Page 64 of Carpenter's Christmas Bride

They moved inside and he closed the door behind himself, so as not to let out the heat. The room was as bright as ever with the mirrors bouncing the afternoon sunlight around.

“Go ahead and sit,” he told her. “I wanted to tell you a few things, if that’s okay?”

“Of course,” she said, leaning her crutches against the sofa and lowering herself onto it.

He knew he should sit too, but he couldn’t help pacing a little.

“I owe you an apology,” he said, forcing himself to face her again, even though the sight of her was making him want to do things he shouldn’t. “I’ve been beating around the bush, hanging out and enjoying myself instead of talking with you about what we both want.”

“Oh,” she said.

“This is for you,” he said, placing his offering on the coffee table in front of her. “Just a token of apology, for being an idiot. I know you like watching movies, and I thought this stuff would be good for a movie night.”

Her face lit up as she took in the box of stuff he’d put together for her. There were chocolates, envelopes of hot cocoa, and some fancy flavored popcorns from the Co-op, as well as a low vase of yellow roses and baby’s breath.

“Thank you,” she told him with a radiant smile. “This was so nice of you. But you don’t need to apologize to me. You haven’t been an idiot.”

“Well, I haven’t made my intentions clear,” he said. “And that’s partly because I know your dreams are elsewhere.”

She frowned.

“But you need to know that I understand about that,” he said before she could say anything else. “I won’t judge you for whatever decisions you make down the line. For now, though… Well, I’m pretty rusty at this dating thing, but I’d like to take you out—really take you out, like for a nice dinner. I got us a reservation at the Village Green tonight if you’re interested.”

Her eyes got all big, and he felt like weight was lifting.

“And if I’ve read this whole thing wrong, and you’re only looking for friendship, I’m okay with that too,” he told her. “But you deserve to know my feelings. And I like you a lot, Kenzie Forrest.”

“Me too,” she told him, her eyes twinkling.

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said.

He felt a pull toward her like there was a hook through his chest, and he was moving to the couch to take her hands in his when his phone began buzzing.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Walt’s at that camp…”

“Of course,” she said. “Get it.”

He pulled his phone from his pocket and felt his stomach twist when he saw the number. He slid his thumb across to answer as fast as he could.

“Hello,” he said frantically.

“Is this Aidan Webb?” the woman on the other end asked in a pinched voice.

“Yes,” he said. “Is Walt okay?”

“He’s fine,” the lady sighed. “But he took off again and this time he got as far as the parking lot. I hate to do this, but I just can’t have him here. We’re not equipped for this kind of situation. It’s just a camp, and my teachers are mostly college students on vacation?—”

“Understood,” he said quickly. “I’ll come get him now.”

“Thank you, Mr. Webb,” she said, her relief evident in her voice.

He hung up, feeling foolish for thinking he could be someone’s boyfriend and Walt’s dad at the same time. Maybe he should just take back what he’d said to Kenzie and ask if friendship was still on the table. She deserved better than this.

“Is he okay?” she asked softly.

“He’s fine,” Aidan said, turning to see her eyes were filled with compassion. “It’s just hard for him to behave himself there. I’m really sorry, but I need to go.”

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