Page 50 of Rescuing Ryder

“Take the damn pills, Claire,” he demanded softly.

She hesitated before nodding. Ryder dropped the tablets in her hand and gave her the drink. When Claire swallowed them, he set the drink on the bedside table and walked around the opposite side of her bed. Sliding off his shoes, he yanked off his shirt, pulled back the covers and slipped into the bed. Pulling her back against his chest, his arm wrapped around her waist. He kissed her temple. “Rest, Claire Bear, I’ll chase the monster away,” he whispered.

Her body relaxed under his hold and a few minutes later, he felt Claire’s breathing even out and knew she slept.

Ryder murmured, “I didn’t tell Chase because I wanted to protect you. You’ve wiggled your way into my heart and I never saw you coming.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

In the morning, Ryder made coffee and placed it on a tray along with a basket of freshly baked confections from Bryanna’s bakery. He entered the bedroom as Claire exited the bathroom. She sat on the bed and propped herself on pillows as she watched him pour her a cup of brew. Ryder regarded her as he passed her the baked goods.

Claire’s eye appeared painful with the mirage of colors and the cut. Whisps of blonde hair fell over the injury and he leaned in and swept them back to get a better view.

Claire straightened as she concentrated with her good eye on picking her treat and winced in the effort.

“Do you have a headache?” he murmured.

When she didn’t respond, Ryder knew he guessed correctly. Sighing, he went into the bathroom, pulled out two tablets and returned. Ryder held them out and she ignored him. Clearing his throat, he picked up Claire’s plate, refusing her treat until she took the meds. He almost laughed at her petulance. She angrily swiped the pills and downed them with the water beside her bed.

“Relax, Claire Bear; it’s only acetaminophen. Why don’t we sit in the living room? I’ll make a fire and we can watch a movie.Or rather, I’ll watch, and you’ll listen. There might be a foot rub to compensate for not looking at the TV.”

“Did you suffer from transference? I heard you tell Kassie,” she whispered. “I don’t understand why you volunteered to stay here with me.”

Ryder sighed. “I didn’t want you to lose your job over an innocent kiss, which surprised us both. Come on, Claire. You’ve stayed in this room since we came home. Unless you turned into a hermit, you have an entire house to recuperate in. How about your screened porch?”

“Fine.”

“What do you usually do out there besides enjoy the scenery?” he asked as he tore off a piece of pastry and fed it to her.

“I love to read. My parents started with the classics and gifted me first editions for birthdays and holidays. My colleague, Dr. Klein, gave me a first-edition classic when I finished my internship. Since then, I’ve collected more as I celebrate different milestones. Sometimes, Dr. Klein sends me a lead to a book I’ve searched for. I read charts all day. The classics I enjoy for pleasure.” Claire sipped the coffee and laid back amongst the pillows.

“What do you know? We have something in common. Unfortunately, reading is off your list of things to do. How about I read to you?” Ryder asked as he held a piece of his pastry to her lips.

She sighed. “You can’t seriously want to.”

Ryder tugged on her hand, forcing her to stand. Wrapping Claire up in her bathrobe, and slipping warm slippers on her feet, he led her outside and settled her on the couch. “What book do you want?”

“Surprise me.” She smiled as he covered her with a blanket before leaving her on the porch.

A few minutes later, Ryder returned with a book and a couple of pillows. He sat down, placed a pillow on his lap, and patted it, inviting her to lie down.

She debated for a moment before placing her head on the pillow. Ryder adjusted the blanket and opened the book. He began reading, and his hand gently stroked her head, relaxing Claire. Ten chapters in, she stopped him as he turned the page.

“You mentioned we have reading in common. What do you like to read?”

He closed the book while touching her hair and lightly tracing her forehead. “My grandmother read the classics to me when I spent summers with my grandparents. She also collected first editions; my grandfather always gave her a new one on their anniversary. When they first married, they didn’t have much money. He said giving her a book gave her an adventure when he couldn’t afford to give her one.”

“That’s sweet,” she murmured.

“It’s one of my fondest memories of them; I inherited the collection when they passed. I’m impressed with yours. How about you take a shower and we’ll play a board game in the living room?” Ryder encouraged.

Claire emphatically shook her head and cringed from the sudden moment. His hand covered her forehead as if to stifle the spinning in her head. She groaned.

“Do you need any help in the shower?” he asked quietly.

“No. I think I’ll take a nap. I feel a bit tired,” she dodged.

“Shower first, then a nap. When you wake, we’ll play a game,” he stated firmly.

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