1
KNOX
Well, shit.
Maybe all my brothers’ teasing over the years wasn't just them being jerks. Maybe I really am a mama's boy. But when she calls and says she needs coffee while she's out shopping, how can I say no?
Especially since she's with Aunt Darlene, whose four sons are all away at school, and have been for a while. They all want to be… I don’t remember. Engineers? Animal researchers? Tree scientists? Something where you put in a bunch of years at university, anyway. They’re coming back to live near West Stoneburg next year, I think.
I leave the coffee shop with a tray, then put one of the three cups in my truck. Yes, it'll be cold by the time I get back to it, but it’ll tide me over until dinner. Then I trudge toward the women's clothing store, trying to paste a neutral expression on my face. Luckily, some of the people in West Stoneburg don't recognize me, like they do in Old Hemlock Valley.
I’d much rather have spent the entire day on the couch with a book or in my woodshop making tables. But no, Mom wanted to come shopping. The woman has a brand-new SUV but doesn'tlike to drive. At least it turns out Dad is coming here later today, so he can take her home.
I shoulder the door open and have barely taken two steps inside when Mom calls out, "There he is!"
Forcing a smile, I walk through the racks of clothes to hand her a cup. "Vanilla latte, no foam, two sugars." I give Aunt Darlene the other cup. "And an Americano with cinnamon and a splash of oat milk."
"Thanks, Knox." My aunt takes a delicate sip, then sets it aside. "We have some serious shopping to do, and this might take a while."
My mother beams. "Yes, thank you, dear."
"You're welcome. Dad's gonna text you in a bit. He's taking you home, right?"
"Yes. Thank you for the ride here."
"No problem."
"You're even more handsome when you don't slouch, you know!" she sings out as I start to walk away. She laughs. I’d bet any money she’s talking to Aunt Darlene about me.
At the other side of the store, a young woman is turning back and forth, regarding herself in a huge mirror.
I'm hypnotized. My feet shuffle close to her automatically as I stare at the way the deep green fabric of the dress hugs her luscious curves. Then I catch her stunning wide eyes in the mirror. There are a few freckles on each side of her nose, and her rosebud lips make me instantly hard. I need to kiss her. I’ve never needed anything more. Her long, slightly wavy hair is brown, kissed with a touch of cinnamon…
Oh God. I sound like I'm trying to be a poet. Why would I do that?
She makes another subtle spin, and I admire her legs as the skirt flares out for a split second. The neckline dips just enough to reveal a hint of cleavage at the top of her full breasts. Butit's those hips, her curvy ass, and the way the fabric hugs them perfectly that I can’t tear my eyes from. It’s rude, but I cannot stop staring.
The woman smiles at her reflection, straightening her shoulders as if she feels like a million bucks. "This dress is fantastic. I've always loved this color."
She glances toward a woman with hair dyed a strange flat black and a sour expression on her narrow face. "You’re not wearing that to work. It makes your butt look huge. Find something else. And dammit, girl – stop snacking after dinner. Soon you won’t fit into anything at all."
My stomach clenches when I see the younger woman's face fall, eyes dropping to the floor. Her chin sinks, shoulders caving forward, and something deep inside me snaps. No way in hell is anyone going to make that lovely woman feel bad about herself.
I stomp toward them, getting between the two women with my back to the older one.
Stunning, soft blue-green eyes look up at me as my hands clench, wanting to reach for her. "I'm sorry, miss," I murmur as gently as possible. "But I simply cannot let you listen to another negative word from that woman’s mouth. You're breathtaking. You look like…a forest pixie. Or a woodland elf." I pause, still staring, hoping that I’m not coming across as a creep. "You’re gorgeous."
Her perfect lips turn up in a whisper of a smile. "Thank you. But I really have no place to wear this if she won't let me wear it to work."
My eyes dart to the bitchy woman, glaring at me through the mirror. The saleswoman hovering to the side seems flustered, unsure how to handle this.
The collar of my t-shirt feels too tight, but nothing matters but this girl.Spit it out, man.
“May I buy you that dress right now, and take you to dinner?"
She stares up at me, lips parted, wide-eyed. "I… I don't even know you."
The pinch-faced woman begins to stand, then I say, "I'm Knox Wolfe."
