Mia grinned.
He chuckled. “From that moment on, I would have done anything for that girl.”
Mia looked down at Jasper and had a funny feeling that she knew exactly what Amos meant.
Chapter 7
Mia checked her hair in the mirror. The Spring Fling Movie Festival highlighted a different classic movie each week. Release night was Tuesday with the show playing through the weekend. Tickets were minimally priced, but you were encouraged to dress with the theme of the current movie.
She’d been so caught up in training for her new job, walking and feeding Jasper, and visiting the hospital that she’d forgotten about the date. If it hadn’t been for the alarm on her phone, there’s a good chance she would have stood up Carter. And that wasn’t really fair to him.
Amos implied that there could be more to her and Carter than just the good friendship they’d formed over the last few years as Carter maintained and improved the B&B and Mia worked the front desk. She owed Carter a chance. So, she’d left Ryder with a pat on his leg and made her way to the consignment store.
Since she and Carter were going to see Sabrina, she needed a dress that would fit the occasion. She considered hitting up the women’s department at Kenworth’s, but wanted something more … authentic. As luck would have it, Second Chances had a navy blue sailor-style dress with white stripes around the wide collar and just above the hemline. Best of all, the fitted skirt hugged her hips just right. With a twenty-five-dollar price tag, the garment was a steal. She left with the dress and a smile.
As Mia rolled her hair in hot curlers, she contemplated the tube of lipstick on the counter. It was much bolder than she normally wore, but she was playing a part. Who knows—if she’d lived in the ’40s, she might have worn bright red lipstick. Careful to use a lip liner first so the color didn’t feather, she applied the Apple Rouge and popped her lips. A dramatic swoop of black eyeliner and a heavy dose of mascara completed her makeup.
In seconds her hair was free and hung in curls that would normally call for a spray bottle and elastic, but this time she brushed them out so they poofed and then added a shine serum. Content that she looked the part, she opened the closet for the final touch. Her mom had died when she was a baby, but there was this box left behind, and inside this box was a red clutch.
Mia had no idea if her mom ever used the purse. She didn’t have any stories of first dates or borrowing the purse from a friend and never returning it. Over the years she’d concocted hundreds of origin stories for the zippered bag, yet none of them settled in her heart as a truth. Tonight, she imagined her mother, young and laughing like in the picture of her wedding day, telling Mia to take the purse and have a wonderful night.
Except Mia was more excited about having a reason to carry her mother’s purse than she was about going out with Carter. Not that there was anything wrong with Carter. He was a great guy. Really. But he just wasn’t the guy that made her heart go BOOM. But he was here, walking around … conscious … and a good friend. All things she looked for in a date before she started hanging out with Ryder. Even unconscious, he had the ability to make her heart flutter.
Pushing aside all thoughts of Ryder, she focused her mind on the evening at hand. Carter had asked her out on a date, and she respected him enough to give him her undivided attention.
Carter spun in a circle on her doorstep, sending his skinny silver tie a flapping. His light brown hair was slicked back—the natural wave combed into submission for once. Smiling wide, he said, indicating his suit, “It was my grandfather’s. What do you think?”
Mia laughed. “I think you’ll be all set if the theater floods.”
Carter looked down at his ankles. “Yeah, Grandpa wasn’t a tall man.”
“He had great taste though.” Mia fingered the cobalt-blue lapel.
“We match.” Carter smiled.
Mia didn’t argue. Technically they were both wearing blue, but they didn’t exactly match. The blues were off just enough to mismatch.
Like her and Carter.
Stop! He’s always been a friend. Some of the best relationships are based on friendship, mutual respect, and appreciation. Give him a chance.
Carter waved towards his truck. “Your ride awaits.”
“Thanks.” Mia bounced in her red high heels.
“You look …” His brow furrowed. “… nice,” he said with hesitation.
Mia patted her hair. The way he said nice sounded more like I’m not sure what to say here.
Carter opened the door and a soda can fell out. “Sorry about that.” He leaned into the cab and grabbed a handful of fast food bags and hamburger wrappers. “I took the guys from my racquetball crew to lunch today and forgot to clean this out.” He chucked the trash in the back of his truck.
“That’s okay.” Mia checked the seat for mustard stains before climbing up. She had to clamp her knees together and then jump vertically while pushing off the door handle to set one hip on the seat before swinging her legs around.
“That was some impressive acrobatics.”
Mia laughed. “I got skills.”
Carter smiled and shut the door before running around to the other side of the truck and climbing in. “So we’re off to see Sabrina—though I have no idea who Sabrina is nor why they’d make a movie about her. But it has Humphrey Bogart, which Mom says is a big selling point for the ladies.”
Mia grinned. “I’ve never been into the tall, dark, and handsome type myself,” she lied.
“Really? What is your type?”
“Blonds. Chubby ones.” She managed to keep her straight face.
“Well, I’ll have to keep an eye out for the competition.”
They grabbed a bite to eat at Fay’s. Mia loved the atmosphere. They got more than a few raised eyebrows at their attire when they walked in. Carter flipped his keys in the air and snatched them back. “Is it okay if I parked my DeLorean in the alley?”
Fay grinned and waved them towards one of the booths. “You are a kick!”
Carter grinned at Mia who shook her head. “Thanks. What’s fast? We have a movie to make.”
Fay suggested burgers and fries, and they agreed.
Mia smiled. “How are things at the B&B?”
“The gazebo is almost done—and just in time too. We have a couple weddings coming up. And we’re all booked out for the tulip festival, which always brings in the geriatric crowd.”
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with slowing down and appreciating flowers.”
“I can’t wait until I’m retired and can travel to far-off places, like Milwaukee, and appreciate their trees.” Carter’s sarcasm was tempered by the gleam in his eye.
“Echo Ridge has way more going for it than Milwaukee.”
“You think?”
“Yeah, there’s—” Mia’s phone trilled. “Sorry. I’m not expecting a call.” The caller ID said Veteran’s Memorial Hospital. Mia panicked, thinking something must be wrong with Ryder if they were calling her and pulled her phone to her chest. “Um. I need to take this.” She fumbled for a minute before finally hitting the answer button. “Hello?”
“Miss Davis?”
“Yes.”
“He’s awake.”
Mia sat up straight. “What?”
“Ryder is awake. I thought you’d like to know.”
“Yes, of course I would. Thank you. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” She hung up the phone and stared at it. He’s awake. He’s awake! Her heart flipped over. Ryder was going to be okay. She sagged into the seat and closed her eyes. Thank you, Lord.
“I take it we’re skipping the movie.” Carter gave her his lopsided grin. “Mind if I ask what’s going on?”
Mia took a deep breath. Ryder had been adamant about not calling his family before he dropped into the coma. Maybe now he’d feel differently, but since he was awake, she felt like consulting him was the best option. With a heavy heart, she told Carter the basics, leaving out names and the fact that the hospi
tal staff thought she was engaged.
“So you saved this guy’s life?”
Fay dropped off their dinners, and they dug in.
She shook her hands, wanting to shake the excitement out of her like sprinkles over a birthday cake. “I guess so.” That wasn’t what Mia was thinking about. She was thinking about the way Ryder clung to her hand and his warm lips against hers. She couldn’t believe the weight that lifted the moment she learned he’d opened his eyes.
“I’m so proud of you. Here I am going on about building a gazebo and you’re a hero.”
“Carter.” Mia blushed. “It was nothing. I was doing my job.”
He patted her on the shoulder in a very brotherly way, making her wonder why she’d bothered with the red purse and the fancy lipstick.
“Great job, kid.”
“Kid?” Mia frowned.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“It’s just, that’s what you call Isabelle.” Carter’s little sister was a doll, but …
“Well, I guess you’re kind of part of the B&B family. You did work there for four years.”
“Three.” She bit her lip.
“What?” Carter frowned at the table. “Felt like longer.”
Mia forced a laugh. If this was how Carter treated all his dates, then he wasn’t going to get very far. Maybe if she offered some pointers … “It’s just. A girl doesn’t want her date to see her as a sister.” She fiddled with her handbag, zipping and unzipping it over and over.
Instead of being offended, Carter threw his arm over the back of the seat and gave her his signature half grin. “How should a guy look at his date?”
Mia blew out a breath. Trying to come up with a comparison Carter would understand. Something that would connect with his heart. She finally said, “Like a gazebo.”
“You want guys to look at you like lawn decorations?” Carter chuckled.
“Forget it.” Mia stared out the window. They sat in the quiet for a minute, Mia replaying the conversation in her head. She chuckled. “I can’t believe I told you to look at a woman like a gazebo.”
Carter laughed. “I’m still trying to figure out how that would work.”
Mia laughed, giving his shoulder a shove. “I should be mad at you, but you’re too funny.”
“That’s good, because I hate dating an angry gazebo.”
“Stop it!” She smacked him in the arm.
He left money on the table and stood up. “Let’s get you to the hospital.”
They hurried out to the car, the cold spring wind giving Mia goosebumps. Carter cranked up the heater and they rode in companionable silence. The closer they got to the hospital, the more excited Mia became. Ryder, wonderful Ryder, would finally be able to smile at her again.
He pulled to a stop by the hospital entrance. “You sure you’re okay going in alone?”
She was sure. Seeing Ryder for the first time since the accident was something she wanted to keep to herself. “Yeah. Thanks for the ride.”
“Maybe next time, you can date a cabbie.”
“Better a cabbie than a gazebo.”
“Or a pergola—I’ve heard those are clingy.”
Mia snorted a laugh.
“We’ll try again some other night?” Carter asked.
She wouldn’t mind hanging out with him again—as friends. And she had a feeling he felt the exact same way. “It would be a waste to keep that suit in the closet for another seventy-five years.” She slid to the pavement. “Good night, Carter.”
“Night, Mia.”
She shut her door and he pulled away, leaving her in front of the hospital. Shaking out her fingers, she tucked her red clutch under her arm and marched her ruby shoes inside.
Chapter 8
Spying through the small window in the door, Mia watched the nurse check Ryder’s pulse. “Gosh, he looks good.”
His eyes wandered the room, and she ducked before he caught sight of her spying on him. Pulling out a compact, she checked her hair. It was all sorts of curls and volume and there was no way to tame it before seeing Ryder.
The door flew open and the nurse stepped out. “Mia!” She squeezed her forearm. “You look fantastic.” Ryder being alert seemed to have enthused the staff. There were smiles all over the place as she walked in. Of course, that could have been her outfit.
Mia brushed her hands down her skirt. “Yeah, I was headed to the theater with a … friend.”
“Right. Well, he’s a cutie, that fiancé of yours.”
Mia smiled over her need to groan. Ryder hadn’t corrected the slipup. Oh boy. Part of her had hoped he’d come to and set everything straight.
The euphoria from knowing he was awake was replaced by a sense of doom. “Yep.”
The administration woman, Terri, bustled past Mia with a harrumph. Her red glasses were tucked into her black bob. She handed Ryder his driver’s license and insurance card without introducing herself. Ryder stared at them for a moment. “Where did you get these?”
“From your fiancée.” She hooked her thick thumb over her shoulder at Mia standing in the doorway. Mia offered an awkward wave.
“My fiancée?” Ryder’s eyes went down to Mia’s red heels and took her in from toe to curls. Their eyes met and held. Mia willed him to say something, anything that would sound normal. Maybe he wouldn’t recognize her or remember her or even care that she was there. Maybe she could just walk out of the room and never come back and it wouldn’t matter one way or another. Her lungs were paralyzed at the thought and she couldn’t take a breath.
“I love what you’ve done with your hair.” Ryder winked.
Relieved and now terrified in a whole other way—as if the range of emotions she’d experienced while watching him sleep were somehow spelled across her forehead—she drew a blank. Her hand brushed the curls, seeking something solid since she felt like she was having an out-of-body experience. She’d loved the dress when she bought it, hadn’t thought a thing of it while with Carter, and now felt like the sexiest woman alive with Ryder looking at her like that.
He so could not look at her like that. She felt like all her seams would come undone under the heat of his gaze.
“I saved you a spot.” He patted the bed next to him.
Terri harrumphed once again. Something she seemed to enjoy.
Mia laughed. This was the Ryder she was used to. Ryder the flirt who came through her lift line with smoldering looks and suggestive suggestions. A Ryder she knew how to handle. He must be feeling better if he’s flirting. “Honey-love.” She played up the swing of her hips as she approached the bed. “I was so worried.” She put her hand over her heart and fluttered her eyelashes.
“What, no kiss?”
The cad! Mia would like nothing more than to relive that moment when his lips were on hers—or more accurately, her lips were on his—but she didn’t need an audience. “You know how I am about PDAs.” She patted his shoulder. His firm, round, well-toned shoulder. Gosh, he looks good.
“You’ll have to get over that soon.” Ryder snagged her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.
Suddenly their game took on a whole new level of realness. Mia could feel her heart beat where his lips touched. “W-Why?”
“I plan to make the most of the you may now kiss the bride kiss.” Ryder’s voice was light, but there was a seriousness underneath it that gave Mia pause. I thought we were playing a game.
“When’s the wedding?” asked Terri.
“Two weeks,” replied Ryder without hesitation.
Mia finally had the excuse to brush Ryder’s dark locks off his forehead. She did so, bending closer to look deeply into his eyes so she could inspect them for clarity. Was he still playing? If so, he was willing to take this much further than she was. Not that she wasn’t willing to take it all the way to the church if it was real.
What she found was a sense of purpose and devotion that left her breathless. And then Ryder went and did the unthinkable. He brushed his fingers over
her cheek. If he’d said the word, she would have married him in the hospital chapel with Terri as her maid of honor right then—and she didn’t particularly like the woman.
“I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.” Terri left the room. Okay, Mia liked her better now.
She straightened up, having deduced that Ryder appeared sane and in full control of his mental capacities. Although she was doubting hers entirely. Unsure what to do or say, she was relieved to have the doctor breeze through the door.
As if sensing her hesitancy, Ryder grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together. “Tell me, Doc, will I be able to dance at my wedding?”
“Did I hear two weeks?” The doctor looked at Mia for confirmation.
Ryder’s skin on hers was doing funny things to her thoughts, and his teasing about being engaged wasn’t doing anything for her willpower. Two weeks? I’d go for two minutes. She nodded numbly.
“If you’re careful,” the doctor began, “you might be able to shuffle a few steps. I’m going to start you with some physical therapy in the morning …”
He continued, but Mia wasn’t listening because Ryder was making circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. Each small caress primed the pump of her heart and made her blood pound against her ears.
“… As long as she promises to take good care of you.”
“I do,” Mia whispered as if they were standing in front of the pastor and a church full of well-wishers. She blushed furiously. Wait, what did I agree to? If Ryder continued to brush her skin, she’d end up washing the doctor’s cat if she wasn’t careful.
“Then you can take him home tomorrow morning.”
Wasn’t that a wonderful thought. She could just take him home to her apartment, set him up on the couch, and snuggle in to watch movies while he recuperated and they would live happily ever after.
Yeah—right!
Kicking herself for not paying better attention, Mia pulled her hand away. Ryder let her, but not without a slight drop in his shoulders.
The Academic Bride Page 5