Page 14 of Wynter's Second Chance

Wynter led us to a corner booth, motioning for me to sit before taking his own seat.

The restaurant was low-key, but with enough charm to make it feel like a special spot in our little town. It had a warm, rustic vibe—exposed brick walls, soft lighting, and touches of pine garland hung over the windows, adding a hint of the season. A small Christmas tree glowed in the corner, its lights casting a soft reflection on the polished wood floors. The tables were simple but cozy, each topped with a small candle that flickered just enough to make the space feel intimate without trying too hard. It felt like the kind of place you’d want to linger over a meal, wrapped in the comfort of good food and familiar company.

He glanced around, a flicker of some dark thought in his gaze, but he shook it off, his focus snapping back to me.

“Feels weird being out like this,” he said, a little too quickly, then let out a rough laugh. “Not having a set schedule has me all twisted up.”

“Bet it does. Routine becomes part of you after a while.” I shrugged, thinking of my own routines at Mabel’s. “How was your day?”

“Not bad. Busy, though,” I said, noticing his intent gaze. “I’ve got this new cashier I’m training, and she’s sweet, but she hasn’t quite mastered the register yet.”

He chuckled, a faint dimple appearing in his cheek. “Bet she’ll get there. You're good at what you do.”

“Thanks. It’s not always easy, but, you know.”

The server came by, leaving a small bread basket. I reached out just as Wynter did, our fingers brushing over the edge of the basket. He pulled back a second too late, and I heard the sharp intake of his breath, the sound quiet but enough to send a zing racing up my spine. My hand froze for a split second, a strange heat prickling along my skin.

I glanced over, catching the hint of something on his face—an expression that flickered and was gone before I could name it. His gaze was fixed on the roll in his hand, jaw tight, but his eyes held a kind of intensity that felt... new. It was like a question he wasn’t quite ready to ask, leaving a tension between us that felt almost tangible.

Shaking it off, I took a slow breath and went back to my roll, but the warmth lingering from that brief touch didn’t fade.

“Any job leads?” I asked.

“Yeah, actually.” He took a slow breath, like he was testing the words. “The best one’s as a phys-ed teacher over at the high school. They want to start an ROTC program too, and…” He trailed off, his gaze dipping, a bit unsure. “Feels like it could be a good fit. Familiar territory, you know?”

“You’d be great at that, man. Plus, you’d get to work with kids who probably need someone like you—someone steady.”

He let out a quiet chuckle, crossing his arms and leaning back a bit. "Yeah, maybe. It's different from my old life, that's for sure."

“That’s great! I remember you were never without a plan.” I was genuinely impressed. Wynter had only been in town for a day, but his plan seemed ready. Royce was lost for months when he arrived. But Wynter wasn’t Royce. He’d probably developed a strategy and started reaching out to people even before he submitted his resignation.

“Yeah.” His smile was quick and easy. “I like being organized. But Royce—he…” He paused. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up. This is a difficult time for you anyway, with Christmas right around the corner.”

“There’s no need to apologize.” I sighed. “It’s been five years. And that’s a lifetime when you’re raising a young child. I do miss him every day. But he isn’t here—and even when he was… things weren’t easy. You know that. I don’t have to hide anything from you. Royce never adjusted to civilian life. He couldn’t… but I hope you can.”

“Yeah.” He glanced down, then looked back up, locking his blue-eyed gaze on mine. “I miss him, too. He was my best friend. And I want to be there for you guys.”

“You’ve already done more than enough for us, Wynter. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have made it in those initial weeks and months. It was a relief that you were around and not posted abroad.”

“I took two months’ leave,” he admitted.

All of a sudden, my skin tingled. I’d assumed at the time that he’d been posted locally, that he’d just made it a point to stick around. I didn’t know he’d actually taken leave to be there for me and Rory. “That was so thoughtful—I don’t think I ever said thank you.” What he did was so incredibly unselfish and caring that I didn’t have words to describe the gratitude that filled myheart. Without him, I might not have made it. Wyn was such a special guy, and Lisa was lucky to have him. It might be indecent of me to think about a married man like this, but I couldn’t help it.

“There isn’t any need.” His voice pulled me from my thoughts. “I needed you guys just as much as you needed me. His… death devastated me. And the guilt…” He shook his head. “It was tough. I wish I’d been around more when he was here. If I’d understood his pain, maybe I could have helped him in those crucial days.”

“Don’t blame yourself,” I said, even though that same guilt was a constant part of my life. “You did so much.”

His expression clearly showed that he didn’t think he’d done enough. But he used to spend time with Royce whenever he got the chance.

An easy silence fell, comfortable but tinged with a kind of awareness. I could feel his gaze on me, and he didn’t look away when I glanced up.

Our food arrived then, giving us a welcome distraction. Wynter had ordered a pulled pork sandwich with a side of crispy sweet potato fries, and I had a grilled chicken wrap with a mix of greens. Nothing fancy, but it smelled incredible.

I took a bite, savoring the tangy sauce and fresh crunch. “Man, this place always knows how to do it right.”

Wynter nodded, chewing thoughtfully. “It’s good to be back in town.” He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. “Around people who knew me before.”

“Umhm.” I set down my wrap, wiping my fingers on the napkin. “There have been some changes around here, but nothing that would make you feel off balance, you know what I mean? I bet Lisa is happy to have you back home for good.”

---