Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Jewels
Watching Wyatt open up over the next few days grew me closer towards him. Not only did he come back the next day to volunteer, but he also offered to help the rest of the week.
Every day he showed up with a smile and a positive attitude, his anxiety a distant memory.
I wanted to ask him about his past troubles, but I was afraid of him shutting down again.
I wasn’t afraid of flirting though and we danced around each other, though I desperately wished he would just kiss me already.
“When do you give the kids their gifts?” Wyatt asked over the lunch, the day before Christmas Eve.
“I’ll pass out one tomorrow evening, and two on Christmas morning. Seems to have worked pretty well in the past.”
“Is it okay if I stopped by?”
“Of course. I would’ve asked, but I figured you had plans with your family.”
Wyatt shook his head. “Sadly, no. My father was going to come from where he lives a few towns away, but a snowstorm stranded him at home. Pretty depressing, I know.”
I reached across the table and covered his hand with my own. Silence lingered between us as I hoped he’d say more, but he remained quiet. “It’s okay. You can always create your own family.”
His head shot up as his eyes connected with mine.
Oh no, did I say something wrong?
“Yeah. You’re right. You can.” He leaned in closer and my heart kicked into overdrive. “Don’t you have a family to spend it with?”
A grin crept across my lips. “Touche. My parents moved to California after my brother and I moved out. I liked the slower, small-town life and didn’t want to go far.
My brother headed northeast to Boston, and I stayed around here.
Once I took the job at the shelter, it was a done deal.
I wasn’t going anywhere. Now the families here have become my family. ”
“Are you ever afraid to get attached and then the family leaves?”
I nodded. “It’s happened before. I try to keep a reminder in the back of my head, but it doesn’t always work. I’ll be sad when Marley and her mother Mary leave. But they all eventually do. We’re just a steppingstone in the path to their new life.”
“I can’t believe so many men treat their women, the mother of their children, that way. I could never.”
My heart throbbed in my chest and my ears grew hot, as if I’d set them on fire. “I bet you already make a fine husband to a lucky lady.”
Confusion flickered across his face. “No. Not yet anyway.”
My heart threatened to crack my rib cage wide open. “How is a catch like you not single?”
“Well, you kind of have to leave your cabin if you want to meet someone.”
“Is someone a hermit?”
Wyatt chuckled, the sound low and deep in his throat. “Something like that.”
I sensed he didn’t want to talk more about it and as I was about to open my mouth and ask him about his favorite Christmas movie, a stampede of kids ran by the kitchen, cheers and screams mixed together.
Wyatt looked at the kids as if they grew two heads overnight, but then he laughed before turning back to me. “Where are they all excited to go?”
“It was a half day at school today and the last day before Christmas vacation. Naturally, the children get a tad riled up.”
“A tad?” Wyatt teased. “That was a herd of elephants.”
“Lots of energy to burn in those little bodies. Sometimes I wish I could borrow some.”
“I could use some, too. So, it’s my turn to ask you, Jewels, are you single?”
I sighed. “With as much time as I spend here, there’s little time for a love life. Maybe one day.”
“I love how passionate you are about the shelter. I can tell the kids really love you. As does everyone.”
“Thanks. I pour my heart and soul into this place. I’m glad to hear it gets recognized.”
I could hear kids’ laughter and voices from the other room, but the kitchen was empty despite the two of us and I swore my heart was loud enough for the entire building to hear. There was no way Wyatt didn’t hear it.
Wyatt pushed his lunch aside and leaned forward. “I like you too, Jewels. A lot.”
My cheeks caught on fire and spread to the rest of my body as fiery tingles spread through my limbs.
“You make me feel a way no one else ever has. You quiet my busy head and soothe my charred soul. I’ve been dying to ask you all week. May I please kiss you?”
Swoon. Times infinity.
I nodded my head without hesitation and my breath hitched in my throat as Wyatt moved in closer.
He dipped his head low and when his lips pressed against mine, it was as if the entire world slipped away, leaving only us two in our love bubble.
Our mouths moved against the other, our tongues pushing inside, desperate for a taste we both waited too long for.
Seconds passed, and we kissed and kissed. I should’ve stopped. I was at my place of employment- what was I thinking? What if a child ran in?
Much to my dismay, I broke the kiss, tearing our lips apart, like a band aid off sensitive skin. Moans escaped our lips as the cold reality of being apart hit us sideways.
“Come home with me tonight.” Wyatt said breathlessly.
“I…I…”
Before I could answer, Marley ran in. “Ju Ju! Ju Ju! Hungry!” She climbed into my lap, not caring Wyatt was still close to me as she pushed her way between us on the bench.
Mary ran in seconds later. “Marley! I told you not to run away from mama like that! I’m so sorry, Jewels. I hope she didn’t interrupt anything.” Mary sent me a knowing look, and I suppressed a giggle.
“Of course not. Let’s get you some lunch, okay?” I stood and lifted Marley into my arms.
Wyatt cleaned up our lunch and, after throwing away the trash, he walked over to me as I prepped Marley’s lunch from what we fed the toddlers earlier. Marley had been napping when they ate, so I’m not surprised she’s hungry. I always saved a little.
“I’m still waiting for an answer.” Wyatt took over cutting the strawberries so I could move onto the grapes.
“Will food be involved?”
“It can be. In more ways than one.” Wyatt winked, and I flushed. I liked this new playful side of him emerging.
“Then you have a deal. Luckily, I’m off at five tonight.”
“Perfect.”