“I’m so glad you’re finally here,” she said softly as she squeezed. He cleared his throat and Tricia stiffened and pulled away before taking a step back.
“Hey, Tricia.”
Apparently someone wanted to surprise her, but it wasn’t Sean.
It was Ryan.
***
He had heard the car pull up.
He had known he’d have to see her.
But being touched by Tricia? Um, yeah. That wasn’t something he’d counted on.
Slowly he turned around and faced her. And smiled. Everything about Tricia Patterson was familiar and yet looking at her right now, different. From the copper-colored hair to her green eyes, she was the girl he remembered. But taking in the rest of her? Well, she wasn’t a girl any more. She had most definitely blossomed into a woman.
Ryan tucked his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and took a steadying breath. “How have you been?”
Her smile had only faltered slightly when she realized it wasn’t Sean she was hugging and now - even though she was still smiling - he could see the apprehension there. “I’m fine. Fine. Um…how about you?”
He nodded. “I’m good.” Ryan looked around the yard and knew this peaceful reprieve was over. “You’re probably wondering what I’m doing here.”
She blushed and ducked her head a little. “Well…yeah. I think the last time I saw you was…”
“About six years ago,” he finished for her. “At Sean’s graduation.”
“Right,” she said softly and then looked toward the house. “I’m sorry, where are my manners? Can I get you something to drink?” But before Ryan could answer, Tricia was walking back into the house.
He followed and found her in the kitchen. “I wasn’t expecting anyone so I’m afraid I don’t have a lot to offer – water, Coke, orange juice…”
“I’ll take a Coke,” he said, even though he wasn’t particularly thirsty. Standing back, he watched Tricia flutter around the kitchen pouring their drinks. When she handed the glass to him, her eyes barely met his. “I probably shouldn’t have just let myself in,” he finally said to break the silence.
“What? Oh, no…it’s fine. I told your mom when she rented the place to me that it’s still your family’s home. I’m just borrowing it for a while.”
“Still…you had no idea I was coming, but I didn’t know when you’d be home.”
“You could have called,” she said and glanced at him through her lashes.
Ryan nodded and placed his glass down on the counter. “Look, Tricia, this isn’t really a social call. Which – ironically – is why I didn’t call.”
She paled and placed her own drink down next to his. “What’s going on?” she asked nervously. “Is it your mom? Sean?”
Shit. He hated doing this, hated being the messenger and delivering bad news. “Why don’t we go and sit down?” he asked quietly and went to reach for her arm to guide her out to the living room.
“Just tell me,” she said, taking a cautious step back. “Please, Ryan.” There was a tremble in her voice and it affected him more than it should have.
He sighed with resignation. “There was another storm,” he said lowly, watching her face as his words sank in. “It hit in the middle of the night. No one saw it coming.”
Tricia’s body slowly began to sag to the floor. Ryan tried to reach out and catch her, but all he managed to do was sit down on the ceramic tile beside her. Tricia’s green eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. “Sean?” she whispered.
“It’s too soon to tell. Mom got the call and then called me. We’ve been trying to get someone to talk to us but it’s chaos over there.”
“I…I don’t understand,” she said as the tears began to fall. “How…? Why…?”
Ryan wrapped an arm around her shoulders – it seemed like the thing to do. “I was out east when I got the call. I had some business out there and I was going to just head back to Jersey and see what I could do, but mom mentioned she was going to call you and I just thought…” He shrugged. “I thought this was something you should hear in person.”
It was clearly the wrong thing to say because her expression crumbled and the next thing Ryan knew, Tricia was sobbing hysterically against his shoulder.
“No…no,” he said, trying to tuck a finger under her chin to get her to look at him. “We have to stay positive. Just because we haven’t heard anything doesn’t mean something’s happened to Sean.”
He only wished he believed it.
“I just…well…I know how close you and my brother are and I felt like it was better if someone was here with you.”
Tricia nodded and looked up at him. “What about…where’s Steph? Is she okay?”
It always amazed him how Tricia’s first reaction was to always think about others. For as long as he’d known her, he found that to be true about her. “She’s upset and worried but she’s in Palm Springs surrounded by her friends and for now…she’s okay.”
Quickly climbing to her feet, Tricia stood and immediately walked out of the kitchen. Ryan followed after her. “What are you doing?”
“I should call her,” she said, scanning through her contacts before hitting send. She looked over at Ryan. “I just want her to know I’m here for her.”
Unable to help himself, Ryan smiled. How was it that not thirty seconds ago this woman was on the floor crying her heart out and now she was going to offer her support to his mother? Not wanting to eavesdrop on the conversation, he walked back to the kitchen.
When his mother had called him, the first thing he’d felt was dread. Then anger. He hated that Sean was constantly putting himself in harm’s way by working in such a dangerous region. Sure it was admirable work, but there were plenty of ways he could put his skills to work here at home.
With him.
Hell, he’d been after Sean to go into business with him since he graduated! Between Ryan’s architecture skills and Sean’s building ability, they could do great things together. But Sean wanted to go out and help the masses, the world – be anyplace but here.
And now what? Didn’t Sean realize there were people here who cared about him? Worried about him? Hell, Ryan had started making calls as soon as he’d gotten off the phone with his mother. When he realized with the time difference and the magnitude of the damages over in the Philippines that he wasn’t going to get anywhere, his first instinct had been to go home and be by himself.
And then his mother had mentioned Tricia.
Even now Ryan couldn’t say why he felt the need to come here and tell her himself. He meant what he said to her earlier about how he didn’t think she should be alone when she heard, but that didn’t mean he had to be the one here with her. And yet…who knows? Maybe on some level he needed to be here. This was his childhood home. He felt a connection to Sean here that he couldn’t find anyplace else.
With a shaky hand, he reached for his drink and walked back out to the deck. He remembered all the work his mother had put in back here. After his father had died, working in the garden had been one of the few things that had brought her joy. Tricia had done a great job keeping up with it – no doubt it was a full-time job in itself.
Several minutes had gone by when he heard her come outside. Looking over his shoulder, he saw she looked a little more at peace. “How’d it go?”
Tricia took a shuddery breath. “Like us, she’s scared and worried and just wishes someone would call and give her an update.” She stood beside him and looked out at the yard. “I told her you were here and she said she would probably be heading back this way soon too.”
Ryan nodded. There was nothing they could do right now but wait. He’d done what he said he’d do – he came and broke the news to Tricia in person. Looking at his watch he saw it was a little after six. If he got in the car now, he could be home before nine. The thought of driving wasn’t all that appealing but at least he had missed most of the evening traffic.
“I think I’m gonna
hit the road,” he finally said and finished his drink. “It’s a long drive and it’s been a long day.”
“Oh,” Tricia said softly. “I…I guess I just thought you’d stay here tonight. There’s plenty of room.” Then she chuckled. “Actually, there’s your room.”
Ryan couldn’t help but chuckle too. It was a very appealing offer. He was tired and more than a little distracted. Maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing for him to do tonight.
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I don’t want to impose.”
She smiled. “Are you kidding me? The thought of being alone after learning all of this will just have me probably sitting in the dark and crying. Please stay.” She paused. “I…I’d really appreciate it.”
Ryan turned his head and looked at her and smiled back. “Thanks. I’d like that too.”
***
Ryan Peterson was four years older than Tricia and Sean and by the time she and her mom had moved up the block, he had already graduated from high school. Tricia really only saw him when he was home from college during breaks and even during those times, it wasn’t very often.
He was much more serious than Sean ever was and Tricia always had the feeling she annoyed him. True, that was a long time ago and they were both adults now, but that didn’t stop her from feeling a little awkward with him.
A small breeze blew and the first few sprinkles of rain began to fall. “I don’t remember hearing rain was in the forecast,” Tricia said as they walked back into the house, shutting the French doors behind them.
Ryan simply nodded and went to place his glass in the sink. Tricia studied him for a moment – now that she knew it was him, she couldn’t believe she had actually thought he was Sean earlier. For starters, he was taller – easily six feet if not more. And where Sean was always a bit thin and wiry, Ryan was a bit more…solid and muscular. He was dressed casually in well-worn blue jeans, a black t-shirt and work boots and there was a definite five o’clock shadow shading his strong jaw.
He turned and caught her staring. “You look great, Trish,” he said as he seemed to equally appraise her as she’d just done to him. After a minute he turned and began walking around the house. “I can’t believe how much everything still looks the same around here. I thought for sure you would have changed some things around.”
“Are you kidding?” she asked with a laugh. “This house is amazing. I’ve always loved it. All of the furniture is so comfortable and other than putting up some personal stuff, like my pictures and whatnot, I can’t imagine changing a thing.”
He looked at her and laughed too. “Are you just saying that because it’s me? I would imagine if mom actually sold you the place you’d make some changes.”
She shrugged. “Maybe. I mean, the only room I really made my own was the master bedroom. Other than that, it’s all your family’s stuff. I was just joking with Sean not too long ago how your bedroom is still intact. All of your posters are still up on the wall and…”
And then it hit her.
Sean.
Ryan must have sensed what she was thinking because he was immediately at her side, his hands on her shoulders. “Hey,” he began softly. “Come on. None of that.” He looked around the room. “Seriously. Everything looks wonderful. You’re taking good care of my house.” He winked at her before removing his hands and taking a step back.
“Your house, huh? Any chance of you sticking around long enough to clean out your gutters?” She was teasing but Ryan immediately jumped into action.
“Sure. Is there a ladder out in the garage? I can easily…”
“Ryan, I was just kidding!” she chuckled. “Besides, it’s raining, remember?”
“Oh…yeah. Right. Anyway, I can definitely do that for you tomorrow.”
“It’s really not a big deal. Honest. I was just goofing around.”
With a nod, Ryan looked around the rest of the main floor. Tricia walked along with him. It wasn’t a large house – a three bedroom Cape Cod – but for her, it was the greatest house she’d ever lived in. To her, this house represented a happy family, something she didn’t have growing up. Once she and Sean had become friends, she’d spent a lot of time here and all of her memories were good ones.
“Are you hungry?” she asked before Ryan started up the stairs. She didn’t feel the need to go and tour his old bedroom with him. “I hadn’t planned on cooking tonight but I could very easily call in for pizza or something.”
“That actually sounds good,” he said. “Unless you want to go someplace? I wouldn’t mind checking out some of the old local restaurants.”
“Are you sure? I know you hadn’t planned on any of this…”
“I think you know enough about me to know I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t serious, Tricia.” His voice was firm but there was a glimmer of humor in his eyes. “Besides, I think it might be good for both of us to get out for a little while. And I’ll have my phone with me – just in case.”
She nodded. “Okay. I’ll be honest. I can’t even remember the last time I actually went out someplace for dinner. It’s usually just me and the bag of takeout.” She realized how depressing that sounded but didn’t think it would help if she tried to take it back.
It wasn’t as if this was the life she actually wanted, but it was what it was. By now she had imagined herself being married and with a couple of kids. Instead, she was single and worked from home. Working as a speech pathologist was something she loved and found very rewarding. Working with kids and making a difference with them was something she always dreamed of.
She just needed to remember to make some time for herself.
“I dine out a lot with clients,” he said with a shrug, “but it’s been a while since I’ve just gone out with a friend.”
Aww…she thought to herself. “Why don’t you bring your stuff in and get settled in. You can use the guest room down here or your old room. The choice is yours. And let’s say…thirty minutes? Then we’ll go?”
“Sounds like a plan,” he agreed.
Tricia walked up to her room as Ryan went out to his car. A minute later she heard him climbing the stairs, obviously choosing to sleep in his childhood room. The upstairs of the house only contained the two bedrooms and a shared bath so it would be a bit of close quarters for the time being.
Sitting on the bed, she couldn’t help but look around. It truly was the only room she had changed since moving in and she loved it. There were large windows, a skylight and it was so bright and airy. The only real piece of furniture in the room was her bed. The rest of the room consisted of built-ins and bookcases – all of which were filled to capacity.
She heard Ryan moving around in his room and wondered what he must be thinking. It seriously did look exactly as it had when he and Sean lived here. She didn’t need the room and at first it had been a bit of an ongoing joke to leave it as a shrine, but then time just got away from her and out of all the rooms in the house, it was the one she needed the least.
And so a teenage boy’s room it stayed.
It actually reminded Tricia more of a cave than a boy’s room – dark paneled walls, dark wood furniture, navy blue bedding – and it didn’t have half the windows Tricia’s room did. Luckily she wasn’t the one who had to live or sleep in there. Whenever Sean came to visit, however, he seemed to take great joy in staying in there. Hopefully Ryan would too.
They met out in the hallway not much later, both ready to go. Before she could step down the first step, Ryan said her name and stopped her. She looked at him curiously.
“Thank you,” he said.
She couldn’t help but smile. “For what?”
“For giving me the gift of being able to come home again,” he said, his voice a bit gravelly. “I really needed this. More than I realized. So…thank you.”
Unable to help herself, she stepped forward and hugged him. That was twice in one day she had ever touched Ryan and it felt really good both times.
Tricia knew how both Ryan and
Sean hadn’t wanted their mom to sell the house – and she couldn’t blame them. But Steph had felt it was too big for her and wanted to travel without the responsibility of a house. Renting it out to Tricia had seemed like the perfect solution – it was why she always promised they could come and visit any time. It was good to see she’d made the right decision.
With one last squeeze, Tricia stepped back and looked at him, happy to see how he looked a lot more relaxed than he had a little while ago. “Now, how about that dinner?”
Three
It was after ten when they got back to the house. Dinner had been wonderful and surprisingly, the conversation never let up. Tricia knew she hadn’t laughed that much in a long time.
She heard him close and lock the front door as she walked through to the kitchen. “Can I get you anything?”
Ryan strolled in behind her. “I know it seems crazy after all we just ate but…do you happen to have any ice cream?”
Her smile grew.
“What? What are you smiling about?”
“Clearly you don’t know me very well if you even have to ask about ice cream. It’s the one staple I keep in the house.” Walking over, she pulled the freezer door open. “We have the basics – vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry – but then I also have cookie dough and chocolate chip.”
He chuckled and came to stand beside her. “Would it be wrong to want a little bit of each?”
“Not at all.” They worked together to make up their own dessert and as Tricia was putting everything away, she noticed Ryan looking at her wall board covered in invitations.
“What’s all this?” he asked.
Rolling her eyes, she took a spoonful of ice cream before answering. “That,” she began, “is my own personal hell.”
Marry Me: a Wedding Romance Duet Page 19