“No. He’s just an expert at people. Unfortunately, I think he’s right on this one. I should have found someone else. Megan or Samantha or Julia Winston. Someone else who would have felt free to tell me no.”
Andie must really have it bad. Why else would she feel so territorial and find it completely abhorrent to think of any of her other friends stepping up to help Marshall after his accident?
“I’m glad you asked me,” she said again. “And anyway, I really haven’t done much. A few meals, a little grocery shopping, running him to Shelter Springs that day. That’s about it.”
“That’s not what I heard. Mom said you’ve been taking great care of him.”
Andie froze, her face suddenly hot. Rats. What had Charlene told her daughter? Did Wyn think she and Marshall were romantically involved, too?
What was she supposed to say? She didn’t want to lie to her friend, but she couldn’t leave her with any misconceptions.
“You should know, Marsh might have, um, misled your mother about the two of us.”
“How so?” Wyn asked, her features deceptively innocent.
“We’re not, um, you know. Seeing each other. He just gave her that impression so she would focus on that instead of stepping in to smother him.”
Again, Wyn studied her like a sharp-eyed investigator. “Are you sure?”
She fiercely wished she could control her coloring. “I think I would know if I were dating your brother,” she said tartly. “We’re friends. That’s all.”
“Too bad,” Wyn said. “Don’t get me wrong—that was freaking brilliant of him to throw Charlene a distraction like that. I just think the two of you would be great together.”
She had to wonder if Wynona had been talking to Eliza and Megan. Did all her friends think she needed matchmaking help like Marshall needed someone to drive him around?
“We’re friends. That’s all,” she repeated.
Wynona didn’t look convinced. “If you say so. I do think it’s interesting that I hurried back to Haven Point expecting to find Marshall miserable, in pain and driving everyone crazy. Instead, he looks relaxed, well fed and happier than I’ve seen him in a long time.”
“Maybe he just needed a break from being sheriff for a few days.”
“Or maybe he looks happy because he is happy. My brother has spent entirely too much of his life and his energy focused on being in law enforcement. He needs to remember his life doesn’t begin and end with the badge. Whether there’s anything romantic between you two or not, I think you and your adorable kids have helped remind him of that. So thank you. Now I owe you a favor.”
Before she could protest, Cade came in search of Wyn.
“I’ve got to run. We’ve got more slide-offs and accidents than I’ve got guys to take care of.”
“Be safe,” Wyn said. “I’ll see you when you’re done.”
“Counting on it.” He wrapped his arms around her and she kissed him fiercely.
The two of them were so sweet together. It made Andie’s heart happy to see the love they shared even as she tried to ignore the little niggle of envy.
* * *
MUCH TO ANDIE’S RELIEF, her children were on their best behavior throughout the day. No bickering, no tantrums, no claims of “I’m bored.”
She didn’t give them a chance to misbehave, really. They cleaned his house from top to bottom, went out several times to help Christopher shovel snow that started again and fell steadily throughout the rest of the day, and even helped Christopher build a huge, fat-bottomed snowman while Sadie scampered around up to her belly in snow and Marshall watched from the porch.
When they were cold and wet, they went back inside and she put them to work helping her bake the cupcakes Will needed for his party the next day, then Christmas cookies to take around to the neighbors.
Her strategy seemed to be paying off. Over the late dinner—a perennial favorite pasta bake casserole the children had helped her throw together—Chloe was in the middle of telling a patient Marshall a story about playing reindeer tag at recess the week before when she suddenly gave a huge, jaw-popping yawn.
“Wow,” Marshall said with an admiring look. “That was impressive.”
Will giggled, but the sweet ripple of sound ended abruptly in a yawn that just might have been bigger than his sister’s.
“Must be bedtime,” Marshall said.
“I’m not tired at all,” Chloe insisted.
“Neither am I,” Will said.
“That’s weird,” Marshall said. “Because I’m totally exhausted.”
Hearing his hero admit to it was apparently enough for Will to concede the same. “Okay, I might be a little tired.”