Page 8 of Close to Heaven

He turned, and she was grinning. “What is it?”

“She said, and I quote, you better be nice to me, or else!”

He raised his brows and chuckled. “Sounds like Dakota, all right.”

“She also sends her love and said she’ll come and visit real soon.”

That sounded like his sister too. She liked to give him hell, but she also worried about him and tried to mother him. He didn’t want mothering, though. All he needed to be happy was work, his dog, and the mountains.

“Let me know if you need anything,” he said and started walking away again. He half-expected her to say something else, as talkative as she seemed, but she didn’t. He was partway up the hill leading to his own cabin, Close to Heaven, when he glanced back. To his surprise, she was still standing in the doorway, watching him. They briefly locked eyes, and then she backed into the cabin and shut the door.

He and Smoky continued up the hill, and both were breathing hard once they reached the top. He didn’t mind, though. He relished the feeling of fresh air in his lungs, burn in his muscles, and clearheadedness that accompanied hiking.

He couldn’t imagine living in the city, like Dakota did. Whenever he’d visited her in Knoxville, he couldn’t wait to get back home. He wasn’t enticed by the nightlife, abundance of restaurants, or variety of women (as his brother, Cody, had claimed). He was perfectly content in his neck of the woods at the base of the Smoky Mountains, and he suspected he always would be.

A short time later, he was sprawled out on the couch, watching a football game, with Smoky acting as his feet warmer, when the door opened and a cool gust of air blew in.

“What the…?” Jax muttered as he sat up and glared at his uninvited guest.

“Relax. It’s just me,” Cody said as he shut the door and sauntered into the living room. He plunked down on the recliner, and Smoky immediately hopped off the couch and went over to greet him.

Traitor dog, Jax thought as his brother stroked Smoky’s sleek black coat. “I never should have given you my door code,” he complained.

“Well, hello to you too, grumpy.”

“I’m only grumpy when you barge in unannounced.”

“What’s the big deal? It’s not like you ever have company.”

“That’s not true.”

“One time, and believe me, I wish I could unsee it.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“What was her name again?”

It took him a moment to remember. It had happened a few months ago when he’d foolishly gone to the bar alone, drunk too much, and brought her home with him. “Tracy, I think.”

“She was hot, but not as hot as the woman I saw at Sweet Dreams earlier!”

Jax bristled. “You mean Avery.”

“I figured you’d know her name. Is she here alone?” Cody’s eyes sparked with interest.

“You didn’t recognize her?”

“No. Should I have?”

“She’s Dakota’s best friend!” Jax couldn’t really fault Cody for not recognizing her, since he hadn’t seen her in a long time, either. Still, he felt like his brother needed the reminder.

“That Avery? What’s she doing here?”

“She works here.”

“Since when?”

“She starts tomorrow. She’s taking over for Mary.”