Page 80 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

31

Katie had mixed feelings about her afternoon plans.

She strode up the walkway toward her front door, Gavin on her heels. They’d just had a filling breakfast at the Iron Skillet, which was packed this Saturday morning. At the door she turned to him. “Want to come in for a bit? I have a little time before I have to meet Avery and Cooper.”

“I’d like to, but I’m needed back at the campground.” He settled his hands at her waist. “Let’s go somewhere quiet tomorrow night. Someplace out of town where we won’t be interrupted.”

“Is everything okay?”

He gave her a warm smile and kissed her nose. “Everything’s fine. Stop worrying.”

Katie watched him go, waving as he pulled from her drive. Would he tell her about Jesse tomorrow night? If he did, she’d have to act as if she didn’t already know. Or maybe that wasn’t it at all. Maybe he was planning to tell her he loved her. Instead of feeling excited at the notion, the thought only tied her stomach in knots.

Forty-five minutes later Katie pulled into a slot in front of the clinic where she was meeting Avery and Cooper. Since the building was already closed for the day, Katie had to unlock the door before she slipped inside. A welcome rush of cool air washed over her skin.

“Avery?” Since her boss hadn’t gotten around to it yet, she went to turn off the lights.

Avery came up the hallway. “Hey. I’m afraid I’ve still got a patient in the back—family friend. She’s got the flu. I’ll have to bail on you and Cooper. She’s pretty dehydrated, and I need to set her up with an IV.”

Katie ditched her purse on the counter. “I can help.”

“No, I’ve got it covered. Lisa would kill me if both of us had to bow out. She’s been trying to get these flyers hung for weeks.”

Cooper entered the clinic, stopping short at the sight of Katie. “Oh. Hi. I didn’t think you worked Saturdays.”

“I don’t.”

“Lisa roped her into passing out flyers with us. Unfortunately, I’ll have to bail on you two.”

Cooper scratched his neck. “Oh.”

Avery’s gaze shifted between the two of them, her brow furrowing. “Or... I could go with Cooper, and Katie could stay with the patient.”

“No, I can tell you’re worried about her. We’ll be fine, won’t we, Cooper?”

“Of course. We won’t come back until both towns are covered in flyers,” he said, as if that were the real concern here.

Katie looked back to Avery. “Call me if anything comes up.”

“I will.”

“Let’s hit the road,” Cooper said to Katie.

They said good-bye to Avery and headed outside. In the last week fall had arrived in Riverbend, bringing cooler nighttimetemperatures. The trees in the upper mountains were starting to turn beautiful shades of red and gold, which would soon sweep down into the valley. Katie loved the cool, crisp weather of autumn. But today clouds had rolled in, and rain seemed imminent.

“Okay if we take your car?” Cooper said. “I’ve got a bunch of stuff in mine, and I don’t mind driving since I know my way around.”

“Sure.” She handed him her keys and glanced up at the dark sky. “I hope the rain holds off.”

Ever the gentleman, he opened the passenger door, and she brushed past him, smiling her thanks.

He walked around the front, got in, and started the engine. Awkwardness had crept inside the car with them, the last part of their phone conversation still humming between them.

So much for avoiding each other. The universe seemed to throw them together at every opportunity. She wished she could cry foul, but who was she kidding? A big part of her was looking forward to an afternoon alone with Cooper. Did he feel the same?

“I think you have a headlamp out.”

She could tell from the reflection on the car in front of them that he was right. “I’ll get it replaced soon.”