Arms crossed over his chest, his long legs stretched out, he said, “Tell me what spooked you.”
With him watching her so intently, the tiny cabin seemed to shrink even more. “I don’t know.” Removing his coat and her hat gave her something to do other than admire him. “I’m probably just tired.”
“Joey.” Gently catching her arm, he turned her to face him. “That’s the kind of doubt I’m talking about.”
Staring down at his feet, she shrugged. “But you didn’t find anything.”
“Which means next to nothing.” He lifted her chin so that she looked into his eyes, then opened his hand to the side of her face.
This was new from him, touching her, letting his warm fingers linger against her skin. The urge to nestle her cheek into his palm was so strong that she forced herself to take a step way.
A few awkward seconds passed, then he said, “Sorry.”
“No, it’s just...” What could she say?I’m not used to being touched by a man?“I didn’t mind.”
“It made you uncomfortable?”
“Actually, it makes me want to lean on you, and that’s not something I should do.”
His gaze warmed even more. “Why not? My shoulders aren’t big enough?”
She snorted. “I’m sure your shoulders could support an elephant. The thing is, I’m already imposing on you too much. It’s not something I ever anticipated. Iwantto stand on my own. I want to prove that I can do it.”
“I get that, but you don’t need to prove anything to me.”
“To myself, then.” Hand to her forehead, she looked around the cabin. “For Ryder to really feel secure, he needs to know that I can handle things. That we’re okay. That I’ll keep him...” Her voice trailed off.
Hendrix wasn’t a fool. “Safe.”
Biting her lip, she hesitated, but in the end she nodded.
“He should also know that everyone needs a helping hand now and then. You don’t want him to be afraid to reach out when necessary.”
Probably true, but not something she’d admit right now. “You don’t need a helping hand.”
“You’re wrong on that, but any adjustments I had to make would be easier because I don’t have a kid.”
Never had she met anyone like him. Something in those gray eyes of his showed a deep sadness, and disappointment. In himself?
Willingly, she stepped close to him again. “Thank you for everything today. All of it. The pizza, the toys, wrestling with Ryder, and reassuring him.” The reassurance was her favorite part.
“I probably enjoyed it more than he did.” Sitting forward, he caught her hand and drew her closer. “So we’re clear, I plan to continue enjoying time with him because I like him. He’senergetic and smart. He’s not an imposition, and neither are you.”
Unsure of where this was going, she nodded. “Okay.”
“I like you, too, Joey.” When she stilled, he smiled at her. “Don’t panic. I’m not making a move.”
Heat rushed into her face. “I wasn’t panicking.”
His smile tilted. “You look sunburned. Relax, okay? I wanted to have a no-pressure talk.”
A talk aboutwhat?“I’m relaxed.”
Dubious, he asked, “So would you like to talk, or would you rather I just hit the road?”
And leave her wondering? No way. “Let’s talk.” Total honesty seemed the way to go. “For the longest time, I thought you didn’t like me. Even though you were nice enough, it was in this strictly friendly way of park owner to camper, you know?”
“I like you, I always have, but I didn’t want to. I didn’t particularly want to like anyone – or rather, I didn’t want to get close to anyone, especially not during Christmas. As you already know, it’s not my favorite time of the year.”
