Chapter 16
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A S RYAN SAT IN THE parking lot near the beach that afternoon, he did a double take as he saw Avery’s number flash on his screen. He’d only spoken with her once since she’d flown to Panama, and a brief flash of panic washed over him. He hoped like hell nothing was wrong.
“Hello?” he asked urgently.
“Ry, it’s me. Everything’s okay,” Avery immediately said. “I wanted to surprise you since I got an opportunity to make a call.”
“Avery,” he said, relief washing over him. “I was worried there for a moment. It’s great to hear your voice.”
“Yours too,” she told him. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too, baby girl. How’d you get cell reception?” he questioned.
“We made a trek north to Panama City today,” she explained. “We’re not alone. Another nurse, one of the doctors, and some local staff came with us. They were getting supplies, and Luciana and I wanted to pick up a few things. I’m glad I caught you. I was worried you’d be off with your friends or something.”
“I’m glad you caught me, too. I’m at the beach about to meet up with the guys. I’m still in the parking lot, but yeah, I might not have heard my phone if we were in the middle of a game of volleyball.”
“That’s what I figured. We decided last minute to make the drive, so I didn’t get to email you about my plans. I miss you,” she told him, and he could hear the slightest trace of sadness in her voice. “I know I already said that, but it’s true.”
“I know. I miss you, too, Av. I’d gotten used to you flying in every month. I got spoiled seeing you so much,” he joked. “I loved talking every night, too. I can’t tell you how many times I’d pick up my phone to shoot you a text or give you a call and realize you probably wouldn’t get it.”
“Ry,” she said softly.
“Hey.” His voice was huskier now. Low. “I wasn’t trying to make you sad, just letting you know how much I miss you. Oh, there’s Hudson and Layton,” he said, waving before turning his attention back to the call.
“She must be really showing in her pregnancy now,” Avery said.
“Yep. Hudson seems proud as hell about it, too.” Ryan chuckled as he heard Avery’s soft laughter. “Did I tell you they’re having a girl?”
“No, you didn’t. That’s great! I know Layton’s daughter will be so, so excited to have a sister.”
“That she is. Do you want kids?” Ryan found himself asking.
“I mean, sure, but not anytime soon,” Avery said with a small laugh. “I’m young enough that I don’t really need to rush into starting a family, but I see myself with that someday in the future. How about you?”
“Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it much until recently.”
“Oh yeah?” she asked, a teasing tone in her voice.
“Yep. My buddy’s going to be a dad, and now I’ve got a girl and all. I could totally see you pregnant someday, you becoming a mother.”
“Tell me you see yourself as the father,” she said with a laugh.
His lips quirked. “Yeah, I could see it. Seems crazy, right? We’ve never even lived in the same place.”
“But we will,” she promised him.
“We will. You’ve got those big dreams to chase down there in South America first,” he pointed out. “How are things there anyway?” he asked, his voice growing serious.
“Good. Busy and exhausting, but the people we’ve seen are grateful. The other nursing staff are wonderful. I’m lucky to have them on my team.”
“That’s good,” he said, unable to dampen the worry still churning through him. “What about any unrest in the area?” he asked.
“Well, of course there are cartels moving through the Darien Gap, but they’re not bothering us. Unfortunately, the migrants we’re helping are easy targets. They’re vulnerable without food or shelter. Protection. It kills me that they’re risking everything, but the medical staff haven’t been bothered in any way.”
“It better stay that way,” Ryan muttered, his voice darkening.
“We all work in teams, so no one is ever alone. The other nurses and I go back and forth between our housing and the medical tents together, and the village itself is safe. It’s filled with people. I’d be more concerned if I was isolated and alone.”
“Don’t let your guard down,” he advised.
“I won’t. So, who all is coming today?” she asked, changing the topic. They chatted for a few minutes, Ryan telling her about their plans for a little beach party complete with volleyball, sand, and surf.
Their conversation was interrupted by an American, male voice in the background. “Avery, I thought you might like an iced coffee,” a man said, and Ryan inexplicably tensed. Who the hell was bringing her coffee? He had no right to be annoyed, but it seemed like an overly friendly gesture. Then again, maybe the guy had gotten food or drinks for the entire team, and he was totally overreacting.
“Oh,” Avery said, sounding surprised. “Thank you. I’m on a call,” she added, and Ryan felt a small sense of relief. Whoever this man was, Avery clearly seemed surprised by the gesture and even somewhat put off. “I’m talking to Ryan,” she added, and his chest swelled. If she’d told this guy about him, then the man should know not to be hitting on his girlfriend.
“Sorry,” Avery said a moment later. “My colleague brought me a coffee.”
“Friend of yours?”
“Not really,” she admitted. “I’ll probably have to explain later in an email.”
Ryan frowned but understood. “He’s still lurking around.”
“Yep. Luciana ran into a store with one of the locals, so we’re waiting by the vehicle. Dr. Walters went to get a coffee and bought me one, apparently.”
“You don’t like him.”
“No.”
Uneasiness wound through Ryan. He trusted Avery’s judgement. Maybe the dude was just hitting on her, but she was forthcoming enough to let the guy know if she wasn’t interested. Was he being pushy about his apparent interest in her? Ryan knew nothing about the man but already didn’t like him. It didn’t miss his notice that Avery had called him a colleague, not a friend. When she spoke about Luciana, he could tell she both liked and trusted the other woman.
“This guy’s an American, huh?” he asked.
“Yep. The other doctor is, too, but he’s got quite a different personality.”
“Don’t get yourself in trouble,” Ryan said. “If he’s standing right there, just shoot me an email when you can to explain what’s going on. I can look into him if you need me to.”
“No, it’s nothing like that,” Avery assured him.
“Well, you’re a beautiful woman, but if you’re not interested, you’re not interested.”
“Exactly. The other nurses and myself have made that clear,” she said firmly.
Ryan muttered a curse. He knew men like him. Guys who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Sawyer was the biggest flirt on the team, but he wouldn’t ever make a woman uncomfortable. Avery was pretty laid back, so if she didn’t like this Dr. Walters guy, that said something.
“All right, time to go!” a male voice called out. There was another muffled sound in the background, low conversations that Ryan couldn’t hear.
“I’ve got to go, Ry,” Avery told him. “I’m sorry we couldn’t talk longer.”
“Me too, but I’m glad you called. I worry about you down there, and I miss you like crazy.”
“I miss you, too,” she said, her voice wavering slightly. “I’ll email you later on.”
Ryan’s chest clenched. “Just do your thing, Av. Before you know it, you’ll be flying to see me.”
“Hopefully around Thanksgiving.”
“You put in the request?” he asked, a new kernel of excitement forming inside him. That was months away, but he’d gotten used to seeing her on the regular and hoped they wouldn’t actually have to wait an entire year.
“It’s not guaranteed, but yes. I’m hoping to be approved for time off then. I’ll fly out to Oahu and book a hotel.”
“You can stay with me, although I might not let you out of bed for a week,” he teased, his voice husky.
“Avery! We’ve got to get going,” the man called out, and Ryan disliked him all the more. Maybe there was a good reason they had to leave, and maybe not. He didn’t like the guy bossing his girl around.
“That sounds really tempting, Ry. I might hold you to it,” she said quickly. “I miss you,” she said, her voice softer. More emotional.
“I miss you, too, baby. Be careful down there. Email me later,” he added.
“I will. Bye.”
The call ended, and he cursed. He understood the need to move out when needed, and it’s not like she’d taken a jaunt up to Panama City on her own. If there were other staff with her, she needed to stay on their timeline.
Still, as Ryan stared out at the waves crashing on the shore, he felt lonelier than he had in a while. Normally, an afternoon on the beach on a beautiful Saturday would be just his thing. His buddies. Beers. A little competition with a friendly game or two of volleyball. He was uneasy though, and it was going to be a long time before he felt settled again.