Chapter 3
3
Alice
“It’s fine. I can find my way across a field.” Alice dropped his hand.
Ethan nudged Alice. “It’s dark here. I’d take Ryan up on that offer.”
“If I wasn’t clear, I meant no.”
“OK.” Ryan raised his hands. Alice felt his disappointment, but she’d finished being dependent on a man.
“I’m going to the toilet before I do anything.” She stormed off, only to find a queue so long Alice was dancing from leg to leg before she finally entered a stall. Back outside, the cold realisation that Ryan had been correct hit her. She stood looking out into the darkness, trying to get her bearings. She couldn’t see Grace or the rest of the gang. How can I complain when I turned Ryan down? She lifted her shoulders. I can do this. It’s not that far. I’ll simply take my time.
With her first few steps away from the building, she stumbled, and panic filled her again. Before she reached the ground, strong arms reached out to hold her.
“Steady there.” A deep voice commanded. Ryan Bloody Fields.
“I suppose you are here to say I told you so.” Ryan’s hands raised in surrender again, and Alice felt guilty. When Ryan turned away, she stretched out to catch his arm. When the softness of his worn jacket gave way to the underlying rocklike muscles, she pulled her hand back.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m guessing watching the Tom Cat tonight hasn’t helped your mood.”
Alice simply sighed. What else could she say? Seeing Tom had left a taste in her mouth and a series of bitter thoughts about his new relationship. Ryan slipped a finger under her chin and smiled down into her face.
“Why not download all that anger as I walk you back to your tent?”
“If I let you walk back with me, can I forgo talking about him?”
“I can handle that.” Amusement spread across his face.
“Did you find Sam?”
“Not yet. I meant what I said about wanting to see you to safety first,” Ryan said, taking hold of her hand and walking beside her. “Anyway, Ethan’s possibly right. I won’t see him until the morning. I’ll probably sleep in my car.”
“Does he do that often?”
“Any time he gets the chance,” Ryan chuckled.
“Why do you hang about with him? I mean, you seem so much… I don’t know the right word, but well, you aren’t like him.”
“Sam’s not as bad as he pretends to be. Besides, he’s my cousin.”
“Cousin?”
“Yeah, didn’t you know?”
“That explains a lot.” Ryan offered her a quiet, amused smile.
“Well, this is me.” Alice stopped in front of a small blue ridge tent.
“I guess that’s my job done.” He bent and placed a delicate kiss on Alice’s cheek. The gentle touch of his lips sent flutters through her body.
“I’ll see you in the morning, Alice. Keep your chin up.”
Alice shuffled into the pretty nest she’d built. In the past, she had shared her brother’s tent with Grace. Of course, this year, the lure of Jake’s camper van proved too much. In fact, any chance to be with Jake and Grace took it, and who could blame her? The loss of time with her best friend stung that little bit more because of it coming so close to Tom dumping her. And all thoughts come back to Bloody Tom. She smiled at remembering Ryan’s tone when he called him Tom Cat. Does that name mean Tom has always been playing around? Alice turned over, the cold running up her back. Another reminder that she was alone.
Images of the last few weeks swam through her head. The break with Tom felt more painful because of the questions she still had. There hadn’t been a big row, no reasons offered, just that damn piece of paper. Alice shivered as she pulled up the quilt. Thinking back, he’d been acting strangely for a while, although try as she might, Alice couldn’t pinpoint when that had started. Grace couldn’t help. She’d simply said he was always strange and that it wasn’t new.
Has Tom been having an affair? Is that why he left? She needed answers.
At least the rest of her club seemed supportive, and Ryan had been so sweet. She chuckled at the memory of Sam’s first hug of Grace and how quickly he’d covered it. Sam, then Ryan hugging her, made her realise how much she wanted to be held. It felt comforting. It had been wonderfully reassuring to hold Ryan’s hand. But it’s Sam Shepherd and Ryan Fields! You know they are never serious. I like it, though. And kind … walking me back was kind… and that kiss …
The hard ground pushed into Alice’s hip as she turned over once more. It had been a long day, and yet Alice’s eyes didn’t want to close. Bloody Tom. She wrapped the quilt tightly around her body, tugging it up over her shoulder. Why can’t I sleep? What does any of it matter now? It’s over, and it’s time for me.