“No one will believe it, Princess.” He smiled, covering her hand with his. He tried to keep the sneer off his face. “I’m good at being the bad guy.”
She shook her head. “I’ll tell everyone I still love Greg. No one can argue with that.” She paused. “We’re friends, Ryder, good friends. And, together, we’ll be good parents.”
Her words cut like a knife. “If this is what you want, I’ll try.” But not for Option A. No, he’d try his hardest to win her heart.
He stared at the chart again, drawing in a deep breath. The sooner Option A was on a burn pile or shredded in the trash, the happier he’d be. Nothing got in his way when he set his mind to it. And he’d set his mind on keeping his wife.
Chapter Ten
“Mom!” Cody climbed out of her father-in-law’s car and came barreling across the yard to her waiting arms.
Annabeth swallowed the butterflies and caught Cody in a big hug. “Missed you.”
“I missed you, too. How is Tom?” he asked. “Hey, R-Ryder,” he added, grinning at Ryder.
“Tom’s a little smelly,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “Ryder and I really tried to clean him up, but I think skunk spray must have some glue in it.”
“Skunk?” Cody frowned. “How’d he get o-o-outside?”
“He must have slipped out.” Annabeth shrugged. “I think it turned out for the best, though. He doesn’t want out anymore.”
“You should have seen your mom, Cody. She was covered in tomato juice, from head to toe.” Ryder laughed.
“Get p-pictures?” Cody asked.
“No.” Annabeth sighed. “He acted like a true gentleman—until he mentioned it now.”
“I would’ve liked to see that myself.” Her father-in-law laughed. “I’ve rarely seen her with a hair out of place.”
“Good to see you, Major.” Annabeth kissed the older man on the cheek. “Good weekend?”
“With Cody around? Of course.” He grinned at his grandson. “Nice to see you, Ryder. You’re looking fit.” He shook Ryder’s hand.
Annabeth watched, nervous over the Major and Judy’s reaction to her marriage. They’d always loved Ryder. And, after last night, she was truly worried about making him the villain when she knew he was the hero.
Ryder nodded. “You, too, sir.”
“It’s been a long time.” Judy hugged her, then Ryder. She looked back and forth between the two of them, smiling. “Seeing you together... I almost expect Greg to walk out that door...any minute.” Her voice trembled a little, the smile on her face dimming.
The Major was surprisingly demonstrative with his wife, something Annabeth had always loved about him. So it was no surprise to see him wrap a supporting arm around his wife’s waist.
“We all miss him,” Ryder said.
She looked at him, taking in the very real grief on his face. Of course he missed Greg. He’d been his best friend, his brother, his sounding board about life. They had that in common, missing Greg. She smiled at Ryder, clasping her hands so she wouldn’t be tempted to reach for him.
It was unexpected, how easy it was to fall into a routine with this man. He’d tried to sleep in Cody’s bed last night, but it was too small. And the couch was hard as rocks. So, for the second night in a row, she’d slept wrapped in his arms. And she’d actually slept, without dreams or interruption, just deep, invigorating, peaceful sleep. Waking up was another matter. She’d never woken up so responsive—and hungry—for another’s touch.
Not that she needed to be thinking about it now, face-to-face with Greg’s parents.
“Come meet Tom!” Cody waved his grandparents into the house excitedly.
“Can’t wait to meet him. I feel like I know him already.” Judy smiled at her as she followed Cody down the hall to his bedroom.
“Want a drink?” Annabeth asked her father-in-law.
“Thank you, Annabeth.” The Major sat. “What have you been up to, Ryder? Judy and I saw you last season when you came through at the Marble Falls rodeo. She about came unglued when you got carried out of the arena after that bull turned his head into your shoulder.” The Major shook his head. “Damn physical work.”
“Lucky nothing broke that time,” Ryder admitted, glancing quickly at her. “Been spending a lot more time working at John Hardy’s garage, less time on a bull.”