And, unlike Kelsey, she had never wanted to fall hopelessly in love. Hopeless perfectly described what she’d seen too often: a woman sacrificing more of herself and her ambitions to accommodate a growing family’s needs than any man.
Perhaps some couples balanced those competing goals better than others, but on the whole, traditional gender roles still persisted in Sterling Canyon. Maybe Avery would feel differently if she were more maternal or romantic. Maybe she’d even welcome the idea. But, “for better or worse,” she knew her limitations.
She saw no reason to give so much up for a man when a man couldn’t always be trusted to hold up his end of that bargain, especially a ski pro like Matt—and probably Grey Lowell, too.
Gulping down the rest of her Sapporo, she forced herself to muster enthusiasm for Kelsey’s chatter about how she planned to woo Grey.
It would be a long night.
Her phone rang while they were waiting for the check. The display read “Sterling Canyon Medical Center.” As an orthopedic physical therapist, Avery often dealt with the hospital, but rarely this late on a Saturday night.
“Why the scowl?” Emma asked.
She held up her pointer finger as she answered her phone. “Hello?”
“Avery, this is Nurse Harding over at the med center. I’m calling about your brother Andy. He’s been involved in a car accident. Are you able to come to the hospital now?”
An accident?
A mystifying sense of calmness descended despite her unsteady hands. “Wait, what?” Avery uttered, her mind wiped clear of all thought. The hum of background conversations seemed to grow louder, but that couldn’t be right. “How bad is it?”
“He’s in critical condition. How far away are you?”
Throughout the many years Avery had interacted with Janet Harding, she’d never before encountered this dire tone. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Her hands trembled as she shoved her phone in her purse. “Andy’s been in a car accident.” She stood to go, then remembered she hadn’t paid the bill. Her body overheated as she dug around for her wallet and keys. Absently, she threw forty dollars on the table. “I’ve got to get to the emergency room. Let me know if this doesn’t cover my share of the tab.”
“Wait a second.” Emma grasped Avery’s forearm. “We’ll come with you.”
“No, please.” She patted Emma’s hand. “Don’t come. I’ll call if I need you, I promise.”
“Aren’t you going to call your parents first?” Emma looked anxious.
“Not until I have all the facts. Sorry, gotta go!” Avery exited the restaurant and sprinted to her car.
Ten minutes later, Avery darted through the emergency room doors. Fortunately her frequent interaction with the hospital staff afforded her quick service. Janet whisked her out of the reception area and into the bowels of the facility.
“How’s my brother?” Avery fixed her gaze on Janet.
“He’s sustained a concussion, some broken ribs, and a traumatic pneumothorax. The puncture was significant, requiring surgery to insert a chest tube. The doctor couldn’t wait for consent before getting started. Andy’ll have to stay here to be monitored for several days while the lung re-expands and stabilizes.”
Flattening her hand against her breastbone, Avery gasped. “Can I speak with him?”
“He’s still in surgery, then he’ll be in the recovery room beyond the end of visiting hours. You probably won’t be able to see him until tomorrow morning, but if you want to leave him a note, I’ll make sure he gets it.” Janet handed Avery a notepad and pen.
In her peripheral vision, Avery noticed two policemen hovering nearby. Frowning, she whispered from the side of her mouth, “Why are the cops here?”
Janet’s gaze darted from the officers to Avery. “They must’ve just finished taking the victim’s statement.”
“Victim? What happened—a robbery gone bad?”
“No.” Janet grimaced. “Andy’s victim.”
“What?” White noise rushed through Avery’s ears as her heart rate sped up. “Why?”
“Andy was drunk when he hit the cyclist.”
Chapter Two
Avery exited the hospital the next afternoon, her body aching as if she’d been the one who’d undergone surgery and was facing criminal charges. Her parents had just called her to say they were only minutes away, having made the nine-hour drive from Phoenix in record time.
Squinting, she shielded her eyes with one hand. The incandescent sunlight reflecting off the fresh snow clashed with the occasion. She needed sleep. She needed a shower. She needed the police to back off and let her brother rest.