Page 9 of More Than Anything

Avery was proud that someone had finally asked him, and he smiled so big that his face hurt. “I’m gonna work that farm!”

Walter’s face fell. “You’re not serious.”

Avery’s smile disappeared and his eyes went wide. “Yeah. Why not?”

“Because …” Walter’s face paled, “LydiaKinsey’s on the warpath. She’s out for blood, son. I hope you’re prepared.”

Avery snorted. “Well, I told her to bring it. I’m not scared of her.”

“You should be. She’s…” Just before Walter could finish, the minister rose and stood before the congregation.

“Good morning!” Everyone answered him?everyone but Avery. He really, really wanted to hear what Walter had been about to say. “I trust everyone has had a blessed week. Do we have any visitors today?”

Arlene stood before anyone else had a chance to. “Yes, ReverendPotter. There’s a Mr.Avery Holcomb in our presence today! Avery, stand up so everybody can see you!” Avery could feel his face burning as he stood, unable to find a way to get out of it. “See how handsome he is? I hope everybody will make him feel real welcome!” Arlene sat back down, quite proud of herself, and Avery wanted to slide under the pew.

“So, young fella, I’ve never seen you in town before. Where are you from and what do you do?” the minister asked.

Avery’s heart was pounding and his mouth went dry. He hated speaking in front of groups. “Um, I came here from Clarksville, Tennessee, and I bought the old Kinsey farm.” Avery knew he’d screwed up when there was a collective gasp from the congregation.Hell, might as well go out with a bang.“And I plan to farm it, so if any of you are inclined to help me, I’d appreciate any advice you can give me.”

“Got some. When you see Lydia coming, run and hide,” an old woman three pews in front of Avery and Walter mumbled loudly enough for everyone around them to hear, and half the congregation giggled, chuckled, and twittered.

“Thank you, Ms.Loueva,” the minister huffed. “Avery, we’re glad to have you in our midst today. Now BrotherMichael’s going to come and lead us in a song or two.”

The music minister took his place at the lectern, and Avery wanted to take the first bus out of town. From time to time, this one or that one turned and sneaked a peek at him, and he was horrified. Being there seemed like a huge mistake, and he was pretty sure someone, if not several someones, in the congregation would call Lydia after church and tell her he’d been there.

That kind of fuss was not what he’d wanted?ever. Avery had left Clarksville because he didn’t want the drama and complications anymore, and it seemed he’d unwittingly walked right back into a situation as bad as, or possibly worse than, the one he’d run from. Leaving his past had seemed right, but instead, his future was in jeopardy. Sure, he had the ability to leave and go elsewhere. He had more than enough money.

Thing was, he didn’t want to. The longer he was in TuckerCity, the more he wanted to stay. But was he really up to the firestorm he could see, smell, and feel brewing? After they’d finished singing, everyone sat down and the minister started speaking.

What he said was a salve to Avery’s soul. As he spoke, he talked about finding your home and what that meant, being happy where you were, and doing everything to promote peace and harmony. Avery wanted to be there. Everything about that farm said “home” to him, and he didn’t want to do anything to end that. But listening to the minister speak, he made up his mind about one thing.

Avery the badass, the guy who told everyone to go fuck themselves, had to go. No matter how ugly and mean-spirited that Kinsey woman might be to him, he was going to do everything he could to be kind and honest with her. Having a new life that started out by hurting people and being unkind to them couldn’t possibly have a good result, and he didn’t want that anyway. He’d been sucked into pain and suffering for too long. It was time to make a change, and the change had to start with him.

When the service was over, Avery lined up to head out the doorway and stopped to shake hands with ReverendPotter. “It was wonderful having you visit with us today, Avery. I hope you’ll come back.”

Avery thought for a couple of seconds before he asked, “Could I maybe come by and talk to you sometime this week?”

ReverendPotter smiled. “My door’s always open, son. Come by anytime.”

“Thank you. I will.” Avery gave him the bravest smile he could manage. And he knew what he had to do next.

When he’d settled in his truck, he pulled out his cell phone and hit a familiar contact. She answered the phone with, “Hello?”

“Mom?”

“Avery! Where on earth are you? I’ve left you three or four dozen messages!”

Avery smiled. “I’m fine, Mom. I just didn’t want to talk to anyone just yet.”

“Avery, where are you?” There was a frantic edge in her voice.

“I’m not ready to tell everyone that yet. Just know that I’m fine and happy.” He hesitated, then added, “I bought a farm!”

His mother huffed, “Have you lost your mind?”

“No! I haven’t. I’m very happy about it. I feel like I’ve found where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to be doing. Can’t you just be happy for me?”

“Avery, I think you need some help, honey. Maybe you need some therapy or something. Why don’t you come on home and we can help you? Please?”

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