Page 41 of More Than Anything

“Um,” Lydia mumbled, obviously stalling. They waited. “Uh, agricultural sciences.”

Well,thatwas a surprise to Avery. All he could think of to say was, “I had no idea.”

“Yeah. I thought I’d, well, maybe it would come in handy in this area,” she said by way of explanation, but Avery knew full well what she wanted to say. The blond never looked up as she spoke, just stared at the brownie on her plate.This has to be extraordinarily painful for her, Avery thought.

“That was probably good thinking,” Beverly said, “because I’d think the chances of you becoming a farmer’s wife would be pretty good around here.”

Lydia’s discomfort was obvious. “Uh, yeah, no. Probably not.”

“Oh. That’s a shame,” Beverly groaned out. “Especially since you bake so divinely!”

“Thanks,” Lydia mumbled, still not looking up.

“Well, I guess I should get up from here and go feed the cattle for the evening. They’re probably wondering why I’m late. I usually feed them long before now. Lydia, it’s been good seeing you, but I’m sure you need to go,” Avery said, hoping she’d take the hint.

“Yeah, I should probably?—”

“Why don’t you accompany Avery to see about the cows? I’m sure you’d like some company, son, now wouldn’t you?” Beverly grinned.Oh, god, please, make this stop, Avery’s mind groaned.

“I don’t think he’d want—” Lydia started.

“Oh, rubbish! Go on! I’ll clean up here. You two have fun with the cows,” Beverly laughed as she picked up plates and forks.

“Okay then, let’s go,” Avery told Lydia, trying to figure out a way to get rid of her.

Just as they walked out the door, Beverly called out, “And when you get back, we can have another brownie!”

“Shit,” Avery mumbled. He knew Beverly was watching them from the back door so he didn’t dare tell Lydia to go.

They were out of earshot of the house when Lydia said, “I’m sorry, Avery. If I’d known your mother was here, I would’ve taken the brownies to BrotherAdams from over at the Baptist church. He’s always glad to get my baking,” Lydia said, her voice sad.

Avery chuckled. “No, it’s okay. You couldn’t have known. But I just don’t understand. Why are you trying to be nice to me?”

“Because I wasn’t very nice to you. Getting arrested can make a girl rethink her behavior,” Lydia told him without a hint of malice or sarcasm in her voice.

Avery was a little sad. “Yeah. Sorry about that.”

“Not your fault. I didn’t give you much choice,” Lydia admitted.

“Yeah, you just don’t know when to back off.”

Lydia glared up at him. “Hey, Holcomb, don’t press your luck.” Then she grinned.

Avery stopped and grabbed Lydia’s arm to spin her facing him. “Can I assume we’ve turned a corner?”

Lydia shrugged. “Maybe. But, Avery, I don’t think you’ll ever understand. You didn’t grow up here. There’s no way you can understand.”

“But I’m trying. I feel attached to the land here and I haven’t been here that long. I can’t imagine what it would be like for someone who grew up here.”

“It’s painful,” Lydia almost whispered, and Avery felt desperate to redirect the conversation.

They’d reached the barn, and Avery started pulling out buckets. He’d fill one and hand it to Lydia, and she’d put it on the trailer. They kept it up, working in silence, until all the buckets were filled. When they were done, Avery looked back at her. “Coming?”

“Do you want me to ride on the trailer?” Lydia asked, and Avery could tell she was dead serious.

“No. There’s room up here if you don’t mind riding behind me.” Avery climbed aboard the ATV and waited.

Lydia walked up to the four-wheeler and stood there. “Sure you don’t mind?”

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