Chapter 8
Claire
He’s not wrong about the magnetic pull. I’m incapable of keeping space between us. When he holds his hand out like that, I can’t stop myself from taking it.
Of course, he immediately pulls me against his chest because I’m learning that’s what he does. Consumes me. Smothers me. He’s a spider web, and I’m a captured moth.
“Ryder…”
“I love the way you say my name. It always sounds like a warning,” he teases.
“It’s more like leery exasperation,” I say grumpily.
“Wanna see my bedroom?”
I shake my head. “Not a chance. Show me the library. I didn’t get to see much of it when I first got here.”
He surprises me when he doesn’t argue. Instead, he leads me from the room. “Do you like books?”
“Who doesn’t like books?” I ask, concerned about his response. If he says he doesn’t read, this weird attraction I have for him will come to a screeching halt.
He glances at me, smirking again. “Why do I get the feeling you’d be in your car driving away in two seconds if I said I don’t read?”
“Because it’s true. The idea is blasphemous.”
“Thank goodness I know how to read then.”
I roll my eyes as we enter the library. “Congrats. You finished first grade. Do you exercise that knowledge?”
He wraps his arm around my waist as we step into the bizarre library. “I do.”
I guess I’ll stay a while longer then. I’m in awe as I take in this room more thoroughly than I did when I arrived. I’d been so concerned about seeing Ryder that I hadn’t paid much attention to the library.
The ceiling is high, and there are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on three sides of the room. The most impressive thing is that all three sides have those old-fashioned ladders that can be rolled along the row of shelves. I want to climb one and find out what Old Man Wilde kept up high.
I pull away from Ryder, surprised when he lets me, and aim for one of the ladders. When I reach one, I kick off my flip-flops and step on the first rung with my bare foot.
Ryder sets a hand on my lower back. “How about you stay on the floor today? I have no idea how sturdy these ladders are. Let’s have someone come look at them before you risk your neck.”
I sigh, but I don’t argue. He’s probably right. “I know a guy.”
“A guy? You mean someone you dated who happens to be a ladder repairman?”
I cock my head and glare at him. “Are you going to get jealous and wonder all the time which of the guys in town I’ve dated?”
“Probably.”
“Will it do any good to tell you it’s not worth your time? I have no interest in any of them. Both of the guys I dated in high school are married now, and the latest one is a bit of a dick. Even if he were a ladder repairman, I wouldn’t call him.”
“Married?” Ryder’s brows shoot up. “At twenty-two?”
“People get married kind of young in small rural towns. By the time I was eighteen, it was assumed there was something wrong with me since I wasn’t engaged to one of my classmates.”
Ryder cringes. “Do those marriages last?”
I shrug. “I’m only twenty-two. Hard to say if my classmates’ marriages will withstand the test of time.”
“What are the rumors about men my age being single?” Again, his voice is teasing.
“Guess you’ll find out.” I wiggle my brows.
“Mmm. I don’t think so.” He grabs me again and kisses me. It’s like he can’t keep his hands off me, and I’m irrationally okay with it, even though I keep pretending he’s smothering me.
“Lunch is ready,” Tiago announces from the doorway. A second later, he groans. “Maybe I should eat mine in another room,” he grumbles as he walks away.
I’m so embarrassed my cheeks are hot. I bat at Ryder’s hands. “Stop touching and kissing me.”
“Not a chance.”
We follow Tiago to the dining room, where Gretchen is bustling around, setting plates of food on the table. There are dozens of tiny sandwiches, fruits, a vegetable tray, and homemade cookies. I know they’re homemade because everyone in town knows Gretchen is well-known for her cookies.
As Ryder pulls out a chair for me, I feel decidedly awkward. Gretchen is my equal. I’m uncomfortable with her serving me. She worked for Old Man Wilde for decades. She’s one of the many people in town who have held a position serving the old guy over the years—the help.
Tiago speaks before he sits. “Thank you so much for cooking for us, Gretchen. Please join us.”
She waves him off. “Goodness no. Eat. Enjoy.” She rushes from the room.
I admit I wish she would sit at this massive table and eat with us also, but I suspect she’s never once sat in one of these chairs. It does endear me to these men that they aren’t treating her like she’s beneath them.
“Ladies first,” Ryder declares as he nods toward the food.
I pick up my plate and reach for a sandwich before it occurs to me that I should probably use a utensil.
“Go ahead and touch it,” Ryder says. “Tiago and I aren’t formal.” He winks at me. “There’re napkins this time. I won’t have to lick your fingers clean.”
My face heats again. “Stop it,” I hiss at him. He’s so exasperating.
Tiago ignores his brother, thankfully, and starts talking as we all fill our plates. “I read through the entire file from the lawyer while you two were kissing in every room of the house.”
I purse my lips. Apparently, both brothers intend to taunt me. Great.
“I managed to read through some of it last night,” Ryder says. “You must have been able to stay awake through the legalese longer than me.”
Tiago shrugs and glances at me. “Sorry. I won’t bore you with the will over lunch.”
Is he kidding? I’d love to get my hands on that will. I want to hear every detail, but it’s not my place. I’m an outsider. I glance at Ryder.
He grabs my hand on top of the table and gives it a squeeze. “Go ahead and give us the gist of it. You won’t bore Claire. I’m pretty sure the reason she showed up with pastries this morning was because she was hoping to hear more of the juicy details.”
I gasp. Does he have to be so blunt? “Do you have no filter?” I ask him.
He chuckles. “I have one. I just don’t intend to use it around you because I love shocking you. Plus, I’m right. Don’t try to deny it. If you lie, I’ll add the infraction to your naughty jar.”
I can’t believe he just said that in front of his brother. I can’t believe I’m shocked. I’m going to have to find my spine if I’m going to hold my own around this man.
I look toward Tiago. “Was he dropped on his head as a baby?”
Tiago laughs. “To be honest, I’ve never seen him like this. He must really like you.” He glances from me to Ryder and back a few times. “Tell me about this naughty jar.”
Ryder opens his mouth, but before he can speak, I drop my fork and reach over to clasp my palm over his lips. “If you want me to stay for the rest of the afternoon, you won’t answer that. And if you ever want to have any hope of getting in my pants, you’ll stop oversharing.”
Finally, I’ve shocked the man. When I release his lips, he purses them and makes a zipping motion with his fingers.
Tiago is silently laughing so hard that his chest is heaving. “I think I finally have a sister-in-law. Welcome to the family.”
I shake my head. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ve known this oaf for one day, and he’s on thin ice.”
Tiago swallows his next bite and shrugs. “Seems to me that you might push him hard enough to make him fall through the ice and then laugh while he sputters and flaps in the cold water. I’m down for that. I don’t think he’s ever met a woman who can hold her own with him.”
“I’d certainly consider it,” I agree. “Now, as for the will, Ryder is right. I’m curious. I would never ask you to share family secrets, but like I told Ryder when I met him, the town is nervous. I’m sure nearly all of them have found out I’m here today and are waiting with bated breath to find out what I know.”
Tiago is frowning. “Why?”
“Because as far as the folks living in Wilde are concerned, the future of the town hinges on what you guys decide to do with your grandfather’s money. The town is hanging on by a thread. Old Man Wilde owned everything, and now, you do. The buildings are in disrepair—the entire infrastructure, really. Rent is unattainable because tourism has come to a near halt. It’s a giant circle. Many people have already moved away. Those remaining are hoping for a miracle.”
Tiago holds my gaze, his brows furrowed. “Shit.” He glances at Ryder. “The old guy really was an asshole. No wonder his kids moved away and never came back.”
Ryder nods. “So, did you determine if we have the power to fix things?”
Tiago nods. “I don’t see why not. It kind of depends on the lawyer, McAndrews. He’s the executor. We have to go through him for the next decade to get what we need, but when I spoke to him early this morning, he seemed like a good guy.”
“He is,” I inform them. “His hands were tied with regard to your grandfather. The man was eccentric and made unusual choices no one could talk him out of, including Thomas McAndrews. But I don’t think you’ll have trouble getting him to sign off on whatever you ask for to better the town. It’s in his best interest, too.”
Tiago cringes. “Why was Amos such a dick? There’s plenty of money in the estate to fix everything.”
“Will it cut into your inheritance?” I ask. I’m not afraid to be bold here. The town needs answers. “Maybe some of your cousins will show up and decide they’d rather take their cut and run—to hell with the town.”
Tiago shakes his head.
So does Ryder. “No. It’s not written that way. According to the will, every grandkid who comes here to live and keep the town running is entitled to a specified amount of money. It’s already set aside. It’s substantial, but the estate is still worth millions even after that. There’s no reason for the town to be suffering.”
I draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “So, you’ll help?”
Both men nod before Ryder says, “I can’t imagine any of our cousins would balk at that. There’s no reason to. Whether we spend the money in the estate or not has no bearing on our inheritance. Besides, we don’t know how many of our cousins will show up. It’s a huge commitment. Some of them have lives they may not be willing to walk away from to move to a tiny town in the middle of nowhere for ten years.”
I pick up my fork and stab a strawberry. The relief I feel is tremendous. The town will feel the same when word spreads.
Ryder sets a hand on the back of my chair. “How would we be received if we held a town meeting and let everyone air their grievances?”
I ponder his question. “Initially, they’ll be skeptical. You’ll have to prove your intentions are in their best interests.”
Tiago reaches for another sandwich. “Perhaps if you start the rumor mill, it will help…?”
I nod. “It should.”
Ryder rubs his temples and glances at his brother. I didn’t know the man had a serious side until now. I’m glad. Though I love his banter, it would be exhausting day in and day out if he didn’t stop to deal with reality. “Thomas said Dallas is coming soon. He’s the only one of our cousins who has responded to the letter so far.”
Tiago nods. “I think we should call Brody.”
“Who’s Brody?” I ask.
Ryder’s hand comes to my neck and squeezes. “Another one of our cousins. He owns a construction company. He might not be willing to move here, but perhaps we could get him to come for a few weeks or months to get the infrastructure sorted out and give us some guidance.”
Hope. I have hope.