Page 32 of All Because I Found You

Raelyn laughed. “Hand deliver it tonight, and I’ll buy you a raffle at the fundraiser.”

“Deal. I’ll see you then. And Rae?”

“What’s up?”

“Take it easy and be a little nicer to yourself. You got this.”

“Thanks, see you tonight.” Raelyn hung up and the phone, and the tension that had been plaguing her shoulder blades lessened a bit. Sometimes a good old reminder from her best friend was all she needed. Cindy was right. She had this.

She slipped her phone in her pocket and got back to sketching out a blueprint. The seating chart would be right outside the doors on an easel. She had a white frame with a burlap backing that she would string twine from one end of the burlap to the other and hang with little cute close pins the names of the table’s occupants. The burlap would match the overall theme, and she’d ask Isla for a few scraps of greenery to incorporate on the board. She tapped a reminder in her phone so she wouldn’t forget to ask Isla tonight at the fundraiser.

The sound of a vehicle came through the open doors of the barn, and Raelyn peeked her head around. Ryder’s truck bounced along the rugged path, moving toward her. He kept a slow pace, and she stepped into the bright morning sun, holding her hand up to block the strong rays.

Feeling playful, she jumped in front of the truck, holding her hands up like claws. A laugh bubbled up and out of her. Ryder hit the brakes, the truck coming to a sudden halt.

The slam of the truck door echoed around her, the sound reverberating in her ears and making her jump.

Ryder stalked toward her, his lips twisted in anger. His wavy, dark auburn hair swaying with each step. “What the hell is wrong with you?” The fury in his tone took her off guard. “I could have hit you.”

She narrowed her eyes, head tilting in disbelief. “You were going barely two miles per hour.”

The hard set of his jaw tightened even more, slashing harsh angles into his face. “That doesn’t matter! Accidents happen.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re completely overreacting.”

“Are you always so careless and reckless? Stupid actions like that get people killed.”

Stupid. He was calling her decisions stupid. “I’m sorry, but if I wanted to be lectured, I’d go over my parents’ house. I don’t need your shit right now. I have too much I’m dealing with, so if you need something speak. If not, it’s been a real riveting conversation this time around, but I’m busy.”

She waited half a beat before spinning around and tramping toward the barn.

“If I hit you…” His words cut off, but the heartache overtaking his voice told her enough. She turned to him, her heart breaking at the desolate air radiating around him. His head hung forward, hair falling in his face, shoulders slumped as if he’d been defeated by an invisible force. “I’d never forgive myself.”

The confession mixed with the raw sorrow in his tone had her stumbling back. He stomped off, and Raelyn closed her eyes for a second. This had nothing to do with her and everything to do with the scars he carried inside him. He’d already lost three people at the hands of a car accident. She was an idiot for not realizing it sooner. She inadvertently reminded Ryder of his past and the tragedy that sent him into hiding.

She opened her eyes and went after him. He stood in the bed of his pickup, surrounded by barrels. His muscles bulged and strained against the white cotton of his t-shirt as he hauled one to the front. He jumped out of the bed and took the barrel in his hold, placing it on the ground.

Maneuvering around the barrel, she stopped in front of him. He cut his gaze away from her and went to jump into the bed when she reached out and grabbed his arm.

His head swung back, eyes glaring down at her hold, but he’d have to do a heck of a lot more glaring if he expected her to just let go. She stepped toward him, and when he didn’t snap away from her, she exhaled in relief.

Heat radiated off him, but it was different than the thick July air. It was strong and sexy, making her body completely aware of how close she was to him. He blinked, his gaze locking on hers. Her heart stuttered at the intensity, her knees weakening at the deep stormy blue of his irises.

Pain simmered beneath the surface, though. She could see it hiding behind the storm in his eyes. He was good at masking it, she’d give him that, but he couldn’t hide it from her—not completely at least.

He was hurting, and she was the reason. She wanted to be cute and funny, and instead, she foolishly provoked something unpleasant within him.

Wanting to fix it, needing to fix it, she did what she did best. She tossed her arms around him and pulled him tight.

***

Every muscle in Ryder’s body froze as Raelyn’s body pressed into his and her arms tightened around his neck. Her coconut scent surrounded him, consumed him, and made his head swim. The tenser he got, the harder she held on.

“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded.

“I’m giving you a hug.”

“What the hell for?”

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