“Bet he’d enjoy it.” Ryder took her hand as he led her off the dance floor. “We could bring Eli with us. The two of them seem to get along real well.”
Annabeth’s hazel gaze found his. “That might work.”
Ryder held her white wool coat out. “I’m not just a pretty face, Princess.”
She rolled her eyes, a bubble of laughter spilling from her full red lips. “Ryder—”
He slid her coat on and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “How are you feeling?”
“Exhausted.” She turned, smiling up at him. “Thank you. I haven’t had this much fun in years.”
He shook his head. “That’s a crime, Mrs. Boone.”
She blushed, turning a very pretty color of pink. “It’s just the way it is—”
“Was.” He tugged on his leather jacket. “You ready?”
He didn’t know why he felt nervous. Tonight had changed things. It wasn’t about getting Annabeth into bed—not anymore. Maybe it was because he knew how he felt about her. He’d slept with plenty of women, but he’d never been in love with them. No, now it was about getting Annabeth—and keeping her. But he had no idea where to start—
“Penny for your thoughts?” Annabeth’s question broke the silence on the short drive home.
“Nothing worth sharing.” He was still coming to terms with the fact that he was in love with her.
“Work? Rodeo? Family?” she probed.
He glanced at her. “You light up when you dance. Must have missed it.”
“After Greg died, it wasn’t...a priority.” She paused. “I don’t know. Cody was a baby and Grandma Flo was just starting to get sick. And I was a single working parent.” She started to laugh. “Dancing seemed...frivolous.”
He looked at her then, a wave of admiration washing over him. She’d done so much on her own. “You’re quite a woman.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know, a real Princess.”
He pulled into the driveway, put the truck in Park and looked at her. “You’re stronger than most men I know.”
The cab was dimly lit, but he knew her cheeks were tinged with color. She didn’t know what to do with his compliments or how to respond.
“I’m waiting,” she murmured, her fingers absentmindedly picking at the stitches on her wool coat.
“For?” But he knew. Normally he’d tack on some smart-ass comeback. Teasing had always been his way of keeping things from getting too serious. Now, serious was what he wanted.
She frowned.
“I mean it.” He wanted to say something more, to tell her how special she was. But the words wouldn’t come.
A furrow formed between her brows, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she turned her full attention to the bit of thread she’d worked loose on her coat. “We still haven’t worked through what we’re doing...how we’re doing it.”
“It?” he asked.
“The whole being-temporarily-married thing.” She stumbled over the words.
Temporary. His lungs emptied, hard and fast. She wanted to make temporary plans. He wanted to make a real family. Now he needed to convince her of that.
“I imagine you have a few ideas.” He leaned against his door. He stared out the front windshield of the truck, feeling like an idiot. Getting a woman into bed was a hell of a lot easier than getting into her heart. “Inside? Before all the heat’s gone.”
She nodded, sliding out of the truck without a word. He followed, fighting back his frustration and defeat.
Tom greeted them inside the door, mewing pathetically and winding between their legs.
“Guess he got lonely,” Ryder said.
“Tom!” Annabeth froze in the kitchen door.
Ryder peeked over her shoulder. “He got lonely all right.” Shredded bits of paper towel were spread all over the kitchen. Even the now-empty cardboard rolls were gnawed and tattered. “Come on, Mom, he got bored.”
Annabeth glared at him. “Couldn’t he read a book or something?”
“Bet he’d get a kick out of that.” Ryder laughed, his mood lightening. “Rip it to pieces.”
Annabeth shook her head, stooping to pick up the kitten that all but trembled from the power of his purring. “You are naughty.” She held him close, her nose wrinkling up. “And you still stink.” She giggled as he reached out with kneading paws. “Yes, yes, you’re adorable.” But she kept him at arm’s length, her lips pressed tight.
Tom’s purr echoed in the room.
“Tom, you be nice. She still loves you, but your...cologne might not agree with her delicate condition.”
Annabeth sighed with exasperation—but she was smiling.
“The little guy can’t help it, Princess. Cats are curious, it’s in their nature.” He took the kitten. “And he’s a boy, so there’s bound to be some mischief.”
“Because mischief is part of the male’s DNA?” she asked.
He nodded.
“You’re making me rethink the need for a cat.” She pulled the broom off the hook on the wall.
“Ah, come on now.” Ryder put the squirming kitten down. “He’s cute.” He pushed off the door frame. “I’ll clean up this time.”
“Since this mess is your fault,” she murmured.
He laughed.
“If you’re sure you’ve got it under control, I’ll get the chart.” It was a question; he heard it.
“Discussing Option A?” He drew in a deep breath. “I think I can handle this.”
She paused, her hazel eyes lingering on his face. “Thanks again—for tonight.” She smiled. “I had a really nice time.”
He didn’t understand the look on her face, the way her gaze searched his. Now would be a good time to say something...sweet. But all the words he wanted to say lodged in his throat, making it impossible to say a thing. He cleared his throat, nodded and watched her walk away.
He dispensed with the paper towel while she busied herself in the living room. Once he was finished, he joined her there. Option A sucked. Living arrangements, time periods, divorce deadlines and custody arrangements... Not exactly what he was hoping for. Sure, she might have tried to show him that night, but he’d been too busy freaking out over getting her pregnant to think straight. Now... His stomach hurt as he read over it once, then again, before looking at her. “This is your plan?” he asked.
She nodded. “I don’t want you to have to postpone the new job.” She pointed at the chart but he didn’t look away from her. “I figure the less time we live together, the easier it will be for Cody.”
“I told you I wasn’t going anywhere,” he argued.
“And I told you I wasn’t going to ruin this opportunity for you.” She crossed her arms. “I won’t do it. You’ve wanted to leave for...forever. Cody and I have a life here. I want to raise him here. I’ll never keep the baby from you, ever. If you prefer, we’ll work out set custody terms—alternating holidays and weekends.” She shook her head. “It’s just, this is home. And your family will want to be a part of this, too...”
“So they get to be a part of his future, but I get holidays and weekends?”
“If you want—”
“You think it’s that easy? That no one’s going to care that I up and left you while you were pregnant?” he interrupted, his frustration mounting.
She frowned. “Then why did you marry me?”
He sighed, his hands on his hips. “I told you why.” Stubborn woman.
“To do the right thing? So that’s it? You’re going to settle? Life in a town you hate. Working at a place that will always be your second choice. Married to a woman you don’t love. And saddled with a baby you never wanted? Every day will be consumed with regret and resentment. That’s no way to live—”
“And you married me because—?” h
e countered.
“I thought... I don’t know. I panicked.” She stumbled over her words. “It was temporary. A way for us both to survive.”
He stared at the poster. She still doesn’t trust me. “So we live together, but apart.” He flicked the sticky note that read No Sexual Relations. “Until May tenth?” He looked at her. “Why May tenth?”
“It’s after the school board meeting. And it’s a school holiday, a long weekend. I can send Cody to the Uptons and you can go to Dallas, if they’ll let you wait?” she asked. “It’ll be easier for you to move out...” She grabbed his arm. “I’m going to take the fall for this. I will make this okay.”
“No one will believe it, Princess.” He smiled, covering her hand with his. He tried to keep the sneer off his face. “I’m good at being the bad guy.”
She shook her head. “I’ll tell everyone I still love Greg. No one can argue with that.” She paused. “We’re friends, Ryder, good friends. And, together, we’ll be good parents.”
Her words cut like a knife. “If this is what you want, I’ll try.” But not for Option A. No, he’d try his hardest to win her heart.
He stared at the chart again, drawing in a deep breath. The sooner Option A was on a burn pile or shredded in the trash, the happier he’d be. Nothing got in his way when he set his mind to it. And he’d set his mind on keeping his wife.
Chapter Ten
“Mom!” Cody climbed out of her father-in-law’s car and came barreling across the yard to her waiting arms.
Annabeth swallowed the butterflies and caught Cody in a big hug. “Missed you.”
“I missed you, too. How is Tom?” he asked. “Hey, R-Ryder,” he added, grinning at Ryder.
“Tom’s a little smelly,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “Ryder and I really tried to clean him up, but I think skunk spray must have some glue in it.”
“Skunk?” Cody frowned. “How’d he get o-o-outside?”
“He must have slipped out.” Annabeth shrugged. “I think it turned out for the best, though. He doesn’t want out anymore.”
“You should have seen your mom, Cody. She was covered in tomato juice, from head to toe.” Ryder laughed.
“Get p-pictures?” Cody asked.
“No.” Annabeth sighed. “He acted like a true gentleman—until he mentioned it now.”
“I would’ve liked to see that myself.” Her father-in-law laughed. “I’ve rarely seen her with a hair out of place.”
“Good to see you, Major.” Annabeth kissed the older man on the cheek. “Good weekend?”
“With Cody around? Of course.” He grinned at his grandson. “Nice to see you, Ryder. You’re looking fit.” He shook Ryder’s hand.
Annabeth watched, nervous over the Major and Judy’s reaction to her marriage. They’d always loved Ryder. And, after last night, she was truly worried about making him the villain when she knew he was the hero.
Ryder nodded. “You, too, sir.”
“It’s been a long time.” Judy hugged her, then Ryder. She looked back and forth between the two of them, smiling. “Seeing you together... I almost expect Greg to walk out that door...any minute.” Her voice trembled a little, the smile on her face dimming.
The Major was surprisingly demonstrative with his wife, something Annabeth had always loved about him. So it was no surprise to see him wrap a supporting arm around his wife’s waist.
“We all miss him,” Ryder said.
She looked at him, taking in the very real grief on his face. Of course he missed Greg. He’d been his best friend, his brother, his sounding board about life. They had that in common, missing Greg. She smiled at Ryder, clasping her hands so she wouldn’t be tempted to reach for him.
It was unexpected, how easy it was to fall into a routine with this man. He’d tried to sleep in Cody’s bed last night, but it was too small. And the couch was hard as rocks. So, for the second night in a row, she’d slept wrapped in his arms. And she’d actually slept, without dreams or interruption, just deep, invigorating, peaceful sleep. Waking up was another matter. She’d never woken up so responsive—and hungry—for another’s touch.
Not that she needed to be thinking about it now, face-to-face with Greg’s parents.
“Come meet Tom!” Cody waved his grandparents into the house excitedly.
“Can’t wait to meet him. I feel like I know him already.” Judy smiled at her as she followed Cody down the hall to his bedroom.
“Want a drink?” Annabeth asked her father-in-law.
“Thank you, Annabeth.” The Major sat. “What have you been up to, Ryder? Judy and I saw you last season when you came through at the Marble Falls rodeo. She about came unglued when you got carried out of the arena after that bull turned his head into your shoulder.” The Major shook his head. “Damn physical work.”
“Lucky nothing broke that time,” Ryder admitted, glancing quickly at her. “Been spending a lot more time working at John Hardy’s garage, less time on a bull.”
“That’s good to hear.” The Major sounded genuinely relieved.
Ryder smiled. “A fella’s luck can only last so long.”
She didn’t want to think about that. “Day jobs aren’t too bad,” she interrupted. “As long as you like what you do.” She loved her job—headaches and all.
“How’s the school?” The Major accepted the glass of ice tea she offered him. “Thank you.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m looking forward to summer.”
“Cody was telling us you’re worrying over your job?”
She blinked. “He was?” So much for trying to shield Cody from stress. She frowned, quickly explaining things. “There’s no point in worrying over it, I know that. Grandma Flo would tell me to keep my chin up and my big-girl britches on.”
Major and Ryder laughed.
“Good advice, I suppose,” the Major said with a chuckle.
“You’ll keep the job.” Ryder was so confident.
She shrugged, unable to ignore the pleasure his words stirred. His belief in her meant more than it should. “We’ll see.”
Judy joined them then, a strange look on her face. “I know this is none of my business...” Judy glanced over her shoulder then whispered, “Is there a man in your life, Annabeth?”
“Why on earth would you ask her that, Judy?” The Major looked stunned.
“There’s a man’s shirt on her bed,” Judy said. “And a pair of boots peeking out from under her bed. Not that I was snooping... The door was open...”
All eyes were on her. And, from the heat in her face, she knew she was turning very red. The Major scowled, Judy tried for a smile and Ryder looked ready to laugh.
“Do we know him?” the Major asked.
She opened her mouth, but Judy interrupted. “How does Cody feel about him?”
She took Judy’s hand in hers, knowing her mother-in-law worried about anything that would threaten the bond she had with her only grandchild. “Cody loves him, very much.” Which was absolutely true.
Judy nodded, visibly relieved. “Well, then, I like him already.”
“What’s his full name?” the Major asked. “And his birthday.”
“Major, you are not going to run a background check on him,” Judy chastised.
Ryder chuckled then, earning the full weight of the Major’s scowl and a disapproving shake of Judy’s head. He held up his hands in surrender. “No need.” He took a deep breath. “I’m the no-good man in her life. We got married this weekend.”
The kitchen was absolutely silent.
Ryder glanced back and forth between Judy and the Major, all teasing gone. “I promise you both, I’ll do right by her, by Cody, and Greg, too.”
Pressure squeezed her chest, momentarily knocking the breath out of her. Whether it w
as the look on Ryder’s face or the weight of his words, she couldn’t be sure. When he reached out to her, she took his hand and let him draw her into his side.
Judy burst into tears. “I’m so happy.” She sniffed, taking the handkerchief her husband offered her. “I prayed, you have no idea how hard I prayed.”
The Major took Ryder’s hand, pumping it heartily. “Guess I can’t say I’m completely surprised, but it would’ve been nice to have been at the wedding.”
“We just went to the justice of the peace. I didn’t want anything fancy this time around. But Renata is planning quite a party, and I hope you’ll come,” she said to soothe the Major. “It would mean a lot...if you’re free.”
“Of course we’ll come.” Judy was still dabbing at her tears. “Cody will be over the moon.”
Annabeth nodded.
“’Bout what?” Cody carried Tom into the room.
“Your mom has some big news,” the Major spoke. “Your Grandma and I are going to head out. But we’ll see you later this week?”
Annabeth frowned. “You’re not staying for dinner?”
“Not tonight.” The Major shook his head. “You have a nice dinner, just your little family—this time.”
“Once we know what Renata’s planned, we’ll let you know,” Ryder agreed.
After another ten minutes of goodbye hugs and happy tears, Annabeth flopped onto the couch and patted the cushion next to her.
Cody sat, looking up at her with round eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she reassured, taking his hands in hers. “Nothing at all. I have to tell you something and it just occurred to me you might be mad about it.”
“Why?” Cody asked.
Annabeth glanced at Ryder, who shrugged. “Well, I probably should have talked to you about it—”
“I should have asked you first,” Ryder jumped in, sitting beside Cody.
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