A heavy, warm hand landed on her shoulder, and she twisted up to see Judd smiling down at her. Her whole body buzzed with awareness. “Hey,” was all she could muster from her overloaded brain.
Part of her knew that Judd and Thatcher were two different people. But she’d watched her alcoholic father drain her mother’s soul and knew that there were many ways a woman could lose herself in a marriage.
He licked his lips. “Is that pumpkin cocoa?” He reached for her cup, and she was too aware of his chest brushing her shoulder as he leaned down to take the grab and the scent of his cologne to stop him from taking it from her. He took a sip, his eyes sliding shut with pleasure.
Something took hold of Wynn’s heart. It was warm, full of gratitude and thanksgiving. And it wrapped a thousand silk ribbons around her and Judd, as if her soul had just tied itself to his and she could see the ties. They weren’t restrictive; they were beautiful, because they weren’t tied by vows, but by friendship, understanding, and laughter.
Wynn wrapped her hand around his, drawing his attention. “What?” he asked, bemused by her seriousness.
“I’ve never said thank you.” Tears stung, and she had to swallow back the rush of emotion. “You’ve—you’re here for the kids—for me. It’s so much to ask, but I haven’t ever said—”
He cut her off with a finger on her lips. “You don’t have to.”
“But I want to,” she mumbled against him.
He chuckled. Looking around, he quickly leaned down and stole a kiss. “You’re welcome.” He winked and then sauntered off to talk to the kids, taking her drink with him.
She grinned, swiping at the tears and laughing at her emotional flood. If he knew half of the thoughts she’d had that day, he would have a fit. Judd didn’t take things seriously—not like she did. He was an in-the-moment kind of guy and unlikely to think about tuxedos, flowers, and engagement rings.
Marriage. Pfft.
She gave herself a mental shake and pushed to her feet. Analyzing and obsessing over what Michelle or Miss Kelly or anyone else thought was only inviting trouble. Things were good, and she should go with the flow rather than try to see down river.
As she jogged over to push Laney on the swings, she tried to shake the sense that there was a bend up ahead and she was unprepared for what awaited her.
Chapter 14
Judd
“You can’t sleep in your costume, sweetie. It’ll get ruined.” Judd pulled the popcorn from the microwave and opened the steaming bag.
Birdie was closing up the booth tonight, but Wynn needed to make an early deposit, so Judd had brought the kids home. They had more cash on hand than she was comfortable leaving with just Birdie after Billy Cunningham, a security guard at the festival, canvased the craft booths asking about a stolen half-million-dollar engagement ring. The ring had gone missing on a horseback riding adventure on the edge of town, but Billy wasn’t leaving any stone—or pumpkin—unturned. The mayor upped the night security for the coming week as a precaution.
“But I want to be a pumpkin!” Laney threw herself on the floor and went limp. She wasn’t the type to kick and scream. She’d just as easily give the whole world the silent treatment.
Judd rolled his eyes at her dramatics. “You can pick. You can be a pumpkin tonight and then not wear your costume to school, or you can save it for school and dress up like all your friends and show your teacher.”
She sighed as if he were the bane of her existence. Since when had she turned seventeen? Kindergarten was a bad influence on this girl. He stepped over her to get to the living room, where Miles waited patiently on the couch, scrolling through Disney Plus to find them a show.
Laney rolled onto her stomach and crawled down that hallway to her room. Miles gave him agirls! look and then went back to scrolling. Judd stifled a laugh. The kids were on a roll tonight. He checked his watch.
The trick to a successful movie night was finding a film that both Laney and Miles liked. Miles could handle a princess movie every couple of weeks—as long as no one sang along. Laney would put up with superheroes unless she was tired. Heaven help him if they were both tired, because compromising was impossible.
“Your mom should be here any minute.” As if on cue, headlights flashed through the window as Wynn pulled in the driveway. His pulse kicked up, and he checked his shirt to make sure the buttons were done and he didn’t have food on himself. He ran his hand down his mouth and chin for good measure. He liked the way Wynn giggled when he rubbed his facial hair against her jaw, so he’d skipped shaving again today.
She came through the door, and he was on his feet without realizing how he’d gotten there.
“Jeez!” Miles held the bowl of popcorn by the lip, barely keeping it from falling on the floor.
“Sorry, bud.” Judd turned to save the popcorn and then whipped around to smile sheepishly at Wynn. Had she noticed the way he stumbled over himself to get to her? Now that they were face-to-face, he didn’t know what to do with Miles in the room.
Wynn grinned as if she knew his dilemma. She quirked a sexy eyebrow at him and lifted a shoulder.
He groaned. As much as he wanted to take her in his arms, he’d have to wait until the kids were asleep. Life would be so much easier if he could just kiss the woman. He liked their new arrangement, but it wasn’t without its drawbacks.
Laney walked in, wearing her pajamas and a pair of moon boots. “I’m ready to watch the movie.”
As Laney climbed onto the couch, Wynn pointed at the boots and mouthed,Why?
