Page 52 of Gold Horizons
“Thank you,” I tell him as he hands them to me, and as I turn to head to check out, I almost run right into Will Ashton.
“Sorry, man. Didn’t see you there.”
“No worries. Just wanted to say hello. How’s it going?” he asks me, leaning forward and clapping me on the shoulder. He’s smiling at me like we’re long-lost friends, and at this moment, I’m grateful for the beard as I can feel heat climbing into my cheeks. I feel busted, although I’m not sure why.
“It’s going. So far, this season is better than last year, and Cole and I have started testing more flavors for the ciders.”
“That’s great. If you ever need an extra opinion, you just let me know.”
“How’s Avery feeling?” I ask. Everyone knows Avery Layne is pregnant. Even if I didn’t know her as an acquaintance, which I do, when word got out, the world went crazy knowing she and Ash were having a baby. They’re a power couple in the music industry, and this poor baby has no idea what world it will be born into.
“She’s good. She’s always had a bit of a sweet tooth, but it’s been over the top lately. She’s constantly talking about your donuts and sent me here to pick up these.” He holds up two boxes of Little Debbie Nutty Buddy chocolate and peanut butter wafer cookies.
“That’s it? That’s all you’re here for?”
“Yep.” He smiles and glances around to see if people are looking at us, and they are. I know he can’t help it. It’s the downside to being famous, but it is a weird sensation to know that people are watching you. At least they aren’t approaching us.
“Well, feel free to come get donuts anytime you want them. I’ll even teach you how to make them if no one’s there.”
“Thank you. As much as she goes on and on about them, I can pretty much guarantee I’ll be by. How’s Cora doing? I hear she’s letting you spend time with her.” He grins, and I chuckle.
Just having him mention her name has my hand holding the fish starting to sweat.
“That’s one way to put it, and from what I can tell, she’s doing all right. I haven’t seen or heard anything to think otherwise.”
Very detailed images of her flash in my mind. The night we met, her storming into my cider house and yelling at me, seeing her lips wrapped around a glass in the barn as she drank my ciders, and her in a sleek black dress and tall sexy heels smiling at me like I hung the moon.
“Good. Avery gets worried about her.”
“Why?” I tilt my head. This is an odd thing to say, and suddenly, I feel very defensive on Cora’s behalf.
“Well, she’s known for not being the best at asking for help when she needs it.”
I think about what he’s saying, but then I try to come up with scenarios of when she might have needed help. Other than the grease fire, which can happen to anyone and she had it under control, I haven’t seen anything to cause any alarm.
I shrug. “She seems all right to me.”
“Good. Coming from her New York condo life, we weren’t sure how being a homeowner in the mountains would go. This is like a whole new world to her, and we’re glad you’re up there, near her, should she need someone.”
I would be lying if I said this conversation didn’t confuse me a little. I knew she was from New York, but I guess I didn’t really think about how the difference in living would be for her. I mean, why would I? She’s an independent woman who bought a house. This isn’t a new concept for people. Then again, if she’s used to a vastly different white-collar lifestyle, then yeah, maybe I can see their concern, but she hasn’t given me any reason to be.
It’s then I think to ask, “Just out of curiosity, is she dating anyone?”
This isn’t a topic that Cora and I have discussed. I mean why would we? But she is Cora Rhodes. Her superstar musician status alone could have her dating someone who lives anywhere.
He laughs. “Cora doesn’t date.”
“What do you mean?”
“She just doesn’t. Every now and then, she’ll drag someone along to an event with us, but mostly, she chooses to be on her own. Outside of the girls, she doesn’t form attachments to people.”
Outside of the girls. But what about me? We are neighbors, and I think we’re friends, although I’m not sure how she’s going to react over the fish, but given the fact that I can’t seem to stay away from her or get her out of my head, doesn’t that mean something too? Then again, maybe what I think and feel is one-sided.
“Strange. Why is that?”
“I’m not really sure, but from what I’ve gathered, her family does not treat her the best.”
How can anyone not treat her well? She’s amazing at everything I’ve seen her do so far, and she’s kind and giving. I know she doesn’t get along very well with her brother, but I didn’t get the impression that they treated her badly, just that they give her a hard time because she’s different from them.