“Pickup sounds great. Sometimes I’m in court all day and it was hard trying to pick Kai up on time. Jordin and Jadin were good about helping out, but juggling schedules... It wasn’t easy.” Ryker picked up his car keys. “I think you should open a store here in town. It would do well.”
* * *
Garland had spent her day doing laundry, running errands and grocery shopping. She found that she enjoyed taking care of her family. It was something she had longed for since she was a child—to have a real family of her own.
She even had time to squeeze in a Zumba class before picking up the girls.
Dinner was ready by the time Ryker arrived home. He gave her a warm smile.
They spent the rest of the evening with the girls before their bedtime.
“They want you to read them a story tonight,” she told Ryker.
“I thought it was your turn,” he teased.
Garland laughed. “Nope. They love the way you make all of the animal sounds. Have fun. I’m going to take a bubble bath.”
She hoped the bath would ease some of the pent-up tension she felt. No man had ever made her feel the way Ryker made her feel—burning with desire. The way he had been able to stir her emotions, she truly believed he had to be the one for her.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, she cautioned her heart.
After her bath, Garland slipped on a pair of old sweats and a cropped T-shirt. She crawled into bed and turned on the television. An image of Ryker formed in her mind, bringing a smile to her lips.
She heard footsteps in the hallway and they seemed to stop at her door.
Garland held her breath as she waited for the knock she assumed would follow.
The silence was deafening.
Had she imagined that Ryker had come to her room? Garland toyed with the idea of going to him, but her pride would not let her do so.
Ryker had made it clear he would not pressure her for sex; the man seemed to have the patience of a saint. She had thought at some point he would bring up the subject again, but thus far, he had been true to his word.
She tossed a small pillow across the room in frustration. Ryker was forever the honorable gentleman.
Garland eventually found something interesting to watch.
An hour into the movie, her eyes grew heavy, forcing Garland to turn off the television.
She fell asleep almost instantly.
When Garland opened her eyes, she sat up in bed and glanced over at the clock. It was five minutes after six—almost time to get up. She shut down the alarm clock to keep it from going off and then eased out of bed.
Garland had spent most of the night dreaming about Ryker. Her heart skipped a beat at the mere memory. As she brushed her teeth, realization dawned on her.
I’m in love with Ryker.
Garland managed to get ready for work. She took care to pick out a suit, deciding to wear a red and black color-block jacket over a pair of black pants.
Standing in front of her mirror, she fingered the soft curls in her hair, separating them.
Ryker opened the door to the master bedroom and stepped into the hallway within seconds of her leaving her room.
“Good morning,” they said in unison before bursting into laughter.
“You look nice,” he told her.
“Thank you,” Garland responded. “I’m going in early today so that I can pick up the girls from school around four. I want to take them to see the puppet show at the children’s museum this afternoon.”
“If I can clear my schedule, I’ll meet you there.”
“That would be nice, but if you can’t, Ryker, it’s okay. We’ll just see you later tonight.”
“I’m glad that you’re here.”
Garland chuckled. “You tell me that a lot.”
“It’s because I mean it and I want you to know how much I appreciate you. You understand how important it is for me to keep Kai in my life. I feel she is just as much my child as she is yours.”
“I know that,” she responded. “I feel the exact same way about Amya.” There was more she wanted to say, but the time just wasn’t right.
Chapter 20
Later that evening, Ryker watched as Garland crawled around on the floor with the girls. He loved hearing them laugh.
A touch of sadness overtook him. How he wished Parker could be here to see the woman his sister had become. Ryker also wished that Angela could have had the chance to meet her daughter.
Garland looked up and saw him. She waved.
He felt guilty about her, too. Garland deserved the love of a good man—not a man mourning for his dead wife. But the thought of her with someone other than him struck a jealous chord within him. He could no longer deny the truth. Ryker wanted Garland for himself.
“Hey, can I play, too?” he asked as he dropped to his knees.
“Yessh,” Kai answered. She stretched out her arms, reaching for him. “Dayee.”
Giggling, Amya threw her arms around his legs.
“We are so lucky to have been blessed with two darling daughters,” Garland said as she crawled over to him. They sat side by side near the fireplace.
He embraced her. “Yes, we are.”
She gave Ryker a sidelong look. “Sometimes I feel like this is a dream and I’m going to wake up one day and discover that none of this is real.”
He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. “It’s very real, I assure you.”
They played for a little while longer before Garland announced it was time for bed.
After they settled the girls in bed, Ryker and Garland went back downstairs.
“Are you in the mood for a swim?” he asked.
“Sure,” she responded.
“Put on your swimsuit and meet me downstairs in five.”
Singing softly, she rushed up to her room.
Ryker was waiting for her near the French doors leading to the patio. When she came down in her black swimsuit, he swallowed hard and led them outside to the pool.
“The water feels good,” Garland said.
She swam from one end of the pool to the other.
He watched her a moment before joining her for the second lap.
“Are you still going to sign the girls up for swimming lessons?” he asked her after they climbed out of the pool.”
“I’d like to,” Garland replied.
“It’s fine with me.”
She glanced up at the sky. “It’s really beautiful out here. I love nights like this when the moon is full.”
Ryker sat still, absorbing what she’d said.
Garland gave him an indirect glance. “This is such a perfect night.”
He pulled her to her feet. “You’re right,” he said. “Everything about this night is perfect.”
Kissing her, Ryker backed her up until her legs hit the poolside table, and she stood pressed up against the hard surface. There was no escape.
Garland’s breath quickened, making her breasts rise and fall faster as they brushed against his chest. Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were swollen from his kisses.
It was clear that Garland wanted him, but she was fighting herself as much as she was fighting him.
Ryker did not just want her. He needed her.
He felt a low growl rumble in his throat, and then he crushed his lips against hers. Grabbing her neck to pull her closer, he pushed his tongue against her lips, demanding entrance.
Garland reached her hand up to push him away, but instead she ended up gripping his back. She could not stop her body’s betrayal as she melted against him. He penetrated her mouth and then tangled his tongue with hers.
Liquid heat began pooling in her core as Ryker deepened the kiss and pulled her so
close to his hard chest that she could hardly tell where her body left off and his began. Her hands slipped up behind his neck.
Ryker could not think beyond anything but his need. He was hungry, and only Garland could satisfy him.
He broke the kiss long enough to trail his lips down her neck. Fire ran through him as he reconnected with the first girl he’d ever cared about.
“I want to make love to you,” he whispered against her cheek. “I need you.”
His words sent new spirals of ecstasy through her and she could not refuse him.
He traced a fingertip across her lip.
“I need to hear you say it,” he whispered. “Tell me that you want me as bad as I want you.”
“I want you,” Garland whispered as she pulled him closer.
Without another word, Ryker led her through the house, up to the second level and into the master bedroom.
Later as they lay entangled in damp sheets, Ryker stroked her arm, saying, “I want you to move into this room with me permanently. You’re my wife and I want to wake up with you beside me.”
She pulled the covers to her chest. “Maybe you should take a day or two and think about this, Ryker. I want you to be sure of your decision.”
“I’ve given this a lot of thought, Garland. I want us to have a real marriage.” He had already removed Angela’s photo from the nightstand and placed it in a photo album. It was time for him to build a life with the woman living in his home.
* * *
Ryker took Garland to High Cotton on East Bay Street for date night.
“So you’ve eaten here before?” he asked when she suggested that he try the shrimp and grits.
“Once with my mom for her birthday, but this is the first time I’ve ever been in one of their private rooms. I can’t believe that you booked this entire room just for us. This is nice,” Garland said. Her eyes bounced around the room draped in rich but soothing jewel tones. For the first time since they’d gotten married, she felt like a woman having dinner with her husband.
“I’m glad you like it,” he responded. “For our entrées I ordered the jumbo lump crab cakes with jalapeño rémoulade for you and the shrimp and grits for me. I remembered how much you love seafood and spicy foods in general.”
She was touched by his thoughtfulness. The fact that he remembered the little things offered her hope for the future.
Waiters began bringing the first course out, arranging the soup, crab and salads attractively on the table.
“Wow,” she murmured. “This looks so delicious.”
Ryker gestured with his fork. “Try the soup.”
They continued to talk while they enjoyed their meal.
Garland was beyond happy. She loved waking up beside Ryker each morning, and making love to him was everything she’d ever imagined it would be.
Her life was perfect.
“I love seeing you so happy,” Ryker said, cutting into her thoughts.
She smiled. “I have two beautiful daughters and a wonderful husband who is also my friend. I have every reason to be happy.”
Ryker covered her hand with his own. “I feel the same way, sweetheart. I’m beginning to believe that this is the way it was supposed to be from the very beginning. You and I belong together.”
Garland wanted to believe Ryker meant everything he said. He still loved Angela, but perhaps there was some room left in his heart for her.
* * *
The following week, Garland made the girls a good dinner when they arrived home and then tossed a ball with them in the backyard. She loved it when Charleston’s weather saw fit to cooperate and she could spend time outdoors with her daughters.
They played outside until Ryker arrived home.
“What did I miss?” he asked when they entered the house through the French doors.
“We were out playing ball,” Garland responded. “I thought it might be enough exertion to allow them both a good night’s sleep. I’ve already fed them. I thought maybe you and I could have a quiet, romantic dinner together.”
He smiled. “I like that idea.”
She broke into a grin. “It’s almost ready.”
They discussed their day as they dined on a garden salad, shrimp scampi over linguini and chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert.
“When I pulled into the garage, I couldn’t wait to open the door and take in the delicious smells of dinner cooking, hear my daughter’s laughter and plant a kiss on you. It just feels normal.”
“I always imagined that life was much easier when you’re married,” Garland responded.
“How do you feel about it now?” he asked, meeting her gaze.
Garland broke into a grin. “My theory is correct. I wasn’t sure that you were in this for the long haul until we made love. I felt like that was a commitment to our marriage.”
“I am very committed to our marriage, but I didn’t want to push you into sharing my bed until you were ready to give yourself to me.”
Their eyes met and she smiled with dawning warmth.
The evening ended with Ryker leading his wife upstairs to their bedroom.
His hands explored the hollows of her back. His breath was hot against her ear.
When he touched her skin, it tingled to the point that she thought she might faint with desire.
Ryker leaned down to Garland and captured her lips again as he inched closer. His lips parted and claimed her tongue. Hungrily, they devoured each other’s lips, which left Garland melting into his passionate embrace.
Her entire body pulsated in anticipation. Ryker tenderly kissed her on the throat as he traced his fingertips across her lips. The gentle massage sent currents of desire through her. She hungered for his taste.
Their chemistry was electrifying. Garland’s last thought before she drifted to sleep was just how perfect she and Ryker were together.
Chapter 21
“Is someone here?” Garland whispered sleepily.
Ryker shifted his body and groaned. “Oops. I forgot my parents were coming by this morning.”
She hopped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom just minutes before Rochelle knocked on the bedroom door.
“Son, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just give us a minute to get dressed. We’ll be down in a moment.”
His words were met by dead silence.
“How could you forget they were coming over?” Garland questioned when she walked out of the bathroom wearing a robe. “I am so embarrassed.”
“You were the only person I was thinking about,” Ryker confessed as he slipped on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. “You don’t have any reason to be embarrassed. We’re man and wife.”
Garland quickly dressed in a pair of leggings and an oversize T-shirt. She ran her fingers through her hair, fluffing her curls.
When they walked out of the bedroom, they heard Rochelle in the girls’ room, talking and laughing with them. Ryker headed in that direction, followed by Garland.
His mother eyed them both before saying, “We should have called first. I’m sorry for just barging in. Your father and I had no idea you two would be sleeping in.”
“Maybe you should just call to confirm from now on,” Ryker suggested.
Rochelle sent him a sharp glare but did not respond.
“I’ll get the girls dressed,” Garland said.
“It’s nice of you to join us, Garland,” Rochelle uttered.
“Mrs. DuGrandpre, I’m afraid I had no idea that you were coming by,” she responded. There was something about her mother-in-law that bothered Garland. She was not sure what it was—maybe it was the intense stare down or the smile that never quite seemed sincere.
They joined Ryker and his father in the family room. Ro
chelle sank down beside Jacques while Garland joined Ryker on the loveseat.
“The girls look happy,” Rochelle stated.
“They are,” Garland confirmed. “Kai and Amya are very happy and they have adapted well to our arrangement.”
Rochelle nodded with pursed lips. “Good to hear. By the way, I’m coming to Edisto Island tomorrow,” she announced. “Why don’t we have lunch together?”
“Sure,” Garland responded with a slight nod. “That would be nice.”
* * *
“I hope my mother didn’t upset you during her visit earlier.”
“She didn’t.”
“Good. Well, don’t let her get to you, Garland,” Ryker advised. “I’ve learned that you have to set boundaries with my mother. She means well but has a hard time staying in her lane from time to time.”
“I’ll have to remember that, but I think she’s getting better. Remember that she invited me to have lunch with her tomorrow. This will give us a chance to really get to know one another.”
He nodded.
“I’m actually looking forward to it,” Garland said. “Hopefully, this is a brand-new start for your mother and me.”
* * *
“I’m so glad we were able to get together for lunch,” Rochelle stated after she and Garland were seated. “We can have a lovely chat over a delicious meal.”
“I have to confess that I was a bit surprised you wanted to get together,” she said. “I didn’t think you cared for me.”
“It’s not anything like that at all. It is not that I don’t like you, dear. My concern is merely for my granddaughters.”
Folding her napkin across her lap, Garland said, “I hope that you are more comfortable now with my marriage to Ryker.”
Rochelle met her gaze. “But what happens after this marriage runs its course? What happens to the girls?”
“Ryker and I will always be here for our daughters,” Garland replied. “That will never change.”
“It’s easy for you to say that now. I’m sure that you know breakups bring out the worse in people.”
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