Taran #2
“You’ve already done more than enough for us, Wynter. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have made it in those initial weeks and months. It was a relief that you were around and not posted abroad.”
“I took two months’ leave,” he admitted.
All of a sudden, my skin tingled. I’d assumed at the time that he’d been posted locally, that he’d just made it a point to stick around.
I didn’t know he’d actually taken leave to be there for me and Rory.
“That was so thoughtful—I don’t think I ever said thank you.
” What he did was so incredibly unselfish and caring that I didn’t have words to describe the gratitude that filled my heart.
Without him, I might not have made it. Wyn was such a special guy, and Lisa was lucky to have him.
It might be indecent of me to think about a married man like this, but I couldn’t help it.
“There isn’t any need.” His voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“I needed you guys just as much as you needed me. His… death devastated me. And the guilt…” He shook his head.
“It was tough. I wish I’d been around more when he was here.
If I’d understood his pain, maybe I could have helped him in those crucial days. ”
“Don’t blame yourself,” I said, even though that same guilt was a constant part of my life. “You did so much.”
His expression clearly showed that he didn’t think he’d done enough. But he used to spend time with Royce whenever he got the chance.
An easy silence fell, comfortable but tinged with a kind of awareness. I could feel his gaze on me, and he didn’t look away when I glanced up.
Our food arrived then, giving us a welcome distraction. Wynter had ordered a pulled pork sandwich with a side of crispy sweet potato fries, and I had a grilled chicken wrap with a mix of greens. Nothing fancy, but it smelled incredible.
I took a bite, savoring the tangy sauce and fresh crunch. “Man, this place always knows how to do it right.”
Wynter nodded, chewing thoughtfully. “It’s good to be back in town.” He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. “Around people who knew me before.”
“Umhm.” I set down my wrap, wiping my fingers on the napkin. “There have been some changes around here, but nothing that would make you feel off balance, you know what I mean? I bet Lisa is happy to have you back home for good.”
He took a sip of water, looking up with an intensity that caught me off guard. “Right.”
Wynter’s one-word answer wasn’t what I was expecting, but I was determined to keep things light between us.
He’d talk to me when he was ready. Another beat of silence stretched, this one awkward but not uncomfortable.
He watched me carefully, like he was seeing something new, and I felt a faint heat creep up my neck.
“How is Rory doing? Is he handling his dad’s absence well?”
“As well as a kid can, I suppose. It was hard initially. Even though Royce wasn’t around much when Rory was growing up, he did feel the loss of what little time he got with his father. I try my best to make losing Royce more bearable for him.
“You always were a great father. And Rory seems well-adjusted.”
I smiled, feeling a flicker of pride. “Thanks, Wyn. I try.”
He looked around as if taking in the whole restaurant. “I’ve noticed there’ve been some big changes here in the past year. Two new grocery stores, some new restaurants popping up…”
“Yeah, it’s like the town’s suddenly realized it’s got room to grow.” I gestured around us. “Places like this used to be rare around here. They even put in that new shopping plaza by the river. You might’ve seen it?”
“Not yet.”
“I saw Lisa about six months ago at the opening of a new restaurant. Is she doing well?”
“Yeah, she is.” His eyes glazed over a bit. He definitely seemed cagey about his home situation.
Short of asking prying, direct questions, it was impossible to get any information out of him.
And, of course, I didn’t want to be too blunt.
He deserved his privacy. It struck me suddenly that he might be struggling with adjusting to civilian life.
Most soldiers found the new pace strange and unsettling.
“You know, Wyn—I don’t know if I should say it, but given what I went through with Royce, I feel I need to say it.
It might be a good idea for you to see a—counselor.
The change to civilian life can be intense. ”
He looked incredulous. “I’m not having any trouble with the adjustment process. It wasn’t a sudden decision. I thought about it hard enough.”
I wasn’t a hundred percent convinced. I did see the beer in his shopping basket; the Wyn that I knew didn’t indulge in the beverage that much. But his words made me feel relieved. He sounded very confident, and I hoped he remained like that in the weeks and months ahead.
“So, what about your new plans for the business?” he asked.
I couldn’t help but cringe. I shouldn’t even talk to Wynter about my problems. Obviously, he already seemed to be dealing with a lot of pressure from home.
Despite this, words poured out of my mouth, and I told him the story of the banks’ rejection.
“It’s not going to happen. Unless I have assets…
which I don’t. I just have to accept it.
” I shrugged. “I’m still lucky that I can work, support myself and my son.
That should be enough. Perhaps later, when Rory is away at college, I could—we’ll see.
” For now, it was enough. I met his gaze.
A wealth of understanding reflected in his warm, blue-green eyes.
It brought a lump to my throat, but I swallowed it.
Wynter wasn’t the one for me, and he never could be.
Even though I wanted to support him in these trying times, I was determined to maintain a friendly distance.
It wouldn’t help him to get emotionally involved in his issues, and it wasn’t good for me.
The trouble Wynter faced might not have anything to do with Lisa.
It could be that he was grappling with the decision to leave the army and turn his whole life around.
We chatted a bit about old friends. It was a wonder no one in this small town had spotted us dining together. I checked my watch. It was time to go home. I didn’t want to leave Rory with the babysitter for too long.
When the waiter brought the check, Wynter took it.
“Hey! I was the one who invited you.”
Ignoring me, he paid the bill. “Don’t be silly, Taran. I’m just glad we got this time to catch up.”
I couldn’t help the smile that sprang to my lips. He really was the sweetest man alive. It was too bad I couldn’t get him to talk about his problems. Perhaps he didn’t have any, and I was just reading too much into his reticence. “Thank you.”
“The pleasure was all mine.”
We walked out. I kept my expression neutral as I turned to face him at the exit. “Take care, Wyn.”
His eyes glittered with emotions. What were they?
But then his gaze shuttered, and I couldn’t read him anymore.
“You too, Taran.” He reached out and gave me a bear hug, the kind he always used to give. And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was home.
My heart pounded against my chest. I didn’t immediately pull away. The male scent of him, spicy and strong, hit me. I sucked in a deep breath to rein in my sudden awareness of him.
He drew away and we walked in opposite directions to our cars.