Free Blaze of Winter: A Loveswept Contemporary Romance by Elisabeth Barrett Page A

that hit him in the gut whenever he was around her. His affairs in San Francisco had been so cold, bloodless, even, that he’d almost forgotten how invigorating passion could be. Nothing like a little—or a lot—of tension to fuel his fire. He’d always thrived under pressure, and it seemed as if his desire to woo Avery—and her resistance to his advances—was simply ratcheting up the stakes, day by day.
    It had taken a woman like Lexie to bring Seb to his knees. He was beginning to realize that Avery had that same potential for him. His titian-haired beauty was like one of those wooden box puzzles—one he wanted to solve, layer by layer, to find out what lay beneath the surface. Never before had he been as interested in figuring someone out. Far from making him nervous, the prospect intrigued him.

CHAPTER 7
    Avery sighed and leaned back into the wooden chair in the kitchen of her sister’s large farmhouse. She was typically freezing in the drafty house, but for once she felt warm, no doubt due to the enormous dinner she’d just eaten. “Oh, that was wonderful,” she said, temporarily relaxing her usually straight posture. Slouching after a satisfying meal wasn’t just allowed, it was almost required.
    Emma grinned as she assumed an identical position in her own chair. “Now you understand why I simply had to marry this man. He makes the absolute best fisherman’s stew you can possibly imagine.”
    “I don’t have to imagine. I just ate two bowls of it.”
    Jimmy rose, a smug look on his face. “Only one of the ways I wooed you, baby.” He kissed the top of Emma’s head and began to clear the plates.
    “And he cleans,” Emma said. “I am a lucky, lucky woman.”
    Avery nodded. “Jimmy, thank you. It was delicious.”
    The huge, blond man gave her a smile. “It’s nice to cook for people who appreciate it. Come over any time.”
    “Be careful or I might take you up on that offer.”
    “You know our house is always open to you, Avery,” Emma said, looking serious for a moment.
    “I do. But I also know that you two just got married and you probably appreciate your privacy.”
    Emma waited until Jimmy had his back turned. She gave a little satisfied smile and pointed at the big man’s back. Avery stifled a laugh. She was glad her quiet older sister hadfound happiness with a man who for all intents and purposes seemed her exact opposite. With an outgoing, oversized personality and a body to match, Jimmy had drawn Emma out of her shell in such a loving, natural way that Avery could not have been more thrilled. He was truly worthy of Emma.
    “So it’s still early. What’s on tap for this evening?”
    “You’re not going to believe this, but I’m actually dusting off my violin tonight.”
    Emma sat up straight in her chair. “Really? That’s great, Avie! Where are you playing?”
    “Luke Bedwin asked me to sit in on a rehearsal with him and some other locals who play in a chamber music group. We’re meeting at the Episcopal Church, right off the Green.”
    “It’s been so long since you’ve played. It’ll feel good to get back to it.”
    Avery shrugged. “I suppose. I had so little time while I was in Boston. I think the last time I played was a couple of years ago with that Back Bay group, but now that I have nothing to do …”
    Emma waved her hand. “Oh, stop that. This is why I encouraged you to stay longer in Star Harbor. The most important thing you can do is take care of yourself.”
    “It doesn’t feel that way.” She shook her head.
    “It never does,” Jimmy interjected sagely, coming back to collect the rest of the dishes. “Soul searching’s the hardest.”
    Seemed like everyone in Star Harbor was a philosopher. Avery just shrugged and went with it. “I know you’re right, but I just don’t feel like I’ve made much progress in figuring out my future. Especially because I keep getting sidetracked with other stuff.”
    “Like what?” Emma asked.
    Avery shot a