Page 22 of Reaching Little Robyn

Moving the bag so that it was braced under her ankle instead of pressed to its side, he looked at Robyn’s toes when they curled with the sensation of the coldness moving. The nails were painted the prettiest shade of purple. The color matched her outfit which reminded him of one he’d see when watching old vintage movies.

She’d said she wasn’t a Little, not when at work, but it was clear she wasn’t the typical B&B owner. Her entire place felt likehe’d taken a step back in time. From the colors on the walls, the throw pillows on the overstuffed chairs and couches to the framed samplers hanging on the walls, it was obvious she loved vintage items of the past. He found it was suiting him as well. He’d never felt more comfortable in any home before.

When brays of laughter turned to snorts and then hiccups, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her.

“Tha-thanks,” she said, giving a hiccup in the middle of the word. “I’m sorry. I-I wasn’t laughing at you?—”

“Yes you were, but it’s okay. You’re not the first to do so and most likely won’t be the last.”

She used the cloth to wipe her eyes and then looked up at him. “You’re a nice man, aren’t you?”

“I’ve always tried to be. If not nice exactly, at least fair.” When she didn’t respond, he nodded his head to gesture at the room they were sitting in. “Your place is more than nice. It’s like you’ve opened your arms wide to say, ‘Welcome and come in and stay a while’. It’s very unpretentious and comfortable.”

“Thank you. I’ve had pictures in my head ever since I was a little girl. Hayleigh helped me bring them to life. I couldn’t have done it without her and my other friends. I’m glad you like it.”

“Does that mean you’re going to let me stay?” he asked, only half teasing.

She blushed, looked down and then gestured to her foot. “I suppose so. I mean, if you said Master Derek made the reservation, then I believe you do have one. And, since you seem to have saved me from myself yet again, what sort of B&B proprietor would I be if I kicked you to the curb?”

“Not a very nice one,” he said, echoing her words from earlier. “Thank you,” he added, dropping a kiss to the top of her head which shocked not only Robyn, but him as well. “Sorry.”

“I hope not,” she said softly. “It was… nice.”

Relief and hope surged through him but along with it came caution. He didn’t want to assume anything nor ruin what seemed to be a bond growing between them. He knew it was as fragile as the bones in her ankle, something to be careful with and protected until it was as solid as a rock.

“It was,” he agreed. “Now, is there anything you need to do for your guests this afternoon?”

“No, not really. I mean, they are all checked in, with the exception of you, but I don’t provide lunch unless perhaps filling a picnic basket is requested and I have no intention of cooking dinner.”

“Then there’s nothing keeping you here.” Winston pulled the ice bag from under her ankle before sliding his arm beneath her knees and standing up.

With a softohhhof surprise at being moved, Robyn’s arm slid around his neck. “Where are we going?”

“First, I’m taking you over to the infirmary to get your ankle checked out.”

“You don’t need to do that. If it was broken, I couldn’t move it.”

“Does it hurt? And don’t even think about fibbing to me.”

Her eyes rounded and her cheeks pinkened. “I guess a little.”

“Then we need a professional’s opinion.” He was adjusting her in order to reach down to grab the front doorknob when she put her free hand on his arm.

“Wait, what about my shoes?”

He pushed the door open and stepped out onto the porch. “You won’t need them.”

“What? You planning on carrying me around like a sack of potatoes?”

Winston didn’t even pause as he took the steps from the porch to the ground. “You are far more precious than a sack of potatoes, and your bones far more fragile, little bird. I’m nothaving your feet hit the ground again until the doctor confirms doing so won’t cause you any further harm. Is that clear?”

CHAPTER 10

Robyn

She hesitated in giving an answer, but not because she felt panicked as she had that day in the cafeteria. Instead, she was contemplating his words, trying to decide if he was as sincere as he appeared or was just parroting Daddy phrases he’d had to have heard since he’d been at Rawhide. He might not be staying there, but his presence in the cafeteria as well as at last night’s Meet and Greet meant he’d been hanging around for over a week now.

He’s a rooster, not a parrot.

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