she had appreciated a fine-looking cowboy just like any other sane woman, but this was different. She recognized the depth of this interest. She wasn’t born yesterday.

She took a deep breath and debated about joining Susanna and the others or just hightailing it outta there for the night. But then Juliet was waving her over and the others turned to look. As Colton and Evan’s eyes locked on to hers, she felt the invisible connection between them. Now this was definitely bad timing. She was tired, sore, and ready for bed. Reluctantly, she pulled herself closer toward them as Juliet handed her a martini, just the way she liked it. Dry, with two olives.

“Thank you, Juliet.” She took the martini from her hand and turned back toward the others. They were engaging in conversation about the swimming hole behind Monte and BJ’s house. It was a beautiful setting, and in a few days the girls had planned on going there to do a little sunbathing and resting.