“No worries,” he laughed, “I’ve saved for that, as well. Are you hungry? Can I get you anything else?”
Ronnie shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ll wait until we get to Toronto.”
As the driving resumed out of town and onto the highway heading south, Ronnie sipped her coffee and kept her gaze outside the window. The traffic wasn’t bad; they would feel it in about an hour, though, once they approached Barrie. From there on, it would be pretty congested alongside the regular commuters.
Ronnie stole a glance at Red. He seemed immersed in thought, and she wondered if it had something to do with his business in Toronto. Her gaze dropped to his wool jacket, blue checkered shirt and jeans. She had noticed the garment bag hanging up next to him and imagined what he’d look like in a suit and tie. Something dark would be perfect for him, she thought. Pine or teal green. Or classic black. With that hair of his, he’d look—
“Are you all set for your meeting?”
Her head snapped up to meet his. A transport truck drove by them, illuminating them both for a few moments. Ronnie was mortified, having been caught staring. She could feel a spiral of heat rising to her neck and cheeks.
“I’m as ready as I can be,” she said lightly. “My job as Provincial Marketing Manager will officially start in about a month. I’ll go at it full tilt then.”
“I’m sure you will. Congratulations. Casson had told me about your new position.”
“Thanks. Um…what time is your meeting? Maybe I’ll have time to do a little shopping. My son’s birthday is coming up.” She bit her lip, a wave of emotion engulfing her. This birthday would be different. Finally. Gratitude for the end of Andy’s maintenance treatment. And joy in the miracle of his remission. Ronnie turned to look out her window, her eyes misting. The sudden raucous honking of horns jarred her back to the moment, and she turned in alarm.
“Just a couple of idiots trying to pass a transport truck,” Red said, shaking his head. He gave her a look of reassurance. “Don’t worry; you’re in good hands.” He looked away before she could.
She was glad, because her cheeks were flaming as an image of herself in his hands, or rather, in his arms, as she had been two—no, three—times now, popped into her mind. Despite the coffee, she felt fatigue from too little sleep last night weighing down her eyelids. She had woken up twice during the night, and when the alarm had finally gone off, she had bolted out of bed, afraid to press on the snooze button in case she slept through the next alarm. She had had a quick shower, dried and brushed her hair, and gotten dressed in less than half an hour. And she had been out the door with her briefcase in hand two minutes before Red had appeared.
She had stood in the frosty stillness, looking up at the black sky and breathing in the crisp pine-scented air. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, she had felt a sense of peace come over her. And a tingle of anticipation at the same time. She looked forward to the upcoming meeting, and afterward, exploring some of the shops in the area to find something special for Andy’s birthday.
While she was picturing Andy’s little face shining with pleasure as he was about to blow out his birthday candles, the sleek limousine had appeared in the driveway. For a few moments, his headlights had blinded her and she had stood there stunned, having expected Red to drive up in his truck. She still hadn’t moved when Red had jumped out to open the door on her side of the vehicle.
As she had handed Red her briefcase, Ronnie hadn’t missed his gaze casually sweeping over her.
And approval in the dark, enigmatic depths of his eyes…
* * *
Red gazed at the woman across from him. She had removed her coat and had fallen asleep just before Barrie, an hour from Toronto. Her arms were crisscrossed against her chest. She looked so vulnerable, her long lashes resting on her face like a…like a sleeping angel.
His gaze dropped to the locket around her neck. He hadn’t noticed it earlier. The latch wasn’t completely closed and the locket had opened to reveal a tiny photo. Her son. On the other side, nothing.
Had it previously held the photo of her husband?
He felt his jaw muscles tightening. Why did he feel so conflicted?
You know why, his inner voice murmured. You’re attracted to Ronnie, but you don’t want to be. Because of her little boy…
Red glanced again at the photo. A feeling of guilt washed over him. The kid didn’t deserve this kind of rejection. Neither did Ronnie. They both deserved to have someone who could accept them both. Together.
It was just too bad that he had had such a heartbreaking experience in the past. An experience that was affecting his choices now. The choice to risk again.
There was only one thing stopping him. Fear.
The realization stunned him.
Fear had essentially kept him from even considering another relationship since his breakup with Sofia. He had purposefully buried himself in work so as not to even be tempted to get involved with another woman. Why would he? He had been burned. Scorched. And he hadn’t been ready to trust again.
Fear had succeeded in freezing his emotions. But something was changing. Something was chipping away at the hard layer of ice that had formed around his heart. Or rather, someone.
Ronnie Forrester. Even though she wasn’t aware that she was holding a hammer and chisel…
He saw Ronnie shifting in her seat and the movement roused her. She glanced out the window. The sky had lightened and she blinked before checking her watch. “Wow. I—I guess I needed that snooze.”
“No worries. That’s part of the passenger perks,” he said, flashing her a teasing grin.
She responded with a crooked smile and noticing her open locket,
