He scratched his chin. Perhaps he had been dropped on his head as a baby. And he wouldn't be shocked to discover he was clueless about women. It had been ages since he'd had to worry about a woman's feelings or how to make her feel cared for and loved. Even though Tess wasn't his romantic partner, he loved her with all his heart. She was one of the most important people in his life. She was way more than a work partner, he realized. She was his very best friend, the one who knew him like the back of her hand.
No matter what he had to do to make things right between them, he was going to do it. Because Tess Dailey was as important to him as the very air he breathed. A slight tightening sensation gripped him in his chest as the realization hit him. He needed her! It was an uncomfortable feeling to be so tied to someone who could leave him at any time. The very thought of it left him a little breathless. Somehow when he hadn't been looking, Tess had made her way into his heart, the very last place he wanted her to be.
*
What a bummer that the reception had ended on such a low note! Weddings were such beautiful events, filled with the promise of a thousand tomorrows. And she'd been so happy for Blue and Sarah. But now she was feeling a tad depressed and confused about the situation with Ryder. He'd kissed her. And it had been an amazing, out of this world kiss, filled with all the tenderness she'd dreamed about for years. She'd been in sheer heaven until he'd opened his big mouth and ruined everything. Hope had been dangled in front of her like a shiny carrot, only to be snatched back with a few words from Ryder.
Dear Lord, please help me figure things out. Why do I feel such overwhelming love for this man? Will I ever feel this way about anyone else? I've been waiting so patiently to find my other half, yet all I see is Ryder standing in the way. All my heart recognizes is him.
As she drove along the coast road leading to her house, she allowed the sunshine and the gorgeous beach view to lift her spirits. Breeze Point was a fantastic place to live with its tight-knit community, stunning ocean views and endless miles of beach. Only in her dreams had she imagined winding up in such a place. It would break her heart to have to leave this special town she'd made her own. In Breeze Point she'd found a refuge from a hardscrabble childhood that left her with feelings of self-doubt and low self-esteem. She been able to reinvent herself and become a woman she was proud of. Who would she be if she wasn't a member of this heart-warming community?
Just as she pulled up into her pebbled driveway she heard the revving of an engine in the distance. Looking in her rear view mirror she spotted the baby blue Mustang as it made its way around the curved road, then turned on a dime into her driveway. Ryder! He'd followed her home. She bit her lip as anxiety raced through her. She didn't want to hash things out with him. By tomorrow morning all would be forgotten. She just needed tonight to lick her wounds and get over herself. Leave it to Ryder to want to smooth things over and make peace.
She'd never known anyone who was more uncomfortable with the idea of someone being upset or angry with him. A burst of sympathy flooded her, since she knew it was all tied up with Ryder's early childhood and the loss of his grandmother, the only person he'd had in the world. He'd once told her that his wild desire to be a people pleaser stemmed from those experiences. He'd been placed in his grandmother's care after both his parents became involved with drugs. Ryder had never really known his father, who'd only made guest appearances in his young life. She placed her hands over her heart, soothing the little ache that resided there whenever she thought about Ryder's painful past.
In her mind's eye she could picture him. The beautiful dark haired boy with the frosty-blue eyes. Had he tried to win the hearts of the adults in his world? What had led him to the Donahues’ home? Where were his parents? He never really discussed it much, other than to say his life had been altered forever by Alec and Maggie Donahue, as well as Lena and his loving Nana.
For a moment she sat and watched Ryder. He jumped out of his car with all the born grace and ease of a natural athlete. He'd taken off his charcoal suit jacket and unbuttoned the top few buttons of his ivory dress shirt. He'd rolled up his sleeves, revealing strong, muscular arms. Even from this distance she could see the emotion swirling in his eyes. His jaw was tight, making his features even more raw and rugged. She sucked in a deep breath, wishing once again for things that would never come to pass. With a sigh she turned off her car and carefully stepped out, making sure she didn't stumble on her pebbled driveway. Although her high-heeled shoes had complimented her outfit, her feet had been complaining loudly for the last few hours. All she wanted to do was kick them off and indulge in a bubble bath. But first she had to deal with Ryder.
He was standing by her car staring at her, his blue eyes dancing with mischief. “I'm beginning to think you enjoy having me chasing you.” His lips tilted upwards in a smirk. His eyes pleaded for forgiveness. “If you want, I'll chase you for a few more days. Anything you want, Tess. Just talk to me, okay? Don't make me beg.”
As irritated as she'd felt towards him after their ill-fated kiss, all of her anger deflated in an instant. That was the effect Ryder had on her. Even when she wanted to shut him out, she couldn't. His overall impact was too powerful. She loved him too deeply. He was her entire world. And it was for that reason she knew her time in Breeze Point was nearing an end. Because the thought of just being friends with the man she loved was slowing killing her.
“Don't give me those puppy dog eyes, Donahue. That never works!” she said with a mock frown. She felt her lips twitching as Ryder began making pouting faces. She swatted in his direction. “Alright, alright. You're forgiven. Just stop making those goofy faces.”
Ryder moved towards her, enveloping her in a tight hug. “You know I love you, Tess. You're my best friend and I'd never do anything to hurt you. Scout's honor.”
As she disentangled herself from his too close for comfort proximity she lightly punched him on the arm. “Thanks, but you were never a Boy Scout a day in your life.”
“I wasn't?” Ryder's lips twitched and he attempted a look of innocence. “No, I wasn't. But I am sorry, Tess. Today was a happy day for the Donahue family, especially Sarah and Blue. For many reasons, it was tough for me. And that doesn't excuse my kissing you or my open mouth and inserting foot comments, but I don't want what we have to be affected by it.” He crossed his hands over his heart, sending her such a sweet, tender look that it made her knees buckle.
“Nothing's going to change between us,” she reassured him. And that was the problem, she thought. Nothing was ever going to change. They would continue to be best buddies, working side by side together, finishing each other's sentences, getting together for movie outings and cookouts, all the while existing in the friendship zone. And now that she knew how it felt to be kissed by Ryder Donahue, all she could think about was doing it again. And again.
Ryder let out the deep breath he'd been holding. He swiped a hand across his face. “Thank goodness. I never want to lose you. Not ever.”
Not wanting to lose herself in his gaze, she looked past him towards her house. A feeling of unease slid down her spine as she spotted her living room window slightly open. She reached out and gripped Ryder's wrist, her mind spinning with all the possibilities. “Ryder, I think someone's broken into my house.”
“Surprises make life interesting. Without them, we'd be bored to tears.” Maggie Donahue
Chapter Four
Tess thought someone had broken into her house? He swiveled around, looking for anything suspicious that might have alerted Tess to a potential problem. He peered at the house, noticing a closed front door and no broken windows. There was one front window that had been partially cracked open. It didn't look as if the screen had been disturbed and there was barely enough space for a small child to crawl through. But if Tess thought something wasn't right at 122 Seashell Lane, he trusted her instincts.
“Why do you say that? Because of the open window?” he asked, his body poised for action.
Her chest was
heaving up and down. Her breathing sounded ragged. “I didn't open that window, never mind leave it that way.”
His pulse began to quicken. “Are you sure?”
With wide eyes she said, “Without a doubt, absolutely, completely positive.”
“Are you expecting a cleaning lady or a repair person? Could anyone have gained access with your permission?”
She shook her head. “No one. Not a soul.”
“Give me your key. I'm going inside to check it out.”
She shook her head at him. “Maybe that's not such a good idea.”
“I'll be fine.” He held his hand out, brooking no argument. Reluctantly, she handed him her house key.
His face drawn in grim lines, he pointed towards her car. “Get back inside where it's safe. I don't want you in harm's way in case something goes down.”
*
As he turned on his heel, she tugged at his shirt, pulling him back toward her. It wasn't right to just stand by and let him tackle her intruder on his own. Sometimes situations like this didn't end well. If anything happened to Ryder she would never forgive herself for putting him in harm's way. Just the thought of it caused a trickle of unease to race down her spine.
“No, Ryder. I don't want you to go in there. If someone's in there they could have a weapon. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you.”
He turned back to her, something bright burning in his eyes. “I'll be fine. You stay in the car and call the Breeze Point police. They'll send someone right over.”
Feeling like a coward she watched as he walked towards her house and let himself in. Quickly, she dialed 911 and alerted them to the situation at her house. Rather than open her car door she took a few steps towards her house, on the alert for anything suspicious. There was no way she could comfortably sit in her car while Ryder played the hero. What if he needed her help? They were a team after all, weren't they? In their six years of working together Ryder, had never once left her side in a crisis. She couldn't do any less for him in this unsettling situation. As soon as she reached her front porch, she heard Ryder's voice raised in angry tones. Within seconds he was standing in the doorway, his muscular arms wrapped around a scrawny teenager with hair the color of her favorite sandy beach. The teenager was bucking his slim body and resisting Ryder's attempt to keep him in line. From where she was standing she knew it wasn't even close to a contest between the two. Ryder was all muscle and strength, while the boy looked like he was a bean pole, completely devoid of a grown man's power.
“Let go of me, man. Who do you think you are?” The teenager continued to flail his arms.
“I could ask you the same question,” Ryder growled. “Breaking and entering is taken very seriously in Breeze Point.”
“I'm not breaking and entering. Go ahead and ask her,” he said, jutting his chin in Tess' direction. “She knows me. I'm her brother.”
Shock roared through Tess as the young man raised his head up, just as the shaggy blonde hair parted to reveal his familiar face. It was Seth, her runaway brother.
*
Ryder frowned as he looked back and forth between Tess and her wayward younger brother. So this was Seth. Based on his physical appearance, Ryder was guessing he might be Tess' half-brother. The two bore no similarities. The kid was blonde and hazel eyed. And he seemed to recall Tess telling him about the endless parade of men who'd traipsed through their front door and her numerous step fathers.
Considering the things Tess had confided in him regarding her upbringing, he could only imagine what Seth was running away from. Even though he had his lip stuck out and was refusing to answer any questions, Ryder felt a swell of sympathy pass over him. He knew all too well what it was like to grow up in a dysfunctional household. Even though he barely remembered the parents who had left him to his grandmother's care, he couldn't forget the things they'd put him through. Strangers constantly in and out of their house. All-night parties. Drugs and alcohol. The smell of illegal substances wafting in the air. No food in the refrigerator. Physical altercations.
If Seth had gone through even an iota of what Ryder had endured, he was way better off on his own. Only he wasn't on his own. He'd shown up on Tess' doorstep and let himself into her house before settling into her kitchen and making himself some grub. Ryder had found him stretched out in the living room watching television with his legs propped up on her coffee table.
Ryder quickly called 911 on his cell phone and explained the situation. By the time he hung up, Tess and Seth were going at it, with Tess trying to drum some sense into her younger brother. Something told Ryder it was a losing battle. Seth seemed all attitude and surly disposition. He also reeked of entitlement, acting as if he had a right to everything Tess owned.
“Seth, you can't just show up here out of the blue and expect to stay here.” Frustration was laced in Tess' voice. Still dressed to the nines, Tess had taken off her heels and settled into a comfy love seat.
“Why not?” Seth asked. “Don't you want me around? You're my flesh and blood.”
Tess' voice softened. “Of course I want you around. But Mom is going crazy trying to find you. She's brought in the police again. She called me the other day to tell me all about it.”
“I'm not going back home, no matter what you say.”
“You just have a year left in school. You can't just drop out.”
He jutted his chin out. “Why not? It's not like I'm going to be a brain surgeon or anything.”
Tess glared at Seth. “School is important. You won't get anywhere in this world without a high school diploma.”
“If you let me live with you I can go to school here in the fall. It'll be my senior year.”
Tess let out an exasperated sigh. “Seth, I work long shifts. I'm hardly ever home. You need someone to look after you.”
“I can cook for myself. And do my laundry. And wash dishes. I've been doing all that since I was nine.”
“Seth.” Tess choked out her brother's name before throwing herself at him and burying his head against her shoulder. The raw emotion of the moment wasn't lost on Ryder. Nine years old. It was almost the same age he'd been when his grandmother died and he'd gone to live with his forever family, the Donahue clan. He couldn't imagine how he might have ended up if he'd languished in the foster care system. The very idea of it made him shudder. Seth seemed to be just as lost as he'd been after losing his grandmother.
“Aww, c'mon. Don't get mushy, sis,” Seth said as he disentangled himself from Tess.
Tess sniffed. “I should have been there for you.”
“You were at college,” Seth said matter-of-factly. “You had your own life to live.”
“After I graduated I could have come home.”
Seth snorted. “Why would you? Consider yourself lucky to have escaped.”
Ryder gently coughed, not wanting to interrupt the deep discussion, but knowing he had to remind Tess of the legalities. “Tess, what about your mom?
Seth scowled in his direction. “If you call her, I'm out of here.”
“We have to call her. She's involved the police,” he said tersely. Seth's tone was rude and abrupt. Ryder's first inclination was to call him on it. A look from Tess begged him not to get into it with her brother. Knowing he owed her for what happened earlier, he decided to give Seth a pass. Sooner or later, he realized, someone was going to have to get real with Seth.
He counted to ten in his head, warning himself not to sink to Seth's level. “And your sister could be pulled into this with the authorities if she doesn't inform them of your whereabouts.” As much as he empathized with Seth, he didn't want Tess to be brought up on any charges.
“For what?” he scoffed. “Helping her brother?”
“Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, for starters,” he said. He could see the fear in Seth's eyes. His tough guy bravado was just a front, he realized. The kid was scared beyond belief. Automatically, it endeared him to Ryder. Been there, done that. Only he'd b
een much younger and rescued from his nightmare by a loving grandmother. Seth was scratching his way out of a broken, unhealthy home. The only person he could rely on was his older sister.
Tess bit her lip. Her eyes were as wide as saucers. The look of confusion stamped on her face made him want to hold her against his chest and soothe all her troubles away. But he'd already made one major league mistake today. He wasn't about to make things any sloppier between them.
He shrugged. “It's your call. I just don't want to see things get messy for you.”
She let out a little sigh. “I'll call my mother in the morning. Seth needs a good night's sleep without having to worry about my mother showing on my doorstep.”
Seth heaved a sigh of relief, his thin shoulders heaving with the effort. He really was nervous to go home, Ryder realized. A feeling of protectiveness enveloped him like a warm cloak. Seth was a teenager on the verge of manhood. Even though he was a cocky kid, he seemed younger than his seventeen years. He radiated vulnerability. Ryder didn't want to imagine what might have happened to Seth if he'd run away to one of the large cities across the United States. Bad things tended to happen to runaways.
Ryder hid a yawn behind his hand. “I should be getting home. It's been a long day.” He swung his gaze towards Seth. “Nice to meet you, Seth.” The teenager grunted back at him, earning him a fierce look and an eye roll from his sister.
Tess gracefully unfurled herself from the love seat, trailing behind him as he headed for the door.
She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Thanks, Ryder.”
He frowned. He hadn't done a thing deserving of any thanks. “For what? All I did was put in my two cents about the situation.”
“That's not true. You rushed right in to protect me when we thought an intruder might be in the house. They don't call you hero for nothing,” she said, her tone light and teasing.
Still the One Page 5
