Chase answered but he wasn’t in the frame anywhere.
“Hang on!” Ric heard him say, followed by heavy breathing. “Oh, God. Can’t stop. Gotta keep going!”
“Jesus, Chase! Why do you answer when you’re in the middle of sex?” Ric asked, about to hang up.
“I’m not! I’m running, but I’m almost done. Hang on!”
Ric leaned his head back against the couch while he waited.
“Okay.”
Ric saw a very sweaty Chase smiling at him. “Why are you up so early?”
“I ain’t been to bed yet. Couldn’t sleep, so I decided to take a run on the beach while the sun came up. Look at that.” Chase turned the phone around so that Ric could see the beautiful sunrise over the beach. “Isn’t that gorgeous?”
“Yeah, it is. How come you couldn’t sleep?”
“Too jazzed up from a late-night Creative session.”
“Are you sure that’s all it was?” Ric’s brotherly-like concern rose.
“Positive. It was a great session, too. I sent you and Ty the preliminary stuff we came up with, but you’re supposed to be relaxing. And you shouldn’t look at business stuff if you’re on pain killers. You’ll screw something up. How are you feeling?”
Ric shifted his ankle a little. “Been better, been worse. I’ll live.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“I’m bored.”
Chase laughed. “I knew you would be. Come to Creative Day later. Noon your time. If nothing else, you’ll have fun. Especially if you pop a couple of pills beforehand.”
Ric grinned at the idea of attending Creative Day via Skype while hopped up on hydrocodone. “I just might do that, if for no other reason than to keep Emily from smothering me.”
“Aw, don’t be hard on your baby sis. She’s just worried about you,” Chase said. “I wish my sisters gave a shit about me.”
Ric felt a pang of sympathy as he watched Chase’s smile disappear. “Sorry, buddy.”
The smile returned. “No, worries. Well, I’m gonna go home and see if Sweet Shelly is still in my bed. That’s the lovely lady I saw a few times this week. If so, I’ll work off some more energy and maybe get a nap in. See ya at Creative Day.”
“Wait, wait! Who is this girl? Anyone serious?”
Chase laughed. “Naw. Neither of us is looking for something serious.”
“How come you’re not looking for serious? You have such a big heart.”
That was Chase to a T. Everyone loved Chase and he loved just about everyone, even people he didn’t agree with. He was a proud tree hugger and did whatever he could to limit his carbon footprint, which included biking or walking almost everywhere and recycling everything that could be. He also used mass transportation and hated Ric’s Hummer with a passion because of how much gas it guzzled.
The little garden that Chase had planted on the Rooftop, which was what he called the roof of their L.A. headquarters, was used to grow organic vegetables. Chase loved working up there with his adorable dog, Lola, and so did the employees. Chase’s office had the lowest staff turnover across the group. The Rooftop had been made into an informal boardroom that was designed to promote creativity and positive energy.
Some days the work done there was very focused, while other days Chase had food and drinks served. They also played games that tended to generate ideas and relieve stress. It was vastly different than the way Ric and Tyler ran their operations, but then Chase’s role in their company was marketing, not investment strategy.
“Some men are just not the serious kind,” Chase replied. “I’m one of them. You on the other hand… How come you’re not looking for serious? You’re just as much of a playboy as I am but I don’t think you’re happy.”
Ric said, “So many women and not enough time. Isn’t that our motto?”
“For me, perhaps. Listen, sorry but I gotta scoot. Check ya later,” Chase said. “Chase, out!”
As he hung up, Ric thought about Chase’s comments. Was he happy? New York and his job were very satisfying but he’d been restless of late.
Chase was a brilliant marketer, and hid a wicked intellect behind his playboy, happy-go-lucky persona. But Ric sensed Chase’s insecurities. Chase’s relationship with his father was toxic and Ric remembered the unhappy boy who’d arrived in Coopers Creek after his parent’s divorce.
Ric made a mental note to have a serious chat with his friend when they next met face to face, then Ric decided to take a look at the stuff that Chase had sent him. He grabbed his laptop from the coffee table and had just opened it when Emily and Coco returned. The chocolate bundle of energy bounded up onto the couch and wiggled her whole body in happiness to see Ric.
The puppy was cute as hell, all paws and wicked tail. Her amber eyes shone at Ric from beneath brown eyebrows as she plopped a red ball down next to Ric.
Ric knew that if he started playing fetch with Coco, she’d play until she dropped. “Not right now, girl. I have work to do.”
Coco nudged the ball against Ric’s leg.
Emily came into the living room. “You can babysit her while I work.”
Ric gave her an irritated look. “I have work to do, too. I have to look over these ads and reports Chase sent me and I have to go to Creative Day later.”
Emily pursed her lips. “Well, at least keep her occupied while I make you something to eat, then you can take your pain meds. You’re not supposed to take them on an empty stomach.
Ric groaned. “Yes, Mother.”
Emily flipped him off and left the room. Ric sighed as he picked up Coco’s ball and threw it. He hoped that he healed quickly so he could get back to New York as soon as possible.
*****
Two days later, Ric was going out of his mind from all of his forced inactivity. The amount of work he could do was limited and his ankle was painful, which made him cranky. Once again, Emily had made him comfortable in the living room since she had to take Coco to the vet for a checkup.
“Emily, I need to get out of the house for a while. I know it’s last minute, but I’m going to go along for the ride,” he said.
The image of Kate rose in his mind, just as it had several times a day ever since he’d met her. Not only would the ride be good for him, but he’d also have a chance to thank her for cleaning up after Coco that day.
“Oh, okay. I’ll get your coat.”
Ric stood up and grabbed his crutches. He swung out to the kitchen, ignoring the throbbing in his ankle as best he could and balanced on his good leg to put on his coat. Emily put Coco’s leash on her and they went out to Emily’s Subaru. Ric carefully got in and it wasn’t long before they were underway.
After being stuck in the house, it felt like heaven to have a change of scenery, even if the April sky was overcast and rain had been forecasted. Coco pressed her nose against the rear window on his side. Ric got a kick out of the way she barked at blowing leaves, people, or just about anything that moved. One of the neighbors on their road hadn’t taken down a giant Santa Claus and the sight of it sent Coco into hysterics.
“I don’t know why she hates that thing so much,” Emily said. “She does that every time we go past it.”
Ric pet Coco to soothe her. “What’s the matter, honey? Are you mad at Santa because he didn’t bring you what you wanted for Christmas?”
Coco gave an affirmative woof, which made them laugh.
“So how’s Mommy feeling today?” Ric asked.
Emily was four months along now, and just really beginning to show. She beamed with happiness. “Mommy is feeling just fine.”
“I’m really happy for you and Ty,” Ric said. “I’m glad he stopped being an asshole and that things worked out for you.”
Emily nodded. “Me, too. We worked through a lot of things. Nothing is completely one-sided. I made mistakes, too. I won’t pretend I didn’t. But that’s all in the past and we’re so excited about this baby and about having primary custody of Hayley.”
Ric quickly sq
uashed a momentary flash of jealousy. He had to get over that. He’d been in love with Hayley’s mother, Lizzie, who’d died in a car accident. Hayley had been left parentless since her father, Simon, had run off. Ric might have been in love with Lizzie, a reckless, wild child, but she’d let him think there was more and then slipped away. She’d been too young and too wild to understand the depth of what he’d felt for her. He was slowly coming to grips with that and trying to forgive her.
Ric had still been crushed by her death because he’d never stopped loving her. He’d held out hope that she would’ve come to her senses and ditched Simon for him. He would’ve taken care of her and Hayley. It was those feelings that had fostered the deep attachment he felt to Hayley. Ric tried not to overstep his bounds where Hayley was concerned, but he couldn’t help spoiling her.
“I can’t believe how reasonable Simon has been about the whole situation,” Ric said. “It took a lot of balls to come back, I’ll give him that.”
Emily slowed down as they entered the town limits. “Yeah. He’s really turned his life around. I have to give him credit. Ty still hates him, but he’s trying to be civil for Hayley’s sake.”
Ric was also trying to forgive Simon. Jealousy and anger at what happened to Lizzie still made him want to smash Simon’s smug face every now and then. “Tyler can be hard-headed, and that’s an understatement,” Ric said. “But he’s got Hayley’s best interests at heart, so he’ll do the right thing.” Listen to yourself for a change. You need to be civil to Simon too.
She turned right at the town square. “Yeah. Under that sometimes tough exterior of his, he’s a big softie.”
They arrived at the vet’s office and Ric waited until Emily exited the car with Coco before he got out. He followed Emily inside and took a seat in the waiting area while Emily checked in.
A woman in scrubs came around the corner of a hallway that led to exam rooms and Ric’s blood pressure rose as he recognized Kate. Her mahogany hair was pulled up a ponytail, which showed off her high cheekbones and luminous dark eyes. She looked almost as fantastic in scrubs as she did in jeans.
Damn, she is one fine-looking woman. I wouldn’t mind if she examined me. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her and when her gaze met his, he didn’t look away. Ric was the kind of man that went after something when he wanted it, and he wanted Kate. He pushed all his doubts away.
She smiled and gave him a little wave. Ric raised an eyebrow and motioned her over.
“Hi, Doc. How are you?” he asked when she stood before him.
“I’m good, thanks. How’s the ankle?”
“I’ll live. Thanks for everything the other day. You didn’t have to do that,” Ric said.
Kate tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear and he wanted to suck on her pretty earlobe. “I was happy to do it. You weren’t in any shape to clean up and I didn’t feel right leaving things that way.”
“I really appreciate it. In fact, I’d like to take you to dinner to repay you.”
Her eyebrows drew together as her expression turned uncertain. “I don’t know. My schedule is pretty hectic.”
Ric wasn’t going to give up. “Well, mine is pretty flexible since I can’t work a whole lot. So, whenever is good for you works for me.”
“I can’t.”
The sudden sadness in her eyes piqued Ric’s curiosity. “Are you involved with someone? I’m sorry. I didn’t think about that.”
Kate shook her head. “No, I’m not seeing anyone. I’m not looking for anyone, either.”
“Oh, I see. Look, this would be just a simple thank you dinner. Or how about I buy you lunch, if that makes you more comfortable? Tomorrow at the Diner?”
Her inner struggle clearly showed on her face. Then she nodded. “All right. Lunch it is. Around one, as long as something doesn’t come up.”
Ric smiled, surprised at how happy her acceptance of his invitation made him. “Great. I’m looking forward to it.”
She gave him a small smile. “Me, too. Well, I’d better take a look at Coco. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” Ric agreed.
Kate smiled again before turning around and greeting Emily. “Come on back with me,” she said.
Emily sent a grin over her shoulder to Ric as she followed Kate back to an exam room with Coco. Ric smiled back and shrugged a shoulder. He didn’t feel bashful about asking Kate out. There was just something about the woman that drew him like a magnet to metal, and he intended to see if the feeling was mutual or if he was tilting at windmills.
Chapter Three
Throughout the rest of Kate’s day, thoughts of Ric distracted her from her work. It wasn’t like her to be so unfocused, but she couldn’t help it. Why had she agreed to meet him for lunch? She hadn’t had any interest in men since her fiancé, Phil, had passed away. A piece of her heart had shriveled and died with him.
His death had left her with a bleeding, gaping wound that would never be healed. Her job had been her salvation. She’d thrown herself into her business to keep from going insane from grief. If she’d allowed herself to wallow, Kate knew that she might’ve done something desperate.
She’d been approached by a few men, but she’d nicely rebuffed them. What made Ric different? As she went about stitching and bandaging wounds and giving advice on flea control, a part of her mind was on the incredibly handsome man with the intense blue eyes and a devastating smile.
Towards the end of the day, she grew frustrated with herself. It’s just lunch. There’s no need to panic over lunch! Stop being such a dumbass about this. It was nothing more than a casual meal. With that decided, Kate was able to stop obsessing and finish out her day with a clearer mind.
*****
As he rode in Emily’s car the next day, Ric berated himself for asking Kate to lunch. Not because he didn’t want to see her, but because he had to be driven to the Diner like a kid who wasn’t old enough to drive. Being laid up was seriously interfering with his independence and it made him short-tempered.
Looking over at Emily, he felt contrite. “Em, I’m sorry that I’ve been such an ass the last few days. I’m just not used to depending on people to take care of me.”
She gave him a wry smile. “Apology accepted and I’m sorry for acting like you’re a child. It’s just that you took such good care of me after Mom died that I wanted to return the favor.”
Now Ric felt like an even bigger dick. “That’s what big brothers are supposed to do.”
“But not all big brothers would,” Emily said.
“Yeah, well, that’s because they’re selfish assholes.”
Emily laughed as she turned at the square. “True. But you have one of the biggest hearts around and I’m very grateful. How about this? I won’t smother you and you let people help you when you need it. Deal?”
“I can live with that. Deal.”
Flurries started drifting down from the sky as Emily pulled up in front of the Diner.
“Are you going to be all right? Do you need help getting out?” she asked.
Ric leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Nope. I got this. I’ll call you when I’m done. Thanks for everything, sis.”
He carefully got out of the car, hopped up onto the sidewalk, and shut her car door. After waving to her, he made his way into the Diner.
“Well, here comes Hop-A-Long!”
Ric grinned as he recognized Tucker McGee’s gravelly voice and saw him wave to him from a back booth. “Tucker, you old grease monkey!” he shot back. He looked around, but Kate wasn’t there yet.
Tucker laughed and motioned him over to his booth. Ric greeted some other people he knew as he made his way through the place. Once a football hero in a small town, always a football hero.
As he slid into the booth, Ric leaned his crutches against the wall behind him and held out a hand to the fifty-something man. “Good to see you, Tucker.”
“Likewise, Ricky,” Tucker replied, giving his hand a hearty shake. “Stopped in for a
bite to eat, huh?”
“Well, I’m meeting someone here.”
Ric looked around at the restaurant that had been simply named the Diner when it had been built in the 1970’s. It had been renovated a couple of times, but the retro design of the place had been kept intact. Pictures of important residents of Cooper’s Creek hung on many of the walls and the football team was included in that.
Ric knew that he was in a bunch of them and in some pictures of the local rodeo champions, which also included him. He’d earned quite a few roping trophies over the years. He’d actually been considering coming home for the rodeo that year, but he wasn’t sure that was going to happen since he’d gotten hurt.
“Meeting someone, huh? What little filly have you roped now?” Tucker’s brown eyes gleamed.
“I didn’t say it was a woman.”
Tucker chuckled as he took a sip of coffee. “No, but a man doesn’t say they’re meeting someone and then grin like an idiot unless it’s a woman. Unless they’re gay, but as far as I know, you don’t swing that way.”
“No, I don’t,” Ric said. “Speaking of that, how’s Sarah?”
A frown passed over Tucker’s face in response to Ric’s inquiry about his niece. “So-so, I guess. She’s trying to move on after that bitch, Roxie, broke her heart. I don’t normally believe in hitting women, but in Roxie’s case, well, I’d be sorely tempted.”
Ric nodded. “I completely understand.”
Tucker regarded him seriously. “I’m glad you and Ty patched things up. You’ve been friends for too long not to. It takes a big man to admit that he’s wrong and apologize for it.”
“It was hard for a while. Emily’s my baby sister and no one screws with her, you know? Not even my best friend.”
“I hear ya. But you seem like it worked out the way it was supposed to,” Tucker commented.
“Yeah.” Ric looked at his watch. Kate was almost fifteen minutes late and he had the sinking feeling that she wasn’t going to make it.
“Uh oh. Your filly late?”
Ric nodded. “Yeah. She most likely got held up.”
“Who is it?”
Heal Me (Coopers Creek Book 2) Page 2