Page 4 of Worth the Risk
“That’s fine, Anna. Go ahead and get home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’m really sorry you got hurt again tonight.” Anna remarks and Winnie winces.
“Again?”I question and I know the look on my face shows I’m worried. She shoots an annoyed expression at Anna, and I stifle a laugh. She keeps her tone light when she replies.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Sure, Winnie.” She sighs before grabbing her bag from behind the counter. “I’m gonna have to keep a closer eye on you, ya know? We’ve only been open for a few months and I swear you’ve gotten hurt like once a week. You burned your hand on the oven, tripped while you were carrying in the bags of sugar, the day you hit the back of your head on the counter standing up and now this?” Winnie grits her teeth and looks at the ceiling, collecting herself.
“Anna, I’ll be fine. Thanks for all your help tonight.”
“No problem. Sorry your date had to be canceled.”Date?“See you in the morning.” She turns her attention to me next as she walks for the door. “It was really nice to meet you um…”
“Rhett.” I supply.
“Rhett…um yeah, nice to meet you.” As she talks she looks back to Winnie. “Please make sure Winslow doesn’t trip or slip or hurt herself any more tonight, please.” She smiles sweetly and winks before continuing her way out. I give her my most charming smile.
“I’ll see what I can do. Bye, Anna.” I glance at Winnie to find her blushing but with a hard set to her jaw.
Anna slips through the door, and I go to lock it behind her, flipping theOpensign toClosed.I look back at Winnie and take in her embarrassed expression. She’s beautiful and I can’t help but tease her.
“So, it sounds like this may be a regular occurrence here.” She rolls her eyes at me.
“It’s not a secret that I’m not the most…graceful.” She begrudgingly says the last word.
“You?! Not graceful? This is news to me.” I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. Over the many years I’ve known Winnie, I have witnessed countless incidents that involved only her and a flat surface. My sarcasm doesn’t even warrant a laugh from her, she just stares at me, but before I can place the expression she lets out a sigh.
“I have actually been hiking more recently and I haven’t fallen off any cliffs yet.” She laughs but I can’t stop my wince because the idea of Winnie out on a trail alone really does concern me.
“You really shouldn’t be out there alone, Winnie.” She rolls her eyes, dismissing my concern for her.
“Who said I was alone?” That’s right. Anna mentioned adate.She may have a boyfriend. While I’m contemplating asking if that’s the case, she continues.
“You know this...” She points to her ice covered face... “... wouldn’t have happened ifsomeonehadn’t flustered my employee into forgetting we were closed.”
I feign outrage.
“Me?Surely you don’t really think your lack of spatial awareness is my fault?” She gives me an absolutely knowing look.
“What is that look for?” She snorts.
“Just you being your charming self. Making that poor girl blush from head to toe. I guess I should be used to it by now.”
“You think I’m charming?” I wiggle my eyebrows and my question elicits another eye roll, but she lets out a laugh.
“Barrett Holloway, it’s really not like you to act oblivious to your allure. In all the years I’ve known you and all the conversations between you and Colt that I’ve been privy to, it’s usually a point of pride for you.” I grin. I can’t help it. I know that I’m attractive, there have been plenty of women over the years who’ve told me I am. Including her. I’ve never been at a loss for a woman’s company. I may not be oblivious to how women react to me, but I really like hearing Winnie say it.
“Well, Ms. Parker. I won’t apologize for being raised right and knowing how to treat a lady.” That gets me a bigger laugh.
“Is that what you’re calling it then? ‘Treating a lady right?’ I may know some of your heeaartbroken...” she drags the word out for effect... “girls from high school and even a few women here in town that might argue that point.” Okay, if that’s how she wants to play this.
“What about you?” I ask and her face changes as she registers my question. She’s putting up her walls.
“What about me?” Her tone lets me know I’ve pressed a button.
“Would you argue the point?” She looks startled by my question and even I’m a little caught off guard by the shift in intensity. She swallows.
“That was a long time ago, Rhett.” She says it so quietly I’m not sure I’ve heard her correctly. “So, how long are you in town for this time?” Her question throws me, not only because she hasn’t answered my question, but I thought she would have known. She talks to my mother most days, I know this because I make it a point to ask how she is when I talk to my mother. They’ve been thick as thieves since she and Colt moved to town to live with their uncle. Winnie needed someone in her life to help her get through the death of her parents and mom threw herself into the role, falling in love with Winnie like most people in this town.
