9

 

“I’m taking you out tonight,” Ryder announced as he strode into the kitchen for a glass of water. “Dinner, a show, the whole works.”

“Dressed like that?” Ali eyed his filthy jeans, ripped at the knees, and the T-shirt that had most likely been white in a former life. “You might want to rummage through those boxes that just arrived.”

“My things have finally come.” He ran his hand across the half-dozen boxes neatly stacked along the wall. “I’m sure I can find something presentable in one of these. And, if you insist, I’ll shower first.”

She pinched her nose. “I insist.”

“Comments like that will get you into trouble in a hurry,” Ryder teased, his pulse cranked into overdrive. “Have you forgotten I run faster than you—and that you’re extremely ticklish?”

“No, I haven’t forgotten.”

“Then, I suggest you run.”

Ali took off around the table, squealing as Ryder closed the distance between them. He caught her and lifted her from the tile, spinning her around until her squeals turned to laughter.

“Good grief, what’s gotten into the two of you?”

Ryder spun toward the voice, taking Ali with him, and found Josie in the doorway. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson flanked her, returned from another trip into town. They’d enjoyed their stay—and Ali’s cooking—so much that they’d extended the visit a handful of days.

“Looks like we’re interrupting the fun.” Mrs. Lawson winked, shifting a bag filled with trinkets from Then and Again. She turned to her husband. “Dear, you used to chase me around the kitchen table like that. Do you remember?”

“Of course I remember. I used to catch you, too.” His brown eyes twinkled as he took the bag from her. “I can still catch you. I’ll give you a head start up the stairs to our room.”

“Oh, Stuart.” In a dash, they were gone. Josie turned to gape at Ryder and Ali as if the two had lost their minds. Ryder set Ali down and she smoothed wisps of hair that clung to her cheeks.

“Wow, and I do mean, wow. Things have certainly heated up around here.” Josie’s bobbed black hair swished over her shoulders as she crossed the room. She plucked an apple from the bowl on the counter. Leopard-print glasses were propped on her head, revealing eyes the deep blue of a stormy ocean. Small, turquoise feather-embellished earrings dangled from each lobe. “You two always were an adventure together.”

“Good to see you again, too.” Ryder reached for an apple of his own. His belly growled; he’d skipped lunch in order to get Ali’s surprise finished before the afternoon slipped away. “What’s that in your hand?”

“The books you ordered.” She handed them to him before taking a nibble of the apple. “They arrived today so I thought I’d drop them by.”

“Thanks.” He thumbed through the pages. “These ought to get the job done.”

“I’d say the projects in there require more than a little elbow grease.”

“I’ve got it covered.”

“Let’s see.” Ali eased in beside him, glancing at the covers.

“Miss Maclaren?” Mrs. Lawson’s voice called from the stairs. “My husband wonders if you have any of those wonderful blueberry scones left from breakfast.”

“Sure I’ll bring a basket, along with a pot of tea, right away.” She slipped from Ryder, glancing back at him and Josie as she crossed toward the buffet to fill a serving tray with the necessary items. “You two play nice. I’ll be right back.”

A hush fell over the room as Ali snatched the tray and headed toward the stairs to the second floor. When they could no longer hear her feet on the risers, Josie turned to Ryder.

“OK, Romeo, what’s your angle?”

“What do you mean?”

“It took her a long time to get over you. Heck, I’m not sure she ever got over you.” Josie tossed the core of her apple into the garbage disposal and flipped the switch. She let the grinding run its course before continuing. “Nothing stings more than to see your best friend in emotional pain.”

“I know I hurt her. It won’t happen again.”

Josie studied him with a long, pointed gaze before extending a hand. “That’s good to know. Truce?”

“Works for me.”

She released his hand and wiped hers over the thigh of her jeans. “You really need a shower.”

“Thanks for the update.”

“It’s good to have you home.”

“It feels good…right.”

“I can see that. Take these.” She pressed two tickets into his hands. “They’re for the symphony tonight. Maci gave them to me. I was going to ask Ali to join me, but I see there’s a higher purpose at work here.”

“Maci…a higher purpose?”

“It may take you a while to refresh your radar.” Josie waggled her fingers. “So, I’ll give you the abridged version: Maci’s a friend of Ali’s. She plays violin for the symphony. She really wants Ali to be there for the summer opening.”

“Don’t tell me Ali hasn’t been…” A light dawned, and Ryder felt a bit queasy. He wondered what had happened to the bracelet he’d given Ali that night. He’d planned to fill it with so many more charms, so many memories. That dream had stalled, but it didn’t mean it was lost forever.

“That’s right.” Josie nodded sharply. “Get her to the symphony and you’re golden. You can thank me later.”

 

****

 

“I’m ready.” Ali slung her purse over her shoulder as she rounded the corner of the kitchen. Ryder waited near the counter, his fingers unwrapping a stick of gum. She heard his slight intake of breath as his gaze slipped her way.

“You look…amazing.” He drank her in, like a drowning man at the oasis. His gaze hesitated when it reached the silver bracelet on her wrist. A single charm dangled, and she wondered if he remembered the night he’d given her such a treasure. She didn’t know what made her wear the bracelet tonight; she hadn’t taken it from its case in nearly eight years. Yet, the weight of it felt good, right.

The same as loving Ryder felt good and right. Did he feel the same?

“Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.” The sun had tanned his skin to a dark bronze, bringing out the blue of his eyes. She held her hand out for a stick of gum. “May I have a piece of that?”

“Sure.” He handed one over, his fingers skimming her wrist so shivers flashed up her spine. “Gonna be a nice night.”

“I know.” She glanced out the window to the sun shimmying over the horizon. Soon stars would come alive along a blanket of velvet. “I thought we might take your bike.”

“The motorcycle?”

“Unless you have a two-seater Schwinn stashed somewhere out back.”

“OK.” He swallowed hard. “I mean, we can ride the cycle.”

“Good.” She let him take her hand as they started down the walk toward the boathouse, where he’d parked the Honda. When they’d made it nearly halfway down the walk Ali paused.

“Where’s that light coming from.”

“You’ll see when we get closer.”

“Ryder, what have you done?” Delight tickled her belly. “There’s a bench, a lantern…and flowers—lots of flowers.”

“You said you still love to read, so I made you a garden—a reading garden. It will give you a place to relax when you’re not tending to guests, or baking your soon-to-be-world-famous-scones.”

“It’s…lovely.” She smoothed a hand over a swirl of wrought iron and couldn’t help but tease. “Can we stay here now? I have a new book—”

“Later.” He grinned, tugging her past the bench. “The night is waiting.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the symphony.”

“Ryder.” Ali stiffened and stumbled over a cobblestone. Her delight fled, replaced by trepidation. “I’d rather—”

“I know you’re scared. But I’m asking you to trust me.” He leaned in, smoothed a finger over the bracelet. “Why did you wear this tonight?”

“I’m not sure.” Ali fought the wasps that stung the inside of her belly. She’d planned to leave her wrists bare, but at the last moment had felt led to wear the bracelet. “I guess I’m in a sentimental mood.”

“Me, too.” He brushed his lips over hers. “That was a good night, wasn’t it?”

She couldn’t speak, so she nodded slightly as they entered the boat house. His bike waited, and he handed her a helmet.

“Please, trust me, Ali.” He skimmed her cheek with callused knuckles. “Tonight will be even better.”