Free Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) by Nikki Lynn Barrett

us know.”
    As Rodney reached for a duffel bag and a rolling suitcase and turned away, a song by Avery’s idol, Belinda Wainscott played on the radio. Her old soul voice crooned a song about love, reuniting, and connecting. How fitting. It took a half hour for Avery’s mind and heart to stop racing so much and go back to normal. But this was surreal. She may finally learn about her biological father. She couldn’t keep her hopes up too high until the DNA testing had gone through.
    Who was she kidding? The excitement, the fear, the nervousness, it was all there.
    Today turned out to be better than she’d imagined.
    “Hey.” Lucas’s voice pulled Avery out of her thoughts. From one stranger in town to another. Lucas looked like he had something on his mind. He shifted as he stood behind the desk. Or in front of it, however one wants to think about it. Wow, her mind must really be a jumble if she contemplated which side of the desk was front or back.
    Okay, anyway.
    “Hi, Lucas,” Avery said breezily. What could he want now? To kiss and run, as he had the other night?
    “I hope you’re not upset with me,” Lucas started.
    “Why would I be upset, Lucas?”
    He sighed. “You’re not going to make this easy on me, are you? For kissing you and then bolting, Avery. That’s what.”
    Hurt flashed in his eyes.
    “I’m not upset. A little confused, but definitely not upset.” That was the truth. Confused at how much she liked it, yet how wrong it was. How the timing could be so off for sparks like that. For the guilt she carried over Jameson right now.
    “You’re not?” Why was he so surprised? Why would he expect her to be upset? That’s strange.
    “Of course not. Why would you think that, Lucas?”
    He opened his mouth, then shut it again, as if he couldn’t find the right words to say. “I guess I’m used to upsetting people,” he admitted and shrugged.
    “That’s not something you should get used to, Lucas. That’s ... sad, actually. Did you purposely upset someone?” Avery asked. What an odd conversation. Lucas appeared very agitated about something. But what?
    “Of course not!” he protested. His voice rang out, and he quieted down, frowning. “Sorry. No, I don’t go and purposely upset anyone. It’s- well, it’s just the way it’s gone so many times. I didn’t want you to wig out on me or something.”
    Avery lifted her eyebrows. “What, you thought I’d come to your room in the middle of the night, a raging lunatic and demand to know why you kissed me and ran off?” The image caught her off guard, and a giggle escaped her throat.
    The corners of Lucas’s lips lifted, then he looked down, chuckling. “Well, if you’d have done that, we could have finished what we started.”
    Zing! Heat brewed in her belly, sending her into a fit of odd sensations.
    “I’ll have to keep that in mind.”
    “Oh? Is that a threat, or a promise?” Lucas grinned, leaning closer.
    “You know, you probably shouldn’t be flirting with an innkeeper’s daughter. Because if you mess with me a little too much, I may have to clog your toilet or something,” Avery teased. She loved it, but if anyone walked in right now and saw this...
    Lucas reached out and clamped her hand in his. “Bring it on, and you’ll see if you won’t end up in my bed, suffering my wrath. Or enjoying it, whichever comes first.” His eyes bore into hers, an intensity so strong it gave Avery goosebumps. Lucas noticed this, took advantage and trailed a finger up her arm, only agitating the goosebumps and making them grow bigger. Avery pulled her arm away and backed up, still watching Lucas. He licked his lips, his tongue darting out as if he was trying to tease her. Oh, good gracious this man was like the devil!
    “You know where my room is. Consider that an open invitation. See you around. Oh, and, glad to know you’re not mad.” Lucas made a beeline for the exit, whistling as he left.
    Holy crap that man had an affect on