Page 40 of More Than Anything

That made Avery laugh out loud. “Yeah! I’ve got a couple of friends who’ve been teaching me. You’ll be surprised, I promise!”

Two hours later, BeverlyHolcomb sat back in the kitchen chair. “Oh, lordy, I’m stuffed! That was delicious, Avery. You did a great job.”

“Thanks. I actually enjoy cooking. And with Arlene teaching me to use the slow cooker, I can put a lot of things on to cook, go on about my business, and they’re done by dinnertime. Danette taught me how to make stroganoff in that thing, and it’s awesome,” he said, loading the dishwasher as he spoke. A knock on the door forced his head up, and he made his way there.

And once again, it was Lydia. He hadn’t heard a peep out of her since the night she’d brought the cupcakes, and just like before, she had a box in her hands. He opened the door and stood there. “Hi, Lydia.”

“Hi. I was experimenting again and tried this recipe. It’s really good. I thought maybe you’d like some.” She opened the box and there was a paper plate of something there that looked like brownies.

“What are these?”

She gave him a shy grin. “They’re fudgie brownie delights. I found the recipe in an old church cookbook. I thought they came out pretty good, but I can’t eat them all.”

Avery gave her a sideways glare. “What’s your game, Lydia?” The minute the words came out of his mouth, he was sorry as he remembered the look on her face that afternoon in the deputy’s cruiser.

She sighed. “I don’t have one. You can throw them away if you want,” she said just like before. “I just wanted to give them to someone who might like them and I thought of you. I’ve been giving baked goods away all over town and I think people are sick of seeing me, but I’m just trying to make people smile if I can and keep my mind off… stuff. I hadn’t brought you any in a while so I thought… Well, anyway, hope you enjoy them,” she said, turning to go.

“Well, who do we have here?” a voice called out from behind Avery and he fought the urge to roll his eyes.

“This is LydiaKinsey. Lydia, this is my mother, Beverly. Lydia was just leaving, Mom,” Avery said, intending for Lydia to keep walking.

“Oh! Well, invite her in! What have you got there?” Beverly asked.

“Just some baked goods she dropped by. But she’s got to get on home, don’t you, Lydia?” Avery said.

“Yes. I should, I suppose. Nice to meet you, Mrs.Holcomb,” Lydia called back.

“Nonsense! You come on in here. Avery, start a pot of coffee and we can all sit down and enjoy some of whatever you’ve got in that box. Come on in here, missy!” Beverly called after Lydia.

Avery rolled his eyes. That was not how he’d intended his mother’s first evening there to go. Beverly hurried off into the kitchen to get plates and forks as Lydia brushed past Avery.

Sorry,she mouthed when she looked up into his face as she passed.

Not your fault,he mouthed back.

“There wasn’t an extra car here. I had no idea there was anyone here,” she whispered.

He whispered back, “It’s okay. Really.” Avery swept his hand toward the living room to invite Lydia in and she took a few hesitant steps forward. When she did, her eyes lit up and she turned to Avery. “Oh my god,” she whispered. “This place looks great!”

“Thanks. I’ve worked hard on it.” Now Avery was concerned. She’dreallystart to bug him about the farm since she’d seen the work he’d done.

“It shows.” Lydia stepped into the kitchen area and asked Beverly, “What can I do to help?”

“Oh, no you don’t! You’re a guest. Have a seat,” Beverly sang out without turning to look at Lydia. The younger woman turned back to Avery and shrugged, and he gave her a half-hearted grin.

“So, what do you do?” Beverly asked Lydia when they were all settled with a plate and a cup of coffee.

“I’m a real estate agent here,” Lydia explained. Avery could tell she was trying to use as few words as she could, and he appreciated that.

“Real estate! That’s nice. Is the market good here?”

Lydia shrugged. “It’s okay. Not like in a big city. I’m not getting rich by any means, but I do earn myself a living.”

“That’s good! Where did you go to college?”

“I went to TuckerCounty Community College. Then on to TexasA&M,” she said, taking a bite of one of the brownies.

“What was your major?” Beverly asked.

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