Chapter 7
“Either of you want something to drink? Coffee, something stronger?” Matti said when the three of them formed a circle in the kitchen,
“No,” her brother said. “I need to head out.”
“I’m good for now,” Ryan said.
What did good for now mean? Was he planning to stay a while? Did she want him to? Her brain said, “No.” Her heart said, “Hmm, maybe.” He’s a doctor, she reminded her heart. We don’t do doctors. Her heart went silent, refusing to agree.
“How’s Sam’s leg?” Wyatt asked.
“It’s good,” Ryan said. “Thankfully, the bullet only grazed him. He says it’s sore but doesn’t really hurt. There’s no sign of infection.”
“That’s good,” Wyatt said, his eyes on Ryan. “Did Matti tell you we found Sam’s parents?”
Ryan leaned back, bracing his hands on the counter. “Yeah, she did. I want to say I’m sorry to hear that, but I can’t bring myself to. I think they were shit parents, and I’m glad he won’t be going back to them.”
Matti couldn’t agree more.
“Where will Sam be going from here?” Wyatt asked, turning to her.
“I don’t know yet. I need to make some phone calls tonight.”
“He can probably identify those men,” Ryan said. “Will they be looking for him?”
Matti gasped. That hadn’t occurred to her. “Is he in danger?”
“Maybe,” Wyatt said. “Wherever you place him, it needs to be—”
“I can’t put any of my foster parents in danger.” There wasn’t a choice. “He’ll stay with me.”
Both men opened their mouths, and she put up a hand before they could disagree.
“It’s not up for discussion. I will not risk the safety of my foster parents.
Sam stays here.” She poked a finger against Wyatt’s chest. “I have an abundance of brothers in law enforcement. You, Cal, and Dylan. You boys just go catch these guys so Sam stays safe.” If a detective, a sheriff, and an FBI agent couldn’t catch a bunch of thugs, she didn’t know who could.
“You got me, too,” Ryan said. He shrugged. “I’m not a cop, but I’m invested in making sure nothing happens to Sam.” He paused. “And you.”
Okay, then. That was unexpected. What did it mean, though? That he would be around more? “Great,” said her heart. Her brain disagreed.
“Listen, we found a body along the Enchanted Highway, a convicted drug mule, recently out of prison,” Wyatt said.
“We’re pretty sure he’s involved with the people who killed Sam’s parents and Chase Hamilton, the man shot and killed at the station.
Hamilton agreed to turn informant, and somehow those people found out.
These are not people to be messed with, Matti. ”
“I have no intention of messing with them, and it’s all the more reason for Sam to stay here where we can keep him safe.”
“You’re as stubborn as ever,” Wyatt muttered.
She scowled at Ryan when he chuckled, and he threw his hands up. “I didn’t say it.”
“But you’re thinking it, so it’s the same.”
Wyatt backed away. “And on that note, I’m outta here. Keep your doors locked and stay alert.”
She saluted him. “Aye, aye, Captain.”
“I’m serious, Matti.”
“Gotcha. I promise to keep my doors locked and stay alert. You stay safe, too.”
“Always.” He nodded at Ryan, “Later, bro.”
“If memory serves, that’s the first time I’ve ever been called bro,” Ryan said after Wyatt left, amusement in his voice. “I think that means he likes me.”
“I can see it now, a bromance in your future.”
“Never had one of those. Could be fun. Do I have to know his favorite color or flower?”
She laughed. Ryan was fun, something of a surprise from the man who’d raked her over the coals at first meeting her. A meet-cute it was not. “It’s about time to get Sam to bed. Want to stick around for a little? Talk about everything?”
“I’d like that.”
“Great.” Her gaze went to the boy who had no idea just how much his life had changed. “I have some spare children’s clothes I keep on hand for emergencies, but as you can see, they’re too big for him. I need to take him shopping tomorrow.”
“Don’t forget we have a pizza date tomorrow night.”
“Maybe we should wait to tell him about his parents after we get home from pizza.”
“Whatever you think best,” Ryan said. “Does he need a bath before he goes to bed?”
“Yes. Who knows when he last had a bath.”
Sam didn’t fight them about anything; not a bath, not brushing his teeth, not going to bed. “I think he’s afraid to make waves,” she told Ryan as she pulled the door to the guest room not quite shut.
“He’s afraid you’ll send him away if he does.”
“Probably.” His stomach was full—likely for the first time in who knew how long—he was clean, and he had a nice bed to sleep in, all things he wouldn’t want to lose. “The fire truck was a great idea. What made you think to do that?”
He shrugged. “He said he’d only had one toy, a fire truck that was gone, when I gave him the teddy bear. I just wanted to replace it.”
How many men would have thought to do that, taken the time to do it?
The teddy bear in question was now snuggled up in bed with Sam.
He’d wanted the fire truck in bed with him, too, but they’d stopped that from happening by telling him it might get broken if he rolled over on it in his sleep.
He’d settled for having it on the nightstand where he could see it.
“A glass of wine sounds like the perfect end to this day. Would you like one?”
“I would.”
He followed her into the kitchen. “I have a bottle of vodka for when one of my brothers is here. Would you rather have that? I’ve got cranberry juice.”
“Even better.”
His drink made and her wine poured, they moved to the living room. She curled up on the couch, facing Ryan as he took the other side.
He gazed around the room. “I like your house. It feels homey.” He eyed the fireplace. “I can see being curled up with a good book and having a roaring fire going while the snow is falling outside the windows.”
She smiled. “I do that a lot in the winter. I’ll invite you and your book over on a day like that, so you can enjoy it.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Have you done a lot of work to it, or had it been updated when you bought it?”
“Oh, man, you wouldn’t believe what a mess it was. I’ve done much of the work on it myself, except for things like plumbing and electrical. My brothers helped me with the grunt work, like installing the kitchen cabinets.” She was proud of her home and the sweat equity she’d put into working on it.
“Impressive.”
“What about you? What’s your place like?”
He snorted. “Not like your place. I live in staff housing near the hospital, basically a one-bedroom apartment with your typical rental furniture.”
“I guess with your hours that makes sense.”
“Yeah, I’m not home enough to own my own place.” He took a sip of his drink, set it on the coaster on the coffee table, then turned his focus on her. “I have to ask this. Are you sure it’s a smart thing for you to keep Sam? That might be a dangerous thing to do.”
It might be dangerous, but she bristled that he was implying she wasn’t smart. Her brothers—all four of them interfering alpha males—would be cheering him on, and that alone had her feeling testy.
She swirled the wine in her glass before lifting her eyes to his. “There is no other place I can send him, not with the possibility of some really bad people looking for him. I have all my brothers on speed dial, and should anything feel suspicious, I’ll call for backup.”
“I’m not questioning you, Matti. I’m just concerned.”
The man was good at picking up on vibes. Concern she could accept, and since he wasn’t telling her what to do, her irritation faded away. “I’m not sticking my head in the sand and pretending there’s nothing to be worried about. Like I told Wyatt, I’ll stay alert.”
“I’m counting on that.” He stood. “I should head home. I have to be at the hospital by eight.”
She walked to the door with him, and when he suddenly stopped, she ended up in his space before she could put the brakes on.
They were inches apart, and she inhaled the scent of him, a clean masculine smell with a hint of soap.
His gaze dropped to her lips, and she felt the heat of his stare like a physical touch.
“Matti.”
His voice was a soft whisper, a promise of things he— Soap!
That scent wafted her way again. Her father carried the scent of soap from all the washing of his hands.
It was a reminder that doctors were a big no for her.
He leaned toward her, his face, his mouth coming closer.
The urge to close her eyes and let the kiss happen was there and oh so strong, but she stepped back, proud of herself for resisting the temptation of Dr. Ryan Palmer.
For a moment, they stared at each other, then he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “See you and Sam for pizza tomorrow. I’ll pick you guys up at six.”
“Okay.” He left, and she locked the door. Alone now, she wondered how it would feel to kiss him. And once she wondered, she couldn’t stop thinking about his mouth on hers.