Whispers at Willow Lake (8 page)

“I know. I’ll make it up to you later.” She turned. “Josh, stay close.”

The kid’s hand had slipped from Ryder’s. “He’s fine. The bluff is a hundred feet yet.”

“He’s breathing hard.”

“He always breathes hard.” Ryder drew her close and paused to kiss her. “I love you, Ali.”

“Yuck!” Josh’s voice from behind the trees reminded him they were not alone.

“I should go to him.” Ali turned away, avoiding Ryder’s second attempt at a kiss. Life was so unfair. He wanted her, needed to tell her what lay like a ton of bricks on his heart.

He’d leave for basic training within the next few weeks. He was just waiting for the call.

Time was precious.

“Josh, come back!” Ali’s voice startled Ryder from the thought. She pressed a hand to his chest. “I can’t see him anymore. His breathing’s bad, Ryder. You have to go after him.”

Tree branches snapped ahead as the sound of Josh’s wheezing reverberated off the bluffs. Ryder took off at a dead run.

What followed next played out in slow motion…Josh’s face ashen as he came back into Ryder’s view. He labored to breathe with the exertion of the climb and stumbled blindly over rock as Ryder called out. The edge of the bluff lurked just feet away and Hunter leaned toward the water, his back to them. Oblivious, he bellowed a war cry as he lunged into a jump.

“Stay there, Josh. Don’t move!”

The warning came too late. Lack of air hurled Josh into a panicked frenzy. His tennis shoe caught on an outcropping and somersaulted him toward the drop-off. Paralyzed with fear, Ryder watched him plow into Hunter. The two tumbled headfirst to the water below, grazing the rock face on the way down. The splash that followed, the horrific screams, still haunted him.

Ali’s sobs drew Ryder back from the memory.

“There was so much blood.” She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her cheek to his soiled T-shirt. “I never realized a person—especially one so small—had so much blood inside.”

Ryder knew. He’d seen it too often on his rescue missions.

“And Hunter, he was almost lost that day, as well.” Ali slipped away from him and collapsed into the grass. She curled herself in a ball as the tears ravaged. “Oh, Ryder…It hurts so much.”

“I know.”

“Sometimes I wake up and I’ve forgotten, just for a moment, before it all comes flooding back. Then I wish I had just one more day—one more chance. I’d do things so differently.”

“I know that, too.” Hadn’t he prayed for the same miracle—a second chance to be the man he should have been? He’d enlisted in the military to numb the pain. After a day of brutal training, there was room for nothing else. The more intense the task—the more grueling the challenge—the better all the way around. “Let it out, Ali.”

He held her as she cried, cradled her gently in his arms as he should have done years ago.

“Forgive me.” He kissed the crown of her head. “That day, when I said I was sick of living by other people’s rules, what I didn’t realize was that I was playing right into what they all thought of me—everyone but you and Mama. You both knew I was something different—something more. Even I didn’t know it back then. But I do now. When you said we’ve all changed, it’s true. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing—at least not for me.”

“I forgive you, Ryder.” She nodded, pressing a palm to his cheek as her lips grazed his. “And, I forgive myself, too, because it’s the only way back to you—to us. I’ve missed you.”

“I know.” Her words loosed the knot in his belly and the fortress surrounding his heart shattered. “I’ve missed you, too.”

9

“I’m taking you out tonight,” Ryder announced as he strode into the kitchen for a glass of water. “Dinner, a show, the whole works.”

“Dressed like that?” Ali eyed his filthy jeans, ripped at the knees, and the T-shirt that had most likely been white in a former life. “You might want to rummage through those boxes that just arrived.”

“My things have finally come.” He ran his hand across the half-dozen boxes neatly stacked along the wall. “I’m sure I can find something presentable in one of these. And, if you insist, I’ll shower first.”

She pinched her nose. “I insist.”

“Comments like that will get you into trouble in a hurry,” Ryder teased, his pulse cranked into overdrive. “Have you forgotten I run faster than you—and that you’re extremely ticklish?”

“No, I haven’t forgotten.”

“Then, I suggest you run.”

Ali took off around the table, squealing as Ryder closed the distance between them. He caught her and lifted her from the tile, spinning her around until her squeals turned to laughter.

“Good grief, what’s gotten into the two of you?”

Ryder spun toward the voice, taking Ali with him, and found Josie in the doorway. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson flanked her, returned from another trip into town. They’d enjoyed their stay—and Ali’s cooking—so much that they’d extended the visit a handful of days.

“Looks like we’re interrupting the fun.” Mrs. Lawson winked, shifting a bag filled with trinkets from Then and Again. She turned to her husband. “Dear, you used to chase me around the kitchen table like that. Do you remember?”

“Of course I remember. I used to catch you, too.” His brown eyes twinkled as he took the bag from her. “I can still catch you. I’ll give you a head start up the stairs to our room.”

“Oh, Stuart.” In a dash, they were gone. Josie turned to gape at Ryder and Ali as if the two had lost their minds. Ryder set Ali down and she smoothed wisps of hair that clung to her cheeks.

“Wow, and I do mean, wow. Things have certainly heated up around here.” Josie’s bobbed black hair swished over her shoulders as she crossed the room. She plucked an apple from the bowl on the counter. Leopard-print glasses were propped on her head, revealing eyes the deep blue of a stormy ocean. Small, turquoise feather-embellished earrings dangled from each lobe. “You two always were an adventure together.”

“Good to see you again, too.” Ryder reached for an apple of his own. His belly growled; he’d skipped lunch in order to get Ali’s surprise finished before the afternoon slipped away. “What’s that in your hand?”

“The books you ordered.” She handed them to him before taking a nibble of the apple. “They arrived today so I thought I’d drop them by.”

“Thanks.” He thumbed through the pages. “These ought to get the job done.”

“I’d say the projects in there require more than a little elbow grease.”

“I’ve got it covered.”

“Let’s see.” Ali eased in beside him, glancing at the covers.

“Miss Maclaren?” Mrs. Lawson’s voice called from the stairs. “My husband wonders if you have any of those wonderful blueberry scones left from breakfast.”

“Sure I’ll bring a basket, along with a pot of tea, right away.” She slipped from Ryder, glancing back at him and Josie as she crossed toward the buffet to fill a serving tray with the necessary items. “You two play nice. I’ll be right back.”

A hush fell over the room as Ali snatched the tray and headed toward the stairs to the second floor. When they could no longer hear her feet on the risers, Josie turned to Ryder.

“OK, Romeo, what’s your angle?”

“What do you mean?”

“It took her a long time to get over you. Heck, I’m not sure she
ever
got over you.” Josie tossed the core of her apple into the garbage disposal and flipped the switch. She let the grinding run its course before continuing. “Nothing stings more than to see your best friend in emotional pain.”

“I know I hurt her. It won’t happen again.”

Josie studied him with a long, pointed gaze before extending a hand. “That’s good to know. Truce?”

“Works for me.”

She released his hand and wiped hers over the thigh of her jeans. “You really need a shower.”

“Thanks for the update.”

“It’s good to have you home.”

“It feels good…right.”

“I can see that. Take these.” She pressed two tickets into his hands. “They’re for the symphony tonight. Maci gave them to me. I was going to ask Ali to join me, but I see there’s a higher purpose at work here.”

“Maci…a higher purpose?”

“It may take you a while to refresh your radar.” Josie waggled her fingers. “So, I’ll give you the abridged version: Maci’s a friend of Ali’s. She plays violin for the symphony. She really wants Ali to be there for the summer opening.”

“Don’t tell me Ali hasn’t been…” A light dawned, and Ryder felt a bit queasy. He wondered what had happened to the bracelet he’d given Ali that night. He’d planned to fill it with so many more charms, so many memories. That dream had stalled, but it didn’t mean it was lost forever.

“That’s right.” Josie nodded sharply. “Get her to the symphony and you’re golden. You can thank me later.”

****

“I’m ready.” Ali slung her purse over her shoulder as she rounded the corner of the kitchen. Ryder waited near the counter, his fingers unwrapping a stick of gum. She heard his slight intake of breath as his gaze slipped her way.

“You look…amazing.” He drank her in, like a drowning man at the oasis. His gaze hesitated when it reached the silver bracelet on her wrist. A single charm dangled, and she wondered if he remembered the night he’d given her such a treasure. She didn’t know what made her wear the bracelet tonight; she hadn’t taken it from its case in nearly eight years. Yet, the weight of it felt good, right.

The same as loving Ryder felt good and right. Did he feel the same?

“Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.” The sun had tanned his skin to a dark bronze, bringing out the blue of his eyes. She held her hand out for a stick of gum. “May I have a piece of that?”

“Sure.” He handed one over, his fingers skimming her wrist so shivers flashed up her spine. “Gonna be a nice night.”

“I know.” She glanced out the window to the sun shimmying over the horizon. Soon stars would come alive along a blanket of velvet. “I thought we might take your bike.”

“The motorcycle?”

“Unless you have a two-seater Schwinn stashed somewhere out back.”

“OK.” He swallowed hard. “I mean, we can ride the cycle.”

“Good.” She let him take her hand as they started down the walk toward the boathouse, where he’d parked the Honda. When they’d made it nearly halfway down the walk Ali paused.

“Where’s that light coming from.”

“You’ll see when we get closer.”

“Ryder, what have you done?” Delight tickled her belly. “There’s a bench, a lantern…and flowers—lots of flowers.”

“You said you still love to read, so I made you a garden—a reading garden. It will give you a place to relax when you’re not tending to guests, or baking your soon-to-be-world-famous-scones.”

“It’s…lovely.” She smoothed a hand over a swirl of wrought iron and couldn’t help but tease. “Can we stay here now? I have a new book—”

“Later.” He grinned, tugging her past the bench. “The night is waiting.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the symphony.”

“Ryder.” Ali stiffened and stumbled over a cobblestone. Her delight fled, replaced by trepidation. “I’d rather—”

“I know you’re scared. But I’m asking you to trust me.” He leaned in, smoothed a finger over the bracelet. “Why did you wear this tonight?”

“I’m not sure.” Ali fought the wasps that stung the inside of her belly. She’d planned to leave her wrists bare, but at the last moment had felt led to wear the bracelet. “I guess I’m in a sentimental mood.”

“Me, too.” He brushed his lips over hers. “That was a good night, wasn’t it?”

She couldn’t speak, so she nodded slightly as they entered the boat house. His bike waited, and he handed her a helmet.

“Please, trust me, Ali.” He skimmed her cheek with callused knuckles. “Tonight will be even better.”

10

Ryder was home. As he and Ali sped from the inn that night, the realization firmed like cured cement. Watching the lights glow and the lake shimmer in his rearview mirror while they pulled down the drive, he was certain he’d never be content anywhere else. He and Ali shared a love of Willow Inn—and a love for one another.

Ali slipped onto the blanket he’d spread over the grass near the band shell. As she nestled close, her citrusy perfume filled his senses and mottled all thought except the truth at the very core of his being.

He loved her.

His will, not yours.

“I got some popcorn and sodas.” Ali slipped a kernel into her mouth. “Josie’s across the way. She said to tell you hi. She said to tell you your second order of books just arrived.”

“I’ll pick them up next week.”

Listen to your heart, Ryder, and seek His will.

Hearing his heart was no problem; it pounded through the cotton fabric of his polo.

“Here’s your drink.” Ali handed him a bottle of soda. “Are you OK? You look flushed.”

“It’s a bit warm.” He tugged the collar of his shirt as she eased in beside him. The music started, filling the air with the song of violins.

“There’s Maci,” Ali whispered, pointing discretely to a willowy, cinnamon-haired woman seated at center stage beneath the lights of the band shell. “Isn’t she wonderful?”

“Yes.” Ryder slipped an arm around her waist, tugging her closer as the music washed over him. Ali’s eyes slipped closed, and he knew she was feeling the gentle cadence building to a crescendo, just as their love for one another grew. “I’m glad you came with me,” he murmured into her ear before planting a gentle kiss along her jawline. He’d never felt such depth of emotion…such need.

“Can we stay for the fireworks?”

“Mmmm…” He kissed her again. “I believe they’ve already started.”

Much later, the crowd cleared and the sky morphed from smoky-gray to a deep, nearly translucent blue. The scent of gunpowder lingered, an after-effect of the fireworks. Ali nestled beside him, her eyes still filled with wonder at the brilliant display of light.

“You thought I’d forget, didn’t you?” Ryder twined his fingers with hers.

“Forget what?” Ali’s thumb grazed his palm, giving his heart a jolt.