Page 17 of Cold Winter Nights

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know, I um…”

Stone waved off the words Royal couldn’t think to say.

“It was a long time ago. I’ve made my peace with it. Ben and I had a long time together. I’m fortunate he died quick and didn’t suffer. And I’m glad I wasn’t there when it happened.”

Stone must’ve been able to tell what Royal was thinking because he continued.

“He was working. He had his own tree-cutting business.” Stone had stopped eating and was staring out of the window. “He um…he had a… Just one of those freak accidents that comes with lumber hauling. And he…he fell almost thirty feet and broke four of his seven cervical vertebrae.”

Oh god, a broken neck.

Royal’s heart clenched. That sudden loss had to be devastating.

“You don’t have to look like that, Royal. Like I said, eight years is a long time to make peace with it. Uh, life goes on, ya’know.”

“I know,” he said gently.

Neither spoke while they ate, every now and then exchanging heated glances.

When they were finished eating, Myra took their plates and refilled their drinks since neither of them got up to leave.

After a long moment, Stone asked,” Why are you here, Royal?”

The question was asked with such bluntness, he didn’t know if Stone was happy or annoyed at his presence.

Stone cleared his throat, “I mean, why would you leave a playground like Manhattan, for a town like Windeville, a place you can barely spot on a map.”

Royal took a deep breath, hoping he had the strength to explain his situation in a way that didn’t make him appear weak in front such a strong man.

“That place you think is a playground, is a mirage, Stone. It’s theOdyssey’sLotus Land.” Royal barked a humorless laugh. “You think you’re having the time of your life, but you really killing yourself.”

Stone stared unblinking at him.

“I’ve worked in finance since I graduated from Dartmouth. Numbers and calculations was all I knew.” Royal took another drink, whether to quench his dry throat or for courage, he wasn’t sure. “I’d worked my way up in the biggest firm in New York, and I’d deluded myself into thinking that money was the way to happiness.”

Stone watched him, and Royal thought he saw tenderness temper his sharp gaze.

“Before I knew it, I realized I had no friends, I’d isolated myself from my family and only brother. I turned down dates like it was second nature, convinced my right hand would be enough.”

Color tinged Stone’s cheeks, but he kept his expression composed.

“I thought I didn’t need anything in life except my job, and my big bank account. I worked nonstop to become partner, not caring who I had to trample over to get there.” Royal let out a disgusted laugh, as shame washed over his spirit. It almost drowned him, but he pushed it back.

“One day, a regular day like any other. I was at my desk, working on a client’s portfolio. The guy—doesn’t matter who he is…was—asked me to make an insane investment. I knew it was risky, but I thought, if I made this work, my reputation as a financial genius would be validated and I’d be made partner before the funds were even deposited in the company’s account.”

Dread filled the pit of Royal’s stomach, making his beef and noodles threaten to reappear on the clean, white tablecloth.

What if Stone thought he was a vile, wretched man who didn’t deserve to be in their polite town?

Stone leaned in, put his big hand on the table and reached towards him. Royal’s breath stuttered. He hadn’t expected Stone to lay his rough palm over his.

He closed his eyes, sinking into the chair as ease and understanding moved through him. Stone’s touch felt so damn good he wanted to moan. His hands were warm and hardened from tough work…realwork.

“Keep going,” Stone rumbled, that rich voice soothing Royal’s beaten soul.

“I took the risk, I gambled another person’s money, for my own selfish reasons.” Fear rippled through him, and he couldn’t look at Stone during his confession. “I lost. I lost it all. While the guy wasn’t exactly broke, he certainly wasn’t a millionaire anymore. And I guess um…it was…”

Stone squeezed and turned Royal’s palm up in his. “Keep going.”

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