The Difference a Day Makes (Perfect, Indiana: Book Two) (24 page)

Ryan placed another combo piece on her plate, along with a slice of the pepperoni. “Will this be enough?”

“Sure.” Puzzled, she glanced around the table.

“Great.” Austin rubbed his hands together. “Let’s put the feed bag on, boys.”

Paige watched in amazement as the three devoured the meal like they might never have another.

“You gonna eat those?” Austin eyed her plate.

“Yes.” She pulled her plate a little closer and picked up a slice, taking a big bite.

Ryan laughed. “Now you get why they wanted you to take yours first? You should see what happens at our family get-togethers. The little ones are served first, then the women, because they know once the Malloy men get started, they aren’t going to leave anything behind.”

“Ranching is hard work.” Shawn cracked a sheepish grin. “We work up an appetite. Bring her home for the Fourth of July shindig.” He wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. “Let her see for herself what kind of family she’s getting involved with.” He winked.

Heat rose to her cheeks, and she couldn’t help noticing the color creeping up Ryan’s neck at the same time. Who knew where they’d be four months from now? Her heart raced, and she couldn’t catch her breath.

“Maybe I’ll do that,” Ryan murmured, his glance darting her way. “We’ll see.” He wiped his mouth and hands and smashed the empty cardboard boxes together. “I promised Paige a cowboy hat, and I’d better deliver.” He rose. “Do you want to bring your plate with us?”

“Nope. One slice is plenty.” Paige placed her pizza on a napkin and stood to go. “You two can have the rest.” She smiled at Austin and Shawn.

“Generous
and
pretty.” Austin grabbed one of the remaining slices. “She’s a keeper, runt.”

“We look forward to seeing you again, Paige.” Shawn rose, came around the table to shake her hand again. “Put the Malloy’s Fourth of July gathering on your calendar. We’d love to have you. There’s plenty of room.”

She nodded, her cheeks growing hot again. “It was really nice to meet you both.”

“Come here, Ryan,” Shawn commanded, his voice breaking as he hugged him again and slapped his back. “Don’t you be a stranger.”

“I won’t.” Ryan hugged him back. “Thanks, Uncle Shawn. It was really good to see you and Austin. Say hello to everyone for me, and tell them I’m OK.”

“Tell them yourself. Wait.” Austin pulled out his cell phone. “Do you have a number where you can be reached?”

Ryan recited his number and put theirs into his contact list. He and Paige said their good-byes again and left to find their seats.

“I’m glad we stopped by to say hello, Ryan.”

“Me too.” He heaved a huge sigh.

“How long has it been since you’ve seen or talked with your family?”

“You gonna start in on me now?” His mouth tightened.

“No.” She squeezed his hand and let the subject go. By the time they bought her hat and found their seats, the pageantry of the grand entrance had begun. Galloping horses carrying cowgirls and cowboys wearing glittery chaps and carrying flags streamed into the arena. A group of marines marching in dress uniform followed. The announcer gave a speech about how none of them would be free to enjoy tonight’s rodeo if it weren’t for the sacrifices made by all the men and women serving in the armed forces. Then he called for all the veterans in the audience to stand.

Paige surveyed the crowd, noticing all of the veterans who rose to the thunderous applause. They came in all sizes, shapes, and ages. Ryan stood beside her, his posture military straight and his chin held high. Pride in the man beside her tightened her throat, and the back of her eyes stung.

She’d witnessed so many facets to him in such a short time—the way he liked to tease, his interactions with his uncle and cousin, how he melted down and fought his way back, his creativity…Her mind went back to the storm, and Sweet Pea’s rescue for Lucinda and Toby. She’d never met a man like Ryan before, and deep in her gut, she knew she never would again.

The whole time he stood, Ryan never let go of her hand, and she wasn’t about to let go of his.

CHAPTER TEN

B
Y THE TIME THEY LEFT
the rodeo and were on the highway heading home, it was already ten thirty. Ryan glanced at Paige. She was fiddling with the band on her new cowboy hat, her face soft with a pleased half smile he wanted to touch. “Did you have a good time, darlin’?”

“I did.” Her smile grew. “Will there be more rodeos around here this summer?”

“Sure. They’re all over, and you’d love outdoor rodeos. Are you interested in going to a few more?”

Shy Paige gave a little nod. “Thank you for the hat. I love it.”

“You’re welcome. It looks really good on you.” He pictured her naked, wearing nothing but the hat he’d bought her. Adding her sexy black leather boots to his fantasy brought a smile to his face.
I gotta buy her a pair of cowboy boots. That’s it. Paige naked except for the hat and a pair of cowboy boots…Idiot. She’s not your personal doll to dress and undress.
He reined in his thoughts and shifted in his seat to ease the growing pressure in his lap. “What did you think of Shawn and Austin?”

“They were great, and it was fun watching their bulls in action after meeting them.” She reached out and stroked his
shoulder. “I know seeing you meant a lot to them. I’m glad you decided to visit, after all.”

“Me too.” Should he kiss her good night in his truck, outside his truck, or by the Langfords’ front door? What would she say if he invited her to the carriage house for coffee? No, too late for coffee. Generic soda?
Damn.
He shook his head. How out of practice could a man be?

“Why are you shaking your head?” Her eyes lit with amusement.

“Just givin’ myself hell.”

Paige laughed. “You do that a lot.”

He shot her a wry look. “I guess I do.”

“Are you going to tell me what you were giving yourself hell about?”

Again with the shoulder rub. He gulped. “Nope.”

Her low, throaty chuckle shifted his pulse into four-wheel drive. Had she guessed where his thoughts had taken him? More likely, she’d caught a glimpse of the physical evidence. Maybe he should cover his lap with his hat like he had the night she’d broken into his apartment. That had him picturing the way she’d plastered herself against his naked body. He sucked in a breath and shook his head again.
Naked, naked, naked.
Lord, he ached to get his hands on her.
Think about something else, cowboy. Naked is not going to happen tonight.

“Why do I get the feeling there’s a whole conversation going on inside your head without me?” Paige ran her hand down his biceps.

A rueful grunt of laughter escaped. “Probably ’cause there is.” The Langfords’ driveway came into view, and anticipation stampeded through him. Even though he knew better than to make a move on her tonight, his body saw things differently. “When do you want to head to Philadelphia?”

“I’m hoping we can take half of Friday off and leave around lunchtime. Maybe we can start work early that morning so we don’t miss as many hours.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Ryan parked his pickup in its usual spot and shut off the engine. He tossed his hat behind his seat. Didn’t want it to get in the way when he kissed her. Hopping out, he hurried around to Paige’s side to help her down. “I’ll walk you to the door,” he murmured.
Lame.

She snorted. “Because we live in such a dangerous neighborhood?”

The occasional hoot of an owl and the quiet whoosh of the river meandering by were the only noises to be heard. “That’s right.” He raised an eyebrow. “You never know when some marauding raccoon might attack.”

She smiled. “I really did have a lot of fun tonight, Ryan. Thanks to you, I’m now an official rodeo fan.”

“I had a great time too.” They reached the door, and his heart hammered away against his ribs. He ran his hands down her arms, taking both her hands in his. “I’ll look online for more rodeos and let you know.”

“Great.”

The porch light cast her face in shadow as she glanced at him through her lashes. He leaned in for a kiss, and she met him halfway. Sweet and brief, the kiss ended. “Good night, Paige.”

Her palm came up to touch his cheek. “Good night, Ryan.”

She went inside, and he remained standing on Noah’s front porch, reliving the night in his mind. Grinning, he recalled the way she’d stepped in and taken over when things got tense between him and his uncle. She had his back, but she didn’t let him pull any bull either. Paige was good for him, and something deep inside reached for that goodness with everything he
had, knowing full well he’d probably come away empty-handed and brokenhearted. Still, he couldn’t help himself. “Reach away, cowboy.”

Shoving his hands into his front pockets, he headed for his apartment and the cold shower awaiting him. No doubt Austin or Shawn would pass his number on to his folks. He’d better call them before they called him. His gut twisted with trepidation. And remorse. Always present, the guilt lay across his shoulders like a yoke. Maybe it would be best to wait until he started working with the therapist before making that call.

Ryan unlocked his door, flipped on the lights, and locked up again. He tossed his keys on the coffee table as he walked by on his way to the bathroom. The evening had taken a lot out of him, and exhaustion weighted his eyelids. He’d forgo the cold shower and live with the discomfort for the time being. Sleep took precedence, and besides, a case of blue balls never killed anyone that he knew of.

The fluorescent light in his bathroom buzzed to life a few seconds after he pulled the chain. He reached for his toothbrush, loaded it up with minty freshness, brushed, and rinsed. Stripping on the way, he headed straight for his bed, pulled the covers back, and fell in face-first and spread-eagle. Thoughts of naked Paige played havoc with his body as sleep pulled him under.

Ryan flew through the air, along with the flaming debris from the detonated IEDs. He landed hard, and the pain of his bones shattering wrenched a scream from somewhere so deep he didn’t know the place existed. The stench of burning flesh brought bile up to scald his throat. He rolled to put out the flames eating up his back and almost passed out from the searing pain pulsing along his nerve endings. Every beat of his heart sent another throb of torture through him until he craved nothing more than to leave his broken, burning body behind.

He wanted his mom—wanted to see his family one more time before he died and knew he wouldn’t get the chance. He was going to die here in this desert, alone and far from home. Tears flowed from the corners of his eyes, etching a macabre path through the soot and dirt encrusting his face.

Theresa would be waiting for him on the other side. He’d join her soon, and that brought him comfort, but did nothing to ease the unbearable pain.

Horrific groans and screams assaulted his ears, and the acrid stench and thick black smoke choked him. Ryan opened his eyes to survey the damage. Turning his head, he let out a hoarse shout. Paige lay broken and bloody in the dirt mere feet from him. Her empty, lifeless eyes stared right at him.

No! No, this isn’t right. Not Paige…

“NO!” Ryan woke with a start, gasping for air and covered in a cold sweat. Shaking from head to foot, he sat up and buried his face in his hands. His ghosts marched in formation behind his closed eyes, taunting him with their lifeless stares, reminding him that he didn’t deserve happiness. He didn’t deserve Paige. They hurled silent accusations and took turns shredding his soul.

He shot up and paced around the room, sucking air in huge gulps. He needed a drink. Hell, he needed an entire fifth. Right now, he missed his old friend Johnnie Walker on a cellular level. Scrubbing his face with both hands, he contemplated his choices. Bars were still open.
Shit. Not good. Not good at all.

Panic arced along his nerves. He glanced at the clock on his end table again, noticing his cell phone. Noah would understand. He could call him, and it would be all right. He knew Noah would talk him through this rough spot.