His mouth tightened at the reminder of Christmas.
“You know the first thing I noticed about you? How you carry yourself with authority, like you know you have everything under control.”
“Not even close.”
“Whether that’s the case or not, it’s the vibe you give off. Before you, I didn’t know I was into that, but around you I feel safer.”
Tipping up her face, he said, “I sensed that with you, things could start to click into place, and I didn’t want that. I wanted to keep nurturing my anger. I could deal with people, but I had no interest in socializing. I wanted you, but still I fought the idea of getting involved.” With a self-deprecating smile, he shook his head. “Then you fed me peanut butter and jelly crackers, and Ryder showed me pants-less Wonder Woman.”
He was never going to let her live that down – and she didn’t mind at all.
After another soft smooch to her mouth, his smile turned gentle, introspective. “I enjoyed running into the two of you all week. After the first few times, I started anticipating it. I’d head out and my first thought was whether or not I’d see you.”
“We felt the same.”
“Then Ryder gave me that card, and it was like he cracked me wide open.” He went silent for a few seconds, introspective. “For the first time in almost two years, I saw myself, or rather, the man I used to be instead of the indifferent stranger I’d become.”
Joey went on tiptoes to kiss him. “I bet the old Hendrix is pretty fascinating, too.”
“I hope you’re willing to find out. Not that I want to embrace Christmas,” he cautioned. “I don’t, but I want us to spend more time together. Obviously, my schedule is flexible since I’d planned to hide out here.”
“A man of leisure,” she teased, but in her heart, she ached for him. She knew part of Hendrix was still hurting, and as soon as they got together again she’d make it a priority to find out why he disliked Christmas so much.
And if she could, she’d work a little holiday magic to help him through it.
“If you get anymore unfamiliar calls on your phone, keep track, okay? Do a screenshot before you block the number. Also, keep my number handy in case you hear anything else that bothers you.” He tipped up her face. “Anything at all, Joey. I don’t care if it’s a cricket. I mean that.”
“All right.”
He nodded as he pulled on his jacket. “Let me know whenever you’re free –if you feel like sharing a meal, using the hot tub, or just letting Ryder play.”
All of it sounded great to her. “I’ll figure out my schedule for next week and let you know.”
With a final touch to her cheek and a kiss that would have her missing him all night, he opened the door and stepped out. “Be sure to lock up.”
“Always. Goodnight, Hendrix.”
“Goodnight, Josephine. Sweet dreams.”
Smiling from the inside out, she closed the door, secured the deadbolt, and then hugged herself.
Sure, her situation was still dire, her finances hanging on by a frayed thread, and Christmas would be here in a few more weeks. Still, she felt lighter than she had in forever, buoyant with a sense of hope.
Hendrix had given her the greatest gift: time, opportunity to make it all work, and understanding.
He’d given himself. Yes, for her, Christmas was already here.
Chapter Four
Arelationship. It had been so long since he’d indulged one, Hendrix hadn’t been sure what it meant anymore. All he knew was that over the past week, the more he saw Joey and Ryder, the more he wanted to be with them.
As an ex-cop, he was protective of most people, but living at the RV campgrounds had required keeping a leash on that side of himself. Not that he’d always been successful. How many times had he been drawn to Joey just because he saw someone else speaking with her? Jealousy, he could now admit, had chewed on his peace of mind.
And to think she’d been wanting him, too?
It pissed him off that he’d wasted so much time living inside his own head, leaving her to deal with her worries all alone. If he’d only gotten over himself and his own reasons for moving here...but of course it wasn’t that easy. Hendrix scrubbed a hand over his face.
Nothing of what had happened in his past could be called easy. Devastating, yes, but never again would he let anything like that happen, definitely not to Joey or Ryder.
