I gaze at Sutton quickly, curious about her. Her eyes flicker to mine, and she smiles before focusing back on our hands.
“There.” I lose the warmth of her skin against mine as she grabs a hair tie and wraps it at the end of the ropes. The ghost of her touch lingers as do the thoughts of letting someone into my life.
I swallow thickly before looking into her eyes.
“Yeah. Now, I gotta do it on my own.”
“Imitate what I just did,” she encourages me. “Do you want something to drink? I’ll grab it so you can concentrate on the braid.”
“Water would be great.”
“BRB.”
I chuckle at her use of the abbreviation and look at the rope. Okay, I can do this. Slowly, I start bringing the ropes from one side to the other, holding them uncomfortably between my knuckles, but at least they’re in place.
“You stick your tongue out the side of your mouth when you concentrate,” Sutton comments as she takes a seat again, placing two glasses of water on the coffee table.
I look up at her with raised eyebrows, pausing my braiding attempt. “Really? I never realized it. Penny does that, too.
“She got that from you.” Sutton smiles widely before inspecting my work so far. “Looks… good.” She nods, biting down her smile.
I look down at a crooked braid, some sections missing the actual braid part.
“Ugh,” I toss my head back. “I thought this would be easier.”
“It’s definitely better than your first attempt. Start again.”
I look at her with a raised eyebrow, and her giggle hits me in the chest.
“Don’t look at me like that. You’re here to learn, so come on.” She claps her hands two times.
I shake my head and release the ropes, starting again. Silence falls around us as I braid the ropes and tie the end.
“Much better!” Sutton cheers.
A blinding smile lights up her face when I look at her. I lock my eyes with hers, and I can’t help the smile that grazes my lips.
“Thanks,” I tell her before undoing the rope and going at it again, determined to be the best.
“I can’t wait to see Penny’s face when I braid her hair tomorrow.” I lean back on the couch, satisfied with my progress. I’m still not a braid master, but I can hold my own now when Penny asks for a braid.
“She’ll love it, I’m sure. Here.” Sutton reaches for my phone on the table and taps on the screen before handing it to me. That’s when I realize she added her number to my contacts. “Send me the picture so I can see it. I’ll need to make sure my teaching skills are working.”
Surprised by her assertiveness, I furrow my eyebrows and nod in response.
“I really do appreciate it.” I stand and nod. “I should get home before Penny wonders where I am.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m glad I could help. She’s going to be so excited when you tell her you’re going to braid her hair.” Sutton walks me to the front door.
“She’s going to flip,” I laugh. I can picture Penny’s face light up when I bring it up tomorrow.
As I leave the guest house at the bed and breakfast, I turn to look back one more time, seeing Sutton still standing by the door. I wave at her with a smile. For the first time in years, I’ve wanted to have someone in my life to share these experiences with. More than help me with Penny, have someone I can share these intimate moments with, talk to at the end of a long day, and laugh together. For the first time in a long time, I’ve craved having a woman by my side.
Sutton
The buzzing of my phone pulls me away from my thoughts and steals my eyes from the dripping coffee maker to the device on the kitchen counter.
I reach for it and pinch my eyebrows together at the unfamiliar number until it dawns on me. Excited, I swipe the notification, and a photo of Penny’s hair opens in my messages. Chuckling, I shake my head.
Sutton: That’s cute it looks like Penny did it herself
Gavin: Funny
Gavin: It’s harder with hair since all the strands move
Sutton: You did good, Gavin. I’m sure Penny loved it
Gavin: Yeah…she went on and on about how she was going to show her braid to all her friends and she bet none of their dads knew how to braid
A wide smile takes over my face at our back and forth. When I asked for a picture, I didn’t think he’d send one, let alone this early in the morning. Yesterday, Gavin let me in, even if only a smidgen. Instead of closing me off or giving me one-word responses, he spoke, he showed vulnerability, and he allowed me to help him instead of waving me off.
And me? That only fueled my crush.
Blowing out a breath, I write back to him before fixing my coffee.
Sutton: You own the bragging rights for all the dads out there and you’ll only get better
Gavin: Thanks again, Sutton. It might sound silly but learning to do this meant a lot to me
Sutton: Anything you need, I’m around. From braids to loading a gun
Gavin: Loading a gun, huh?
Sutton: Born and raised in the South. If you didn’t know how to load one could you even consider yourself a Southerner?
Gavin: Lol very true from what I’ve heard. Thanks again
Sutton: You’re welcome
Nothing can tear away the smile I’m sporting today. If I start each day like this, I’d be happier than a tick on a fat dog. With a skip in my step, I head out of the guest house and toward town with my to-go cup in my hand.
I’ve grown to love this town and find peace walking around in the mornings. I watch the awakening town on
