Judd paused to consider his words—not something he usually did, but it seemed important not to screw this up. He reached for Wynn’s hand and brushed his thumb over her skin. It was warm, and a current began to hum up his arm, but he didn’t let go. “Tell her… my life is full.”
“Full?”
“I have the kids and—” Gulp. “—you, my business. I can’t even think about starting a relationship with anyone. My life is full—in the best ways.” Wynn should never think she was a burden. She wasn’t. She’d brought all good things into his day—every day.
She glanced down at their hands and whispered, “Okay.”
He gave her a light squeeze and then let go. “Okay. Let’s get the kids in their own beds. You have an early day tomorrow.”
She lifted her chin. “First day of the festival—it’s gonna be crazy.”
He forced his voice to take on a cheery lilt. “Crazy awesome. You’re going to kill it.”
She smiled, though the curve of her lips was weighed with exhaustion. “I just hope I don’t fall flat on my face in front of the whole town. You know how people are about the festival: It’s our window to the world.” She waved one arm as if writing the slogan in the air in front of her.
“I’m not worried.” He winked and then pushed his way through the back door and into the mudroom.
Wynn was a step behind him, but he still heard her mutter, “That makes one of us.”
He smiled to himself. She’d succeed, even if he had to buy every piece of furniture in her booth.
Chapter 7
Wynn
The first week of the festival flew by in a blur of morning chores, bus stop conversations with the kids, and talking to visitors as they browsed her booth. By the time Saturday night rolled around, Wynn was ready for a bubble bath with a diet soda and her Kindle.
But that wasn’t in the cards. She had a long night of chitchat and answering questions about the glaze she’d used on the tabletop. No one had so much as nibbled at her showstopper. It might be too much to ask of fate to sell it in the first five days, but she’d hoped. If she sold that table, she’d break even and the pressure would be off.
“Hey, sis.”
Wynn spun to find Brodie standing next to the outdoor couch, his hands tucked in his front pockets. The oldest Westbrook was tall, dark, and handsome with blue eyes that electrified anyone who dared look in them. When it came to the family, there weren’t many who had the chance. He’d come home to say goodbye to his dying brother, but there was no telling why he stayed.
Wynn was the one exception to his familial avoidance issues. He came over to Wynn’s for the occasional dinner, would babysit if she asked, and often mowed her lawn when she wasn’t looking. He liked to pretend it wasn’t him, but she knew his mowing pattern—he was the only one who went in diagonal lines.
“Brodie!” She hugged him like the older brother she’d never had. “What are you doing here? Are you on a date?” She glanced over his shoulder, but there wasn’t a pretty woman waiting for introductions.
He laughed. “I came to give you the night off.”
“What? No! You should check out the used book section or something. Wander around. Find the ladies.”
He laughed again. “The fact that you think the ladies hang out in the used book section is very telling of your social life.”
She shook her head and shoved him. “Don’t knock it—if you want a smart woman, you gotta go where the books are.”
“I don’t care how smart she is, as long as she can ski.”
“Ugh! You and skiing.” Brodie lived for winter, claiming it was the only time of year he felt free. Wynn wholeheartedly disagreed—winter was for freezing and staying indoors with lots of hot chocolate. “You’d better find a woman who loves it as much as you do, or your future marriage is doomed.”
“Ugh! You and marriage,” he teased back. “Everyone but you has to tie the knot.”
“Because I already did.” She shoved his shoulder. “It’s great. You should try it out.”
He made a face like he’d taken a bite of pie expecting pumpkin and getting lemon.
She laughed, and a bit of her stress slipped away. Maybe a night off wasn’t such a bad thing. “Well, if you’re willing to stick around here all night, I’m going to catch up with the family at the corn maze.” As soon as the words were out, she wished she could take them back. “U-unless you want to go? They’d love to have you.”
He cocked his head. “You and I both know that’s not true.”
