Page 26 of More Than Anything

“Sure!”

He waited and finally Marjorie asked, “Did she tell you why she wants that farm so badly?”

Even though he knew she couldn’t see, he shook his head. “I accused her of wanting to sell it off in lots and subdivide it. She said that’s what she wanted to do, but I’m not convinced. There’s something else going on there.”

“There is. I can’t say for sure, but I think I know what it is. And I’ve only got one thing to say to you.”

Now Avery was really curious. “Oh? What’s that?”

“Be gentle. I know it’s hard, but please, be as gentle as you can.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t get it,” Avery admitted.

“I don’t completely, but trust me, there’s something there that we’re not seeing, and this young woman is really, really fragile.”

“And that’s why she’s driving me crazy, threatening me, following me around, belittling me?” Avery couldn’t believe Marjorie was defending Lydia. What the hell?

“I’m serious, Avery. You need to dig a little deeper.”

Avery was glad Marjorie couldn’t see him rolling his eyes. “I’m not sure I can do that. She’s become so adversarial legally that all I can do is stay away from her and try to defend myself.”

“I understand.” Marjorie sighed so deeply through the phone that Avery thought he actually saw the curtains move. “I just hope you’ll think about what I’ve said, that’s all. Oh, and how’s Skipper doing?”

The dog must’ve heard her call his name through the phone because his head popped up, his ears perking up at the same time. “He’s doing great! I’m glad to have him around. He’s a lot of company.”

“Good, good! Daddy would be pleased. Well, nice talking to you, Avery. And I’m sorry about before.”

“No problem. I understand completely. Thanks for calling and talk to you later.” This time when he hit END, he turned the ringer off on the phone and laid it face down on the coffee table so he wouldn’t see if anyone else called.

It was an uneventful day as recent days had gone, and Avery got most everything he needed to do done in good time, as mid-morning starts went. He was headed back to the house from the barn when a familiar car caught his eye.

Danette.

Oh, no. Not again, he groaned inwardly, wondering if he could hide until she gave up, but she’d already spotted him.Might as well face the music, he thought and kept up his pace toward the house. When he got close, she called out, “Hey, Avery!”

“Hey, Danette.” When he finally reached her, he shoved his hands down in his front pockets. “Whatcha doin’ out here?”

“Came to see you,” she said and grinned. “Whatcha up to?”

“Oh, I just finished my chores for the morning and I was going to take a shower and watch a little TV. You know, maybe catch the reporting on the futures market.”

“Could I maybe watch with you?” she asked, a wicked smile splitting her face.

“The guys are working in the house. I don’t know if you’d want to do that.”

“We could go up to your room…” she said, trying as hard as he’d ever seen any woman try.

“I thought you said I was good,” he reminded her.

“I did!”

“I’m looking for great. And if I’m not great, you need to just move along to someone who is,” he snipped, turning and heading for the house.

“You’re great. I said great,” she called out.

“No. You said good. You specifically said good,” Avery reminded her without turning around. “If I recall correctly, you said pretty good.”

“Well, I meant great,” she said, jogging to catch up with him. “Really, really great.”

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