Page 25 of Rescuing Ryder

She brushed her bangs from her face and straightened to meet his gaze. “I’m fine. Do you know anything about security systems?”

“No. Doesn’t Matthew handle security stuff for the mountain? I’m sure he can help you. He seems to visit Kassie’s office daily to talk to her,” he surmised.

“Kassie helped the team and they’re all close to her. You’ll always see them around her,” she informed him absently.

“I’ve only stayed here a short time doc, but I know a crush when I see one,” Ryder shook his head.

“It’s Claire,” she murmured distractedly.

“Do you want me to ask him about a security system? I thought this town seemed safe. Do they have a rampant crime spree affecting your neighborhood? Maybe if you’re lucky, they’ll spray paint your house.”

“No. I’ll speak to Matthew. Why don’t you change into jogging clothes and meet me on the path? Why did physical therapy send me a note saying you refused treatment?”

“My limp won’t miraculously disappear by someone rubbing some ointment on it and massaging it,” he complained.

“It’s part of our deal, Ryder. I stick to the no meds as long as you tend to PT and do what Doc advises,” Claire reminded him before gathering papers and placing them in her briefcase.

“I’ll go this afternoon once we finish. Happy?” Ryder conceded.

She didn’t respond to his retort. “I’ll meet you on the path in ten minutes.”

Claire turned, dismissing him, before entering her private bathroom and changing. After her jog, she planned to return home, gather her clothes, and bring them to the office. She’d research a sound security system and hire someone to install it. Now, she felt settled after making her decision. She waited to hear back from the detective and called Dr. Klein. Hopefully, both replied soon to calm her frazzled nerves.

Ryder glancedover at Claire while she stretched and drank some water. Spending a couple hours each day with her, he never saw her in the mood she seemed stuck in. She answered his questions but didn’t seem as invested in his replies in her typical way.

“Did you talk to Dr. Winters about the medication for nerve pain at night?” she asked as they eased into a slow jog.

“I did. He advised me pain medication worked best and gave me a marijuana medical card,” Ryder threw out, noticing her distraction.

“Yes. He’s very good at figuring out what works best,” Claire responded as she concentrated on the path ahead.

“Yeah. He even encouraged me to drink a case of beer and get stoned at the same time to alleviate the pain,” he watched her for a reaction.

“Good.” She responded.

Ryder stopped running. Claire ran past him before noticing he didn’t run beside her. “Do you have pain in your leg?” she asked before returning to him, concerned.

“No. Something’s bothering you. Did you even pay attention to anything I said?” Ryder asked as he bent, placing his hands onhis knees, refusing to show her how winded he felt before they started.

A guilty expression crossed Claire’s face. “I’m sorry, Ryder. Why don’t we call off today? I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.” She walked past him when he grabbed her arm gently.

“Whoa. You’re shaking. Did the new house spook you again?” Ryder asked as he scanned her pale face, tired eyes and lost expression.

Claire shook her head and let out a little laugh. “Did you become the shrink?”

“What do you call the bullshit I spout? I think you said I ‘deflected.’ You’re doing it now. Talk to me. If I didn’t know better, I’d say something spooked you. Did it have anything to do with the other night?”

“Therapy doesn’t work as a two-way street. It’s unprofessional of me to discuss my private life with my patients. This isn’t your first rodeo. Surely, you know it’s bad form for me to discuss my problems,” Claire answered.

“Yeah. I don’t know any other doc who uses their patients as handymen, and yet here we are,” he quipped as he moved closer to her.

Claire’s eyes roamed from his face to his neck and down his thick chest as if she noticed him as a man for the first time. Her breath hitched and her tongue swiped over her upper lip before she stepped back. “I need to postpone the rest of our appointment today. I’m not feeling well.” She turned and walked up the path.

“Claire! Geez, at least let me walk you back to the hospital. Do you want to see Dr. Winters? Maybe take the rest of the day off,” Ryder suggested as he caught up to her.

“I’m fine, Ryder. I’ll call Whiskey. He’s running a group session in twenty minutes. You’ll have time to change and join them in the conference room.”

“I don’t want to sit in on a group session. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he retorted.

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