Page 64 of One Little Kiss
The tabloids exploded with theories and false information. The WB Group ended up putting out a statement, asking for privacy, but that never works. The tiny mountain town we call home has been better at keeping her safe than any statement we could give. Burke Hollow takes care of their own almost as well as the Westbrooks. They’ve run off more reporters in the past couple of weeks than an army of security ever could have.
“I know trusting someone doesn’t come easy to you, baby. But I promise on my life I’ll take good care of him.”
“I know you will,” she finally relents, releasing her wrist.
I move without thinking and take the battered hand in my grasp. Lifting it to my lips, I gently kiss the skin that’s smoothed over like a scar.
“Have you always done this?” I ask, nodding toward her wrist.
Embarrassed, she tries to pull it away.
“I’m not judging, Win. I’m trying to understand. I only want to help.”
She glances down at our feet, and I can see her fingers twitching on her right hand. If I wasn’t holding her left hand in mine, I have no doubt she’d be worrying her wrist again.
“I guess it’s like a nervous habit. I’ve done it since I was a kid, but it’s probably gotten worse since I lost my mom. I don’t even realize I’m doing it. I’ve actually rubbed the skin raw a few times, but was so lost in life I didn’t notice until I started to feel it scab over.” She peeks up at me with red cheeks. “You must think I’m insane.”
Releasing her wrist, I cup both of her cheeks in my hands. Glancing back and forth between her eyes, emotions well in my chest. “I think you’re incredible. Patient. Kind. I think you’ve been through a lot and it’s your way of handling stress because you’ve never had someone to help carry the burden. Someday, I hope you’ll understand that I want to be that person. I want to be your partner. The one to hold your hand when life is overwhelming.”
She swallows, then licks her lips. My gaze darts to the tip of her tongue, and I want that cherry cola taste so bad my body hums with need.
The sound of train tracks crashing has me pulling away. Three weeks ago, the sound would have sent me running, but now I walk to the other side of the room where Wes has dumped out the bucket of tracks, searching for a piece.
Winnie stands beside me, watching him. Without putting too much thought into it, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her into my side. My heart nearly explodes when she rests her head against me. I swear I heard a tiny sigh and I know I’m home.
“I hate that you’re still working the night shift, Win.”
Glancing down, I watch her lips curl into a hint of a smile. “I have to work, Colton. I have bills. A future to plan for.”
It guts me that she hasn’t included me in that future yet. “What if we hire you at the Lodge?”
She shakes her head. “I need the job at the hospital. It has benefits, and I can’t afford to be without insurance with Weston.”
“I’ll put you both on my insurance. Or I’ll pay for you to have your own.” Her widened gaze tells me I’m screwing this all up. Turning her in my arms, I hold her close, thankful she no longer pulls away immediately. “I meant it when I said I’m going to marry you, CC.”
Winnie rolls her eyes and turns to Wes. “Hey, buddy. You be good for Colton, okay?”
Wes nods, but otherwise doesn’t acknowledge her.
Before she can get away, I pull her in for a hug.
“Do you always try to fix everything?”
“When I can. But I’m not fixing things because I think you’re incapable. I want to fix things because it’s easy for me to do, and I want what’s best for you. I want to be what’s best for you.”
Winnie smooths down her hair while regarding Weston and me. She fidgets when she’s antsy or worried. “What are you going to do for dinner?”
“Oh, we have big plans, don’t we, buddy?” Wes is singularly focused when placing trains on his tracks.
“Yeah?” Winnie flashes a dimpled grin my way, and I want to kiss her senseless. Keeping my hands to myself is becoming harder by the day.
“Oh yeah. We’re going to McDonald’s.” I sense her hesitation and feel her concern like a wet blanket. “I know how to use car seats. We’ll sit in the back of the restaurant where it’s quieter, and I’ll bring his headphones. We’re good, Win. And he’s excited about going.”
When her eyes fill with tears, I feel as if I was just sucker punched. “It may not seem like much, but going to McDonald’s is a big treat for him. I can’t really afford to take him out very often.”
Fucking hell. If only she knew I’d buy the place if either of them asked. She turns and reaches for her purse. I grab a box of tissues and go to hand them to her, but she’s pulling out her wallet, and I stand there, confused.
When she tries to hand me a five-dollar bill and five ones, I narrow my eyes. Placing my hands on my hips, I let out a long sigh and get ready for our next battle. Money.
