Broken Love (21 page)

I folded up the letter and put it in the box. “I feel ya, dude. Nice to see women haven’t changed in over a hundred years.”

The doorbell rang and I jumped up, setting the box on the desk as I made my way to the front door.

When I opened it, I was stunned to see two women standing before me with brown bags in each of their arms.

“We’re here with your delivery from Fusion Grill.”

Opening the door to let them in, I smiled and said, “Awesome! Follow me to the kitchen.”

Each one of them put a bag on the counter and began unpacking it.

“We have two BLTA’s with french fries and two bowls of tortilla soup.”

My stomach picked that moment to growl. “Sounds good. What do I owe you?”

“It’s already been paid for, sir.”

Reaching for my wallet, I took out a two twenty’s and handed each girl one.

“Thank you so very much, sir.”

“No problem. Thank you, ladies. Let me show you out.”

By the time I got the plates made up, I was sure Ava had to have cooled down.

At least I prayed with every stair I took that was the case.

AFTER RYDER HAD helped me up the stairs and into the most beautiful room I’d ever seen, I settled in and listened to the crackling of the fire he had made. I was so mad at myself for acting like a child. I had no reason to be jealous and really Ryder didn’t do anything wrong but be shocked by an old friend. Regardless of if something had happened between them or not, it was the past and I needed to leave it there.

Kate’s journal sat on my lap as I opened it up and read the next entry.

June 2

Jackson stopped by today and we went for a long walk. It was nice to spend time with him alone. When we’re in school each of us is pulled in so many different directions.

I don’t think Ryder likes Jackson all that much. Or he’s just playing the big brother role. At any rate, if he knew what was going on, he would really not like Jackson.

He took the news of me being pregnant pretty well. We’re both scared and not sure how to tell our parents. I’m only six weeks along from what the doctor said. I still have time to figure things out. At least I know Jackson is right there with me. He told me he loved me more than I could ever imagine.

I love him too. And I’ll love our baby.

I dropped my hands to my lap and stared straight ahead.

“Oh, holy shit. The secret had nothing to do with Lizzy and everything to do with Kate.”

The knock on the door caused me to jump as I quickly shut the journal and slid it under the pillow.

“Hey,” Ryder said softly as he walked in carrying a tray full of food. I’d never seen anyone walk so slow and with so much concentration.

“Hey, did you make that?” I asked as I licked my lips.

Ryder didn’t utter a word until he set it down on the table at the end of the bed. With a sigh of relief, he glanced up at me and grinned from ear to ear. “It’s probably cold because it took me so long to climb the stairs. And hell no, I didn’t make it. Jennifer ordered it when I called her for help in figuring out what to do to make up for being such an asshole earlier.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You were moving pretty slow, I don’t care if it’s cold, and you weren’t the one being an asshole. I was too and I’m sorry.”

“Let’s just say we both played a small role and move on?”

With a nod of my head, I said, “Sounds good to me. I’m starving! What did she send us?”

Ryder took his food off and placed it on the table then carefully picked up the tray and brought it over to me. “I’ll eat mine over here.”

“Yummy. This looks so good. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I saw it.”

Ryder chuckled. “Same here.”

Picking up the sandwich, I took a bite and moaned in sweet relief. “I never thought a BLT would taste so good.”

With a head bob, Ryder agreed.

My mind was racing as I tried to process what I had just read in Kate’s journal. Clearly Ryder had no idea about the pregnancy with how he reacted to her saying she had sex with Jackson.

“So, Dani’s baby will be the first baby, huh?”

His eyes lifted as he looked at me. “First baby?”

“Yeah, you know … first grandbaby for your mom and dad.”

He narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. “Unless Nate’s fathered a few kids we don’t know about.”

Letting out a chuckle, I shook my head and ate some soup. “That’s mean, Ryder.”

“The scary part is I’m not kidding.”

With a roll of my eyes, I kept eating.

“What about Jennifer? No desire to have kids?”

His eyes lifted to mine again. “Not that I’m aware of, but I doubt she would talk to me about that. Ava, you’re kind of freaking me out with this baby talk. Is there something I should know?”

“No! God no. I’m curious that’s all. I’m sure your mom and dad are excited, and I was just … curious.”

“Well, as far as I’m aware, Dani’s is indeed the first grandbaby on the way.”

I smiled and took another bite of the BLT.

“This room is beautiful.”

Ryder looked around as he took another bite and nodded. When he was finished chewing, he turned back to me. “This house is actually going to one of the kids when they get married.”

That peeked my interest. “Really? Who?”

“Well, it was Dani’s first pick, but she had no desire for it. Jennifer’s already said she doesn’t want it, so it comes down to me or Nate.”

Everything made such sense. Vanessa is after the house and the only way to get the house is … marry Nate or Ryder.

“How will it be decided?” I asked.

“Whoever gets married first.”

I swallowed hard. “Married first?”

Ryder smiled bigger and winked. “It’s pretty safe to say I’ve got this one in the bag.”

My stomach felt like I was on a roller coaster. “In the bag?” I croaked out.

“Yep. Hell will freeze over before Nate Montgomery ever marries a woman and settles down. I’m sure to beat him to the altar.”

Disappointment swept through my body like lightning as I quickly looked down at my soup. How silly of me to even get my hopes up like that. Ryder and I barely just started dating.

I forced a chuckle out. “Probably.”

We finished eating the rest of lunch in silence. I couldn’t stop thinking about Kate being pregnant. Of course the idea of Ryder marrying anyone but me about had me feeling sick and I had to force myself to eat.

“Ava? Are you even listening to me?”

My head snapped up as I looked into Ryder’s beautiful hazel eyes. “I’m sorry … what were you saying?”

“So what do you think?”

“About?”

“The house, silly. Do you like it?”

Trying to clear the lump from my throat, I swung my legs around the edge of the bed as Ryder helped me to stand up.

“Yes. It’s beautiful and I can’t wait to see more.”

I’d never seen Ryder’s eyes twinkle like they were. It was almost as if someone was shining a light on them.

“Could you ever see yourself living here?”

Without even thinking, I blurted out my answer. “Yes!”

His hands cupped my face as he brushed his lips across mine. “Good, because you’re the only woman I could see living in this house.”

He pulled me closer as he deepened the kiss. My arms wrapped around his neck as I let the moment take control.

When he pulled back slightly he rested his head against mine as I spoke the only word I could manage. “Ryder.”

“That was my very poor attempt at asking you to marry me, Ava.”

My head pulled back as my eyes widened in shock.

Holy shit balls.

“I wouldn’t say that was a poor attempt. It was the most romantic thing ever,” I said in a breathy voice.

He softly chuckled as he kissed the tip of my nose. “So?”

“So?” I asked.

“How long are you going to make me wait for your answer?”

I was positive I hadn’t smiled this much in weeks as I got lost in his eyes.

“Yes. Nothing would make me happier than marrying you.”

“Even if that meant staying here in Montana?”

I chewed on my lip for a few quick seconds as I let it all soak in. “I can design from anywhere.”

Ryder grinned wide as I felt my eyes begin to water up. Wrapping his arms around me, he lifted me as he pressed his lips to mine.

He broke the kiss just enough to softly say, “I love you, Ava Moore. I love you so much.”

I’d never felt like this before. My heart felt as if it was going to explode in my chest.

“I love you too, Ryder. More than you’ll ever know.”

Another quick engagement.

My father is going to kill me … but once my mother finds out I’m going to be living in Montana … she might kill me first.

December

“RYDER, YOU LOOK like you lost a puppy or something.”

Glancing up, I smiled at my mother. “Missing Ava.”

She grinned as she put some cookies into the oven. “Have you talked to her today?”

“Yeah, first thing this morning. She was going to tell her folks today about the engagement.”

My mother stopped what she was doing and smiled. “I still can’t believe you’re getting married.”

Nate walked in and threw his gym bag on the floor while reaching into the refrigerator for a water. “It’s one and done from here out. Poor bastard.”

With her hands on her hips, our mother shot daggers at Nate. “Nate Montgomery, do not talk like that in my house. You were not raised in a barn so why do you think you can drop your stuff right here in the middle of the floor? And don’t be jealous of your brother.”

With his mouth dropped open, Nate stared at her before throwing his head back and laughing. “Jealous? Oh please, Mom. The last thing I am of Ryder is jealous.”

“Really?” she asked lifting her eyebrow. “Seems to me you’ve been in a funk since the engagement.”

Taking a long drink of his water, he shrugged. “It’s only because now I won’t get the house in Helena and I was really hoping to sell that bitch off.”

My mother’s eyes widened in horror. “Nate, you would never do such a thing.”

He winked and kissed her on the cheek. “Well, I guess we’ll never know since Ryder beat me to the altar.”