Page 4 of Cherishing Happily Ever After

She shook her head.

“Would you like me to show you?”

She shook her head again and the smile slipped from his face.

Travis took a step toward her. “Is that because you’re scared to be back here or you’re scared of me?”

White-hot anger flashed through her. Steph stood so abruptly, Tink jumped back and out of her way. “What makes you think I’m scared?”

“Of this place? Or of me?”

“I’m not scared of you.”

“But youarescared of Lynx Creek?”

She swallowed hard. She wouldnotanswer that.

“I get it, Steph.”

His voice was low, maybe even caring. But she couldn’t trust him. She’d done that once before. She’d let her guard down with him only once, but it was long enough to learn that it was a bad idea. Areallybad idea. She wouldn’t do it again.

She shook her head and put a smile on her face. She was a damn good actress, and she’d prove it. “I’m not scared of Lynx Creek.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and turned to walk down toward the river. “I wouldn’t have bought it if I was scared of it.”

She was done with Travis Bishop.

Dealing with him was the last thing she needed today after a disastrous brunch. All she really needed was to sit by the river for a few minutes, listen to the birds, and try to forget that the one place in the world that had made her feel like she was part of something now felt foreign and unsure. The last thing Stephanie needed was Travis pointing it out to her.

No, thank-you.

She’d gotten halfway down the trail that would take her to the river when Travis called out behind her.

“Stephanie?”

Something in his voice stopped her. It wasn’t his usual cockiness and self-assuredness. This was different. He sounded…sincere. She turned around slowly.

“There really is something I’d like to show you.” He held his hand out. “I think you’re going to like it.”

Travis didn’t expect her to come with him. Not really. And he wouldn’t have blamed her if she didn’t. He’d been…well, he’d been confused when it came to her.

Confused.

That was a piece of shit, copout explanation when it came to Stephanie. He was a lot of things, butconfusedabout how he felt about Stephanie Starz was not one of them.

She stared at his outstretched hand but curiosity ultimately won out and to his surprise, and pleasure, she nodded once and walked past him and his hand. “Fine.”

Travis shook his head with a grin and tucked his hand into his back pocket. It was a small victory and he’d take it. For now.

She followed as Travis led the short way through the woods to the worksite where he’d left his tools and his shirt. He grabbed it and tugged it over his head.

Was that a flash of disappointment he saw in her eyes?

“Getting cold?” She was so naturally sweet that even when she tried to be sarcastic, it still came off as cute. Travis couldn’t help but smile as she stood with her arms crossed, trying—and failing—to look tough and unaffected.

“I thought you might…” He cocked his head at her, but she only widened her eyes in response. He shook his head and tried again. “I’m getting a little chilly.” It was a warm day, but he didn’t want to argue with her anymore. Quite the opposite.

“What did you want to show me?”

Travis stepped back and waved an arm behind him. “This.”

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