“What about the cost of supplies?”
Merry finally met Carlisle’s gaze, surprised at the compassion there. She even understood the worry she saw, especially after her lapse. After being careful for nearly two years, she’d gone and fallen for a man there was no hope for a future with.
“Merry—”
“No. Have a good evening, Mr. Wyndham.”
She turned her back on him and grabbed the broom to clean her work station.
11
Confused, Carlisle stood and watched Merry for a second before making his way to the front of the salon. He didn’t understand what had happened. The memory of her hands on his face, of the warmth in her eyes, made his heart race again. It was something he’d imagined, though not with a room full of witnesses. And it had confirmed his hopes for them.
And then she’d shut it down, just like that. What was she afraid of?
“Psst.”
Carlisle paused in reaching for the door handle and glanced over his shoulder. Another stylist on the other side of the room from Merry’s station was waving him over. He hesitated only a second before joining the unknown woman.
“Don’t give up on her,” she said, her eyes almost pleading.
“Give up?”
“On Merry.” The middle-aged stylist shot a quick glance toward the front of the salon before continuing. “Since she’s been seeing you, she’s come alive again, even if she’d never admit it. She’s scared herself now though.”
Was Merry afraid ofhim? Did she believe his attentions toward her insincere?
“If you care for her at all—and I can see you do—don’t let her push you away. I’m just saying.” The woman pointed to the door and gave him a gentle push toward it.
Carlisle left the salon even more confused. Nia’s confession had gotten him thinking about his relationship with Merry. He’d accepted that his growing affection for her had come before his assistant’s unwanted meddling, and he couldn’t complain about that day spent near Merry, nor so many of the evenings since. Every moment in her company made him wish for more.
He’d meant to be her last appointment today, so they could walk together to collect their children. After her chilly send-off, he didn’t know what to do. He glanced back at the shop and found the motherly woman watching him. She gave him an encouraging nod before indicating the side of the shop where Merry’s station was located. A couple of the younger stylists and even two of the clients did the same. Were theyallwatching him?
Then the glass door opened and Merry stepped out, but she didn’t look at him. Instead, she stared at the cowboy driver of the sleigh which took tourists around town. If she hadn’t had a worried look on her face, Carlisle would have been jealous. She glanced back at the salon.
Only when she looked back did she see him. Merry hesitated, her face coloring again.
“Is there a problem with the sleigh ride?” he asked, searching for something to break the ice.
“Wes is just an old boyfriend of Ellie’s. I hadn’t heard he was back in town. She’s been through enough and doesn’t need him breaking her heart again.” Merry headed up the sidewalk toward Happy Ducklings, and Carlisle had to hurry to catch up with her. “I thought you’d have already gone to pick up Grace.”
“I was waiting for you,” he said.
Merry stopped. “Carlisle—”
“I was merely hoping you and Alex might help Grace and I to find a suitable house,” he blurted, his instincts telling him she was about to break things off between them.
Not until that moment in the salon, when he’d opened his eyes to find her so close, her touch tender, had he accepted the depth of his growing feelings for her. He was in love with Merry Hurst, something he’d never believed he would experience again. Over the weeks he’d gotten to know this woman, she’d slowly broken down his wall of grief and shown him there was life on the other side. And she cared for him too. He was sure of it, so why was she resistant to something between them?
“I don’t know.” Merry shivered.
“May I take you to dinner tonight? We need to talk.” When she shook her head, fear of losing her struck him. She must understand. He took her hand. “Merry, I’m falling in love with you.”
* * *
Her mind frozewhen his words echoed the ones he’d said to Merry in last night’s dream. Was that what this was, just another in the long stream of nighttime fantasies?
“I don’t—”
