Page 18 of Worth the Risk
“Hey, Knox. Gosh she looks bigger.”
“Growing way too fast but it kinda makes me proud at the same time. Being a parent is weird.” He looks past my shoulder, smiles wide, then steps closer and puts his arm around me. “It’s really good to see you. You look beautiful today.”
“Uh… thanks, Knox.” I take in his suit. “You look nice, too.”
“Alright, let’s get inside. I’m sure mom and dad are waiting.” Rhett bumps his shoulder into Knox’s when he passes and Knox lets out a chuckle and follows him in. What was that about? I walk in with Hazel on my hip and her grabbing handfuls of my wild hair.
“Winnie! Oh, sweetie, it’s been too long since you’ve been over. I know you’re busy but I need to see you more.” I smile warmly at Mary. I love her so much.
“I need to see you more, too. Let’s get lunch next week.” Hazel nosedives toward the floor so I guess she’s done being held. I put her down and she teeters off towards Alder. He makes eye contact with me, smiles his big adorable smile, then crouches down to talk to his niece.
“Yes! And I think you need to start coming for weekly family dinners again. I know you’re busy with the bakery. Have I mentioned how incredibly proud of you we are by the way?” My eyes sting. I was robbed of the chance to share any of my successes with my mom way too young, but Mary has always been like another mother to me. I swallow against the lump.
“You have and thank you. I wouldn’t be doing any of this without you and Tom.” She waves me off.
“You would have been thriving no matter what, Winnie. That’s just how you’re built.” Now it’s my turn to wave her off.
“So, what’s for dinner? Can I help?”
“Tom is grilling steaks out back and I already have a salad made up and Knox made brussel sprouts with balsamic and bacon. You just go out back, grab a drink and relax. You’ve been working so much lately.”
“Okay, let me know if you change your mind.” I walk out onto the deck and see Knox and Rhett throwing a football. I go over to the grill where Tom is turning over steaks.
“Hey, Winnie. How’s it going sweetheart?” I kiss his cheek.
“Going good. Busy…but busy is good.”
“That’s right. I’ve heard from multiple people that you’re really doing a great job. Everyone’s talking about your bakery.” I flush at the compliment.
“Well it’s like I told Mary, you guys have been there every step of the way and I couldn’t have done any of this without you both.” He shrugs.
“You’ve always been smart and driven, Winnie. You were always going to do something amazing with your life.” I smile. Tom and Mary Holloway are very different in so many ways but they are so similar in the ways that count.
“Thank you.”
“No thanks, needed.” He winks and it reminds me so much of Rhett.
“Alright!” He calls out to everyone. “Let’s eat!” We all make our way to the table and I find my seat. Alder sits next to me on the right and Florence makes to sit on my other side and I smile at her but then her smile turns knowing and I follow her form to where she sits across from me. Confused, I look to my other side and see that Rhett has claimed that seat. Hmm…okay. He doesn’t usually sit next to me at these things…although Colt isn’t here today.
“So, any plans for your birthday, Winnie?” Alder draws my attention to him while putting salad on his plate.
“Uhm…sort of. Nothing crazy. Mare wants to take me out for dinner and then get drinks at Uncle Bucks.”
“That sounds fun. Can I come?” I smile and hear Rhett groan on my other side.
“Of course. We’re planning for dinner at 7.”
“I’ll be there.” Alder Holloway is gorgeous. His dark brown hair paired with twinkling blue eyes brimming with flirty comments is pretty undeniable. All the Holloway boys are beautiful and I’m not the only one who thinks so—but it’s Rhett who’s always had my attention. His gemstone eyes and shaggy dark hair. He’s more than a foot taller than me and all broad shoulders and muscled thighs. The tattoos on his forearm just accentuate the way their strength and the dimples that appear when he grins always leave me a little dazed. The effect he has on me is something I hoped would fade after all these years.
It was better when I wasn’t seeing him, now that he’s back in town for good, it’s likely I would see him often, not everyday, but he’s going to be my neighbor. I’m not sure how to get over him. I know what Mare would say. She has said it and I’m starting to think that maybe she’s got the right idea. Obviously Sam wasn’t the right choice. Not only did he cheat on me but there was never a spark. No heat…not even a sizzle. I wasn’t attracted to him despite him being a very attractive man. I sigh and Rhett looks over at me.
“You okay?” he mouths the words, not drawing any one else’s attention. I just smile and nod. When will I stop being a complete weirdo around this man? Probably when I stop wanting to crawl into his lap and kiss him…so that answers that. Never. Lunch passes with only a few minor arguments between siblings. Colt and I have never really fought over anything so I love being around all the Holloway kids. They fight but they also would do anything for one another. That part Colt and I havedown. I’m hugging Mary and deciding on when to get lunch when Rhett tugs me into the entryway by my elbow.
“You ready to go?” I laugh.
“I’m sensing you are—just let me grab those tote bags.”
“I already have them in the truck along with four of those cinnamon rolls to take with me.”
