“That’s what I told him,” his Aunt Ro said.
I’d forgotten she was there. I looked up, surprised and embarrassed as if I’d been caught doing something wrong.
She seemed to pick up on this. Or whatever the pointed look she gave Winter was about, I wasn’t sure. “I’m just going to duck up to the diner,” she said. “Leave you boys to talk.”
That made me check my watch because I’d lost track of time. “Oh,” I said, seeing it was already half past. “I must be going. My dad requested I buy him a sweet treat from the diner before I go back to work. He also requested I not tell my mother. There’s a tug of war of loyalty I’m not sure is entirely fair, but I told him I would.”
Winter chuckled.
“I don’t normally leave during my lunch break,” I admitted, not sure why. I wasn’t quite sure how to end this conversation, or maybe I felt the need to delay my leaving, or something.
“Oh, well, I’m very glad you did,” Winter said. “I appreciate it.”
Then his aunt Ro came up to him and handed him his coat. “I have a better idea. Why don’t you go to the diner with Deacon and bring us back some lunch?” she said. “I’ll stay here and watch the babies and keep going with the inventory.” She all but shoved him toward the door. “Save me the trip. Deacon, it was lovely to meet you. I hope to see you again soon. I’m sure I will.”
She gave Winter another look I couldn’t quite read. But she was right. I did need to leave.
Winter put his coat on, giving his aunt a severe stare as we went outside. I wasn’t good at reading between the lines. “Did you not want to walk with me?” I asked.
Winter’s eyes met mine, wide. “What? No, of course I do. She was just being a bit pushy. Please don’t think she was being rude.”
“I didn’t.”
“Good.” Then he seemed to notice two men over at the youth clinic who were watching us. He gave them a wave. “Rob, Gunter.”
“Afternoon,” they replied.
“You know people already,” I said as we began to walk.
“I do. Everyone here seems really nice.”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Have you lived here long?”
“All my life,” I replied as we rounded the corner onto Main Street. “I was born here. Dad’s had the vet clinic for as long as I can remember.”
“Nice.” He gestured up the street. “It’s such a pretty town. Was it fun to grow up in?”
I shrugged. “I suppose. I don’t know what it would have been like to grow up anywhere else.”
He smiled at that. “Fair enough.”
“I like small towns,” I admitted. “I went to college in Boise, and the noise and the crowds were a lot. I like the quiet here.”
I felt his gaze on me but I didn’t look at him. “I like it too,” he said.
“I would go fishing with my dad in the summer,” I said, again not entirely sure why I volunteered that. “And skiing and hiking. I tried soccer, but I was never good at that.”
“Sports really aren’t my forte,” he said. “And as for skiing and hiking, I wouldn’t be opposed as long as there’s a promise of no bears.”
We got to the diner, and he held the door for me. I went inside, but it was warm and there were so many sweet smells, plus it was busy and there was so much noise. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t want to embarrass myself by leaving. And I didn’t want to stop my conversation with Winter.
I liked him.
“You okay?” he asked me quietly.
I tried to nod.
