As soon as John had told him, Ryder had headed to Annabeth’s house to share the good news over dinner. If there was one person who would support him, it would be Annabeth.
But something was wrong, he could tell. Tension seemed to weigh Annabeth down, and he didn’t like it. Whatever it was, his news could wait until he could fix whatever was wrong.
She tucked a long strand of her golden hair behind her ear, drawing his attention to her. To her ear...her neck. He spent plenty of time thinking about her—them—even though he knew better. Best thing he could do was find some sweet thing and wear himself out. Hell, the pretty medic that wrapped his wrist had offered to take him home for a more “thorough assessment.” He’d been curious. Her cherry-kissed lips and fiery red hair were tempting. But in the end he’d gone home alone. Just like he had every night since the night he’d shared with Annabeth. And it scared the crap out of him.
“Dishwasher broken?” he asked.
She nodded. “I still remember how to operate a sponge, so we’re good.”
He grinned at her. “Bet I can fix it.”
She shook her head.
“You don’t believe me?” he teased, nudging her with his elbow.
She looked up at him, her hazel eyes so big he paused. “I know you can, Ryder. It’s just...” She shook her head, plunging her hands back into the soapy water. “It’s fine.”
“Sure, if you like washing all your dishes by hand, maybe.” He set the dish in the drying rack and waited.
She couldn’t hold back her laugh, a free and easy sound. “Maybe I do.”
“I know better, Princess.” He took the plate she offered.
“Stop calling me that.” She sighed. “You don’t need to fix it. Okay? It’s not a big deal.”
“Right.” He frowned. “It’s a dishwasher.”
She glanced at him, a tell-tale flush on her cheeks.
He sucked in a deep breath. “What?”
She shook her head, turning back to the dishes.
“What’s eating you, Princess?” he murmured, willing her to look back at him.
“R-Ryder,” Cody held up the kitten. “Tom saw Doc F-F-Fisher. Says Tom is a good cat.”
“My brother would know. Fisher’s all about cats and dogs.” Ryder smiled at the boy and took the kitten, holding it up so they were eye to eye. The kitten swatted at Ryder’s nose. “Plenty of energy.” He laughed.
Cody nodded.
“That’s an understatement,” Annabeth added.
Ryder turned the kitten so it was nose to nose with her. The kitten started purring, his little paws kneading the air. She shook her head, but took the kitten and held it under her chin. “Yeah, yeah, you’re adorable.”
Ryder winked at Cody, who winked back. It was then that he noticed Grandma Florence snoring softly in her wheelchair.
“Naptime?” Ryder asked softly.
“She d-does that.” Cody grinned. “Any new cars?” Cody loved talking about cars—he was a lot like Greg that way. Every now and then, he’d take Cody to John’s garage with him. The boy had an endless fascination with the way things worked. He loved to tinker, putting things together, taking them apart. And Ryder respected that. A man should know how to work with his hands, to take care of things around the house and in the garage.
“Wh-what about the Cadillac?” Cody asked.
Ryder grinned. “Finished.”
“Can I see it?” Cody asked.
Ryder looked at Annabeth in question.
“Not tonight,” she hedged, not meeting his eyes. She handed Tom back to Cody, but Ryder saw the quick kiss she planted on the kitten’s head. “I’ve got to get Grandma home and finish the laundry before bed. Then I have a little work to do.”
He heard the exhaustion in her voice. “What can I do?” Ryder glanced at the clock.
She scowled. “Cody, go get your clothes picked out for tomorrow while I get Grandma’s things together.”
Ryder waited, knowing once Cody was out of the room he was going to get an earful.
“Ryder, you can’t keep doing this.” She pointed around the room. “People will talk.”
“People? Like who?” he asked, resting his hip against the kitchen counter while she wiped down the stove top.
“People,” she grumbled. “Like Lola Worley.”
“Yeah, sure, Lola Worley probably is talking.” He shrugged. Lola was one of three sweet blue-haired ladies who owned the only beauty shop on Main Street. She was courting the owner of the only bakery on Main Street, ensuring she’d hear all the gossip Stonewall Crossing had to offer. Lola had big ears and an even bigger mouth. But, according to some, she had an equally big heart. “What are they talking about?”
“Us,” she snapped, clearly exasperated. “You. Being here all the time. Taking care of things.”
“All the time?” He scratched his head. He hadn’t been here in a long time. Too long. She was worried about him being here? She’d never given a hoot before.
“Things are...different now.” She swallowed.
He stiffened. Damn it all. “Why?” But he knew why.
“Because this is a big deal.” She took the towel from him and hung it up.
His attention wandered to her mouth. So she had been thinking about what had happened between them? He wasn’t the only one losing sleep over that night—
“The interim appointment is up in two months. The school board has already opened the principal position to applicants.” Disappointment hit him hard, but he shoved it aside to listen to her. That was news to him. It explained the tension. She worked hard, harder than anyone he knew. She turned away, pacing the floor. “They have to, I know that, but I need this job.” She sighed. “I’m sure Ken Branson will apply, and he knows everyone.”
“Branson is a tool.” Ryder snorted, trying to ease her mind. He’d never seen her this worked up. He placed his hands on her shoulders, aching to pull her close. “Annabeth, you’ll get it.” He smiled. “I’ve never known anyone as stubborn and persuasive as you, Princess. And that says a lot, coming from the family I do.”
She smiled, relaxing a little.
“It’s just, you’re single and I’m single...” She shrugged.
“Good thing Grandma Flo’s here to chaperone us,” he teased, but knew there was more. “What else is going on?”
She shook her head, but her gaze wandered down the hallway to Cody’s room.
“Cody?” he encouraged.
Her lips tightened, as though she was reining in her temper.
“He okay?” he spoke softly.
“The boys, at school,” she whispered. “They’re giving him a hard time about his stutter.”
His anger was hot and fast, but he suspected she didn’t need that right now. “Kids are