Page 53 of Rescuing Ryder

“No,” she confessed. Claire sighed and turned toward her friend. “You know this isn’t right. He’s a patient and doesn’t belong here. I’ve wracked my brain trying to figure out why you allowed him to stay.”

“Ahhh.” Kassie set her cup on the table and faced her. “I wondered how long it’d take you to ask. Do you like Ryder?”

Surprised by her question, Claire sat back and fiddled with her croissant. “He’s a great caregiver,” she said carefully.

Kassie chuckled. “So that’s how you want to play it, always the professional.”

Claire set the plate with the delicate pastry on the table. “You know it’s not wise for him to remain here. It’s crossing the line. I don’t know what you can be thinking,” she chastised Kassie, shaking her head.

Kassie sipped her tea and set it down. She placed Claire’s hand in hers. “People credit me for building everything on the mountain we’re viewing. But I know it wasn’t me. You did it, Claire,” she confessed softly.

At Claire’s confused expression, Kassie smiled before continuing. “When Chase and the team’s helo crashed. Everyone went on with their lives, mourned our men, and pushed for funeral services. I wanted to roll into a ball and let the world go by. My love and worry for Emma’s future pushed me out of bed each new day. I went through the motions of life, even when I didn’t feel it. Everyone waited for me to crumble except you. You started the spark of hope of my building the hospital by suggesting I keep his memory alive. As I planned, I prayed, cried, and researched. You gave me a reason to move forward. Nobody believed they made it, but I knew even if they died, I wanted to hire a team to find all of James Stanton's victims. You gave me a purpose.”

Claire shook her head. “You did all the work. I only guided you.”

“Maybe. I’ve watched you with Ryder. I witnessed you finding him projects to build while you held his sessions. He’s a fixer. You gave him a purpose, whether he recognized it or not. While he fixed your klutzy mistakes or built something new, you kept his mind engaged. You’ve worked on the mountain long enough to know security remains tight. After David Kilner attacked you, Matthew reviewed the security footage. Ryder mentioned he witnessed you running out of the woods terrified.”

She stopped, allowing Claire time to connect the dots. When Claire’s expression didn’t change, she continued. “We installed security cameras on the paths to monitor the teens. We’ve discovered a couple of them meeting late at night,” Kassie admitted slowly.

Claire’s eyes widened as she realized what they must’ve witnessed. It wasn’t the teens they caught. They saw her and Ryder.

“I can explain,” Claire stuttered.

Kassie shook her head. “I’m here as a friend and telling you a story. I’m not your boss right now. You ran into Ryder, and we agreed something spooked you. The kiss happened spontaneously. You didn’t encourage it. Like the men on the team, Ryder protected you first, then kissed you. Don’t get me wrong, the kiss was hot and I totally plan to grill you about it later.”

Claire shook her head. “I didn’t plan it, nor did he. I didn’t kiss him again. He experienced a breakthrough a few days before it happened. I gave him time and distance to work through his feelings. I found a note in my pocket and it scared me. David snuck into my house while I slept. I ran into Ryder and it…happened,” she attempted to explain herself.

“Yes. Then David came here searching for something and harmed you. Instead of alerting him to your predicament, you insisted he leave. Why didn’t you warn him, Claire?”

“David Kilner threatened to shoot him. I didn’t want him hurt,” she sputtered, struggling with what Kassie pointed out.

“I believe you. Ryder told us you called to him as he started to leave. You said some things happened beyond his control. No matter what occurred, it wasn’t his fault,” she replied. “You knew he’d blame himself. How long did it take you to form the message?” Kassie asked.

She shook her head, “I don’t know. I only wanted him safe. David threatened his life. I knew Kilner planned to kill me. I refused to allow him to hurt Ryder. I knew Ryder would blame himself, but he’d remember the last thing I said to him,” she cried.

“You protected him like he did you. You have feelings for him,” Kassie apprised her gently.

Claire shook her head, furiously denying it. “No. He’s progressed wonderfully. I saw him engaging with the teens, he spoke with the veterans, and he forgot to give me a sarcastic response or act like a smartass to get me to back off. He doesn’t realize no other options existed the day his team died. He blames himself for their deaths. In no scenario did he stand a chance. When David threatened him, he didn’t have any other choice but to leave, or he might be dead,” she rushed out.

“You had a choice. You could’ve written a message. Kilner didn’t see through walls, Claire. Instead, you insisted he leave,” Kassie pressed.

“I didn’t want him hurt. He deserves a second chance at a good life,” Claire argued.

“Because you fell in love with him,” Kassie shot back.

“I have feelings a doctor shouldn’t have for my patient,” Claire sucked in a breath at the realization of what she confessed. Her hand flew to her mouth. She gazed at Kassie with startled eyes. “What did I do?” she whispered.

Kassie smiled. “You fell in love. I’ve endured several hard, excruciating sessions with you, and not once did you kiss me,” she teased. “Holy hotness, Claire. You two make more steam than my shower.”

Claire’s mouth dropped open, unsure of how to respond.

Kassie shook her head. “I’ve learned a few things from our sessions and recognize some of what you explained to me. Ryder holds an inherent need to fix things. He came to us lost andwithout a purpose. He punished himself for losing his team. The other medical teams medicated him and assured him it wasn’t his fault. You picked up on his need for a challenge and deduced from his records that he lost a reason to continue. You gave him something to fix while you counseled him. To engage his mind with his body. Then something changed and you pushed him. He struggled and you stepped back. Why?”

“He wasn’t ready. I made a mistake,” Claire admitted.

“No. You outwaited me for over three hours to come out of a room. You’re a pusher and refuse to back down without good cause. Yet, you allowed him to walk away for an entire week. Why?”

“I told you. He wasn’t ready,” she answered slowly.

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