The Renegade Returns (Mill Town Millionaires) by Dani Wade

before he hurt her.
    If he wasn’t playing the game today, he definitely wasn’t feeling well. Of course, having your back muscles contract and not let go didn’t feel so good, no matter what your other health issues were.
    “Now, come in again tomorrow—”
    “I can’t afford that and you know it.”
    The bell over the door sounded as she glared at him. “You will come and you’re not going to pay for it, either, so get over that pride of yours. I want to keep you upright and mobile. That’s the goal.” For as long as I can.
    He gave a sage nod before glancing over her shoulder at the newcomer. “Well, I’ll be. Lucas Renegade Blackstone. I haven’t seen you since you went and got all famous.” He grinned. “At least, not in person.”
    Avery breathed deep, almost able to feel Luke’s gaze on her back. Unable to think of a delay, she reluctantly turned around to face him. Heat burned her cheeks as she remembered his kiss from the night before…and her response.
    “Avery here working on you, too?” Mr. Hutchens asked.
    “Sure is,” Luke said, flashing a grin in her direction.
    But not today. She’d have remembered if she had an appointment for him on today’s schedule, especially since they’d canceled the rest of the afternoon appointments for impending bad weather. So why was he here?
    “She treating you right?” Luke asked, oblivious to her inner panic.
    Mr. Hutchens stood a little taller, though Avery could tell by his quick breath that it hurt to do so. “Always,” the older man said. “And how’re the legs? I saw the footage on television. That wasn’t a pretty wreck.”
    The practice footage had played on newscasts in their county for weeks following the accident, then again after Luke had been released from the hospital. Since he was a homegrown celebrity, everyone around Black Hills had devoured the slightest tidbits about his accident and recovery.
    Avery studied Luke from under her lashes as the men talked sports. He leaned casually against his cane, as if it were an accessory instead of a necessity. While charming, he wasn’t laying it on thick. His responses to whatever Mr. Hutchens said were genuinely warm. She’d seen that same sincerity on his face during television interviews. He was honestly interested in other people, which made him so much more darn appealing.
    As if he needed any help with that.
    “Would you do me a favor, Mr. Hutchens? As soon as my slave driver here clears me to get back behind the wheel, how about we go for a nice, fast drive?”
    “Wow. I’ve never ridden in a really fast car. Reliable ones, yes, but never fast.” And the twinkle in the older man’s eyes told them just how exciting that would be for him.
    “Well, I have a beaut. She drives smooth and steady—unless there’s an operator error.” Luke winked at the older man. “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”
    “I’m pretty sure you won’t.”
    Avery laughed. Leave it to Mr. Hutchens to peg Luke so accurately.
    “You laugh, young lady,” Mr. Hutchens said, “but the truth is, when a chance comes once in a lifetime, you take it. And don’t rely on the brakes or you’ll regret it.”
    “Very sound advice,” Luke agreed. He tilted his head in Avery’s direction. “See? I’m right.”
    Ah, the polite male equivalent of I told you so .
    “Mr. Hutchens,” he said. “I’ll be in touch.”
    “I see my daughter pulling up in the parking lot,” Mr. Hutchens said. “And it’s almost time for my medicine. I will see you tomorrow, missy.”
    “Yes, sir,” she said, indulging in a quick hug.
    “And you,” he said, pinning Luke with a look, “you take good care of her, you hear?”
    “Oh, I will, sir.”
    Was she reading an innuendo in Luke’s reply that wasn’t there? A flush swept up her neck and across her cheeks.
    Maybe not, because Mr. Hutchens winked. “I can see she’s in good hands. Good afternoon, son. Missy.”
    “Let me walk you out, Mr. Hutchens,” Cindy