Chapter Eleven
Travis
The skin on the back of Parker’s hand wasn’t soft, nor was it rough like his.Instead, the texture lay somewhere in between.It was skin that had seen hard work, but also seen enough care and attention in hopes of repairing the damage.Travis ducked his head for a moment so Parker wouldn’t see the smile trying to come over his face.That was the biggest difference between the two of them.Where he was happy to let his rough edges callous over and protect him, Parker tried her best to keep herself soft, not letting the shit hand life had dealt her keep her from trying her best to win the game.
Travis wondered if Parker treated her heart the same way.He tried to never let anyone or anything other than time out in nature heal any wounds he’d acquired over the years or melt the ice surrounding his heart.The longer he held Parker’s hand though, enjoying the feel of her skin beneath his fingertip, the more Travis came to think that protecting his heart as fiercely as he had the trees under his care might have been a mistake.What had he missed out on, and what could he gain by attempting to be a bit more open with her?
Parker smiled and squeezed his hand.“You going to keep up your end of the bargain, big guy?”
Travis huffed, not wanting to let go of her hand but not wanting to be too forward either.There seemed to be a flash of disappointment in Parker’s eyes when he did finally place her hand back at her side, but he ignored it.If he was going to let her peek behind the curtain he kept over his emotions, he would need to focus and there was no way to do that while they were skin to skin.Leaning back against the tree, Travis picked up his ball cap and turned it over in his hands to have something to do with them lest he be tempted to touch her again.
Peeking over at her, he smiled at her curious expression.“My parents were high school sweethearts.”Parker shook her head and shifted back against the tree as well, though she was much closer than last time.Travis didn’t mind their arms brushing or the fact that he could hear her breathing more than before.Instead of finding it annoying like he might with any other person he was just getting to know, he found it soothing.“Grew up together, dated in high school, got married after graduation.Brother’s restaurant is even located in the old mill they shared their first kiss at.”
Parker smiled brightly.“That sounds romantic, and amazing that they’ve been together so long,” she said wistfully.Her cinnamon speckled eyes went a little dreamy and Travis knew that’s what he probably used to look like when his parents would tell him and his brothers the tale of their falling in love.
“Thought so too,” he confessed.It had been the single most romantic story he’d ever heard.The fact that his father had biked all over town to find his mom, just so he could get a chance at kissing the girl he loved so much had been better than any romantic movie his mom had made them all watch with her in the years after.“Thought it was what I would have someday, but it never happened.”
Parker’s brow knit together.“I’m sorry you didn’t have a young love like they did, but your life isn’t over.You could still find it.”
Travis chuckled humorlessly.“Maybe, but it’s not likely.”
There was a reason why no one was ever surprised when they found out he was single.Before most of his brothers had all been paired up, people would be so shocked that the handsome men who the town seemed to love unconditionally were single.Not him though.People would just smile sadly, pat Travis on the back, and tell him he’d find someone someday.It stung, but it wasn’t like he was putting himself out there much either.Why would he when, by the time he opened his mouth, the conversation had moved on without him?Travis was living in his own world that seemed to spin at a much lower velocity than everyone else’s.
Parker gave him a withering look before shoving his shoulder.“It’s just as likely for you as anyone else.”That would make her the first person in a long time to see something worthy in him, and once again he hid his pleasure at that, not wanting her to see him so completely yet.“Why are you so down on yourself?”
Getting back on track, Travis swallowed the lump of emotion that bubbled up anytime he thought about everything that set him apart from the family he loved so much.“Try not to be.”Once again afraid she would see too much, he turned his attention back up to the sky, watching wispy white clouds pass over the tops of the trees.“S’hard, being quiet in a family filled with people who can talk for hours, go out into the world, not shudder at every loud noise or smell that wafts their way.”Even now, the fact that he was unable to live as the rest of his family did felt pretty shitty.They were allnormal, creating a future that he could only ever dream about having for himself.“They find themselves out there with others, my peace is here with the trees.Not a lot of people willing to join me out here, deal with my needing quiet, space, time.”
Parker placed her hand on top of his where it rested on his thigh.“I’m sorry.That must make you feel lonely.”
Travis nodded against the tree trunk, the jagged bark scratching at the back of his head.The slight sting was nice though, a good reminder that he was still where he wanted to be despite being on his own.Though, with the woman sitting next to him, listening to him tell his sad tale, Travis hadn’t felt one moment of loneliness.
“It can.”And it had, so often, but that wound seemed to be scabbing up and scarring over the longer Parker stayed with him.“Knew young love didn’t happen often, but thought maybe, eventually.Wanted what my parents had so much, but trying to go out and get it is...difficult.”
Thinking back on the few sorry attempts Travis had made to go out and pick up a woman made him wince at the memory of the noise, the cloying perfumes, the inane chatter he had no desire to participate in.It was awful, and he didn’t dare repeat it.
Parker sighed.“I can see how growing up with two parents who love each other so much might have given you ideas of what you wanted your own love story to look like, but I don’t think you should give up so easily.”She gave him a meaningful look.“Maybe you just haven’t met the right person.”
Travis smiled and flipped his hand over, loving the feel of their palms rubbing together.It was a dangerous thing to do, allow himself to enjoy anything where Parker was concerned, but he couldn’t help it.“Appreciate that.Don’t see how I’ll ever meet anyone now.Dating apps aren’t for me.People are assholes.”Travis knew that some of his trust issues stemmed from his own insistence on keeping to himself, but most could probably still be attributed to the punks who came to the orchard only to use it or abuse it.That had been happening his whole life and he’d hated it just as long.“Tried going out in town.Didn’t work, still hated it.”
Parker’s bewildered expression had to be one of the most adorable things Travis had ever seen.One of her eyebrows went a little squiggly and the left side of her mouth screwed up in the corner.Was it strange to be attracted to such an odd face?If so, he was a certifiable weirdo.
