“He had a heart attack and is doing a lot better than I thought he should be. I just know that I'm going to have to move back to Portland sooner than I expected to help him.” Reaching for the bags, she started loading them into her arms. I reached for the rest of them, and for the first time she didn't object. I followed her into the house and stopped when she sighed.
“That's a first.” She chuckled and then walked into the kitchen. Her plants were in the sink and the rest on the counter with a towel under them. Ryan had moved them all into the kitchen to water them and had just left them there to continue as needed. I sat the bags on the table and set about lifting the heavy pots out of the sink.
“Where does this one go?”
“By the front room window.” Her small hand pointed toward the other room. We repeated the process until all of the plants were back in place.
“I should have left you a note,” she said. “Or called or something. I’m sorry. I left in such a hurry that I didn't even take my laptop, and my phone messed up so I didn't get any emails or messages. If you guys sent me one, I never got it.”
“It's fine, I'm just glad you’re okay and your grandfather too.” I turned to leave, but she reached out and stopped me, grabbing my hand. I turned around and found myself face to face with her.
“Thank you,” she said, leaning forward. She brushed her lips over my cheek and then turned away.
“Anytime,” I replied and headed out of the front door, a flush clearly on my face.
I was in my living room when I saw the dust rising as Ryan’s truck approached. I expected him to come in my door; instead, he went to Emmy’s. A few minutes later, I heard her laughter through the open windows on the back of the house.
“Do you see all those woods out there?” he said as he pulled her door open. “They are filled with bears.”
“Put me down!” she shrieked.
“Not until you apologize for making us worry.”
“Fine, I’m sorry. Now, put me down.” I was a little jealous that Ryan always had his hands all over her. Maybe more than a little, I admitted to myself as I listened to them laughing.
“My grandfather had a heart attack, he’s okay, but I had to go be with my family. My phone got messed up, and I forgot my laptop. I left in a hurry.” I was eavesdropping, and I wasn’t ashamed at all. I had to figure out how he did it. How he got her to open up to him so easily.
“We were really worried about you. When we got back and the truck was gone and your door was unlocked, well…”
“I was fine, and I didn't get eaten by a bear. I haven't even seen a bear,” she laughed.
“I bet they have seen you.” Ryan said, his voice getting smaller as he followed her back into the house. The conversation went on for another few minutes before I heard Ryan start talking about the competition last weekend. He was bragging and over exaggerating a little, not that he was ever known to do that.
I stepped onto the back porch and was headed across the yard when Ryan pushed the back door open.
“Luke!” he shouted at me. “Cook out here at seven, you in?”
“Sure.” I smiled back and then walked to my shop. I had to get some work done, and now that I knew she was okay, I could concentrate a little better.
***
“Dude, you stink.” Ryan said as I walked into my house.
“Well that's why I am going to take a shower. You know sweat is what happens when you are actually working and not sitting in a cushy office.”
“First of all, my office is not cushy.” He held up one finger. “Second, my body wasn't made for hard labor.” He held up three fingers.
“Apparently, it isn't made for being able to count either.” I reached out and shoved his shoulder as I walked toward the stairs.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. You know that finger doesn't bend right.” He proceeded to show me and flip me off at the same time. “Go shower, I'm gonna run to grab steaks. I'll be back in a couple hours. Put the potatoes in the oven when you get out.”
I did as instructed and pulled the potatoes out of the oven around the time Ryan’s truck grumbled to a stop outside my door.
“Look at these beauties.” He nodded as he laid three steaks out across my counter. “I made Marley open up the butcher shop to get these. I just wasn't feeling pre-cut grocery store steaks today. “
I grabbed them, ripping each one from its paper wrap. I seasoned them thoroughly and then put them on a plate.
“The grill is already on; it may be a little hot.” I handed the plate of steaks over the bar to Ryan as he walked toward the door.