Still the One

by Belle Calhoune

  Whoa! How had he forgotten about that? He'd been forced to go to summer school after getting a D in History. How old had he been? Fourteen? He'd sulked and carried on for weeks about it. In the end he'd aced the class, vowing to never again be forced to attend summer school. It had been a turning point in his young life. From that point forward he'd taken academics seriously, making honor roll and becoming a stellar student.

  “You're right, Ma,” he acknowledged. “When it happened to me I acted like someone was beating me with a stick.”

  “Then you can relate to how he feels,” she said, her sweet face radiating compassion.

  “I can,” he conceded. “But I never disrespected anyone, nor did I throw things around the house.”

  “You're right about that. And I'm worried about Tess and how she's handling all this. She needs you more than ever now, Ryder. If she gains custody of her brother, her life is bound to be more stressful.”

  “Tess has a strong personality, but so do I. Butting heads is bound to happen every now and again. But I can promise you that we'll patch it up. There's no way anything could ever get in the way of our friendship.”

  A relieved smile lit up her face. “That's what I like to hear. She's a lovely woman.”

  The peal of the doorbell sounded, giving Ryder hope that Tess had returned to bridge the gap between them. It rested heavy on his soul that they were at odds. Although he had to be honest and give it to her straight about Seth, perhaps he'd lacked sensitivity. The truth was, he hated anyone disrespecting Tess, so it had gotten his back up when he'd heard Seth's tone of voice and witnessed his chafing against her authority.

  “I'll get it, Ma. Maybe it's Tess.” Without wasting a second, Ryder raced towards the front door, wrenching it open with more force than was necessary. Was Tess standing on the other side of this door?

  He had to blink to make sure his eyes were seeing things clearly. Standing at the doorstep was a pitiful-looking Seth. With a face smudged with dirt and tears he looked more like a little boy than a teenager on the brink of manhood.

  “Can I come in?” he asked, his voice devoid of his earlier defiance.

  Ryder hesitated for a moment, then swung the door wide open so Seth could step inside. Head down, he shuffled inside. When Ryder closed the door and turned towards him, Seth refused to make eye contact for a few moments. His gaze was focused on the floor and his high top sneakers.

  “Why'd you come back here?” His voice sounded gruff in the silence.

  “To say I'm sorry. To apologize,” Seth mumbled.

  Ryder put his hand to his ear, pretending he hadn't heard Seth. “I didn't hear you. What did you say?”

  Seth finally looked up, meeting Ryder's gaze head-on. “I want to apologize,” he said in a raised voice. “I'm sorry about the fruit, and about storming away earlier. I was a guest in your home and I acted ungrateful and rude.”

  “You did. In every way imaginable. But the worst thing you did was mistreat your sister. She doesn't deserve that,” he said in a clipped tone.

  “You're right. Tess is pretty much the best sister in the world.”

  Ryder felt a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Something about the way Seth said it was endearing. He wished Tess was here to hear Seth's testimony about her. She needed affirmation. She should know how Seth perceived her and the many acts of kindness she'd bestowed on him.

  “When was the last time you told her? That she's a wonderful sister?”

  Seth shrugged. “I don't know. Never.”

  “Does that sound right to you? I've seen all the care packages Tess has packaged up and sent you. All the comic books she's spent hours trying to track down for you. Not to mention that rock concert she bought front row seats for as a surprise for your seventeenth birthday.”

  “Yeah,” Seth said, his expression resembling a depressed hound dog, “I may not see her a lot, but she's always in my corner.”

  “So how do you plan to make amends with Tess? I appreciate your stopping by to apologize, but I think the person you really need to say sorry to is Tess. Have you called her since your disappearing act?”

  Once again, Seth's head hung low. He shook his head back and forth. “I got my cell phone in my pocket, but I just don't know what to say to her. I messed up. Big time. Maybe she won't want me to stick around and live with her anymore.”

  Hearing the broken tone of Seth's voice melted Ryder's heart a little. He'd been Seth once. Filled with uncertainty and awkwardness and attitude. Thankfully, that phase hadn't lasted long, even though he'd given his parents a few gray hairs in the process. Unlike Seth, he'd had two wonderful parents to fall back on. Now, all he wanted to do was to help Seth repair the damage between himself and Tess. It was time to pay it forward. It's what his parents had always taught him. Do good unto others.

  He placed his hand on Seth's shoulder. “Why don't you go sit down in the kitchen. I'll whip out some chocolate chip cookies to munch on while we think this through.” Seth nodded in agreement, his features relaxing after hearing Ryder's suggestion. When they walked into the kitchen his mother feigned surprise at Seth's appearance, even though he knew she had keen hearing.

  “Seth! I didn't expect to see you back here tonight. All the boys have gone home and Alec went to bed since he was tuckered out from the party.”

  Ryder wanted to give her an Academy award right on the spot, since he knew from the acoustics in the house that she'd most likely heard every word he'd exchanged with Seth. Bless her heart for letting Seth off the hook for his earlier act of rebellion. If one of her boys had done something like that, she would have given them an earful and a week's worth of punishments.

  She executed an exaggerated yawn. “Well, I'm going to head upstairs to check in on Alec. You boys have a nice visit.” As his mother made her way up the back staircase towards the second floor, Seth's eyes trailed after her.

  “She seems like a great Mom,” Seth remarked, his voice tinged with awe. “I can just tell.”

  Ryder grinned. “She is. No question about it. My brothers and I consider ourselves very fortunate. We weren't born into the Donahue family, but we were hand-picked.”

  “Hand-picked,” he said with a wistful air. “That's pretty cool.”

  The truth hung unspoken in the air. Seth was here in Breeze Point because he was running away from a mother who wasn't so great. One who subjected him to verbal abuse and neglect. One who did the bare minimum as a parent. Ryder said a silent prayer of thanks for his own parents. So many walked alone with no one to lift them up. Thinking about Seth's predicament, it dawned on him that being here in Breeze Point was the best thing for him. As a newcomer, his life was full of possibilities here in town. With hard work and a change of attitude, he could reinvent himself.

  “So, how about I call Tess and tell her you're here at the house. Maybe you can bunk here tonight since it's so late. We can brainstorm some ways for you to apologize meaningfully to Tess.”

  “That sounds good,” Seth said, his face showing immense relief. “You'll really help me?”

  “I'll help,” he said with a quick nod, a feeling of satisfaction flowing through him at the pleased expression on Seth's face. The kid wasn't so bad after all.

  “You know,” Seth said, his head cocked and eyes half squinted. “When you talk about my sister your voice completely changes. It gets soft and gentle. Just saying.”

  Ryder held his breath as Seth's observation trickled over him. He opened his mouth to say something, then quickly shut it. Clearly, the kid had picked up on something that he hadn't even been aware of. More and more, he was beginning to realize that hiding his feelings for Tess was like pushing a massive boulder uphill. At some point, a person got tired of waging battles that couldn't be won.

  “Showering a woman with love is the easiest way to her heart.” Remy Donahue

  Chapter Seven

  Tess woke up before dawn, her mind whirling with the events of last night. At around eleven o'clock, just as sh
e was about to call the Breeze Point Police Department about Seth, she'd received a call from Ryder. The sight of his familiar number popping up on her called Id sent a rush of adrenaline flowing through her body. She felt like a love-struck schoolgirl waiting for her first phone call from a boy. With a groan of irritation she reached for her phone and answered it.

  “Hey, Ryder. I can't talk long. I want to keep the line open in case Seth calls. I still can't figure out how to do two-way on this phone.” Her words came out in a breathless fashion. Although she could blame it on her worry about Seth's well-being, she had the feeling it was a reaction to Ryder.

  “Tess, Seth showed up here at the house.”

  “What?” she squeaked. “What's he doing over there?”

  “He came by to apologize. He regrets everything that happened and he wanted to say he was sorry face to face.”

  All of a sudden she felt tongue tied. Ryder's words were swirling around her brain. Seth? Apologizing? She just couldn't picture it. He wasn't known for backing down. Not ever. This news was startling. Clearly, when she hadn't been looking, her baby brother had grown up. At least a little bit.

  “Tess? You still there?” Ryder's low, melodic voice floated across the line. She shut her eyes and gave thanks for progress.

  “Yeah, I'm still here,” she answered, a lump of emotion lodged in her throat.

  “If it's okay with you, Seth can crash here tonight. He's eating some chocolate chip cookies now and he can barely keep his eyes open. I'll get him back to you first thing in the morning.”

  A feeling of strong gratitude filled her heart almost to overflowing. It would be great for Seth to spend some time with Ryder at the Donahue home. She wanted him to be in the presence of a large, committed family who oozed love, faith and compassion. It would be a god-send for Seth, who'd grown up with nothing of substance to hold onto.

  “That's a wonderful idea, Ryder. I-I'm sorry about earlier. I said some things I wish that I could take back.” Shame dug its way into her soul for the things she'd said to Ryder. About him not liking Seth. She'd even accused him of judging her, which was one thing he'd never done. He'd always been supportive and kind. Not being able to see his face at the moment was nerve racking. She wished she could look into his ice blue eyes and see if she was forgiven.

  Ryder let loose with a deep chuckle that sounded like music to her ears. “I was about to ask you to forgive me. If I sounded self-righteous earlier, I apologize. It was never my goal to sound like judge, jury and executioner. That's not my way. I only wanted you to see that you and Seth are going to be on a journey together, filled with challenges and ups and downs. Not to mention wonderful things as well.”

  “I know that. I was defensive. And I'm sorry for that.”

  “Get a good night's sleep, Tess. We'll see you in the morning. Not too early though. I'm going to make Seth the famous Donahue blueberry pancakes and sausage.”

  “Sounds great,” she'd murmured. “Sleep well.”

  And now she'd risen way too early on a morning she could have slept in. She wasn't on the work schedule today, so she really could have luxuriated in bed for another few hours. Now, all she could do was think about last night and wonder if Seth and Ryder were getting along with one another. Just thinking about Ryder making blueberry pancakes for her little brother made her smile. She could just picture Ryder at the Donahue stove, wearing a simple T-shirt and sweat pants as he flipped the pancakes.

  Two hours later she heard the turn of her front door lock followed by masculine voices. Jumping up from her position on the living room settee she got up just in time to see Seth enter the house, followed by Ryder. Seth raced towards her, his large arms outstretched towards her. As they embraced, Seth repeated the words, “I'm sorry,” over and over again. When Tess pulled away from Seth she placed her palms on either side of his face. Tears streamed down his face, ones he didn't bother to wipe away. When he was little it had always caused her pain to see Seth cry. More times than not it had been because of their mother and her cruelty. She used to disappear on the weekends and leave fifteen-year-old Tess to take care of her five-year-old brother. It had been her job to cheer Seth up and to take care of his needs. Sometimes he'd cried for hours, missing a mother who didn't care all that much about his pain. Although she'd done her best, she knew at times it hadn't been enough. And she still chafed at the audacity of a mother leaving her children alone to fend for themselves.

  Looking into her brother's eyes was a bit startling. There was so much about his physical appearance that reminded her of their mother. His light hair and coloring, the hazel eyes that could slice right through you. “I'm glad you're safe. And that you're home where you belong.”

  Seth sniffled back some tears, pushed something into her arms. It was a brown bag with the top crumpled down. “What's this?” she asked, smelling something sweet emanating from inside.

  “Why don't you open it up and see,” Ryder suggested. He'd hung in the background while she and Seth were enjoying their mini reunion. Now, he was side by side with Seth, watching her reaction as she dug inside the bag and lifted a box out. The white box, decorated with blue markings had lovely script writing spelling out Sweet Treats Bakery.

  Her gaze slid from Ryder then to Seth. She felt her eyes widening. “Is this what I think it is?” Using her nail she gently opened the box, letting out a satisfied sigh as she laid eyes on a box of chocolate cranberry cookies. They were her all-time favorite, lovingly made by Alec and Maggie at their bakery. “Seth, how did you—” Of course. Ryder had organized this little treat. He knew better than anyone how addicted she was to these sugary, crunchy delights.

  “I had a little help,” Seth said sheepishly, shooting a glance at his newly found friend. The grin on Ryder's face threatened to overtake his whole face.

  “It was so thoughtful.” She leaned in and placed a kiss on Seth's cheek.

  “How about Ryder? Doesn't he get a kiss?” Seth asked, his expression innocent. For a second there she wasn't sure if he was teasing her or playing matchmaker, but his request seemed genuine. There wasn't the hint of a smirk on his face.

  Feeling a bit flustered, Tess reached up and attempted to kiss Ryder on the cheek. Ryder must have been a bit flustered also, because at that moment he turned his head towards her, which allowed her lips full access to his mouth. As their lips touched, Tess let out a little sigh, loving the way Ryder's lips felt meshed with her own. Neither she nor Ryder pulled away from the full-on kiss, not until Seth's voice intruded.

  “Get a room!” Seth said with a snort.

  Heat rose to her cheeks as they pulled apart from one another. She glared at Seth. “Seth!” she said in a warning tone.

  “I'm outta here,” he said playfully, holding up his hands as if to ward her off.

  Ryder shook his head as his eyes followed Seth as he bounded upstairs. Once he was out of hearing range, Ryder commented. “He's a decent kid, Tess. I think he's going to fit right in here in Breeze Point once he gets settled. He's great company.”

  “Thanks for saying so,” Tess said. “Come on in the kitchen while I put these cookies away. I just made some lemonade if you'd like some.”

  “Just some ice water for me,” Ryder said as he trailed behind her. Tess reached into the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of ice water, then reached for a glass to fill up. When she placed the glass in front of Ryder he reached out and extended her a box of movie candy with a little bow wrapped around it.

  “What's this for?” It was a box of her favorite chocolate and peanut butter candies.

  “Let me take you out to the movies tonight. We haven't been in a while.”

  Movie night with Ryder. It sounded great. Whenever they went out to catch a movie it was loads of fun. “I love that idea. But what about Seth? After last night I'm not sure I should be leaving him home alone with nothing but time on his hands.”

  “He's seventeen, Tess. Old enough to stay at home while you catch a flick. We'll be gone a couple of
hours, max. And if the idea of it really freaks you out, I can have one of my brothers stop in to hang out with him.”

  Even though Seth was crazy about Wyatt and Brandon, he would hate the idea of someone serving as his babysitter. What was she afraid of anyway? Breeze Point was a pretty idyllic beach town. Crime was at a minimum here, except for a few incidents here and there. At some point, she had to let down her guard and trust her brother.

  “I have to trust Seth if this whole plan for him to live with me is going to work out. Leaving him alone in the house tonight will be a huge first step.”

  Ryder smiled. “Good call. It's a win-win. We get to go see the new Godzilla in Paris movie while Seth gets a little taste of being home alone.”

  Tess drew back and made a face. “Godzilla? I don't think so. I was thinking we could see that period piece....the Jane Austen reboot.”

  Ryder raised his hands to his throat and stuck out his tongue. He made a gagging sound that had her in giggles. “Okay. No Jane Austen reboot. How about a thriller? The one set in Russia looks amazing.”

  Ryder nodded. “Russian thriller it is.”

  “The super moon is out tonight. Maybe we can go over to the lookout point and see if we can spot it.” Tess threw the suggestion out there in a casual manner, even though there was nothing casual about the idea of spending alone time with Ryder at the lighthouse. Lighthouses were romantic and special places. With the brilliant moon hanging overhead, she couldn't help but believe it might be the perfect setting for romance.

  “Sounds good,” Ryder said. “I'll check out movie times and let you know. I can pick you up if you like.”

  Pick her up? Like a date? Yes! She wanted to scream out loud. Yes. Yes. Yes.

  “That'll work,” she said, trying to keep her voice even. On the inside she was screaming. Although she'd gone to the movies with Ryder dozens of times, this would be the first time since they'd kissed at Blue and Sarah's wedding. It would be the first time since she'd begun to believe that her affections weren't one-sided.