“You all right?” Keir’s hands rested on her shoulders, gently massaging the tight muscles.
Tears were very close to the surface, and she fought them back with superhuman strength. She was far from all right and felt Keir sensed it. But Ryan refused to discuss or take a closer look at her feelings. Not yet. Not until she was alone.
The urge to lean against him and forget the events of the day overwhelmed Ryan. That option wasn’t available to her. Keir needed an explanation to the whole situation, answers Ryan shied away from talking about. So, she offered him what she believed would appease him. “Sister stuff.”
“Are you sure? The kids can stay outside for a bit if you need to talk.”
“No. There’s nothing to discuss.”
Keir ran his hands up and down her arms. He said in a caring and gentle tone, “You know, sometimes it helps to talk things out. Maybe get a different perspective on a problem. If that’s what you need, I’m here for you.”
“Thanks.” She handed the bowl of potato salad to Keir. “Can you put this in the refrigerator?”
“Sure.” Instead of taking the bowl, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. Keir’s erection pressed against her stomach. Her body responded, and an ache grew between her legs, slowly spreading liquid heat within her. Her body went stiff in his arms.
Slowly dropping his arms to his sides, he took a step away and did her bidding. “I need something to put the meat on. It’s ready.”
Relieved by the change of subject, Ryan hurried to the cabinet and removed a platter. “I’ll set the table.”
Leaning against the wall, he studied her, with a puzzled expression on his handsome face. He took the platter and started for the door. “I’ll send Adam in to help.”
“That will be good.”
Fifteen minutes later, they sat down to dinner. Helen had rattled Ryan so much, she felt too anxious to respond properly to the Southhalls’ queries. Adam and Emily’s continual banter filled the awkward silences. She complimented the kids on preparing such a wonderful meal, although she barely ate more than a mouthful. During all of this, Keir studied her.
“Ryan,” Adam began timidly.
“Hmm?” said Ryan.
“Do you”—Adam fidgeted with his fork—“do you think you’d like to come to one of my baseball games?”
The anxious expression on Adam’s face tugged at her heart. Ryan refused to disappoint him, although sitting on a wooden bench in the sun didn’t thrill her. Smiling reassuringly, Ryan responded, “Sure. Just let me know.”
Once dinner ended, Keir rose from the table and directed, “Adam, clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher.”
“Okay, Dad,” Adam said as he picked up the water glasses and headed for the sink.
“Dad-dee, what do I do?” asked Emily.
“Pick up the silverware, and bring it to me,” said Keir.
“No. No. No. I can do this,” Ryan protested, reaching for the dinner plates. “You guys cooked.”
Keir ignored her, pulling out a chair and patting the cushion. “You invited us to dinner and prepared most of the food. The least we can do is clean up after ourselves. Have a seat. Enjoy the show. We’ll take care of the rest.”
After Adam loaded the last item into the dishwasher, Keir shut it with a sharp snap. The kids flew out the kitchen door to the den. Seconds later, they were fighting over the television remote and deciding on videos.
“That’s what having kids in the house will do to you. They zap all of your energy,” said Keir. His remark lacked the teasing note that normally accompanied this type of remark.
“Your kids are fine. I like having them around.”
“Do you? Are you sure?” Keir probed. “Because if they are a problem, I need to know.”
“They’re good.”
Keeping a safe distance, Keir stood at the sink. His eyes searched hers for a clue to what was going on in her head. “You look worn out.”
Embarrassed by his accurate observation, she brushed a hand through her hair and admitted, “Little bit. I think the week just caught up with me. Since the shutdown, it’s been really busy.” Boy, was that a lame excuse. But that was the only explanation she had available. She needed time to process everything, think about her husband, and get that part of her life in order.
“I’ll tell you what. These two need to get home to their mother, and I’ve got a bit of work to finish tonight. We’ll get out of your hair so that you can have an early night.”
“That’s probably for the best.” Ryan rose from her chair and started for the door. Keir followed.
“Emily, Adam. Time to go,” Keir called from the living room. The kids hurried ahead of the couple. Keir and Ryan slowly strolled up to the front door. He kept a respectable amount of distance between them.
Emily hugged Ryan and said, “Thank you for dinner.”
“The dinner was delicious,” was Adam’s comment.
A genuine smile formed on Ryan’s face. Obviously, Keir had had them rehearse their lines. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Keir stood awkwardly at the door. Slowly raising a hand to her face, he traced her jaw line with a tender finger and then kissed her gently on the mouth. “Get some rest, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Hurt flashed from Keir’s eyes before he quickly hid it.
Once the door slammed after him, Ryan shut her eyes and rubbed her forehead. She couldn’t help it; Ryan felt such disloyalty to her husband.
Keir was rounding a corner at the studio in search of Ryan when he heard the harsh note in Glo’s voice above the noise and music of workmen and the camera crew. He took a step back, out of their visual range, but close enough to see and hear.
“Ryan,” Glo called, hurrying after the younger woman. “Set five needs to be prepared ASAP. The director wants to shoot an additional scene before the end of the day.”
Voice filled with exhaustion, Ryan faced her boss, with a cart filled with accent pieces. “Glo, I’ve only finished half of set two. Plus, I need to break down set four. Is there anyone else available to help?”
“No. We’re stretched to the limit today. All I can say is get two finished ASAP, and then get your ass over to five.”
Concealed behind a wall, Keir listened to the exchange. The demanding note in Glo’s voice begged him to step in. Although he’d promised Ryan he’d steer clear of interfering on her behalf, Glo’s tone made him instinctively want to correct the situation. Only the certainty that Ryan would never speak to him again if he interceded held him back.
A flash of annoyance crossed her face before Ryan arranged her features in a calm mask. She started down the hall, with a dismissing wave of her hand. “Okay,” she called back to Glo.
Hands on his hips, Keir frowned. What in the hell was going on? Ryan had just rolled over and played dead. Since that fateful day when her sister paid a visit, all the fight had gone out of Ryan. It didn’t matter what people said to her; she went along without uttering a word. Something was very wrong. Keir made a silent promise to find out the details and get to the bottom of the situation.
As he made his way down the corridor, the voices of actors, workmen, and crew faded. He gave Ryan ample time to make it to the set before following her into the room.
“Hi,” he said.
She glanced in his direction and stiffened before she visibly calmed down and resumed placing the decorative vases and plants in their proper place. “Hi. How are you?”
What the hell was going on? Lately, whenever Keir got near her, Ryan stiffened like she’d just encountered a rapist. “I’m good.”
The set was completely deserted except for him and Ryan. He moved closer and lifted a gold-rimmed black vase from her cart. “Where does this go?”
She pointed at a wooden curio loaded with framed smiling faces. “Second shelf between the parents’ photos.”
He completed this task and asked, “So how have you been? I haven’t seen or talked to y
ou in days.”
“Good. Busy.”
“Everything going okay?”
“Mm-hmm,” she muttered, placing items around the room and then checking the sketch of the floor plan.
“How are things between you and Glo?”
“We make it work.”
With his back turned to her, Keir groaned softly. For the past week, their conversations consisted of work and inquiries about his kids. She avoided any discussions about herself or what was really troubling her.
“Emily and Adam want to know when they can see you again,” said Keir. “They informed me that they are now gourmet barbecue chefs, and you are just waiting for them to come over and cook for you.”
That brought a petite smile to her face. “Your kids are so funny.”
“Funny to you because you don’t have to live with them.” Keir immediately regretted that comment. What if they did decide to live together? He didn’t want her to believe or feel his kids were a burden.
Silently, the couple worked together for several minutes while Keir tried to decide how to get the information he needed. There must be a way to break down the barriers separating them. If she refused to confide in him, how could he help her?
Watching her out of the corner of his eye, Keir considered ways to get her to open up. Ryan needed a safe haven. A place where she felt comfortable to discuss things with him might help. Maybe dinner away from their day-to-day life might be the answer.
Clearing his throat, Keir approached Ryan. “You know, although I enjoyed having the kids, I really missed spending time alone with you.”
A spark of wariness clouded her brown eyes. She studied Keir but remained silent.
“How about a date night? Just you and me.” Smiling encouragingly, Keir added, “Dinner and dancing work for me. I’d love to hold you in my arms.”
Ryan took a step away from him. Her face contorted into a mask of conflicting emotions as she searched for the downside of this suggestion. “When?”
“Saturday.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip and then hedged. “I’m not sure that day will work for me. Let me check my schedule. I’ll get back to you. Okay?”
Disappointment gnawed at his belly. This was not the answer he wanted. Keir decided to give it another shot. “I’m not married to Saturday. If Friday or Sunday works for you, then let’s go that route.”
Her forehead wrinkled into a frown, while her fingers nervously flirted around the clipboard in her hand. “No. Sunday’s definitely out. I’ve got things to do.”
What things? he wondered, watching her closely. They needed to talk and soon. Keir refused to allow outside influences to destroy the relationship they’d worked so hard to establish. Putting on his most appealing expression, Keir lifted a green leafy plant from the cart. “No problem. Where do you want this?”
Ryan pointed to an end table. “Over there.”
Once they completed the set, Ryan muttered a soft thank you and went her way. Keir returned to the Eiffel Tower and moved swiftly across the carpeted floor to the desk.
Lips pursed, Keir switched on his computer and logged into the secure portions of One Leaf’s database system. If Ryan refused to talk to him, he’d just have to find another way to help her. A twinge of guilt fluttered through his veins. Keir quickly banished the emotion and focused on learning the truth.
Ryan’s employment application popped up, and he scrolled through the screens until he found what he needed. Nodding approvingly, he jotted down Helen Ford’s name and telephone number. Good, he thought. After logging out of the computer, Keir leaned back in his chair and considered his next move. Should he make this call? Probably not. Unfortunately, the look of pain on Ryan’s face made it impossible for him to think of anything else. She meant too much to him to allow her to continue like this.
Keir drew a thick black line under the name and then tapped the sheet of paper with the pen. Ryan’s sister held the answers to all of his questions. He picked up the telephone and punched in the number, waiting impatiently for someone to answer the phone. After the fifth ring, voice mail kicked in, and he heard the voice of Ryan’s older sister.
“Hello. This is Keir Southhall. We met at Ryan’s last Sunday. If you get a chance, give me a call. I need to talk with you about your sister.” He paused, debating whether he should add anything more. “Call me on my cell. My number is 333-1580.”
Once he finished his call, Keir dropped the receiver into the cradle and shifted the chair toward the window. He hoped this intervention wouldn’t blow up in his face. On more than one occasion, Ryan had instructed him to stay out of her business, let her run her life the way she saw fit. Keir couldn’t do that. Ryan meant too much to him. If he had to take the hit for messing in her life, so be it. He refused to sit back and let her suffer in silence.
Chapter 24
Paper cup of coffee in his hand, Keir studied the dark rain clouds from the front window of Starbucks. A summer storm brewed, silently and deadly. If his luck held up, he hoped to be home before the heavens opened up and showered the area.
Keir checked the time. Helen still had ten minutes.
After nearly a week of playing telephone tag with Ryan’s sister, he’d finally connected. Helen had responded to his call by leaving a voice message on his cell phone, suggesting they meet for coffee. He didn’t care, as long as he got what he needed to help Ryan.
Ryan’s older sister practically ordered him to show up at Starbucks. This meeting should be interesting because that idea didn’t sit well with him. Keir seldom gave up control to another person. Unfortunately, his choices were few, and if he wanted information, this might be the only way to get it.
Keir chuckled nastily. He suspected Helen had her own agenda. She wanted to size him up. By meeting with him, Helen created an opportunity to get the skinny on him without Ryan’s watchful eyes censoring her questions.
This discussion required finesse. Face-to-face provided more answers.
He finished the last of his coffee and tossed the cup in the trash, returning to the front of the cafe. Minutes later, Helen stepped into Starbucks, with an umbrella on one arm and a tote bag hooked on the other. She glanced around, found Keir, and marched across the floor toward him.
Hiding a smile, Keir watched the woman’s approach. There were similarities and differences between the sisters. Gray sprinkled Helen’s auburn, shoulder-length hair. Helen’s sparkling brown eyes resembled Ryan’s. But Ryan stood an inch or two taller.
Helen’s strength of character and pride were visible and matched Ryan’s. Although the years had added a few extra pounds to her small frame, Helen maintained a figure that turned heads. Ryan’s older sibling made up a very nice package.
Helen stopped in front of Keir, taking a minute to do a slow examination of the man in front of her. Brown orbs probed him to his very core. When her gaze finally settled on his face, Keir felt as if he’d been stripped bare and examined like a human on an alien ship.
They made eye contact, and Keir felt the start of a new test. Every instinct inside him shouted, “Don’t look away.” He intended to pass this test and any others she might initiate. After a moment filled with enough tension to keep a soap opera junkie glued to the television for a week, Helen turned away, with a soft grunt.
Relieved, Keir dragged in a deep breath. She must be dynamite in the classroom. Helen knew how to hold a person captive with just the gleam in her eyes.
“Thanks for meeting with me,” he offered.
“You’re welcome.”
Turning away, Keir took a quick sweep of the small cafe before spotting an empty table near the back. That locale would buy them a bit of privacy. “Let’s sit over there.”
With a curt nod of her head, she marched across the floor after him. At the table, Keir pulled out a chair, offering it to her. Instead, Helen moved to the opposite side of the table and sat.
Okay, he thought. This is going to be one interesting meeting.
Hel
en took her sweet time settling down at the table. She placed the tote and umbrella on the chair next to her and then unbuttoned her sweater.
Keir sat patiently waiting as she completed her tasks. The woman had perfected the art of putting a man in his place while gaining the upper hand. Until he got what he needed, Keir intended to bow to her whims.
“Can I get you anything?” Keir waved a hand at the food counter. “Cup of coffee? Muffin? Cinnamon roll?”
“No. I’m fine.”
Silently, the pair sat. As if she’d come to a decision, Helen cleared her throat, leaned forward in her chair, and placed her linked hands on the table. “We might as well get down to business. What do you want?”
Straight to the point. Keir liked that. “After you left Ryan’s house last week, she seemed upset, and I haven’t been able to get her to open up about what happened between you.”
Eyes narrowing, Helen answered, “When I landed on Ryan’s doorstep Sunday, my sister made it clear you were her priority. Doesn’t she tell you everything?”
“Obviously not.”
She hunched her shoulders and smirked. “Sorry.”
Keir fought the urge to cuss. He stayed focused on his goal. “Please help me. Ryan’s hurting, and I won’t let it go on if I can help it.”
“What does Ryan think of you getting in her business?”
“She doesn’t like it.”
Chuckling, Helen replied, “That’s what I thought.”
He demanded, “Are you going to help me?”
She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. “No. I know my sister. If Ryan wanted you to know her business, she would have told you.”
No point in lying. The truth always worked better for him, anyway. “You’re right. She doesn’t want me to know what’s going on. Ryan’s very important to me. I want and need to help.”
Helen smirked.
“What?” said Keir.
“You are very different from her husband.”
Keir blinked. That was the last thing he expected to hear.
“Really?”
Now Until Forever Page 16