They’d ridden to Alice’s separately from Pepper, since Pepper’s plans for the rest of the day varied from theirs. But as soon as they arrived in the parking lot, Pepper started chatting with Avery as if they’d known each other for a while—or would. It seemed that in such a short time, everything had changed.
The sun shone down on them, countering the brisk October breezes.
“So,” Pepper asked, without an ounce of subtlety. “Are you two shacking up?”
Rowdy said, “Butt out, kiddo.”
“I know she stayed the night again.” To Avery, Pepper said, “It’s unheard of. My brother, seeing the same lady twice?” She tsked. “There’s some strange juju going on or something.”
Rowdy shook his head. “You don’t know as much as you think you do, brat.”
“I know you’ve never been able to stay still long enough to actually know a woman.” As they started in, she walked around to Avery’s side. “One time, when we were on the run—Rowdy’s told you all about that, right?—anyway, I had to go collect his stuff from a cheap hotel room.” With great drama, Pepper said, “He’d left a bimbo in the bed! I had to oust her, and let me tell you, she wasn’t anxious to go.”
“Pepper.”
Avery listened with fascination.
Pepper ignored her brother. “Back when we worked at the club, Rowdy didn’t date the customers, and that left behind a string of broken hearts.” She sized Avery up with a long look. “Never known him to camp out with a lady before.”
Rowdy reached around and caught his sister’s wrist, then dragged her over to his side, separating her from Avery. “That’s enough from you,” he said.
Too late, Avery thought. Already bolstered by Pepper’s insight, she couldn’t keep from snuggling with Rowdy, holding his hand and leaning on his shoulder as they went up the walkway to the apartment entry doors. Rowdy curled his big hand around hers, and it was all she could do to contain her happiness.
He had opened up to her, telling her things he’d never told anyone else.
Surely that had to mean something.
She had no illusions about building the perfect life with him. He’d been through so much, and though he’d play it off as nothing, his life had been hell. Instead of using that as an excuse to become a creep himself, he’d gone the opposite direction and was a true hero, a remarkable, caring man.
That took so much strength of character, and a core of morality few possessed.
Loving him, even without any form of commitment, was the easiest, most natural thing she’d ever done.
Her long blond hair stirred by a cool breeze, Pepper leaned around Rowdy to see Avery. “Keep smiling and sighing like that and I’ll think you two are ready to elope.”
Avery stumbled over her own feet, horrified that Pepper would make Rowdy uncomfortable.
But Rowdy only gave Pepper a playful shove, making her stumble away two steps. “Married life has pickled your brain,” he told his sister with good humor.
Pepper laughed, coming back to bump shoulders with him. “Married life is orgasmic.”
He groaned theatrically as he opened the doors to let the ladies enter. “A little nauseating, too, at least from my end, having to hear about it from you!”
They had such a relaxed camaraderie with each other, Avery almost sighed again.
Reese was at work, but Alice greeted them all as if they’d been formally invited. Cash was beyond euphoric to see all the visitors.
“Don’t worry,” Alice told them. “Marcus and I already took him out, so he should be empty. No piddling on your shoes.”
“Well,” Pepper said to the dog while rubbing his long ears and kissing the top of his head, “if you do have to go, aim for Rowdy’s feet. They’re bigger than mine.”
It was sort of funny for Avery. Alice and Pepper were so different in every way, but they appeared to be fast friends.
While Rowdy took his turn greeting Cash, Pepper went to Marcus, treating him as she would any other kid. Marcus stared at her in awe, but Avery could understand that reaction.
Tall, stunning and bold, Pepper had the same dominating presence as her brother. Put them together in a room, and it was a wonder anyone else could find oxygen enough to breathe.
“So, squirt,” Pepper said, “it’s good to see you. You looking forward to the new house?”
Marcus slid a quick, uncertain glance at Rowdy. “I guess.”
After giving the dog one final pat, Rowdy brought Avery forward. Cash followed, still wiggling from head to tail in excitement. “You remember Avery?”
Hoping her visit wouldn’t dredge up bad memories of that night at the bar, Avery said, “Hi, Marcus. It’s good to see you again.”
Marcus went shy, looking down and nodding.
She stepped closer. “I haven’t seen pictures of the new house. Have you?”
He nodded again. “We went to see it.”
“Really? What’s it like?”
“Big.” He peeked at Rowdy again. “It has a yard.”
“A nice big backyard.” Rowdy crouched down to give Cash more attention, which also put him on a better level with Marcus. “I was thinking Marcus could help us build a swing set and stuff. Maybe a tire swing from that tall oak tree.”
“Oh, that’d be wonderful,” Alice said. “Great idea.”
Cash barked as if he agreed. “You’re going to like that yard, aren’t you, bud? Lots of room to run, and you’ll have a lot of spots to choose from when you do your business.”