Worth the Wait (7 page)

Riley Sloane was a headache he didn’t need.

CHAPTER FIVE

Avery hit the button on the closet wall and the motorized rack began to move. Today she was visiting her Aunt Morgan to discuss her proposal for the animal rescue shelter that the Blake Foundation would be building, but it never hurt to take a look in her aunt’s closet. There was always a treasure trove of garments she barely wore.
She stopped the carousel when she saw a pretty mauve sundress with a matching braided belt. She draped it across her and looked at herself in the full-length mirror. She shook her head. It still had the tags on it. It would be perfect to wear at her birthday party. She went through the closet some more and found the perfect pair of shoes.

“Beep beep!”

Avery scooted out of the way just
in time to avoid being run over by Mackenzie in her foot-peddled car. “Hey Kenzie, you little cutie pie. You’re getting pretty good at navigating that thing.”

She picked the little girl up when she came to a stop, kissed her on the cheek, and gave her a squeeze.

“Avy!” The little girl giggled and wrapped her little arms around Avery’s neck to hug her back.

“Grandma Teri-Lyn should
be entering you in motor cross or a monster truck rally instead of a ballet class.”

Morgan came in from the hall and leaned against the doorframe with a laundry basket in her hands. “I see you’ve found some things.”

“Yes. I found some
great
things that you’ve never worn,” Avery said as she balanced Mackenzie on her hip while rummaging through the accessory drawers.

“Half of those
things were bought many moons ago before I had kids.”

“You’ve been the same weight for years.”

Morgan laughed. “That’s the way you see me. Sometimes the image of a person gets trapped in our minds at a certain age. Like Grandma. In my mind she’s still in her late fifties.”

Avery laughed. “Like the family thinking I’m still thirteen?”

“Yes.” Morgan gave her a sympathetic
nod. “But you were a really cute thirteen. It’s kind of hard to let that particular image go.”

Avery found a beautiful costume necklace with sparkling jewels. She took it out, set Mackenzie on top of the dresser, and clasped it onto her neck. Then she found a shiny barrette and clipped it onto the little girl’s hair before finishing off the ensemble with one of Morgan’s shawls and a fedora
she’d found in a hatbox on a shelf.

“There. Kenzie, you are looking fierce.” Avery moved Mackenzie over on the bed and took her picture.

Morgan gave her daughter a few of the toys that were on the front tray of the little car to keep her busy, but she was really interested in Avery’s blinged-out cell phone. Avery gave it to her but made sure she’d locked the screen.

“Thanks for
the proposal,” Morgan said. “I like your ideas.”

“You’re welcome. I did some research. I talked to the ladies at the animal shelter where I volunteer. And I was lucky enough to catch Brooke while she was giving Iris a checkup at the stables.”

Morgan sighed. “I hope nothing’s wrong with Iris.”

“Me too.” Avery added. Iris was her Uncle Seth’s prized horse, and she knew he’d be
devastated if something happened to her.

“I like the idea of planning for long-term care just in case we don’t find a home quickly. I think that will help with placing the animals into good homes.”

“Brooke said she’d help in any way she could. She’s really good with her clientele. The horses love her. Rowdy doesn’t run when she wants to examine him.”

“She does have a special
touch. He’s getting crankier in his old age too.” Morgan put away Seth’s boxer shorts. “I don’t know who’s going to take it the worst. Seth, if Iris isn’t well, or the kids when Rowdy starts getting too old to play.”

“The best we can do is give the animals as much dignity and care as possible as they age, and comfort the humans who love them.”

Morgan beamed. “Full circle grief counseling.
That’s a good idea. We should use what you just said as part of the animal shelter’s credo.”

“I’ll add it to the proposal.”

“So things are pretty much set for your big day,” Morgan said, switching subjects. “Your uncle has come to terms with the fact that you want to do something else on your actual birthday and will have a respectable, boring time with us old-timers the following
day. Nina’s going to work her party-planning magic to make it fun yet sophisticated. I cancelled the bouncy castle and a face painter your crazy uncle had reserved.”

She froze, for a moment unable to breathe. “He does know I’m turning twenty-one?”

“I think it’s supposed to be a joke. But I think he’ll come to terms with a twenty-one-year old Avery…eventually. Maybe by the time you’re
thirty.” Morgan giggled. “The guest list is packed with family members. Did you invite any of your friends from campus?”

“No, they’re going away on a field excursion for a science class that weekend so we’re going to do something another night. But I do have plans with Parker if she’s not working late.” She fingered the mauve dress. “Can I try this on?”

“Sure.” Morgan took a seat next
to Mackenzie. “I talked to her the other day. She said she’d definitely be attending the family party too. Then the guest list is complete.”

“Cool,” she said as she stepped out of her jeans.

“I’m glad you and Parker became friends.”

“Why? So some of her badass-ness can rub off on me?”

“And some of your amiable personality can rub off on her. You two complement each other.”

“We do, don’t we?” She fastened the belt then stepped into the bedroom. “What do you think?”

“It’s like it was made for you. Take it and wear it in good health.” Morgan helped Mackenzie adjust the fedora so it wouldn’t fall over her eyes. “Let’s see the next outfit. If you’re trying on that black dress, there’s a pair of heels on the second shelf, third from the left that would go great
with it.”

She stripped out of the mauve dress and hung it up carefully. “Didn’t you tell me you had a doctor’s appointment this week when we spoke on the phone?” She hated fibbing. She’d saved the date into her calendar when her aunt first mentioned it.

“Yes. I’m fine. Uncle Seth was there. He can tell you I’m fine too.”

“That’s great news. But you can tell me anything, even
if it isn’t so great. I’m an adult. I can handle it. Heck, soon I’ll be in the medical profession and will know exactly what you’re talking about.” She slipped on the black dress but couldn’t zip it on her own. She stepped out of the walk-in closet again. “Can you help?”

“Sure.” Morgan walked over and zipped her up, then turned her around to face her. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of
course.”

“Did you decide to go into medicine because of my diagnosis? You can tell me the truth. It will stay between us.”

Avery sighed. “You were a big factor in my decision. It was time the family had a doctor in it.” She was relieved that she could say it out loud.

“You didn’t have to do that.” Morgan took Avery’s hands in hers.

“Let’s talk.” Avery led her aunt to the
bed and they both sat. Mackenzie nuzzled her way in between them. “I was headed down the road to medicine way before your diagnosis. I’d been thinking about it for a while and I talked to a career counselor at school. She encouraged me to go to a pre-med seminar. There were some first-year med school students there that told us the horrifying truth of how hard you had to work. One resident said
she’d once gone six months without combing her hair. I don’t know about that.”

Morgan laughed. “You definitely would take the time to self-groom.”

“I think hearing how hard I’d have to work became an exciting challenge in my head.”

“We’re so proud of you. You are brilliant, and I hope you know that Uncle Seth and I will pay your tuition and all of your expenses. That’s if John
Jacob and Teri-Lyn don’t beat us to it first.”

“Thank you. I hope you know how much I appreciate having a generous family who’s made sure I don’t have a gazillion dollars in student loans. These are advantages I don’t take lightly. Thanks to you, my mom and dad won’t have to overextend themselves so I can further my education. I know other families aren’t as fortunate and I appreciate everything
you’ve done for me. I would like to continue to work at the new Reed Bradley to pay for my own books and food, though. I want to contribute too.”

“Sure. But only if it doesn’t interfere with your studies.”

“Deal.”

“You’re a good egg, Avery Reed.” Morgan wiped tears from her eyes. “I knew you would become a doctor. When your grandpa had his heart attack, you sprang into action
and called the paramedics. He says you were his angel.”

“I was so scared that day, but I knew I had to be calm because he needed me.” She sniffed too. The day her grandfather fell ill was etched into her mind like a bad movie.

Morgan smiled. “You’ll always be the heroine in the story of his second chance at life. Not many people can say they’re responsible for saving a family member.”

“I love you, Aunt Morgan. I’ll admit I had a good cry when I found out about your lupus diagnosis. But Wyatt was there for me and helped me see it wasn’t the end of your life. And I’ll be there every step of the way in the capacity as your niece who happens to be a medical professional. I intend to watch over the whole family, but I will admit I’ll be keeping a closer eye on you, Grandpa,
and Aunt Cassie.”

“We love you for it. And as long as this career path makes you happy, I look forward to the in-house medical attention. Your cousins skin more knees running around this ranch.”

“Don’t I know it.” She giggled and stood. “So is it OK if I borrow these clothes?”

“Borrow? You can have them. I’ll never wear them. Keep looking, I’m sure there’s more in there you’d
love. I gave up trying to be remotely glamorous after baby number four. Practical living is my motto now.” Morgan kissed Mackenzie on the cheek.

Avery picked up Mackenzie off the bed and stood her in front of the mirror next to her. “Kenzie, what do you say? Do we look fabulous or what?”

“I’m too cute!” Mackenzie clapped.

“Avery!” Morgan said, raising an eyebrow.

“What?”
She giggled. “She does look cute.”

Morgan folded her arms across her chest. “I’ve been trying to figure out who’s been teaching her that. I accused your uncle! We had an argument. He slept on the couch and everything.”

“You did?” Her eyes widened.

“Eh.” Morgan waved her hand. “He was on the couch for two minutes and then we made up.”

“Oh.” She let out a big sigh of relief.
“You and Uncle Seth don’t stay mad very long.”

“He’s really good at getting me to forgive him.” Morgan grinned.

She loved that about their relationship. She’d fallen in love with her Uncle Seth the day her aunt brought him home. Seth was handsome, smart, charming, and successful. He also treated her aunt like a queen. Aunt Morgan said they just knew they were meant for each other,
and Avery had to agree. Her aunt had always been her inspiration for being true to herself. She’d fallen in love with their love story and hoped to experience that same kind of epic romance someday.

“I’ve learned a lot about intimacy from watching you and Uncle Seth,” she said. “One look from him and your face lights up like a Christmas tree. When you touch him, he closes his eyes like he’s
trying to remember that feeling for the rest of his life. I hope to feel that kind of passion someday.” She sighed.

“You will.” Morgan put an arm around her shoulders. “I think you’re off to a good start.”

“How so?”

“Have you and Wyatt worked things out yet?”

“Oh.” She rolled her eyes. “No, we’re exactly where we were three months ago.”

“I see.”

“Can I tell
you something?”

“Of course.”

“Wyatt and I kissed.”

“I’d assumed as much. You two have been joined at the hip for some time now.”

“I mean we really
kissed
. The way you and Uncle Seth do,” she added to make sure her aunt got the idea.

“Oh.” Morgan’s eyes widened. “That’s when the rift began?”

“Yes. We went to Bo and Summer’s guesthouse to talk and we…got closer,
but then he pushed me away.”

“Have you two ever…” Morgan trailed off as she went over and closed the bedroom door. “No one else is home, but there’s no reason to give your Uncle Seth his first heart attack if he should come home early with the boys.”

She shook her head. “I’m still a virgin.”

Morgan’s eyes darted from her to Mackenzie. “How about we spell out certain words. Your
cousin’s repeating a lot of words these days.”

“Well at least she says mommy now.” Avery laughed.

“True. I’m still delighted about that, but unless you want the whole family in on this talk, let’s stick to spelling some words out.”

“Got ya.”

“Have you talked to your parents about all of this?”

“Are you kidding? That talk consisted of dad handing me his target practice
paper from the gun range and some antiquated birds-and-bees-talk book called
All about the Birds and Bees
. I think it was written in the fifties. Mom just stood there.”

“I’ve seen that book. Your grandpa gave me a copy too.” Morgan smiled. “It’s never easy to talk about these things. But if you’re having these feelings and think you’re ready for a s-e-x-u-a-l relationship—”

“I don’t
know if I am,” she interrupted. “I just know Wyatt and I were great friends, and then something changed. Now every time we see each other we end up kissing, but then he runs away.”

“I’m sure your mom would love to talk about love and intimacy with you. Maybe you could do it when your dad isn’t around.”

“I know she would, but I’m talking to
you
right now.”

“I know I’d want to
be the one to have this talk with Mackenzie when she’s at this stage of her life. Talk to your mom. After you get past the awkwardness, you’ll be glad you had the conversation with her. Trust me. Alicia is much cooler than you give her credit. She even helped me when I was younger and had questions.”

“OK.” She bit her lip.

“And after the two of you have talked, I would be happy to
talk to you again. You can ask me anything.”