Wynn finally gave up. “Thanks. We really appreciate that.”
She patted Wynn’s arm and then stepped into the flow of traffic.
Wynn blew her hair off her face. “Can we go home yet?”
Judd nodded. “Go, I’ll be right behind you.”
As she plowed into the foot traffic, doing her best not to bump into people even though they stopped to chat with a friend they hadn’t seen in a while or a neighbor they saw every day, she realized how much she and Judd did look like a family. She was the harried young mother, and Judd was the father who stood as her rock in the storms of daily life.
Thatcher had never been that for her. Because of his illness, their focus was always on him and how to make him comfortable. She’d had to be Gibraltar, rising above the waves and storms that came their way. He was allowed to fall apart, but she was supposed to hold it together. She’d never found him lacking, and even looking back, she wouldn’t change a thing.
But …
Having Judd, relying on him, being partners … it was beautiful in its own way.
The only problem was that it wasn’t real. Without a ring on her finger, either of them could walk away at any moment. A shiver of fear danced across her spine.
What would she do if Judd left? If he fell in love? She’d be happy for him, of course. That was the only right answer.
So why did the idea feel like a betrayal?
Technically, he wasn’t hers. But he was as much a part of their family as Laney or Miles, and the idea of him leaving wrote a black mark on her heart.
“Wynn—are you coming?” Judd held open the passenger side door for her. She’d made it through the crowd and to the parking lot without seeing where she was going. Thank goodness she hadn’t been driving!
She blinked out of her deep thoughts as if shedding scales. They had plans to check in on her booth, where Brodie was keeping an eye on things, and then take a picnic into the mountains. She needed to hurry, because the sandwiches weren’t going to make themselves.
“Thanks,” she said as she slid into the car and buckled her seat belt.
Judd nodded and grinned before closing the door and making his way around the vehicle. Her stomach flipped over, and she pressed her hand to her belly. They were a family, though not a traditional one. And that was okay. So what if people thought she and Judd were together? She didn’t need anyone’s approval or blessing. They weren’t doing anything wrong. Besides, it wasn’t like she wanted to get married again. Once was enough for her lifetime.
His hand brushed hers as he rested it on the console between them. Her nerves spiked, making her jump.
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“No, it’s me. I’m all over the place today.”
“Is something wrong?”
She turned to take in his handsome face, two-day beard, and deep blue eyes. He was here. “It’s wonderful.”
“Then let’s get going.” He winked and put his hand on the back of her seat to back out.
Wynn took a deep breath and willed her heart to calm.
Chapter 10
Judd
Judd made his way through the festival grounds to pick up Wynn. The kids were with his parents, and Anders had Wynn’s car. It was due for an oil change, and he offered to get it done while she worked. Dad had the tools and the space behind the B&B for basic automotive care. A memory of lying on his back under a car while oil dripped all over him and Thatcher had him whistling a happy tune as he walked.
Thatcher wouldn’t have wanted them to mope over him. He’d been all about living in the moment, and he’d tried to get his family to do the same. Judd should do more of it. He’d spent so much time worrying about his growing attraction to Wynn on Sunday that he hadn’t been present during their picnic. The kids called him a “spaceman,” and he’d told them he was tired and needed a nap.
He stopped at the Butterbeer booth and grabbed two cups. Wynn had mentioned that she’d wanted to try it.Living in the moment, here we come, he thought as he made his way to her corner of the craft section.
The honey booth was a hive of activity, as usual, and shoppers spilled into Wynn’s booth, exclaiming over her rustic and charming wares.
She smiled warmly as she caught sight of him, and his chest warmed. Her blue eyes were a welcome sight after dealing with contractors all day.
