Page 45 of Flippin' Cowboy
And immediately regretted when brain freeze drove a spike of pain through her forehead. “Ugh. I’m not interested in reliving the worst hour of my life, thank you very much,” she managed, pressing the palm of her hand against her forehead. “Doing it live the first time was bad enough.”
Nick’s expression softened. Was that actually sympathy? “I can’t imagine. At least I was alone when Tiffani walked out on me. I didn’t have to try to keep it together in front of an audience and a bunch of cameras. And I didn’t have a bunch of tabloids up in my business, either.”
“Right,” Winnie said, shocked that he understood.
“But you’re still coming with me,” he continued.
She let her head loll back against the sofa cushions. “Dude, you’re relentless.”
“Don’t let your asswipe of an ex get the last laugh,” Nick urged her. “Besides, Karla says she has a surprise—a good one—for us.”
“Karla’s surprises are never good.” Winnie shook her aching head. “Nick, if you really understand how I’m feeling right now, then leave me the hell alone.”
“Sorry, but I can’t do that.” He bent and scooped her up with effortless strength.
“Nick! Stop it!” She gasped, clinging to his broad shoulders as her sheltering blankets slid away, revealing her pink flannel PJs and fuzzy panda slippers.
“We’re going, and that’s that. Don’t make me dress you,” he threatened, setting her firmly on her feet. “Because if I can get Kegan dressed and ready for school while he’s in the middle of throwing a full-fledged tantrum, I can deal withyou.”
She couldn’t help laughing at the mental image he conjured. But he seemed deadly serious. She threw up her hands and surrendered. “Fine. I’ll go get dressed. I’ll even put on makeup.” She shook her finger at him. “But you and Karla both owe me big time.”
He laughed and surprised her once again when he bent to hug her.
She leaned into the embrace. She wanted to stay here like this, pressed against his hard chest and surrounded by his intoxicating scent and his strong arms.
All too soon, he released her.
“Let’s go to that viewing party and show everyone what you’re made of, Winter Snowberry.”
∞∞∞
Winnie put her hand on the knob of The Yummy Cowboy’s vintage glass door and hesitated when she caught sight of the crowd already gathered inside the diner. And the huge flatscreen TV mounted behind the breakfast counter.
Nick’s arm came around her shoulders. “You can do this,” he said, giving her a friendly squeeze that made her want to burrow inside his fleece-lined jacket. “I got your back.”
“Thanks,” she said with genuine gratitude and pushed open the door.
“They’re here!” someone called.
The diner fell silent as everyone gathered in the dining room turned to look at Winnie and Nick.
She recognized most of the faces staring at her: theReviving Snowberry Springsstaff; her carpenter, Jason Lund; Richard Stinson and his son Rick from Stinson & Sons Plumbing; and her painters, drywallers, framers, and the family who owned the asbestos removal firm.
Then she spotted Mom, Dad, Autumn, Summer, and Spring sitting on the long banquettes built along the side wall.
Mom waved at her. “We came to support you, sweetie!”
Then Jason leaped to his feet, clapping loudly. The other guests immediately followed his example. Thunderous applause filled the diner in a standing ovation.
Winnie’s eyes stung and her vision blurred. She blinked back tears as the applause continued. Nick’s arm left her shoulders, but his hand rested at the small of her back, offering steady reassurance.
When the clapping finally died down, Winnie swallowed hard. “Thank you, everyone. As you know, this isn’t going to be easy for me. It means a lot that you all came here for me tonight.”
A chorus of “Aw,” and “You go, girlfriend!” sounded as Nick escorted her to the table where Karla and Grandma Abigail awaited them.
Summer, Brock, and their servers distributed soft drinks, hot beverages, and platters of delectable appetizers before joining the Snowberry family on the banquette.
Then the familiar music ofRestoring Seattle’sopening credits began to play.
