He had the day off, and was dressed casual in jeans, winter boots, a sweater, and his thick blue winter coat.
Shelby looked through the side window before opening the door and he could see her eyes go wide with surprise.But she opened up with a tentative smile.She looked cozy in fitted jeans and a thick cream-colored sweater.
“I wanted to see if you had any free time today and if you would like to go out with me?”Wes said feeling like a lovesick teenager asking a girl to prom.He held out the large bag from his earlier shopping trip.“Instead of flowers I wanted to bring you something more important.”
“Flowers?”She accepted the bag.
“Don’t guys still bring flowers to women they’re interested in dating?”
“It’s called courting, and yes I believe they still do,” Pops said as he shuffled through the foyer with a cup of tea.“Let the young man in, Shelby Bell.”
“Oh sorry, come in.”
Wes opened the screen door and stepped into the warmth of the house.He noticed Mr.Shepherd shuffled slowly down the hall to what he thought was probably his study.Wes took off his coat and hung it on an empty hook near the front door.
“I don’t understand,” Shelby said.
“That’s my fault—I made this more complicated than it should be.Shelby, I like you, and I’d like to see you while you’re in town.This is my attempt at apologizing and maybe trying to butter you up a little so you’ll agree to go out with me.”He gestured to the bag.“Open it—it might sway you.”
Her smile was shy but her cheeks were flushed with pink and it only made him want to see the deep red blush she had whenever he kissed her.
She ushered him into the sitting room just off the foyer and set the large bag down on the coffee table.Then like a kid on Christmas she pulled the white tissue paper the store clerk used to wrap the items he’d picked out for her.First she pulled out a red winter coat, with a fur-lined hood attached, and held it out.It was high quality, and rated for below-zero temperatures.
“A winter coat?”she said.
“Try it on.I wanted to make sure you had enough room for a thick sweater underneath, or a sequined gown, whatever you’re up to that day.”
She laughed.“Wesley, you shouldn’t have done this.It’s too much.”
“No it’s not.Go on, try it.”
She unzipped it and he stood to help hold it as she slipped each arm in, then reached down to zip it up from the knee length.
“Perfect,” she said surprised.“It’s really warm.”
“That’s because it’s a proper winter coat.Now you won’t freeze to death, and I’ll sleep better at night.Keep going—there’s more.”
Leaving the coat on, she tucked her hair behind her ears and reached into the bag again.Next she pulled out gloves, then a box.
“Boots?How did you know what size?”
“I have two other pairs in the car in case I guessed wrong.”
Her eyes went wide with surprise.“You don’t.”
He just nodded.“You want room for wool socks but not so much room your feet get cold.”
She sat down and slipped on the black boots with fur lining and laced them.
“How do they feel?”
“Amazing, and a perfect fit, but I can’t accept all this.”
“Yes you can.”Then Wes reached into the bag and pulled out the fleece-lined skull cap he got her in red to match her coat and moved closer to pull it down over her head.She let him and looked up as his hands held her face.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t more clear about wanting to spend time with you in and out of bed.To be honest I haven’t dated much and didn’t think you’d be interested in being caught with a Hart.”
“I guess it could complicate things, but more for you than me.”
