Page 6 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

He took it and twisted. The lid came off easily. Finch looked at June with a raised brow.

“Thank you, that’s wonderful. My grip is weaker than it used to be,” she said, taking the jar back, unrepentant for the obvious lure to get him into her store. What he didn’t know was why she had done it.

“Now, this should fit you nicely.” She picked a dark green jacket up off the counter. “I’ve googled it, and it’s called a Sherpa-lined hooded jacket,” she said, holding it open as if he was going to try it on. “You’re not wearing anything warm, Finch, and it’s cold enough to freeze the hinges off a barn door out there.”

He took a step back as she advanced on him.

“Now put your arms in these sleeves and let me look at the fit.”

“I don’t need a jacket, June.”

“Everyone needs a jacket in this weather, Finch, and it upsets me to see you walking about without one. Especially considering you’re going through a rough patch at the moment.”

He almost laughed at that. His life was more of a crisis than a rough patch.

She grabbed his hand and stuffed it into the sleeve, then pulled it up his arm. “Next one,” June urged. “Your fingers are freezing. Honestly, what were you thinking, going about with no clothes on?”

He could fight her, but had been raised to respect his elders, so he slid his arm into the other sleeve. The warmth felt good, and Finch realized he was an idiot for leaving the cottage without extra layers.

Just another thing to add to how he had changed. He was pretty sure he hadn’t been an idiot before the accident, but he could be wrong there.

“Even though it’s not wool, but a blend of polyester and cotton, it’ll still keep you warm, Finch,” June said, moving around the front to zip him up.

Finch could honestly say no one had zipped him into a piece of clothing since kindergarten.

She patted his chest and smiled. “Good, now off you go and get about your day.” June kissed his cheek. “You’re going to be okay, Finch. We’ll make sure of it.”

The words had a sudden surge of emotion choking him. He quickly pulled out his phone, which had his cards in the back.

“No,” June shook her head. “It’s on me, dear. Now off you go.”

“Thank you,” he said, his voice raspy.

She waved him away, and Finch left, because if he stayed, he might just end up crying all over her shoulder.

Chapter 3

Not ready to return home yet, Finch jammed his cold fingers into the pockets of the jacket and kept walking through town until he reached a road that took him into the residential areas of Lyntacky.

He passed homes he’d had playdates in when he was a kid. Some had chimneys belching smoke, while others had humming heat pumps to ward off the cold. He admired the inflatable Santas and outdoor Christmas decorations and thought about the decorations he should put up for his nieces and nephews.

“Nice buns, McAllister!”

Caleb Stanway was another old school friend, and with him was his partner, Jonathan.

“You doing okay there, Jonathan?” Finch asked.

The man’s face was beet red, and he was wheezing like a steam train. He wore a balaclava so only his eyes were showing, and sweatpants with a long sleeved thermal.

“Fuck all of you,” he muttered, jogging away from Finch.

“He’s testy because his jeans are tight, and I said he needed to exercise more,” Caleb said. “Now that you’re out of hibernation, I’ll drop by soon. We’ll drink beer, and I’ll offer you lots of advice, which I’m sure no one has given you already.”

“We both know that’s not true,” Finch called after him as he jogged away.

“I’m glad my jacket fits you!”

“I didn’t want it. June forced it on me!” Finch replied to the fast retreating back of his friend. Of course it would have belonged to someone he knew.