Page 37 of Savage Ends

Pat didn’t disappear.She kept going back to him, and they talked about absolutely nothing, from the weather, to the garage and the cars he’d been working on.She talked about the latest quilt she was making, along with the orders at the shop she loved to package.

Talking to Pat made the time go by.This job was never boring, but before she knew it, she had to ask him to leave so she could close up.

Once everyone was gone, Lauren was more than happy to make an appearance.

“You know there is a guy in the parking lot?”Lauren asked.

“It’s Pat.He’s waiting for me,” Ava said.

“He’s wearing a leather cut.”

Ava nibbled her lip.“That’s not a problem, is it?”

“No, it’s not a problem at all.”Lauren smiled at her.“You’re dating?”

“I don’t know if we’re dating.I’m not really sure what we’re doing.”Ava sighed.“So, business was real popular tonight.”

“Yeah, we had a good run of it.I love to hear it when we’re doing well,” Lauren said.“It makes it all worth it.”

“Worth it?”Ava asked.

“Yeah, going to baking school.Putting myself in debt to be taught by the best, and then putting everything into this place.Trust me, a lot of people told me I’d fail within six months,” Lauren said.“I just ...I’m not good around people.I don’t like when assholes boss me about, you know?”

This was the most Lauren had talked to her.Ava liked to think they were friends, but she also knew Lauren was the boss.

“You don’t like being told what to do?”Ava asked.

“By people I don’t like.It probably makes me sound so stupid.”

Ava laughed.“You’re not stupid at all.You know what you could take and what you couldn’t.”Ava shrugged.“I get it.I do.”

“Is there ever something you would love to do?”Lauren asked.

She took a deep breath and frowned.“No, I don’t think so.I mean, I love working with my mom, and if anything were to happen, I’d be there in a heartbeat, but I just know I needed to have something just in case.My dad was a big risk taker, but he also said that as much as he liked to take risks, he liked to weigh his bets.”Ava laughed.“I think to be honest, he always knew how hard-working my mom was, and that no matter what he did, investing in whatever her heart desired was a sure thing.It can be tough, but I know she’s got what it takes.”

“That is how I feel about this place.I just ...I needed something for my own.I don’t know if you know this, but I had no one growing up.I was dumped at a foster place.No name, no date of when I was born.My birthday is literally the day I was dropped off.”

Ava had no idea.

“I spent eighteen years watching families come and pick kids.They never wanted me.They always looked at me and figured I was going to be a handful, or there were prettier kids.Nicer kids.I don’t know.Either way, I always had a dream, and it was to never allow any children I had to end up in that place, to become financially secure, and to be better.”Lauren frowned.

She couldn’t help it, she went to the other woman and wrapped her arms around her.“You are better,” Ava said.

Lauren tensed in her arms and didn’t return the hug.Ava figured she might have crossed the line.

“You go on,” Lauren said.“I’ll clean up here.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“I’ve not upset or offended you?”Ava asked.

“It’s going to take more than a hug to do that.”

Ava didn’t know for sure, but she didn’t argue.Lauren was the boss.

Pat was there, standing by her car.“I’ve got to go and pick up Bernice.”