Rhett

What the hell is wrong with me? A question that's been on my mind for the last seven days. A question I do not have the answer to yet. What was I thinking? Is another one.That one is easier to answer. I wasn't. It was pure impulsive instinct to tell Winnie what was going on inside my head. As soon as I saw her in AJ's—sitting next to that guy, smiling at him, looking beautiful, she always looks so damn beautiful, I knew I wouldn't last all night. I thought I had a handle on myself after he left but oh no, three minutes later and another idiot was dragging her away— she wouldn't even look at me.

I thought I was going to snap, maybe I had. I saw her going towards the bathrooms and followed. I followed her and waited for her to come out…actually waited, like some creep stalking the object of his obsession—I had no idea what I was going to say to her. Maybe I would just try to play it off that I happened to be there, too. Just to be near her, apologize for missing dinner and explain what had happened.

That was all I had wanted to do, but when I saw her walking out of the bathroom, flushed and smiling and heartbreakingly adorable, something loosened in my chest. Then she literally fell into my arms, her hair tickling my chest as I caught her. She smelled like vanilla and baked goods. She felt like home and longing at the same time. Then she looked up at me with recognition sparking in those warm amber eyes— I was done for. I realized in that moment, something I had been struggling with since I was 19 years old and my best friend"s little sister was supposed to be off limits for me.

I wanted Winnie Parker and I was going to have to take a risk to get her.

About the time I came to that realization, she all but disappeared. I went back to our table to find Colt with two women I didn't recognize. Alder was chatting up the bartender, but Winnie and Marigold were gone. That was a week ago. I decided the morning after her birthday that I was going to pursue Winnie and ask her if she felt at all what I did, if she didn't yet, then I would show her that I could be worth her time.

I stopped by the bakery twice but Anna always had an excuse for why she couldn't come out. She was out getting something, she was busy in the back, she was doing inventory, this morning she was supposedly sick—the excuses were endless and I was coming to the conclusion my patience wasn't. Not about this. It felt like I had been waiting half my life already. I don't think she has been staying at her house every night either. The lights have been off, except for the one on the porch. I called her twice, this afternoon alone I had sent two texts. I wanted—no I needed to talk to her. I needed to know if she thought she could take a risk with me. She could try to keep avoiding me, but it couldn't last. Not only because there were only so many places she could dodge me in Silverthorne but because I wouldn't give up on her. There was also the handy fact that I was her neighbor.

I know she doesn't let people in easily, what she didn't realize is that I would take anything she would give me. Whatever pieces of herself she felt me worthy of, I would greedily take them and it would be more than enough. It would be everything. Now if she would just give me the time of day I could tell her all this. I would also tell her that it doesn't matter how many times she wants to push me away, I've been pushed into the boards plenty of times in my hockey career. I can take a hit.

That thought had me smiling as I walked into the high school"s ice rink. I had the team on a schedule and we started meeting twice a week to lift weights and scrimmaging to get into playing condition. When I told them this was the schedule I was prepared for some groaning and complaining but these boys seemed excited to be getting to work and putting in the hours. They're already out on the ice when I walk in. I drop some things off at my office and then start looking over the pre-season schedule and planning out some community outreach.

Mary Holloway was big on community while all us kids were growing up, we all volunteered and were present at most town events. These boys will be too. It will also keep them out of trouble—mostly. I can tell which ones I'm going to have my hands full with. I lace up my skates and get out onto the ice with them. My knee is getting stronger, but it still hurts after my morning run and I have to ice it after every practice.

Two hours later, I dismiss my team and gather my things. I've decided I'll be making a visit to Winnie's tonight. If she thinks she can hide from me I'll have to prove to her that I don't mind taking on the challenge.