Chapter 33
Saturday, August 26
“This could be dangerous,” said Ryder, nuzzling the point of Char’s breast.
When she leaned back from straddling him, his dad’s old wheeled desk chair rolled a few inches, throwing her off-balance. She gasped and he tightened his grip on her hips.
“See what I mean? What is it you have against plain old beds?” he asked.
“You’d better back off on the first responder training. You’re almost too safety conscious. What is it you have against chairs?” she countered.
“And vineyards?” He began counting on his fingers. “And pickup trucks? And—”
She interrupted him. “Okay, I get it. Fine. If that’s the way you want it, we’ll only do it in bed, once a week on Saturday nights with the lights off.” She smiled coyly. “Is that what you want, Chief McBride?”
His smile faded.
“What’s the matter? You look disappointed.” She faked a pout.
Quick as a flash, he turned her over his knee and gave her rear end a swat through her jeans.
“Stop!” she squealed, kicking, her laughter ringing off the concrete block walls of her building, where for the past two months they’d been supervising renovations and scrounging for secondhand office furniture together.
She heard a knock.
“Stop! No, really, stop!” She jumped up and yanked down her shirt. “I heard someone!”
Then they both heard it. Ryder hopped up, too.
“Someone’s at the door.”
Still giggling, Char peeked around the corner of the office to see a little boy’s nose pressed up against one of the front windows.
“That’s Juan! And Juanita and Amelia! Look, they’re loaded down with stuff. I’ll get the door. You help her with the bags.”
She hurried to let them in.
Ryder took one of the bags, and Char followed them over to the brand-new kitchen, where Juanita began unloading, stocking the cabinets and the fridge.
Ryder held up a jar of homemade salsa. “What time’s supper?” he asked, making a show of rubbing his stomach.
“You go,” Juanita said, shooing him away with her dish towel. “Go away. Let me cook.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Ryder, dodging her aim.
“I will call you when is supper.”
“C’mon, Juan. How’d you like to shoot a little hoops while your mom’s cooking?”
“Yeah!” shouted the little boy.
Char took Amelia’s hand, and they followed them out to the newly fenced and lined basketball court. While they watched, another car pulled up and parallel parked, and out came Lori MacKenzie and her son Jimmy. Ryder yelled for the boy to join him and Juan on the court.
“How’s it going?” asked Lori. Char had met the MacKenzies at Ryder’s mom’s house, soon after the challenge. The McBrides were good friends with the MacKenzies.
“Almost finished. They’re painting the trim starting tomorrow, then your new offices should be all ready.”
“I can’t wait,” said Lori. “I don’t mind working at the market, but the hours are killing me. I want to be home with the kids in the evenings and on the weekends. Jamie’s technically old enough to watch Jimmy, but still . . .”
“Ryder feels lucky to have you taking care of things for the FRF. It’ll be nice. Even when Jimmy’s off from school, he can be here with you, on the playground, or playing games inside. And I’ll be glad to have you and Juanita around to keep me company while I’m here running the Chardonnay’s Children side of the building.”
“Lucky for me I have an office background from my previous job. I just hadn’t found anything in my field since James died, what with the recession and all.”
“By the way, has he made a decision?” Lori asked, lower so Ryder couldn’t overhear.
“About moving back to LA after this film wraps? Yes,” Char said, feeling her cheeks warm and a smile tighten her cheeks.
“Well?” Lori asked.
In reply, Char held out her left hand.
“Oooooooh!” Lori squealed and grabbed Char’s fingers. “Oh my gosh! Oh, I bet his mom is thrilled. She’s always been a fan of yours, you know. And Bridget! She’s gotta be over the moon! When’s the wedding?”
Char shrugged. “We don’t know. He just gave me the ring over the weekend. But he has decided one thing: He’s going to take a break from acting. Now that he’s getting paid for First Responder, Triple Play’s almost finished shooting, and the FRF is settled in their lease here, he wants to take the winter and fix up his mom’s place. Then—and this is so exciting!—he’s enrolled in San Jose State for the spring semester.”
Lori’s jaw dropped even lower than when she’d seen Char’s ring. “You’re kidding! Ryder McBride, going back to college?”
“It’s what he’s always wanted. He quit after his junior year to help out his family, you know. . . .” Char left the rest of the story unsaid. Lori knew all about Ryder’s family. She and Ryder’s mom had grown super close since both their spouses had been killed in the line of duty.
“Anyway, Ryder thought he’d take some time off acting. Doesn’t mean he won’t read some interesting scripts if they come his way. He’s just in no hurry to jump into the next big thing.”
Ryder left the boys chasing after balls on the court and sauntered over to the women.
“Congratulations.” Lori hugged him.
“Thanks,” replied Ryder. He draped an arm around Char’s shoulder. It was the kind of small gesture that made her feel so loved. She’d never take that feeling for granted.
“Hear you’re going to start cracking the books again. Better keep an eye on him, Char. All those young girls down at San Jose State . . .”
“Young girls? It’s the older ones I’m worried about. His humanities prof is already gaga over him,” said Char, giving Ryder a sidelong glance.
“I’ll share Dr. Simon with you,” said Ryder.
“Promise?”
“I promise, hellcat,” he said. He pulled her to him in a one-armed hug. “That your phone vibrating?”
He released her, and she drew her cell from her back pocket. “Hey, Meri.”
“Char?” Meri sounded frenzied.
“That Realtor friend of yours—Bill Diamond? He’s a genius. A little outspoken, but a genius. We spent the whole day together. You won’t believe what I did. Papa’s going to fart a crowbar.”
Char sighed.
A stable family, romance, and the chance to give back. She’d settle for two out of three.