Delivered Through the Storm

by Nicole Garcia

  “You okay Peaches?”

  “Yeah. I’m fine.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah.” I swallow hard and clear my throat. “It’s nice to see the boys having fun for a change.” I turn my head to face him. “Thank you Ryder.”

  “It’s my pleasure. They’re great kids. I love spending time with them.” He sweeps a few loose curls away from my face and slides his thumb over my cheekbone. “I love spending time with you.”

  A familiar flush creeps up my chest to my cheeks. That unique feeling only he brings out in me. I place my hand over his. “I like spending time with you too.”

  “Just like? You didn’t just like it last night when…”

  I slam my hand over his mouth before anyone hears what he’s about to say. “Ryder!”

  He moves my hand from his face. “That’s what you said.”

  I cover his mouth again. “Stop!”

  He laughs and pushes my hand away. “Now that you didn’t say.”

  I stand. That’s it. I’m going to sit over there.”

  “Okay okay wait.” He grabs my wrist, pulling me into his lap. “I’ll behave. I promise.”

  I try to wriggle out of his grasp, but he holds me tighter. My heart nervously races when I feel his erection pressed up against my ass. “Ryder, that doesn’t feel like you’re behaving.”

  Sweeping my hair off my shoulder, he leans into me, whispering softly in my ear. “I said I would behave. I have no control over what goes on down there. Especially when it concerns you. He seems to have a mind of his own around you.”

  “Ryder, I…” I lift my head and notice that some of the other mothers and passersby have their eyes glued to us. “Ryder?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I think we have an audience.”

  His eyes follow mine and he laughs, he laughs out loud, the sound echoing throughout the entire room. “They look sexually frustrated. Maybe we should give them a show.”

  I elbow him in the chest and sit next to him on the bench. “Not in your life.” I playfully shove him. “You’re so bad. I’m beginning to have second thoughts about you taking care of the boys next week.”

  “C’mon, I was just kidding.”

  “No you weren’t.”

  “Okay, so I wasn’t. Sue me.”

  I nod toward the kids. “The boys are getting tired, we should go home soon.”

  “You wanna pick something up for dinner on the way or do you want me to cook instead?”

  “Ryder, you’re spoiling us.”

  “You deserve to be spoiled.”

  “You just may be the sweetest man I have ever known.”

  “Shh, people will hear you.”

  “Afraid of ruining your bad boy image?”

  He stands, placing a tender kiss on my lips. “For you, no.”

  After dinner Aiden asked if Ryder was able to stay and watch a movie before bed. How could I deny my son’s request? Truth is, a tiny part of me didn’t want Ryder to leave so soon either. Things are moving fast between us, but him being here feels so right. I never thought in a million years I could be happy again. Ryder changed that for me. Now, I don’t think I’ll ever let him go.

  I wash the last dish in the sink, dry it, and place it in the cabinet. It’s been quiet for the last fifteen minutes with only the movie playing in the other room. I haven’t heard a word out of the boys or Ryder since they put it on. I quietly pad into the living room, only seeing the back of Ryder’s head leaning to the side. When I round the sofa my heart swells at the sight him snuggled up with my boys. Aiden is laying on a pillow in Ryder’s lap, while Caleb is settled on Ryder’s chest. The baby’s face is nuzzled in the curve of Ryder’s neck and Ryder has his head resting on Caleb’s. His arms are around both the boys, cuddling them close. I have never seen a more beautiful vision and my ovaries may have exploded watching Ryder sleep so comfortably with my sons. If I didn’t want to have any more children before, this sight sure has me changing my mind.

  I grab my purse from the counter and take out my phone to snap a picture of them. I need to capture this moment as proof that there are good men in this world with big hearts who are willing to go out of their way to make others happy. Not all men are self-centered, uncaring bastards like my ex-husband.

  Placing my phone on the coffee table, I take one last look at them and lift Caleb. Ryder’s arm hugs Caleb tighter and his eyes flutter open. I put my finger over my lips so he doesn’t wake the boys. “I have him. I’ll go put the baby to bed.” He relaxes his arm, allowing me to take Caleb and I have to suppress a giggle when I see Ryder’s shirt. “The baby’s left his calling card on you.”

  Ryder wrenches his neck, pulling his shirt away from his skin to see the damage. “It’s a good thing tomorrow is laundry day.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  “Do you want me to put Aiden to bed?”

  “No, I’ll come back for him. You did enough today.”

  Ryder closes his eyes again and when I come back to the living room he’s fallen asleep again. When I pick Aiden up, Ryder doesn’t wake, he doesn’t even move. After getting Aiden to bed, I put on a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt. On the way back to the living room I stop at the hallway closet, pulling a blanket and pillow off the shelf. Ryder is still in the same spot where I left him, his breathing now slower and more relaxed. I watch his chest rise and fall with every breath he takes and I’m mesmerized by how gorgeous this man is. His hair is sticking up in every angle, the scruff of his beard a little thicker than it was yesterday and I’m melting into a puddle where I stand.

  I place the pillow on the couch and gently pull Ryder to lay on it. He turns on his side, grumbling something I don’t understand and falls into a deep sleep again. I untie his boots and place them by the side of the couch. I also unfasten his belt and pop the top button of his pants open, making him more comfortable. Covering him with the blanket, I debate whether I should slide in next to him or go to my room. It doesn’t take me long to come to the obvious decision. I’ll just set the alarm on my phone to go off an hour earlier before the boys usually wake up. Then I’ll have plenty of time to get rid of any evidence that Ryder spent the night.

  I place my phone on the arm of the sofa above my head so it’s easily accessible in the morning and then slowly slide onto the couch next to Ryder. I fidget a little and he moves back giving me room, then does something that transports me right onto cloud nine; he wraps his arm around my waist and draws me closer to his warm body. Even in slumber, this man finds a way to steal my heart.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ryder

  Today is the last day of the boy’s week-long break from school. I’ve kept them busy for the past five days, taking them to the park, the movies, and the hands-on exhibit at the Museum of Science. Madison insisted they’d be bored if they went to a museum, but since the boys got to touch everything and participate in some fun experiments, they had a blast. Their clothes may have been a little soapy when they came home from the various bubble activities they did that day, but nonetheless they had fun.

  Now, we’re standing in front of the gorilla exhibit at the zoo. I haven’t been to a zoo in years. I think the last time I did anything like this was right before my father died. He had a lot of patience with me, especially considering how hyperactive I was. I hadn’t been diagnosed at the time, but my dad always knew what to do to keep me busy and learning something at the same time. It’s what I’m trying to do with Aiden. All he needs is someone to take the time to boost his confidence and show him love. Growing up with dyslexia, I can relate to Aiden. I always felt like an outsider, even in my own house at times. I was always treated differently by my teachers, my brothers, and sometimes my mother as well. I felt like no matter how hard I tried to succeed at something, my best was never good enough. I don’t want Aiden to grown up feeling like that. I’ve come to really care about him and I will do whatever it takes to show him that his best will always be enough.

&
nbsp; The vibration in my pocket distracts me and I switch Caleb to my other arm to dig in my pants for my phone. I glance at the screen seeing that it’s Quito calling me for the hundredth time this week. Normally I would answer him, only every time he’s called I was busy doing something with the boys. I decide to pick it up this time just so he’ll stop annoying the shit out of me. “Hey.”

  “Hey? Is that all you have to say after you’ve been ignoring my calls for over a week? I thought you were sick, so I stopped by your house and you haven’t been there at all. I asked your neighbors if they saw you. I called your mom…”

  “You called my mother? Why would you do that? Now she’s gonna be worried.”

  “What the hell was I supposed to do. You didn’t show up for work. You never miss a day and you’ve been out all week. I thought you were lying dead in your apartment.”

  “Quito, don’t be so dramatic.”

  “Well excuse the fuck out of me for worrying about my best friend.”

  “Can I call you back? I’m busy with the boys and..”

  “What boys?”

  I suddenly realize that with everything going on, I haven’t mentioned Madison or the boys to him. I guess I should tell him something since he has been looking for me all over God’s creation. “Okay, you know that girl…”

  He doesn’t even let me finish my sentence before he interrupts me. “You mean the woman on your route you can’t stop thinking about? What was her name...um..?’

  “Madison. Her name is Madison.”

  “So, what, now you’re playing daddy dearest until she gives up the pussy?”

  “Quito!”

  “Shit, she already gave it up already, didn’t she? Now she has you in some kind of sexual trance where you have to do everything she says so she’ll keep giving it to you?”

  “I’m hanging up now Quito.”

  He laughs. “Why? Because I’m right?”

  “No, I’m hanging up because you’re being a jack-ass. I’ll call you later.” I end the call, finding Aiden staring up at me. “I’m sorry little man. Why don’t we sit down on the steps over there and have lunch while we watch the monkeys.”

  “Gorillas.” He corrects.

  “Excuse me, gorillas.”

  Setting Caleb in his stroller, I pull their sandwiches out of the small backpack and hand each of them one. They take a few bites and I reach into the bag for their drinks. It’s quiet in the enclosed space. Only a few people are in here now since the zoo will be closing soon. An older woman with a baby strolls over to us. She looks to be about my mother’s age, probably making her the grandmother of the cute little redheaded girl bouncing in the carriage.

  “I’ve been watching you since you walked in here. What an attentive father you are.” She says, pushing her glasses onto the bridge of her nose.

  “Oh, but I’m not…” I try to explain to her that I’m not their father, but she cuts me off.

  She pinches poor Aiden’s cheek. “And this one is adorable. He looks just like his daddy.”

  For some unexplained reason, I don’t want to correct her this time. My heart swells with pride at the thought of having these two boys as my sons and the fact that a stranger can see how much we’ve bonded has me busting at the seams with happiness. “Thank you.” I say, as she nods and walks away.

  “Ryder?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Are you my dad now?’

  I choke on the bit of food in my mouth and my smile falters. “No, of course not. You have a father Aiden. I could never take his place.”

  His bottom lip trembles. “Don’t you want to be my dad?”

  Once again my heart is breaking for him. What do I say to him? What can I say? I guess the only thing I can do is tell him the truth because the thought has crossed my mind. I put my sandwich down and pick Aiden up, placing him on my knee. “Aiden, I would love to be your dad. In fact, I’ve thought about that a lot over the last week we’ve spent together.” How do I explain to a seven year old that it takes time to build a relationship? A relationship Madison may never be ready for. Sure, we like spending time together and get along great, but it takes a lot more than good times and amazing sex to establish a relationship like the one Aiden is suggesting. I’ve without a doubt fallen head over heels for Madison, but do I love her? Can you fall in love with someone in a few weeks? Is there such thing as love at first sight? These are questions I ask myself every time I look into Madison’s sparkling blue eyes. I just don’t have the answers to any of them.

  I sigh deeply. “Aiden, right now your mom and I are just good friends.” Yeah, friends with benefits, I say in my head because there’s no reason for this little boy to hear that I’m screwing his mother. To Hell with that. I’m not going to open up that can of worms and have to answer more questions that I don’t know how to answer without scaring the poor kid for life.

  “Are we friends?”

  I ruffle his dark hair. ‘Of course we are. Now finish up your sandwich so we can head home.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ryder

  I sit up in bed and for the first time in my life I feel lonely. Waking up without Madison in my arms has me feeling empty inside. I had to come home last night to do laundry, check the mail, pay some bills. You know, all the boring shit no one wants to do, but has to. I miss the way the smell of her floral shampoo permeates my nose before I open my eyes. The way her long, blond curls fan across my skin when she lays her head on my bare chest and the way her sweet peach scented skin tastes on my tongue. I’ve slept at her house every day this past week. I told Madison that it was easier to spend the night at her house since I had to watch the boys and it would be a pain to go back and forth since I live clear across town. For some reason she’d bought the whole cock-and-bull story I dished out. Truth is, I could have drove back and forth. It really wouldn’t have been that big of a deal. It was just an excuse I used so I could be closer to her. We had discussed me staying in the guest room and even fixed the bed up with fresh linens, but I never did sleep one night in there. We either wound up in her bed or fell asleep on the couch from pure exhaustion.

  The only good thing about being alone last night was all the quiet time I had to think. Aiden had caught me off guard yesterday when he asked if I was his dad. It got me to thinking that maybe my relationship with Madison was progressing faster than it should be. But then again I’ve never been one to follow the rules; and who said there had to be rules to follow in a situation like this. Why can’t we just jump in head first, take a leap of faith, and go after what we want? I want Aiden and Caleb in my life. I want Madison in my life. There’s not a minute that goes by that I don’t think about them.

  Madison is different than every other woman I’ve been with. She’s the first person I’ve given a second thought to and the first woman I’ve ever considered spending the rest of my life with. I knew from day one that a drastic change in my life was in store. One look in her eyes told me that. She fills a place in my heart no one else has come close to touching. When we’re not together it physically hurts me. It really makes me appreciate the time we spend together. I never thought I could be this happy. She makes my heart soar to places I never knew existed. She makes me think of all the things I’ve been missing out of in life. Screwing around with women who mean nothing to me seems so juvenile to me now. It’s time to start growing up.

  Madison was right when she said I was scared to go after what I wanted. I quit culinary school because it got too hard when being a chef and restaurant owner has always been my dream. Instead, I chose to cop out and took a job as a delivery man because it was the easier route. Well, I don’t intend to take the easier route with Madison. I plan to forge ahead and run full force into what could be the best relationship I’ve ever been in, the only relationship I’ve ever been in.

  I should do something special for Madison. She doesn’t think I can be serious, well, all that is about to change. The main reason for me cracking jokes all the time is to keep
her in a positive mood. Her bright smile lights me up and I want to see it as often as possible. She’s had enough heartache in her life, some laughter will do her good. Tonight, I want everything to be about her. I don’t want her to worry about the kids at all today. Although I know she will, I’ll do my best to make sure her pretty little head stays occupied.

  I swing my legs over the side of the bed and grab my phone from the nightstand and dial my partner in crime for some help. No, not Quito. Quito is the last person I’d be calling right now. He thinks I’m just going through a phase and I don’t blame him for thinking that because I have never given him any reason to take me seriously. But I have never been more serious than I am now.

  The phone rings on the other line a few times until Tyler picks up; his sleepy tone barely audible. “Ryder?”

  It dawns on me that it’s Saturday and I just woke him up at seven o’clock in the morning, on his day off. I’m so used to getting up for work, I have no off switch on the weekend like other people do. I start the conversation off with an apology. He deserves that much. “Shit Tyler, I’m sorry. I didn’t notice the time man.”

  He yawns into the phone, but is still his playful self when he speaks. “You’re so lucky you’re gorgeous, otherwise I’d be hella pissed. What can I do for you?”

  “Do you have any plans for today?”

  “Why? Are you taking me on a date?”

  I chuckle. “Maybe another time. I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”

  He yawns again. “Shoot.”

  “Do you think you can keep Madison and the boys busy today and away from the house for a few hours this afternoon and maybe keep the boys for the night.”

  “And what do I get in return?”

  “My never-ending love and devotion?”