Page 85 of Rescuing Ryder
“Hello,” she answered groggily.
“Hello, Claire. It’s Gregory Klein. I opted to spend another night with my mother. Since I’ll drive through Serenity on my return, I wondered if I might take you up on your offer to show me the hospital. I’d love to discuss your protocols.”
“Oh. When will you arrive?” Claire swiped the hair from her eyes and sat up. She didn’t feel up to entertaining, yet she forced herself to accept Ryder made his choice and now she must move on.
“I can be there around ten tomorrow morning.” Dr. Klein broke her from her thoughts.
“Sure. It works for me. I’ll see you then.” She tried to sound chipper.
“See you then.” Dr. Klein disconnected the call.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Monday morning, Ryder threw his clothes on the bed, intending to pack his bag. The team took turns sitting with him. He thought their presence might drive him senseless, but it didn’t. Strangely, it felt comforting. They didn’t attempt to persuade him to stay. When he talked, they listened. Sometimes, they shared bits of their souls to show Ryder he didn’t carry the burden alone.
Ryder dumped the items he brought from Claire’s house on the bed to repack them in order. He picked up the shirts and folded and rolled them when he pulled something lacy from the pile. The sheer white bra with dainty lace came into view and he fingered the delicate edging. Ryder’s thoughts drifted to Claire standing in the matching lingerie set, the bra molding her plump mounds, the size easily fit in his hand. Everything about her fit.
He entered the bathroom and grabbed more items, zipping them into an airtight bag. Ryder caught his reflection in the mirror. Mere months ago, he stared at someone he didn’t recognize. Now, he remembered the man who he used to be.
Uncle Ryder gave piggyback rides and watched the kids while Gunner drove his wife to the OB. Ryder smiled whenGunner returned, grinning like a jackass, stating he made a boy.
After packing, he brought the bag to the living room and set it on the floor. Ryder grabbed another cup of coffee and checked the time. Chase volunteered to take him to the airstrip. When he heard the knock, Ryder expected Doc and seemed surprised to see Kassie standing at the door.
“Chase will take you to the airport. I came to see if you needed anything before you left,” she announced. “I researched the area and discovered some support groups near you. I printed out their information.” Kassie handed him a folder with the numbers highlighted.
“Thank you for everything, Kassie. You and Chase should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. You’re making a difference,” he said. It sounded like a hollow thanks for something so significant and meaningful. He realized he’d miss the women of this community as much as the men.
Kassie walked toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Good luck, Ryder. The door will always be open if you feel a need to return.”
He squeezed her tightly before letting go.
“I’m sorry I let you down,” Ryder whispered.
Kassie smiled and shook her head. “You never let me down. You’ve grown and the light shines in your eyes again. It’s a start.”
“Claire helped me. Can you thank her for me? I don’t think she wants to hear from me anytime soon,” Ryder admitted sadly. She seemed to fill his thoughts and the one thing he regretted the most. Ryder didn’t want to leave her when it felt like there was so much more to say.
“Can I tell you a story?” Kassie asked him.
“Is it a sappy one? Will you tell me how you kissed Doc and all your dreams came true?” he teased.
“They did for the most part.” She chuckled. “My story begins when I ran from James Stanton, a known mafia leader, drug lord, and sex trafficker. I ran with my daughter, Emma, to Seattle, where I met Chase. He brought me to this mountain to heal and I fell in love. Matthew found me and I had to choose between the man I loved or face the man responsible for tearing my family apart. I chose avenging my sister’s death over the man I loved.”
Ryder found himself drawn to the story and sat on the edge of the chair while Kassie paced.
“In the midst of it, I ended up kidnapped by one of his former business partners, who believed I held on to money that belonged to him. When the team found me, it was too late. I lost our child. Chase sat by my side when I woke up in the hospital bed.”
Kassie sat across from him. “I still pushed him away because I didn’t know the person I saw in the mirror. Life no longer appeared rosy and full of hope. Claire came to the cabin and I refused to come out for three hours. She never gave up on me. One day, I faced the hard, ugly truth. I pushed Chase away until I lost him. Chase let me choose if I wanted to live a life without him or work at building something with him. I’ll never regret which path I chose. It comes with bumps and I lean on my friends and family to help me. It’s the best decision I ever made.”
Ryder knew why Kassie told him the story and the message she attempted to convey. “What if I make the wrong choice?”
“Then you start over and make new ones until you make the right one. Remember the family you found here and who loves you.” Kassie cupped his cheek before leaving the cabin.
Ryder’s heart thumped in his chest. He understood why the team protected the tiny spitfire who appeared wise beyond her years. Or did the events in her life shape her into the person who stood before him?
He sighed and scratched the overgrown scruff along his jaw. He regretted not shaving and sipped on his coffee. Twenty minutes later, Chase arrived. Ryder gazed out the window, thinking how everything appeared green when he arrived, and as he left, the brilliant colors of fall seemed to bring a different sign of change and a promise of beauty.
“The plane’s fueled and ready for you when you arrive. Kassie ordered you lunch from Ty’s and it’s in the cooler. Bryanna stocked you up on some goodies and Samantha sent along a care package,” Chase informed him as they neared the airport.