Chapter 3 #2
He thought about his schedule. “Here at the house, I have a relaxed schedule. Times don’t matter so much as just going with the flow of the day. In the city I’m usually busier and I’ll make sure you have my calendar.”
“Of course.” Ryder offered him a smile, and that was when he saw the scar that pulled at the corner of his lips. “That sounds good. Food allergies? Preferences?”
“No allergies. I love anything you’d put salsa on but not so spicy it makes me sweat. And I like sweets in small doses.” Ryder was from New Mexico. The spicy warning seemed warranted.
“Yes, sir. I make basic stuff—tacos, enchiladas, mac and cheese, omelets—all the time, but I can follow a recipe just fine.”
“I trust your judgment. And I hope—” He tried to be sincere but not overeager. “I hope you’ll feel free to join me in the evenings if you have no other plans. Just to read, play cards, listen to music, that sort of thing.”
“Of course. I’m good at all sorts of board games, cards—I’ve spent most of my adult life in hotel rooms, so I know how to be busy.”
Piecing together all the little hints about Ryder’s former life could easily become a hobby. “Do you have any more questions for me?”
“Do you have a list of repairs? Honey-dos? I’ve cleaned up the kitchen from dinner…”
“Honestly, I don’t know.” He’d spent all his time in his study or with Tad. “Maybe you can have a look around and let me know what you see. I’ve been…preoccupied in this house lately and haven’t paid attention. It hasn’t been a happy house for a long time.”
“Not a problem. I’ll get on it and give you a list of any supplies I need. What about groceries? How do you want me to work that?”
“You can just purchase whatever you need for supplies and groceries. I should have taken out stock in Uber Eats after Tad’s accident.
I never went shopping. I need coffee and cream daily, I like tea in the evenings, and everything else is up to you.
There’s a nice market in town, but nothing closer.
It’s a half an hour’s drive or so. Please be sure to expense your mileage and fuel costs, and any supplies or tools you purchase. ”
“Yes, sir. I can do that. What kind of tea—iced, hot, sweet, lemon, green?” Ryder’s fingers flew on his phone.
“Hot, decaf. You can mix it up, but I like black teas and fruity herbals. No sugar or milk, but sometimes I like honey. I’d just bring it every time in case.
” This was wild, having this specific conversation with Ryder about this, and he couldn’t help but notice how Ryder seemed to relax more and more as they talked.
“Crispy bacon? Link or patty sausage? Biscuits or toast?” Those thumbs flew—he’d never seen anyone make notes so fast.
He watched, fascinated. “Crispy, please. I prefer links. Bread in all of its wonderful forms is fine by me. Toast, rolls, biscuits, scones, muffins…”
“Not a keto guy, then. Got it.” There was that smile again, like it was hiding a secret.
“Definitely not. I don’t eat large meals typically, but I like variety, and I don’t diet.” Typically. He’d just eaten his weight in macaroni. “What about you? Do you like to eat as much as you enjoy cooking?”
“I sure try to. I have to work to keep at my fighting weight.” Ryder patted a perfectly flat belly.
Pretty. The cowboy must do a great deal of work.
It was probably wrong that he wanted to see what was under Ryder’s T-shirt, but he hadn’t had thoughts like that in so long he didn’t stop himself.
He didn’t stop himself from liking the way Ryder’s dark eyes seemed to lighten up a little when he smiled. “Are you a boxer?”
“A boxer? Me? No, sir. I was a roughstock rider up until recent.”
Roughstock. What was that exactly? “Like the rodeo?”
He got a firm, quick nod. “Yes, sir. Just like. I rode bulls.”
Those pieces were falling into place. The scar, the celebrity status in certain places, those hard abs. “I’m afraid I don’t know anything about rodeo, but it sounds like you must be pretty tough.”
“I am. I was.” Ryder gave him a wink. “Now I’m an old softy.”
“You don’t look soft to me.” It wasn’t until he heard himself say it that he thought perhaps he shouldn’t have. “Objectively speaking, of course.”
“Of course. So what else do you need me to know about you? So what else do you want from me?”
He gave that a second of thought, then shrugged.
“I don’t know. That seems like a good start.
Let’s just see how we work together shall we?
I’ll be headed back to the city Monday morning.
You can ride in the car with me; there’s nowhere to park your truck there.
We’ll stay until at least Thursday afternoon. ”
“Yes, sir. I’ve got three good shirts. I should be good to go.” No matter what he said, it was like water off a duck’s back.
He started to say that Ryder wasn’t going to have to dress, but he didn’t actually know. He had a dinner Wednesday evening, and he really didn’t know what else might be going on.
“Don’t worry, sir. I won’t embarrass you. You got my word.”
“Oh. I’m not worried about that, Ryder. Not at all.” Well, maybe a little. He knew a cowboy on his arm would raise a few eyebrows. He just wasn’t sure he cared.
“Well, I have been told I can talk to trees, so it should work out.”
He chuckled. “You may find yourself in your element, then.” The room went quiet for a moment, and he decided that rather than invent small talk, they should end on a high note. He stood. “Thank you for everything.”
Ryder stood as well, offered him a hand. “You’re more than welcome. Holler if you need me. I’ll have breakfast ready when you need it.”
“Thank you. You don’t mind if I text? You can certainly text or call if you need me as well.” Ryder didn’t seem like he needed much from him, though.
“Of course I don’t mind. Text away. I’m right down the hall.”
“I’m headed upstairs in a minute. Goodnight, Ryder. Thanks again.”
Ryder picked up his empty tea mug and the plate of dessert, saying goodnight before he left the room.
What an interesting young man.
He certainly had a lot to think about. He thought he’d made up for his curt greeting this afternoon, and it seemed like Ryder was very happy to have some marching orders.
What tomorrow would be like he couldn’t say, but he felt like he might sleep better tonight knowing Ryder was just a few steps away.