“That’s good to hear.” The Major sounded genuinely relieved.
Ryder smiled. “A fella’s luck can only last so long.”
She didn’t want to think about that. “Day jobs aren’t too bad,” she interrupted. “As long as you like what you do.” She loved her job—headaches and all.
“How’s the school?” The Major accepted the glass of ice tea she offered him. “Thank you.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m looking forward to summer.”
“Cody was telling us you’re worrying over your job?”
She blinked. “He was?” So much for trying to shield Cody from stress. She frowned, quickly explaining things. “There’s no point in worrying over it, I know that. Grandma Flo would tell me to keep my chin up and my big-girl britches on.”
Major and Ryder laughed.
“Good advice, I suppose,” the Major said with a chuckle.
“You’ll keep the job.” Ryder was so confident.
She shrugged, unable to ignore the pleasure his words stirred. His belief in her meant more than it should. “We’ll see.”
Judy joined them then, a strange look on her face. “I know this is none of my business...” Judy glanced over her shoulder then whispered, “Is there a man in your life, Annabeth?”
“Why on earth would you ask her that, Judy?” The Major looked stunned.
“There’s a man’s shirt on her bed,” Judy said. “And a pair of boots peeking out from under her bed. Not that I was snooping... The door was open...”
All eyes were on her. And, from the heat in her face, she knew she was turning very red. The Major scowled, Judy tried for a smile and Ryder looked ready to laugh.
“Do we know him?” the Major asked.
She opened her mouth, but Judy interrupted. “How does Cody feel about him?”
She took Judy’s hand in hers, knowing her mother-in-law worried about anything that would threaten the bond she had with her only grandchild. “Cody loves him, very much.” Which was absolutely true.
Judy nodded, visibly relieved. “Well, then, I like him already.”
“What’s his full name?” the Major asked. “And his birthday.”
“Major, you are not going to run a background check on him,” Judy chastised.
Ryder chuckled then, earning the full weight of the Major’s scowl and a disapproving shake of Judy’s head. He held up his hands in surrender. “No need.” He took a deep breath. “I’m the no-good man in her life. We got married this weekend.”
The kitchen was absolutely silent.
Ryder glanced back and forth between Judy and the Major, all teasing gone. “I promise you both, I’ll do right by her, by Cody, and Greg, too.”
Pressure squeezed her chest, momentarily knocking the breath out of her. Whether it w
as the look on Ryder’s face or the weight of his words, she couldn’t be sure. When he reached out to her, she took his hand and let him draw her into his side.
Judy burst into tears. “I’m so happy.” She sniffed, taking the handkerchief her husband offered her. “I prayed, you have no idea how hard I prayed.”
The Major took Ryder’s hand, pumping it heartily. “Guess I can’t say I’m completely surprised, but it would’ve been nice to have been at the wedding.”
“We just went to the justice of the peace. I didn’t want anything fancy this time around. But Renata is planning quite a party, and I hope you’ll come,” she said to soothe the Major. “It would mean a lot...if you’re free.”
“Of course we’ll come.” Judy was still dabbing at her tears. “Cody will be over the moon.”