Free Once Burned by Suzie O'Connell Page B

over from the mercantile. After Lindsay and Henry changed, Henry made arrangements to pick up their photos after the play, and they all headed back across the street to Cousin’s Candy Shoppe. As soon as she stepped through the door, Lindsay’s olfactory senses were drenched in the sweet fragrances of the wide array of old-fashioned candy.
    “What’s going on with you and Henry?” Evie asked not two seconds after Vince and Henry had stepped out of hearing in search of their favorite candies.
    “A mutual ego boost,” Lindsay replied. She selected a couple sticks of flavored rock candy and settled them gently in her brown paper sack.
    “What, exactly, does that mean?”
    “He’s helping me remember that not all men are assholes like Max and Logan, and I’m helping him remember that not all women are deceptive, self-serving whores like Melanie. That’s all.”
    “ That sounds like a lot to me.”
    “Well, it’s not, and it’s a temporary arrangement, so don’t get your hopes up.”
    “I can’t make any promises there, Linds, because I have eyes.”
    “That’s all part of the deal,” Lindsay said. That wasn’t entirely true because she and Henry hadn’t discussed the exact details. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it? For me to go on a date with one of your sexy, single Northstar men? To put my wants and needs first for once?”
    “Well, yes, but more importantly, I wanted you to enjoy yourself and be happy.”
    “I am, Evie. Henry is definitely upholding his end of the bargain.”
    As soon as she said it, she wished she hadn’t because Evie’s face split in a wide grin.
    “Didn’t I just tell you not to get your hopes up?”
    “Yes, and I won’t… yet.”
    Rolling her eyes, Lindsay returned her attention to selecting some candies for Noah. He was definitely going to be kicking himself for a good long while for not coming with her. As she browsed and made her way over to where Henry was picking through the crates of saltwater taffies, she recalled his suggestion that she bring home some sweets for her son and was again surprised that he had considered Noah. Then again, he’d been a father for a while, so he was undoubtedly well familiar with the urge to indulge one’s child. She wasn’t in the position to be certain, but she doubted the habits and instincts of parenthood ever went away once initiated.
    She slid her hand around his arm and, since he’d apparently given her permission to act like his girlfriend the moment he’d told Braden and Todd she was, she rested her head on his shoulder.
    “Thank you,” she murmured.
    “You’re welcome. Are you having a good time?” he asked. “Other than those two dickheads outside the Vigilante Mercantile.”
    “I’m having a wonderful time, and even they couldn’t ruin it.”
    Having located everything they wanted, they headed up to the counter to pay. Deftly, Henry snatched Lindsay’s sack out of her hand.
    “Henry!” she piped.
    “That’s liable to get you in trouble,” Vince remarked. “Lindsay’s a proud one.”
    “So am I,” Henry remarked.
    “Henry, you can’t pay for everything.”
    Too quietly for Vince and Evie to hear, he said, “That’s one of my conditions. You said you wanted to feel like someone’s woman again, and since—for the time being—you’re mine, let me treat you like it.”
    “I don’t need to be taken care of.”
    “I’m well aware of that, and I’m not offering to take care of you.”
    Lindsay squared her shoulders and clenched her jaw. “I won’t be like Melanie, letting you pay for everything.”
    “No, you won’t because Melanie expected me to pay.” He straightened. “Now, if that’s settled, here you go.”
    Scowling, Lindsay took her sack back from him. She held on to her irritation all the way to the café where they scarfed a quick lunch of burgers before heading over to the Opera House. Her excitement grew, and she found it difficult to maintain her annoyance, but she tried