Rhett
Iswipe the steam from the mirror over the sink in the hotel bathroom. I take a good look at myself then blow out a breath. I look awful. My eyes are bloodshot and I have dark circles under them. The drive from Seattle to Silverthorne was brutal. Nineteen hours, 1300 miles in a truck by yourself gives you plenty of time to think about all the choices you’ve made and second guess them, but standing in that arena earlier today with my new team solidified that I was in the right place. I’ve thought about what leaving behind my life in the city will be like and how excited I am to be back in Colorado. To be back in my hometown with my family and friends is what I need in my life right now.
I’m almost out of the hotel before I completely know what I’m doing. I told myself that I just needed to go for a walk before bed but if I’m being honest, there’s only one place I’ll be walking to. I know she opened her own bakery a few months back. Colt mentioned it in passing when he called to ask about my injury. I have tried not to think about her over the years but the way we ended never sat right with me.
My mom calls as I’m pulling on my jacket. It may be August but when the sun goes down you’ll be sorry you don’t have an extra layer handy.
“Hey, mom.”
“You got in today didn’t you?” She asks without so much as a ‘hey’.
“I did. Just this morning. I took a nap after I met with the team and had a shower. Sorry I forgot to call.”
“Oh, that’s fine. Your sister called me to let me know you checked in.” Then why did she ask? “I’m still not sure why you’re staying there when you know we have plenty of rooms here at the ranch.”
“Yeah mom, I know I’m welcome to stay with you and dad until I can move into the house, but I’m fine staying at the hotel for now.” I’ve already bought a house and had the inspection. I’m only waiting to sign the papers next week.
“Okay, well it’s an open invite, dear.” I can’t help the way my lips tip upward, knowing this won’t be the last time she offers.
“Thank you, mom. I’ll keep it in mind. I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch.”
“See you tomorrow, Rhett.” She sighs. “I can’t wait to have all my kids together again, it’s been too long.” I know she’s thrilled to have us all in town again. She’s been on Knox and Alder lately about settling down and needing more grandkids to spoil…I know it will be my turn next.
“Looking forward to it, mom. Love you.”
“Love you, son.”
I slip my phone in my pocket, look down the empty sidewalk and head in the direction I’ve been drawn to since I arrived in town this afternoon.
When I accepted the coaching job for the High School, I knew it was the right decision. I like to think I’m a simple man. There are only a few things I want in life and being back in Silverthorne for good is one of them. After being away for the last eight years on and off, traveling with my team, the Seattle Hornets, I’ve only been able to visit for certain holidays and important milestones. I’ve tried to be there for as much as I can, but an NHL players schedule is pretty packed.
I take in the sleepy mountain town. Silverthorne is exactly the same. The mountains are comforting as ever and with fall on its way and hockey season around the corner I’m feeling at peace with being here. I love this place and always have. Not only does this place have one of the best views but it also has some of the best people.
Now I get to be close to my family. I was the only one left of the four of us that didn’t live in town. I’m excited to see more of my siblings. My older brothers, my perfect little niece, my baby sister, and of course my parents. It would be near to impossible to find better people than Tom and Mary Holloway. My best friend since high school is here, running his own rafting business. Living here will mean spending my weekends fishing, hiking, and rafting again. Outdoor sports played a huge role in my upbringing and my love for them has only grown. Camping trips are few and far between when you’re traveling all over the country two or three times a week, seven months out of the year. Then there’s practices and training camps. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of it. The adrenaline of being out on the ice, the high that comes from a big win, it’s like nothing else…but I’m ready to slow down a bit and even if I wasn’t, my sore knee is.
I round the corner and see my destination still has the lights on. That’s a good sign. I make my way inside and see a young girl behind the counter looking down at her phone.
“Hey there, you all still open?” I do my best to announce myself because I’m not sure if the bell chime was enough. She briefly looks up, registers my presence, snaps her head in my direction, then stuffs her phone into the front pocket of her apron. She puts on a bashful smile.
“Um, hi,” she squeaks out. “I’ll have to check with Winnie. She’s the owner.” Just then I hear a shout from the back telling the girl, Anna, that they’re supposed to be closed. She blushes so I fill the silence.
“Sounds like I’m out of luck tonight, I’ll just have to come back in the morning I suppose.” I say with a wink. Anna blushes further.
“Oh, yeah…that’s a good idea. We um, we’re open from 5am till noon on Saturdays...” She trails off and I give her another smile.
“I’ll come by tomorrow then.”
“That’s probably a good idea if you want a cinnamon roll. They sell out fast in the mornings.”
“I’ll make sure I’m here at open then.” I wink and she giggles. I’m getting ready to turn around and regretfully make my way back to the hotel when I hear footsteps heading our way. I look up in time to see honey eyes that I’ve on more-than-one occasion wanted to melt into. Yeah, playing in the NHL was a dream come true but another dream of mine, the one I barely even admit to myself, she just got smacked in the face with a swinging door.
“Shit!” we say in unison. I make my way around the counter and over to her side. Winslow Parker is holding the right side of her face and muttering curses under her breath. Damn. She’s more beautiful than the last time I saw her. Her dark unruly hair is haphazardly trapped on top of her head with a pencil sticking through and she’s wearing a black apron, smattered with flour, with her Thistle and Sage logo on the front.
“Jeezes, Winnie. Are you alright?” She smiles or at least attempts to. It’s a cross between a smile and a grimace.
“Why would you think I wasn’t?” She says breezily, but I can tell it’s painful. A smile tugs at my lips. I have really missed her. “Oh this?” She uses her free hand to gesture to the one covering her face. “This is nothing. Happens all the time and this isn’t even the worst.” She does this. Always has. Minimizes pain. Feelings...especially her own.
“Okay, tough guy, let me see.” I put my hands on her narrow shoulders and direct her over to one of the tables. I slide two chairs together and nudge her to sit down on one while I sit on the other. My left hand goes to her elbow and the other gently tries to tip her head up so I can get a good look at the side of her face that was just hit. She waves a hand in the air as she tries to brush off the incident and the pain she is probably in.
“I’m fine, really. As I’m sure you know, it”s not the first time I’ve run into a door and I’m sure it won’t be the last.” I’m not buying it. They had to have heard the impact of the hit outside.
“Come on Winnie, just let me take a look.” She relents and lets me gently pull her hand away from her heart shaped face. I look at her high cheekbone, it’s red and already a little swollen. Her full bottom lip looks slightly more full, but it’s not split.
“How bad is it? Am I gonna make it?” She asks with just the slightest bit of snark. I chuckle.
“Hey Anna?” I look at the girl behind the counter. “Do you think you could find an ice pack and a towel for Winnie?” She’s already walking through the offending door when she calls back to me.
“On it!”
When I look back and meet Winnie’s topaz gaze, I’m momentarily stunned.
Winslow Parker with a dazed expression from across the bakery was stunning, but having her close, touching her injured, splotchy, but still beautiful face, she’s devastating. I shake my head to clear it of thoughts that I need to get a handle on.
“Hi, Rhett.” Her smirk has softened to one of her sweet smiles and I don’t know if I’ve felt this warm since the last time I was this close to her.
She does that, too. Emits warmth.
“Hi, Winnie.” I’m holding her cheek against my palm when Anna comes back, holding up a piping bag of ice and a hand towel.
“Will this work? It’s all I could find back there.” She takes in my hand resting gently against Winnie’s face and a suggestive smile curves her lips. “If you don’t need me for anything else I can head out.” She raises her eyebrows at Winnie and gives her a pointed look.
“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 the Open sign to Closed. 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 a date. 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 if someone hadn’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.
“For quite awhile. Permanently, actually.” Her eyes go wide.
“P...permanently?” she asks. She’s flustered and I find it adorable.
“Yeah, I would have thought mom would have let you know. Or Colt. I talked to him about this just last week. I bought a house and will be taking over as the High School hockey coach in the fall.” She takes in my words for a beat then softly responds.
“I was sorry to hear about your knee. So, you’re really done playing hockey?” I let out a breath. No one’s asked me this question that really cares about the answer.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be done playing hockey, but I’m done playing professionally.”
“...and are you okay with that?” She nudges her leg against mine. A small touch but I heat at the contact. I clear my throat.
“Not sure I have much of a choice, but I am happy to be back in town and I’m excited for the opportunity to coach these boys.”
“Wow, Rhett. That’s really exciting.” I can’t stop the smirk that appears at her monotone reply.
“Yeah, you sound really excited, Winnie.” I deadpan then let out a chuckle. “Will it be so awful to have me around?” Something flashes across her face, too quickly for me to name and she looks me in the eyes.
“Of course it won’t be. I really am happy you’ll be closer to your family. I know they all miss you so much.” She smiles and it’s genuine. Then she looks up and I can sense a shift in her as she stands. “Well. I need to finish up closing so I can get home. Another early morning here tomorrow. Thanks for checking me out, Rhett…” I smirk and her neck and uninjured cheek tinge pink and she rushes to rephrase. “...er for looking at my face....for making sure I’m okay,” she stammers. It’s so cute I can’t help my grin. “Thanks for stopping by. I guess I’ll be seeing you around town.” She practically pushes me toward the door.
“No problem. I’m glad you’re okay, but you should keep some ice on your cheek tonight to help with the swelling.”
“Sure, sure. I’ll do that. Bye, Rhett.”
“See you in the morning, Winnie.” She looks confused.
“In the morning?” My cheeks hurt from trying to hide my smile.
“Yeah, I hear I’ll have to get here early in the morning if I want any of your baked goods.”
“Right, yes. Well...I’ll see you then…maybe. I’m usually working in the back but Anna will be out front taking orders and she’ll make sure you get something good.” She’s rambling now and I’m not used to seeing her this worked up or what to make of it.
“Alright then, goodnight.”
“Night, Rhett.” I feel a light shove at my hip and hear the door shut and lock shut behind me. Not exactly how I had hoped she would receive the news of my being back in town for good. How did I want her to react? Did I want her to be excited because she wanted me back in town? Yeah, I’m not sure that’s warranted…but the way she reacted just then?
That was not on my list of possibilities.