Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) by Nikki Lynn Barrett Read Free Book Online Page A

little more often?
    Okay, it was a fall. Everyone falls.
    But her mother was in her seventies. Things like this are always a little more escalated than just a simple fall. Or maybe she was overreacting, but if anything happened to Mom, Avery wouldn’t know what to do.
    She stole a glance at Lucas, who walked right beside her as they made it back to the inn in record time. It had actually been nice to get out a little bit, and talk to him, even though she still knew nothing more about him than she had before. In fact, he was only more mysterious as he evaded questions about his life and past. Why was that?
    Avery thought an ambulance would be here, or something. But there was no extra commotion. “Where’s my parents?” Avery asked Alice, the woman standing behind the guest services area.
    “At the house.” Alice was calm, her gaze flickered to Lucas. Of course she was curious. Alice always looked at men the same. Who cared about that right now? All she wanted to do was check on her mom and see with her very own eyes that she was okay. Dad had told her she didn’t need to come back, but Avery wouldn’t feel better until she knew. “Thanks.” Avery pivoted and bolted. She didn’t even realize Lucas had followed her until he called out for her to wait up. She stopped, but only for a second, as she turned to him. “Thank you for the nice evening. It really was a pleasure to talk to you. I’ve got to make sure my mom is okay.”
    “I’ll come with you. I don’t want to leave you alone like this,” Lucas protested, matching her stride. He was persistent. It was nice, that a stranger would care so much and take the time to accompany her, though she couldn’t help the strange suspicions of why.
    She was going to protest, but decided against it. If he wanted to come, fine. It wouldn’t do any harm.
    Two minutes later, they’d made it around the inn to the house. Avery pushed the door open and was surprised to find her parents sitting right there in the living room. Mom’s afghan covered her legs and she had them propped up on the ottoman. Surprise registered on Mom’s face as her gaze connected with Avery’s, then question filled them as Lucas came up behind her.
    “I heard you fell. Mom, what happened?” Avery asked, rushing to her side. Avery knelt down next to her mother’s rocker.
    “It was just a slip. Wet floor. I’m a little bruised and sore, but I’m fine. Don’t worry your sweet little mind over it, honey. Did you call her?” her mom turned to her father and asked.
    His head bobbed up and down.
    “Well hello, sir.” Avery looked up. Lucas stood in the doorway, looking unsure what to do.
    “Lucas and I were walking around this evening when I got the call. Lucas, you can come in, you know.” Avery gestured for him to sit. Now that she saw her mom in a normal mood, relief washed over her. She could rest easy now, though a shadow of worry still remained over her. Was running the inn getting to be too much for her parents? Should she say something about her concerns? The last thing Avery wanted to do was make her mom or dad feel unable, but the stress of the job could take its toll on anyone. But they loved that inn so much. Besides Avery, it had been their livelihood for so long. Would they ever give that up just because they were getting a little up there in age? Who would run it? As much as this was home, Avery had no desire to run the inn. But if it came down to it, she couldn’t say no to her parents.
    “I hope you don’t mind me barging in. I couldn’t help but be concerned when Avery got the message. I couldn’t just leave her side when I didn’t know what the situation was,” Lucas said, finally inching his way into the room. Avery’s father gestured for him to sit down, so he did. On the love seat right near Avery. Though she didn’t want to leave her mother’s side, Avery’s legs were beginning to feel tingly from bending them so long. She eased up into the seat right next to