Page 30 of Summer Redemption

This thing between us already feels so big and means so much to me even if I’m not ready to admit as much out loud and certainly not to him.

“Sunshine,” is shouted from behind us and I’m startled because we only started wandering through the market five minutes ago.

When Huxley gives my hand a squeeze, I’m expecting him to drop my hand and step away. I’m more than a little shocked when he pulls me closer to his side as I turn around.

“Oh,” the relief is evident in my voice as I smile and greet, “hi, Morgan.” My eyes drift to the man next to her who is wearing a police uniform, but I remember Jared and this guy is not him. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Hey, Morgan,” Huxley greets her. He gives a man nod, chin lift thing toward the guy, his voice still warm, “Walker.”

Morgan’s eyes travel down to where our hands are joined, and her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Yeah, get in line with the shock because I’m right there with you. She motions between us as a small smile on her face grows bigger and bigger with each second that passes.

“Woah,” her hand waves between us again, “I was not expecting this at all.”

I feel my cheeks heat and I swear my tongue gets stuck to the roof of my mouth. “It’s new,” Huxley tells her. “I knew the moment she came out to Limitless to check on the horses I needed to stake my claim and make Sunshine mine.”

“That’s really your name?” The officer comments, but there’s no malice in his voice, only amusement and curiosity.

Huxley stiffens, but I give his fingers a squeeze while I try and keep my voice neutral. I give a nod because it’s not like I haven’t gotten used to the question over the years. If Huxley thinks he’s the only one to make fun of my name, he’s wrong. I can’t even tell you how many times someone has asked me if my parents were hippies. I always found it funny since they’re the farthest from hippies as you can get. They just wanted my name to reflect their joy and love.

“It is,” I inform him and flash him a small smile.

“I’m so sorry. My manners got shocked right out of me.” Morgan shakes her head as she glances at our joined hands again. “This is my fiancé, Walker Montgomery. Walker, this is Wintervale’s newest returnee and veterinarian, Sunshine Holloway.”

The smile on my face grows and I gush, “You’re Roscoe’s dad.”

He chuckles and nods. “I am. I hope he was a good boy when Morgan brought him in for his checkup. It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Officer Montgomery,” I tell him honestly.

Anyone who can go up against someone’s brother, and have a dog as well taken care of and behaved as Roscoe, is a good person as far as I’m concerned. And I won’t hear any differently.

“Walker, please,” he insists, and I smile. He looks toward Morgan and then his watch. “I only have a few more minutes before I need to get back to walking the market.”

“Right,” Morgan exclaims, with another glance at our hands. “Sorry,” she directs toward us, “but it was nice seeing you again. Sunshine, we’ll have to get together for a girl’s night soon.”

“Of course. We’ll make plans with Sofie and Audrey.”

“Audrey would kill for a girl’s night,” Morgan jokes. “She’ll take any chance to have an adult night without the kids.”

With a wave, Walker leads her away. When they look at each other, even though it’s only a quick glance, I can see the love between them. I find myself looking up at Huxley and wondering if he looks at me the same way.

I hope so.

That thought stuns me momentarily. I want Huxley to look at me with love? The kind of love that feels like it’s destined for forever, like what is between Morgan and Walker?

The realization feels bigger, bigger than I should be dealing with on a summer day in the middle of Wintervale’s market. When the hell did this even happen?

I swear Huxley just swept into my life and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He wasn’t going to give up when I tried to ice him out. He’s beaten his fists against every wall I’ve tried to put up between us. It makes my head spin.

“You good?” Huxley’s voice pulls me out of my emotional spiral, and I swallow hard.

“Of course,” I chirp far too brightly.

He doesn’t say anything, but I catch the way he looks at me out of the corner of his eye like he doesn’t quite believe me. The warmth of his hand grounds me as I glance around.

Quite a few people are looking at us. They aren’t even trying to hide it. It shouldn’t be funny, but I find myself giggling.

Huxley grins at me even though he has no idea why I’m laughing. The way his dark eyes light up has me leaning toward him.

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