Krista pressed the fingers of her right hand against the dressing the phlebotomist had put over the inside of her elbow. She waited for him to leave so she could talk to Blake. They were told to stay there for thirty minutes. She decided it would be a good use of their time to clear the air.
Blake must have read her thoughts. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry for snapping at you when you asked for Aidan’s help earlier.” He laced his fingers through hers. “I wanted to be the one doing things for you, not my brother. It frustrates me when he can deliver where I can’t.”
Krista’s eyes softened. Being the eldest child herself, she’d felt an affinity for Aidan. She knew right away that he’d get things done. Not because she thought Blake couldn’t accomplish the same, but because Aidan had the more arrogant aura. Where Blake used charm, Aidan used intimidation. Blake’s way suited the Filipinos, Aidan’s wouldn’t. The military officer fitted Singapore, his current base, perfectly.
“Hon, you don’t have to provide for me every time. Let others share in the giving. Let me give to you sometimes. I might not have as much money, but I can give you my time and my heart.” She raised their joined hands to her lips and kissed his knuckles.
“And I appreciate that, love.” Blake dropped a kiss on her lips. “If I’m out of sorts, it’s because of Uncle Jack being stabbed and because of New York.” He took a deep breath. “Do you know the saying ‘you can never go home again’ and what it means?” Blake waited for Krista’s nod before he continued. “Don’t get me wrong. I love New York. It’s the greatest city in the world. I was born here. I grew up here. I’m proud to be able to call it my hometown.”
Blake’s fingers closed firmly over Krista’s.
“But in New York, I’m always my parents’ child, first. I’m always the second Ryan son. I’m always Aidan’s younger brother. My accomplishments are nothing to those who know me here.”
Blake’s shoulders slumped, and a bitter smile shaped his lips.
“Increased your company’s profit by five hundred percent, you say? That’s nothing. Aidan almost died in Afghanistan when an IED exploded beside his truck. Patrick won the Ryder Cup for the US team. Ronan saved a child’s life by rescuing her from druggie parents. Craig won a James Beard Award and two Michelin stars. Darcy has two master’s degrees and is a PhD candidate. All at the ripe old age of twenty-four.”
Krista’s throat clogged from holding back her tears. She didn’t want Blake to think she pitied him. No wonder he loved it in the Philippines. There, he was celebrated, respected, admired. In her country, her boyfriend was supremely confident; he managed everything and everybody around him.
She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Honey, you’re the best man I know. You provide a livelihood to thousands of Filipinos. Those profits you mentioned ensure the company will continue to stay in my country for a long time, helping the economy.”
Krista’s voice kept getting firmer as she extolled Blake’s virtues. “I love you, and I’m proud of you. I’m sure your parents are, too.”
Blake caressed her cheek. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m thankful I have you in my life.” He planted a soft kiss on her lips. “I’m sorry for getting maudlin and making everything about me. Summer must have rubbed off some of her drama queen tendencies on me when she gave me a hug.”
Krista spluttered a laugh. “Oh my God. I’ve never met anybody like her in my life.”
Blake grimaced. “Yeah, she’s a character, all right. She made a big show of blaming Aidan for driving her to my bed. She didn’t want him to join the air force and leave her. I don’t know how arranging for Aidan to find her with me would have stopped him. I can’t pretend to understand how her brain works, so I won’t even try.”
Amusement still curling Krista’s lips, she asked, “She popped your cherry?”
“Aargh! Yes. She might have just wanted to pretend we were in bed together, but she was naked. I was young and horny. I didn’t even know how to put on a condom. I had enough presence of mind to pull out and spill on my bedsheets when I came. I don’t remember a lot about that day, but I know it only took five minutes.”
Her boyfriend’s disgruntled expression was so adorable, Krista had to tease him. “Good thing you’ve learned a thing or two since then.”
Blake bared his teeth. “Remind me to kick Aidan’s ass when I see him next. It was all his fault.”
Krista laughed out loud. “I’ll hold him down for you.”
Blake started laughing too.
Their joy in each other’s company was like a balm to their tired souls. They’d only been in New York for twelve hours, and yet so much had happened already. The thought of what was still ahead sobered her right away.
Blake sensed her disquiet and ceased laughing as well. “What is it, love? Are you thinking of Uncle Jack again?”
“Yes. I want him to wake up already. I want him to get better.”
“The hospital won’t be able to transfuse him with your blood for many hours yet. Maybe even days.”
They were told the steps that had to be taken: typing, separating, testing for various diseases, and labeling, all before it would reach Jack O’Connor. Dr. Vasquez could only expedite things so much for them. The processes had to be completed in the proper manner.
“I know. I wish there was something we could do while we wait.” Krista heaved a sigh.
“Maybe we can ask Aidan to check Uncle Jack’s service records. Narrow down the dates when he was in Clark.”
“It’ll be great if he can do that. Can he?”
“I’m sure he’ll find a way. If not, we can ask Ronan to investigate. That’s his job, after all.”
Ronan hadn’t given her the death-stare like his mother had, so perhaps Blake was correct in that he might be willing to help.
“Can’t hurt to try.”
Krista laid her head on Blake’s shoulder. Will I know if he is my father when I see him? They called it “lukso ng dugo” in the Philippines. Literally translated to “blood leap,” it described a strange feeling of emotional attachment to someone, especially during the initial encounter. She couldn’t wait to find out.