“I have some plans for the space, you know.” Avery tried to keep her tone light. “I don’t need too much help.”
“Yeah.” The smile on Tucker’s face was irresistible. He stepped over to a table that held a bunch of tools and papers, then plucked one from the stack. “This one, right?” It was Avery’s notebook, which featured the list of things that needed to be done along with her wish list for the clinic.
Avery looked her daughter in the eye. “That was in the drawer of my side table, Shanna.”
Shanna bit her lip and raised her eyebrows, everything about her expression begging for forgiveness. “My dad—Tucker—he can help with all that stuff.”
Dad hit Avery square in the heart, and she saw the same shock and emotion reflected in Tucker’s face.
“I-I didn’t mean—Tucker can help.” Shanna’s face had gone a deep crimson. “He is my dad, but I don’t have to call him that. I mean…I don’t have to call you that.” Shanna shoved her hands into her pockets.
Tucker recovered first. “Whatever you’re comfortable with is fine with me.”
Avery could tell by the rigid set of his shoulders that this wasn’t entirely true, but after a moment, Shanna pursed her lips.
“I think I’ll call you Tucker.” She smiled up at him. “For now.”
Avery let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding. It was just as well. Tucker might not be around for the long haul, no matter what he’d said before. Men like Tucker couldn’t get rid of their wanderlust so easily. Visions flashed into her mind of the screen door swinging shut behind him, of his truck growing smaller and smaller in the distance, and then, horribly, Shanna’s face pressed up against the window, tears rolling down her cheeks.
This was not the time to think of that. Avery had a more urgent matter at hand.
“You’ve both been very…thoughtful.” She stood up tall. “But I need a licensed contractor for this work, not a photographer.”
Tucker shot her a look that made her think of the way they’d teased each other back in high school. “I don’t think so. Most of the things you’ve got listed here, like the counters and the shelves, can be done by a handyman.” His green eyes shone with amusement. “I happen to have those skills. Remember? My dad raised us able to do most of the work around the ranch, and that included basic carpentry, painting, and some plumbing. The only contractor you’ll need is an electrician for the rewiring.”
It was too much, standing here with him, and with Shanna, the three of them in an uncomfortable standoff. Last night, the bedroom seemed so empty without him. But now Avery wasn’t sure. Maybe it was too soon to let him into her life to this degree, especially in light of everything that had happened in the past. An old wave of jealousy and hurt cascaded through her, and suddenly she couldn’t meet Tucker’s eyes. That ancient pain made her want to have it out with him, but not in front of Shanna.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’ve made my own plans, guys.”
Tucker set the notebook down and held up both his hands, like he was trying to calm a timid foal. He came toward her, stopping only when Avery took a step back.
“I owe you.” His eyes held nothing but sincerity. Avery tried to come up with something to say—anything to say—but before she could speak, he leaped into the silence. “For saving me after my fall.” Tucker gestured over his shoulder at Shanna, who had taken a broom and started sweeping, pretending mightily to ignore them. “For her, and for all the lost time. I want to help. It’s obvious that you need help.” Avery bristled, but Tucker’s voice took on a calming tone. “There isn’t a lot for me to do on the ranch right now, and you’d be doing me a favor if you’d let me burn off some work energy in here. It’s a win-win situation. I get to work on a project, and you get a vet clinic suitable for patients.”
As much as she wanted to argue with him—and Avery did want to argue with him—she just couldn’t resist the sound of his voice. Or the clean, cedar scent of him. Or the way he made her feel so safe when he stood close by. None of it made any sense. He’d hurt her, badly, and there was no undoing that pain—but Tucker now stood in front of her, offering his time and his skill. And his argument made sense. Avery didn’t expect repayment for helping him during the storm, but like it or not, she did need help.
Getting the clinic up and running wouldn’t happen if she had to spend all her extra time dealing with contractors. She knew it wouldn’t. Avery didn’t have a lot of extra time. Since she’d taken over Doc’s business, she’d been struggling to manage all his clients. When she wasn’t working, she was with Shanna. It didn’t leave a lot of room in her life for anything else, which was how Avery liked it—but it did mean she’d have to give up some control if she wanted the clinic to be shipshape.
Or maybe it was just that she needed coffee. Coffee probably factored into it quite a bit. But Avery couldn’t muster up the will to fight him on this. It made too much sense.
“Fine.” She smoothed a hand over her hair. “But you have to run things by me before making any decisions.”
“It’s a deal.” Tucker stuck out his hand for her to shake, and she shook it. Then a smile quirked the corner of his lips. “I have a suggestion.”
“What’s that?”
“That we meet for lunch.” Tucker dropped her hand, brushing his fingers against hers for
