Winnie

Isaw the moving truck in front of the house next door this morning, Rhett's house now. It's going to take some time to get used to the fact that he's going to be my neighbor. I've touched the spot where he did with his thumb more times than I care to admit in the last 10 hours. I shake off the temptation to do it again and turn towards my oven when the timer goes off. I take out the baking dish, setting it next to the other dishes I'm taking today. I'm bringing a dozen cinnamon rolls, a chocolate raspberry cake, and two loaves of bread. I owe so much to Tom and Mary. I always like to pay them back, even in some small way, whenever I can. Baked goods are also my love language. I have a ball cap that says just that to prove it. I chuckle to myself remembering the gift from Mare when I opened the bakery.

I check the clock and it's 10:15. Mary said 11:30, so I don't have any extra time. I rush through my shower and throw on one of my sundresses. I like this one. It's white with little yellow daisies all over it. It hangs past my knees but has a cute slit up the left leg. I decide to fill my brows and put on mascara, and add some chapstick. I apply lots of product to my wet hair then brush it out, add more and scrunch it slightly and there's just enough time to diffuse it. Curly hair is a process and I haven't been taking care of mine very well lately. Maybe I'll see if Mare wants to do hair masks tomorrow night since we're going out for my birthday this weekend. She was on call last night so she still hasn't answered my previous four texts.

Once my hair is just about dry I call it good. Spritz myself with my favorite perfume and lace up my sneakers. I walk out onto my porch with my arms full of food that I have to set down to lock up. When I turn around Rhett's truck is pulling up. What is he doing here? He gets out and comes up my walkway.

"Hey…what are you doing here?" He smiles and my heart pounds. Will that ever go away? I hope so. He clears his throat as he takes my front steps two at a time.

"I just thought you might want a ride. We're both going to the same place." He picks up the tote bags of food from the porch. "Are those cinnamon rolls?!" he looks so excited. I giggle and his head snaps up. He just stares at my face, up to my hair, then down my body till he gets to the slit in my dress that exposes my leg. He visibly swallows and I blush.

"They are." Why does my voice sound like that? All breathy? I inwardly cringe.

"Alright, let's get going. Tom and Mary are easy going but they do like to start family lunches on time." I smile.

"I know. I've only ever been late to something once, it was not something I care to repeat." He laughs and leads me to the truck.

"Oh please. Like you couldn't get away with anything…" he opens my door and I climb in.

"I have no idea what you're referring to." I smile as sweetly as I can. "I follow the same rules as anyone else." He scoffs, swings the door shut, puts the totes in the backseat then leans in through the open window.

"That's not even close to the truth and you know it. You've always had everyone under your spell."

"Oh, so now I'm a witch?" I call as he's walking to the driver"s side. I really wish that were the case. If it was, I would have cast a spell over myself. One that lifts the thoughts of losing those I love. I would have been waiting for Rhett on the porch today. He would have pulled me in for a kiss when he saw me. Told me he missed me even though it had only been a few hours and I wouldn't have wanted to run. But that"s not my reality. I had to face that years ago when I thought Rhett and I may have had a shot. Loving someone, no matter how much, only hurts double that amount when it ends. That thought sobers me. It helps ground me. Rhett Holloway may be flirting with me but he won't be wrapped around my little finger forever. He'll get tired of the distance I'll continue to put between us. I'm just cursed to fall for him again and again.

"Winnie…where'd you go?" I blink. Great, how long have I been sitting in silence feeling sorry for myself?

"Sorry, I just get lost in my own head sometimes."

"I know. I feel like you live a completely different life in that pretty head of yours." I do my best to ignore the pretty part of that sentence, but it still sends butterflies loose in my stomach.

"Sorry, I'm sure it's annoying to have to sit in silence while I'm doing that." I could not be any more embarrassed. Kill me. He shakes his head adamantly.

"Don't be sorry, honeybee—just take me with you next time." He winks and my heart feels like it could burst. No one has ever made me feel special the way he does. Maybe I should stop comparing everyone I date to him. I'm not saying Sam was right or validated in what he did to me, but I am saying he could most likely tell I wasn't ever fully invested. Maybe he could even feel that I wasn't ever going to be. He should have ended it with me before moving on with someone else but I shouldn't have kept forcing it with him when it wasn't going to work out.

"You're leaving me behind again." There's a smile in his voice. "What's going on in there?"

"Uhm…I was actually thinking about Sam."

"That jerk? Why?" His reaction takes me by surprise.

"Why would you think he was a jerk?" Guess word about my breakup has started making the rounds.

"He cheated on you, Winnie. You." He swings his hand toward me to drive the point home. "So, not only is he an idiot, but also a huge jerk." There"s my confirmation.

I snort and try to brush off his compliment.

"You sound just like Colt. You guys are so overprotective." He looks over at me then and slows the truck.

"I'm not saying that just because I'm protective of you. I am, but also I'm saying that as a man with eyes. He"s absolutely an idiot if he can't see you, Winnie." I blush again and try to remain here on earth because it's really hard not to float away when he says things like that to me.

"Thanks, Rhett. That's really sweet to say and I appreciate it." He doesn't seem accepting of my response but we're here at his parents now so I open my door and get out. Feeling like I'm on a cloud and also like I have one hanging over my head I go to get the totes but Rhett stops me.

"Ah, ah, I got it. Head on in, I'll be right behind you."

"Thanks." A squeal tears through the air and I turn to see Florence holding Hazel on her hip.

"Hazyyy!" I'm running up to her and she is squeezing her little hands into fists and babbling. "Hi, sweet girl. It is so good to see you." I pluck her from Florence and spin her in a circle. High pitched shrieks sound and I dance back and forth with her on my hip. I smell her chestnut baby curl covered head. "I've missed you so much babygirl." Knox steps out the front door then and smiles.

"Hey, Winnie."

"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 have down. 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."

"Four?!" He puts his hand over my mouth.

"Shh…I snuck them out. Now let's do the same because I don't want to share anymore today." He says it like it's more than the cinnamon rolls. I know better but I like hearing he doesn't want to share me either.

"Bye everyone!" I get scattered goodbye's and drop a kiss on Hazel"s plump little cheek as we pass by and out of the house. As I do, Knox kisses the top of my head. Before I can question what that was about I'm being carried towards the truck and Knox is laughing like a hyena. Rhett opens my door and lifts me into the seat.

"Whoa…where's the fire, cowboy?" His green eyes connect with mine and I start giggling at how serious this man looks right now. "I can get myself in, thank you." He huffs but just shuts my door and walks around the front of the truck. He's pouting and I can't help but tease him.

"So, what's the hurry to get back? Um…do you have plans?"

"What? No, I don't have plans." His jaw ticks so I know there's more. I wait. "I just figured you'd want to get out of there so my brothers could quit drooling all over you."

I laugh loudly but when he isn't laughing with me I see the serious look on his face.

"Oh, Rhett come on. Be serious."

"I am. Alder had to sit right next to you…"

"You sat next to me…" I cut in.

"…and Knox couldn't keep his hands…or his lips to himself…" I burst out again and this time I see the corner of his mouth tip up.

"If I didn't know any better. I would think you were a little jealous, Rhett." I'm teasing him. This isn't new. We"ve gone back and forth plenty of times but the tension I'm feeling coming from his side of the truck isn't something I've felt in awhile.

"Insanely, Winnie. I thought I was making that fairly obvious." There's finally a little humor in his voice when he says it and I am now full on belly laughing in the passenger seat. I'm wiping tears from my eyes when I ask my next question.

"Why in the world would you be jealous?" I force the words out. He's quiet for a minute. I look over at him when I feel the truck slowing. The expression on his face and the way he's looking at me makes heat curl low in my stomach. His answer stokes that flame.

"Because you're beautiful Winnie and it seems like everyone in my family got to touch you tonight except for me." His low voice sends goosebumps dancing across my limbs…limbs that now feel like jell-o.

"Why would you want to touch me?" I'm on the edge of a cliff right now. He let's out a sigh and looks out the windshield as he comes to a stop in front of my house. I'm not going to get an answer when I desperately need to know what he's thinking. He clears his throat and I take it as a sign I should get out but as I open the door Rhett grabs my arm.

"Can I come out with you for your birthday?" Not what I thought he was going to say but I nod.

"If you want to."

"I want to." He's smiling again and just the sight of it has my lips twitching, too.

"Okay. I guess I'll see you then." I go to get out again but he stops me again. I huff and look at him.

"Yes, Rhett?"

"What if I want to see you before?" I laugh.

"You can stop by the bakery. I'm always there. Oh, and in case you weren't aware. We're neighbors now, so I'm sure you'll see me so much you'll be sick of me." He shakes his head.

"Not possible. What are you doing the rest of the day?" His question catches me off guard.

"Uh, I'm not sure. I need to catch up on some laundry and I have a really good book I'm reading."

"Bring the book."

"Bring the book? To? Where?" He's completely lost me.

"Go get your swimsuit on and something to hike in, I'll be back in 20."

"Hiking? I know I said I had been trying to get out more but?—"

"It's just to the lake, one small hill." He can see the uncertainty. "Please." That does it.

"Fine. I'll see you in 20." His answering smile is one of my favorites, it's the one he uses when he gets something he really wants. I would do almost anything for that smile. Like go on a hike on my only day off this week.