Page 71 of Rescuing Ryder

“What’s this?” Claire entered the doorway, staring at the women.

“We came to help you. Chase said you refused to allow the jerk who did this win. We’re here to ensure he knows he didn’t,” Kassie told her.

At a loss for words, Claire’s mouth opened and shut. The women surrounded her, offering her support and love. Ryder smiled at the group as he walked out the door, leaving Claire in good hands, hoping she now knew she belonged.

Ryder finishedhis appointment with Dr. Hill. They talked about ways to handle his anger. Claire’s face swam before him as they listed items to help him feel calm and centered. She settled him in a way beyond any explanation. Last night, he stayed awake long after Claire fell asleep in his arms. Ryder smelled the jasmine scent of her perfume, loving how she fit into his arms, and the easy way she made him laugh. A text dinged on his phone. Ryder pulled it out to check it.

Meeting at the facility in ten. Leo texted.

He shook his head, wondering how they seemed to know when he finished his appointments and how their PT time fit into his schedule. Ryder shoved the phone back into his pocket and headed to his car.

When Ryder arrived, Shadow waited in the doorway for him. They walked down the hall, and he heard the distinctive sounds of Tess laughing, and the aroma from her cooking drifted toward him. When he entered the kitchen, Taco stood beside her, testing something she made before taking plates to the table.

The whole team surrounded the family-sized table, and a few empty chairs sat around it, and he wondered if they expected company.

“I’m glad you made it,” Leo greeted him as he sat near the whiteboard and placed the files in his hand on the table.

Ryder gave a chin nod as he sat in the middle. Whiskey chose a seat across from him. Doc showed up and sat beside him while the rest of the group meandered over. Tess seemed to disappear again.

“Tex used his creative searching skills to discover Captain Greene's autopsy records. His primary physician recently performed a complete physical and blood work up. The records showed no indication of heart disease. A file inserted into the record after his death shows he suffered from blocked arteries, which led to the attack. We pulled the phone records. He contacted Mayor Thorton. There’s a large deposit made into a Cayman bank account registered in his name. A transaction for the exact amount appears in the mayor’s account. We tried tracing it, and it’s a dead end. They caught the suspect who invaded Detective Stewart’s home and shot him. He’s in county and not up for bail,” Matthew reported.

“What do the lone two cops of Serenity say about the break-in at Claire’s?” Leo asked.

“They think it might be a few teenagers they’ve experienced some trouble from previously. They’re questioning them today,” Shadow informed the group.

“What about the neighbor? Did she see anything? She seems to know when I show up. It probably doesn’t help I’ve scared the bejesus out of Claire twice and she screamed,” Ryder stated.

Saint shook his head. “She didn’t see anything. The lady mentioned she noticed Claire pacing on her screened-in porch in the afternoon before Bryanna picked her up. She waved to her as she got into the car.”

Leo stroked his jaw. “Serenity doesn’t experience massive crime waves. I don’t believe the teenagers did this. Claire’s reading through her file. Did anything stand out?”

Ryder shook his head. “Nothing yet. It’s taking her a while to comb through it.”

Chase rested his elbows on the table. “How’s the eye? Kassie told me the specialist didn’t release her because she still suffers from migraines and can only read for an hour at a time. “

“She’s healing but needs babysitting or she’ll disregard anything the doctor tells her. She ordered me to return to the cabins. I refused to leave her alone last night, but I don’t believe she’ll allow me to stay tonight.”

Leo viewed each man at the table and they nodded to their leader. Leo turned to Chase.

“What’s your relationship with Claire?” Chase asked him bluntly.

Ryder sat back in his chair as the group focused on him. He felt the pressure of their stares as they waited for him to speak. He wondered why this seemed to involve the team instead of Dr. Winters.

He faced Chase. “I asked you to switch me because I realized Claire brought up feelings in me. She pushed me to admit things I’m not ready to discuss. I felt angry and out of control. I spoke with Dr. Hill and planned to speak with you the same day. You stayed home with Kassie, and I didn’t get a chance to speak with you until the kiss happened in the woods. I didn’t realize the extent of those feelings until after my request. It didn’t involve anything concerning Claire’s actions. She did nothing wrong, despite what she thinks.”

“How do you feel your stay here has progressed?” Chase asked.

Ryder paused. “I don’t know if I’ll ever heal fully. Tex insisted I come here as a last resort. I planned to stay a few weeks, then tell him it didn’t work out. The weeks have turned into months, and I’m benefiting from the program. Something kept me here.You gave me choices and I chose to stay for now. I’m taking it one day at a time.”

Chase nodded. “Dr. Hill says you’re putting in the work. You helped with Scott, who shared with me thatyou check in and encourage him.”

Ryder squirmed suddenly, uncomfortable with his secret exposed. It seemed like it broke Scott’s privacy, not because he felt ashamed. He stayed silent.

“Ryder, we asked you to participate in PT with us. Whiskey reports you’ve made great strides. As you know, we asked you if you knew of any corpsman searching for a position. You said no. Doc currently covers us and will continue until we find the perfect fit.” Leo leaned forward and sent Ryder a folder sliding across the table. “We know you still have demons to fight. We voted and want to offer you the position. You’ll stay on Serenity Mountain until you finish your stay at the foundation. You’ll continue to train with the team and make all our appointments, which we’ll work around your schedule. There’s a room waiting for you down the hall when you’re released from Chase’s care.”

Shocked, Ryder stared at the team. He didn’t expect this. It never occurred to him he remained the sole patient the team invited to PT sessions with the men. He sat in on team meetings like part of their group. Pulling over the folder, Ryder opened it. Contracts concerning the conditions of his employment, pay, and job description sat before him. His heart raced and he swallowed the lump in his throat. The team voted for him.

Ryder watched as they nodded their consent for him to join them, accepting him as one of their brothers. But Ryder already had a team of brothers and they died because of him. He refused to become the reason the women of Serenity lost their husbands and fathers to their children. More importantly, he didn’t believe he’d survive if he lost another.

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