Page 63 of Savage Ends

Violet and Doc werehitting it off.Ava sat on the porch and watched the two just talking.She had never seen her sister so intensely curious in what a man had to say.She sipped at her coffee and enjoyed the cake.She knew it was one Lauren had baked.Lauren not only baked for the coffee shop, but she also did regular orders for special customers or occasions.She had a regular clientele.The other woman liked to keep busy, and Ava could relate.

“I don’t know if I should be happy or freaked out by that,” Pat said, coming to sit beside her.

Ava smiled at him.“It’s ...kind of strange.”

“If they get together, Violet will be my stepmom, and I don’t like that.Aren’t stepmoms supposed to be into the sons?”

Ava laughed.“I think you’ll be safe.Trust me, Violet has no interest in you.”

Ava looked toward Violet and Doc again, who seemed to be enjoying each other’s company.Her sister kept reaching out, touching Doc’s arm.She never recalled Violet being so familiar with anyone.

“You snuck out,” Pat said.

Ava sighed.“Yeah, uh, I am so sorry about that.”

“Do you regret what we did?”he asked.

“No, no, absolutely not,” Ava said.

“Why did you sneak out?”

“Because ...you looked so peaceful.And I know that is not a good reason, because in truth, that is every reason to stay.”She sighed.“Uh, this is ...I didn’t know what the protocol is.I’ve never been in this position, and I didn’t know if it would be awkward if I stayed.”

“Ava, you’re not a quick fuck, or some fun.”Pat reached out and took her hand.“I know we have an age gap.”

“I don’t care about that.”

“I do and I don’t.I keep telling myself you need to find someone your own age, but then I keep thinking about you with someone your own age, and I can’t stand it.I don’t want to see you in another man’s arms.I want you to be my girl.Only mine.”

This was more than she could have hoped for.She took a deep breath, and she felt that fluttering in her stomach.She smiled at him and nodded.“I’d like that.”

“Then it’s final, you’re my girl, Ava, and that means no more sneaking out.When I wake up, I want you there.When I go to sleep, I fucking want you there.Got it?”

Ava got to her feet, and she couldn’t resist taking a seat on his lap and smiling at him.“Got it.”

Pat massaged her thigh, and this felt good.It felt right.

“Do you need to get to work?”Pat asked.

Ava glanced down at the time and saw it was a little after three, and then groaned.“Crap, yes.”She winced.

“What’s going on?”Doc asked.

“Ava needs to get ready to go to work.I’ve got to head back.I work with my mom at the local fabric store,” Violet said.“Bull was being an ass and wouldn’t let us drive, so we need to hitch a ride back to town.”

Bull had already left, and the car he brought Rusty in had been taken to get cleaned.Grant was staying to keep an eye on Rusty.

“I’ll take you all back to town,” Doc said.

“Dad, you don’t need to do that,” Pat said.

“Yeah, I do, otherwise, you’ve got to take my car, and you may be a grown-ass man, but you’re still not driving my car,” Doc said.

Ava couldn’t believe how surreal it was to hear someone talk to Pat like that.This was father and son.

Pat didn’t ride up front.Violet got to the car, and jumped right in beside Doc.Bernice was between her and Pat in the back.

“Nice car, Doc,” Violet said.