Now, that awkward innocence had morphed into a sophisticated woman with a restrained politeness, as if by keeping herself under tight control she could prevent a repeat of the embarrassments of her youth.
Somehow, he didn’t like this as much as his memories.
“Are you a doctor now?” Luke asked. How could he have been home so often and never thought to ask what had happened to the young girl who had hung around the edges of their social circle?
Her gaze touched on his before skittering away. “Actually, I’m a physical therapist.”
Ouch. His recent painful visits for therapy did not make that a happy revelation. Very unexpected. Very unwelcome.
“In fact,” Aiden said with an amused tone that set Luke’s nerves on edge, “she’s your physical therapist.”
In a flash, Luke relived the agony of his therapy sessions over the last three months and winced. Pain forced things to the surface, compelled a man to reveal way more emotion than he wanted other people to see. “Oh, hell no,” he muttered.
Apparently his words weren’t low enough, because Avery’s elegant features took on a hint of frost. “I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. I’m the only physical therapist in Black Hills. Or within fifty miles of it.”
Damn. “I didn’t mean...”
Her body straightened, gaining only a slight inch in stature. “And I’m a damn good one, too.”
“Everyone around here knows that.”
Luke had been so focused on Avery that he hadn’t noticed the approach of anyone else. Next to her now stood Mark Zabinski, an old high school friend of Jacob’s and part of the upper management at Blackstone Mills.
“So the Renegade is back,” Mark went on, ignoring Luke’s lack of welcome. “And causing quite the stir.”
“That I am.” Might as well own it.
Avery glanced around the table, surveying the reunited Blackstone family. Her voice was hushed compared to Mark’s forceful tone. “It must be strange, having all of you back here, together again.”
Very few people would notice the phenomenon, much less mention how each brother had left, then returned to find their place in Black Hills now that their grandfather was dead. But this was Avery. He remembered glimpses of her standing on the edge of the crowd in high school, alone but not missing an ounce of what occurred.
Aiden’s dark gaze swept over them all before he smiled. “Yes, but family is good. Very good.”
Luke wouldn’t have gotten through the last few months without family, including both his brothers, Christina and Jacob’s fiancé, KC. “Amen,” he agreed.
But as the conversation continued around them, Luke didn’t miss the dark shadow that clouded Avery’s eyes, the subtle shift of her expression. And he certainly didn’t miss Mark’s hand casually lying against the small of her back. A sign of ownership, possessiveness, protection. Comfort for a friend? Or something more?
Avery didn’t move away, but she also didn’t relax into the touch, either. Interesting.
“Mark,” Jacob said, his tone firming to one of authority, “I’m glad you stopped by. The computer gurus are finally coming to install the new computer system at the plant. Time for an upgrade like we talked about last month,” Jacob continued. “We’ll meet early tomorrow morning to discuss it.”
Mark shifted on his feet, his dress shoes squeaking under the stress. “Great.”
Mark smiled as he said it, but Luke suspected he wasn’t as thrilled as he tried to look. Something about the overstretch of his smile, giving his face a slightly Joker edge.
“Avery, let me escort you to the valet,” Mark said, using that damnable hand to steer her away. She nodded, her gaze making a warm sweep of the table...while studiously avoiding Luke.
Why did that leave him feeling cold?
Escorting a woman—something Luke couldn’t do with ease anymore. As if she knew his thoughts followed them, Avery glanced back over her shoulder, but a cool mask still protected her emotions.
Great. Just what he needed—a ticked-off physical therapist with the ability to visit pain on him with a simple twitch of her wrist. His dismissal of her abilities had given her motivation aplenty for inflicting a twinge or two on him.
But Luke was used to using his charm to get out of sticky situations—turning them into something positive, something entertaining. Despite the complication, his curiosity grew. So did his unexpected need. He’d been lost in a miasma of pain and frustration that seriously weighed him down. But this kick-start to his motor had lifted him up, exhilarated him. A relationship was nowhere on his agenda, but a little battle of wills would definitely liven up his current dull existence.
A few fireworks to dull the pain. What could be more fun than that?
* * *
How could anyone look so cute in scrubs? Not that Avery was the type to appreciate being categorized as cute. She probably preferred capable. Her sunny yellow scrubs were paired with a no-nonsense expression and friendly, but impersonal, tone. Her detachment caused him to itch after the receptionist brought him through the double doors into the heart of the therapy facility.
If Avery thought her all-business attitude would keep him at arm’s length, she’d get a surprise. He’d just tease his way through whatever crack he could find in her armor. The challenge brought a surge of energy. Besides, befriending her might keep her from taking any vengeance out on his bones.
An impressive workout room occupied an open central space in the main part of the building. Top-of-the-line equipment gleamed from careful upkeep. Avery gestured him through a side door and closed them inside. The treatment room had the same look of quality, including a padded table, small desk and comfortable chairs. “This place is really nice. You’ve done well for yourself, Avery,” he said.
The compliment garnered him his first genuine smile. No pretense. “Thank you. This building has been a blessing to me and to my patients.”
And it obviously meant a lot to her. “You named the clinic after your mother.”
“Yes.” Her smile dimmed a little, awakening an urge to give her a comforting hug just as he would Christina, who’d proven to be a true friend.
Avery continued. “We became exceptionally close during her illness. Besides, she provided the funding for a bigger, better clinic for the community in my inheritance. We’re very lucky to have it.”
Her pride in her accomplishment added a glow to her expression, awakening jealousy in Luke’s gut. He remembered being proud of what he did, but the memories were fading from sharp to hazy, obscured by the turmoil of recent months.
This woman used her healing talents every day in a community that needed her. How fulfilling must that be? “You have plenty of patients?”
She nodded, sending her thick ponytail swinging. “I like to think it’s because I do good work, and not just because I’m the only convenient choice.”
“I
