Page 32 of No Rules
Ryan held on for a few beats, then let go. “Clams are happier than tornadoes.”
“I dunno. I think tornadoes are having a lot of fun.”
They grinned at each other.
“What happened? Did you decide to become Santa Claus?” Rachelle playfully poked at his gray beard.
“Ha ha ha, very funny.” Ryan rolled his eyes. “Just thought I’d try something new. I think it makes me look distinguished. Where are the husband and kids?”
Rachelle sighed. “Corey’s sick with a stomach bug, so chances are, Brody will be as well today. Teddy stayed home with them.”
“Your husband is a good man.”
“I sure picked the right one.”
As he followed her inside, he took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of cinnamon and vanilla from a freshly baked apple pie. The familiar knickknacks lining the shelves, the worn but comfortable furniture, and the hand-painted wooden sign that read “Home” above the entrance all brought back memories. It was a house of love and laughter but also the place where he’d experienced heartbreak and loss.
“Ryan!” his mom called from the kitchen. She appeared in the doorway, her eyes shining with joy. She’d aged gracefully, her once-dark hair now a soft silver hue. Her smile, though, had remained as warm and inviting as ever.
“Happy birthday, Momma.” Ryan pulled her into a tight embrace, reveling in the comfort of her arms around him. “You look amazing.”
“Oh, honey, I’m mighty glad you could make it for my sixty-fifth.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
“Let’s sit and catch up. I’ve baked your favorite apple pie, and I made you some extra strong coffee. Three heaped spoons of coffee, just like you prefer.”
Dorothy had been right that there really was no place like home. “You’re the best, Momma.”
“Oh, I see how it is,” Rachelle teased. “He gets his favorite pie and coffee, and I get nothing?”
His mom slapped Rachelle against her shoulder. “Hush, you. You know damn well you love that pie as much as your brother does. And I made you iced tea, didn’t I?”
“Homemade?” Rachelle looked like an eager puppy.
“Is there any other kind?”
They settled at the kitchen table like they always had amid the homey chaos of his childhood home. The familiar creak of the floorboards beneath his feet was like a bittersweet lullaby. While he was glad to be here for his mom’s birthday, the memories it stirred up made him uneasy.
“How’s life treating you up in New York?” Rachelle asked.
“Can’t complain,” Ryan replied, trying to keep his tone light. “Dwyer Security’s keeping me busy. It’s a far cry from homicide detective work, but it pays the bills.”
“You like it?”
“I do. More than I had expected.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” his mom said. “I wasn’t sure how you’d be likin’ it that far up north. Those winters, brr.” She shivered. “It’s colder than a well digger’s rear in Alaska.”
Ryan winced at that descriptive visual. “Yeah, that was an adjustment for sure. And they said last winter was mild, so we’ll see how bad it gets this year.”
“And your boss, he’s nice?” his mom asked.
“He’s pretty much the best boss anyone could ask for. I wasn’t even planning on staying there after he asked for my help with a case, but I liked him and the team enough to move there.”
“How big is the team?” Rachelle asked.
“Wander is the boss, and then we have Lowell, Jonah, Caleb, and Alex. I’m teamed up with Alex now, and we’re working on a case together. He’s young but smart, picking stuff up much faster than I had expected.”