Erica Spindler Read Online Free PDF Page A

left.
    Avery went through the motions. She ate, commented on the food, joined in story swapping. But her heart wasn’t in it. Nor was anyone else’s, that was obvious to her. As was how hard they were trying to make it like it used to be. How hard they were wanting to comfort with normalcy.
    But how could anything be normal ever again? In years gone by, her parents had sat with her at this table. She, Matt and Hunter would have been clustered together, whispering or joking.
    She missed Hunter, Avery realized. She felt the lack of his presence keenly.
    Hunter had been the most intellectual of the group. Not the most intelligent, because both he and Matt had sailed through school, neither having to crack a book to maintain an A average, both scoring near-perfect marks on their SATs.
    But Hunter had possessed a sharp, sarcastic wit. He’d been incapable of the silliness the rest of them had sometimes wallowed in. He had often been the voice of wry reason in whatever storm was brewing.
    She hadn’t been surprised to hear he had become a successful lawyer. Between his keen mind and razor-sharp tongue, he’d no doubt consistently decimated the opposition.
    She brought him up as Lilah served the pie. “Matt tells me that Hunter’s moved back to Cypress Springs. I’d hoped he would be here tonight.”
    Silence fell around the table. Avery shifted her gaze from one face to the next. “I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?”
    Buddy cleared his throat. “Of course not, baby girl. It’s just that Hunter’s had some troubles lately. Lost his partnership in the New Orleans law firm. Was nearly disbarred, from what I hear. Moved back here about ten months ago.”
    â€œI don’t know why he bothered,” Matt added. “For all the time he spends with his family.”
    Cherry frowned. “I wish he hadn’t come home. He only did it to hurt us.”
    â€œNow, Cherry,” Buddy murmured, “you don’t know that.”
    â€œThe hell I don’t. If he was any kind of brother, any kind of son, he would be here for us. Instead, he—”
    Lilah launched to her feet. Avery saw she was near tears. “I’ll get the coffee.”
    â€œI’ll help.” Cherry tossed her napkin on the table and got to her feet, expression disgusted. She looked at Avery. “Tell you the truth, all Hunter’s ever done is break our hearts.”

CHAPTER 3
    T alk of Hunter drained the joy from the gathering, and the remainder of the evening passed at a snail’s pace. Lilah’s smile looked artificial; Cherry’s mood darkened with each passing moment and Buddy’s jubilance bordered on manic.
    Finally, pie consumed, coffee cups drained, Avery said her thanks and made her excuses. Cherry and Lilah said their goodbyes in the dining room; Buddy accompanied her and Matt to the door.
    Buddy hugged her. “You broke all our hearts when you left. But no one’s more than mine. I’d had mine set on you being my daughter.”
    Avery returned his embrace. “I love you, too, Buddy.”
    Matt walked her to her car. “Pretty night,” she murmured, lifting her face to the night sky. “So many stars. I’d forgotten how many.”
    â€œI enjoyed tonight, Avery. It was like old times.”
    Avery met his eyes; her pulse fluttered.
    â€œI’ve missed you,” he said. “I’m glad you’re back.”
    She swallowed hard, acknowledging that she’d missed him, too. Or more accurately, that she’d missed standing with him this way, in his folks’ driveway, under a star-sprinkled sky. Had missed the familiarity of it. The sense of belonging.
    Matt put words to her thoughts. “Why’d you leave, Avery? My dad was right, you know. You belong here. You’re one of us.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you go with me?” she countered. “I asked. Begged, if I remember