“In fact,” Grey continued, “You sound a lot smarter than the women who think they can get him to settle down.”
“See, Em, that’s why dating older men makes sense. They’re settled, not still bent on proving themselves a stud.” Kelsey crossed her legs and chugged her beer.
“Did someone just call my name?” Trip’s jovial baritone voice snuck up behind them.
Beer shot from Kelsey’s nose while Shaman barked hello. Avery and Grey laughed; Emma’s cheeks turned dark purple.
Kelsey wiped her face, then quipped, “Only you would act like that nickname was some kind of compliment.”
Trip knelt to purr in Kelsey’s ear. “Nicknames are so interesting, aren’t they? Bambi here seems to have made peace with hers. How about you, Kelsey? Any nicknames you’re living down? I feel like there is . . . in fact, it’s on the tip of my tongue.”
Although Kelsey waved Trip away, Avery held her breath and pinched Grey, who then subtly cleared his throat. With a satisfied grin, Trip turned his attention to Emma.
His smile widened, presumably over discovering newfound prey. “This beauty must be the elusive Emma, whose breakfast food I often smell on my way out of the Weenuche.”
“Dial it back a notch or two, if that’s possible,” Avery replied. “You’re not her type.”
“Always with that forked tongue.” Trip tipped his cowboy hat, first at Emma, then Avery. “I think Cobra is better suited to you than Bambi.”
“Hey, now. Bambi works.” Grey sat forward, the heat of his chest warming Avery’s back.
“How about you, Emma?” Trip ignored everyone else. “Any nicknames?”
Emma shook her head and swallowed a large gulp of beer, clearly tongue-tied by Trip’s velvety voice and perfect bone structure. Her shy withdrawal seemed to capture Trip’s interest because he started to move toward her.
“I’m trying to enjoy the music!” Kelsey nudged Trip with her foot. “Not listen to your yammering attempts at seduction.”
“Don’t be jealous, sweetheart.” Trip snatched a soda from the cooler and sat next to Grey and Avery. “There’s more than enough of me to go around.”
After the group’s collective “grow up” groan, Trip had the good grace to laugh at himself. “All right, I’m done.”
As everyone settled in, Avery believed the evening would continue to play out as smoothly as the notes flowing from the saxophones. She should’ve known better.
“Oh,” Emma uttered as she sat up straight and waved to catch the attention of someone in the crowd. Avery followed Emma’s gaze and saw her brother and Matt only a few yards away, cutting through the horde. Apparently her brother had changed his mind.
Grey’s muscles clenched around her even as he smiled.
“Hey, Emma.” Andy nodded, grinning, then he turned toward the others. “Sis, Kels.”
“Hi,” Avery replied.
Just as an awkward pause settled over the blanket, Grey stood and extended his hand toward Andy. “Glad to finally meet you, Andy. I’m Grey. This is my friend, Trip.”
“Hi.” Andy reluctantly shook Grey’s hand and nodded at Trip, his cheeks suddenly rivaling Emma’s in hue. He glanced at Grey’s knee and then briefly met Avery’s gaze. Without looking directly at Grey, he mumbled, “I’m sorry about the accident.”
Andy’s obvious shame pulled at Avery’s heart.
“I know you are.” Grey’s relaxed expression eased the knot around Avery’s chest. “For your sister’s sake, let’s set it aside.”
When Andy’s slumped shoulders straightened a bit, she appreciated Grey’s kindness all the more. Grey then slid a less friendly glance toward Matt. “Matt.”
“Now I remember,” Trip blurted out. “The bartender from Grizzly’s! Frustrated comic.”
“Just Matt, thanks.” Matt folded his arms, sighing. His heavy gaze fell on Avery. “Evening, Avery.”
“Hello,” she said coolly, pulling her knees to her chest.
Matt’s presence complicated everything. Perhaps her brother could’ve become more acquainted with Grey tonight if Matt weren’t with him. Now, what already was an awkward introduction had turned tense. She aimed for brightness, but her voice sounded flatter than she’d hoped. “Andy, I’m glad you changed your mind about coming.”
“I realized this might be my last festival for a while.” He sipped his seltzer without saying more.
Just like that, the threat of his sentence hung over all of them like a dense storm cloud, causing a chilling silence.
“You don’t know what will happen.” Emma’s gentle voice drifted into the void.
Grey briefly looked away and then sat down, leaning back on his hands, strategically placing one of them behind Avery in a maneuver she suspected was, at least in part, an effort to mark his territory in front of Matt.
Another pronounced pause hung over the group. Avery felt grateful Trip hadn’t used the moment to provoke anyone with a snarky remark. Apparently he had some sense of timing after all.
Kelsey jumped in to break up the discomfort with a change of topic. “Hey, did you all hear about Wade Kessler’s big project? Huge commission.” She cast her arms wide. “Huge!”
“Look at you, Little Miss Moneybags.” Trip raised his drink. “What’s his big project?”
“Don’t you read the paper? He’s building a first-class boutique hotel and condominium complex, with a spa and other amenities.” Kelsey’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. Apparently Wade had made quite an impression. Avery prayed her friend wasn’t clinging to unfounded romantic fantasies about the guy. “The subdivision plans were just approved for the fifty acres behind the slopes, along Ute Creek. The closing is on Monday.”
“Where, exactly, is this acreage?” Trip’s uncharacteristically serious tone caught Avery’s attention. Was he jealous or something?
“Off Big Fir Trail.” Kelsey ignored Trip’s concerned expression and smiled at Avery. “Girls’ weekend soon, my treat. I’m thinking Santa Fe.”
“Sounds fun.” Avery grinned before noticing her brother staring out over the crowd, wearing a melancholy expression. For a moment, she’d forgotten about him and his bleak future. Now the girls’ weekend, and pretty much everything else about the night, seemed a bit frivolous.
“Will Wade’s hotel hurt your business, Emma?” The concern in Andy’s voice surprised Avery.
“I hope not,” she replied. “Our customers like our historic building and décor, which I doubt they’d find at a fancy new place.”
“And don’t forget about your cooking.” Andy smiled.
“Aren’t you going to sit down and hang out a while?” Emma asked.
He shook his head, casting another quick glance at Grey. “Not tonight, thanks. This is just a flyby.”
“Don’t leave on my account,” Grey quickly said.
“We’re meeting up with some old friends.” Matt looked directly at Avery. “Maybe another night.” After a few good-byes, Andy and Matt meandered into the throng.
Avery watched her brother disappear. His bowed head weighed on her.
The reminders of his situation made Avery want to escape the music and Kelsey’s celebratory mood. She rested her head on Grey’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, but Andy’s mood tanked mine. Would you mind leaving early?”
“Not as long as I’m with you.”
She smiled to herself, thankful for his supportive nature. “Are my friends safe with Trip?”
“They’ve got his number.” Grey kissed her head.
“Okay, then. Let’s go.”
Within fifteen minutes, they’d walked to Backtrax, Shaman trotting alongside them in relative silence. The late evening sky, tinged with faint pinks and lilacs, provided a gorgeous backdrop for the jagged peaks of the San Juans. The music, climate, and picturesque evening would’ve been the ultimate romantic night under other conditions.