Page 63 of Rescuing Ryder

“I want a club sandwich with a side salad and a glass of iced tea,” she requested, refusing to meet his gaze.

“Claire Bear,” he ground out.

“I ordered food, didn’t I?” she shot at him.

He tried to take her hand when she put them under the table and stared out the window. Tears pooled and she blinked them back. One escaped down her cheek. Her head throbbed from the specialist’s probing. She closed her eyes and leaned against the window, relishing the coolness.

“Shit,” Ryder cursed as he slid into the booth beside her. “Why didn’t you tell me your head hurt?”

She shook her head, unwilling to tell him. Feeling like the twit he called her, Claire remained stubbornly silent, confused by her feelings. As a psychologist, she maintained control of her emotions. With Ryder, she contained her feelings professionally,but personally she appeared like one big hot mess. One minute she wanted to strangle him for acting like an insufferable ass, and then he turned his hazel eyes on her, and she melted into a puddle of goo. No one had ever cared for her as he did.

Ryder dug inside her purse, pulling out the prescription eye drops and pain meds. The waitress returned and he ordered for both of them before turning her to face him.

“Lean your head back,” he demanded softly.

She tilted it and allowed him to add the drops to her burning eye. She didn’t argue when Ryder handed her the two tablets and the glass of lemon-lime soda he ordered. She closed her eyes as the cool drink hit her stomach.

“Thank you.”

Ryder wrapped his arm around her and put her head on his shoulder. “Do you want me to ask her to pack up the food and we’ll take it home?” he asked worriedly.

Claire shook her head. “No. The bread will get soggy. I’m sorry. He said I no longer needed a babysitter but no driving, and refused to discuss my return to work. I even offered to only see patients and not read files.” Claire knew she sounded whiney. It made her cringe. She hated whiners.

“I’m feeling sorry for myself. I apologize,” Claire confessed.

“Don’t sweat it. I’ve been there and done it myself a few times. In fact, I did it this morning,” Ryder confessed.

“When?” she asked, curious.

“When I realized I spent another night in the pink abomination,” he acted depressed.

She punched him in the arm. “Leave my house alone. It’s one of a kind.”

“Thank goodness,” he muttered.

Claire smiled and he brushed the hair from her face and kissed her forehead. When their food arrived, Ryder poured the salad dressing over her salad and mixed it in. He pierced thelettuce and assorted veggies and held it to her mouth. “Open,” he ordered gently.

“I can feed myself,” Claire informed him as she reached for the fork. He held it away from her.

“I know you’re more than capable; I want to take care of you,” Ryder murmured.

She took the offering and chewed as she leaned against his shoulder. He ate his burger while feeding her. It didn’t matter what anyone thought of him feeding a grown woman.

“How’s the headache?” he asked when they finished.

“Better. Thank you.”

“Let’s go home, Claire Bear.” Ryder placed money on the table and led her to the car.

Claire bit back tears as she realized after today, Ryder would return to the Serenity Hospital cabins and somehow, the excitement of returning to her new home dimmed. She didn’t know how to explain why she felt sad, and for the first time, Claire didn’t know her own feelings.

Ryder watchedher as she retreated into herself. The usually strong woman appeared lost, and he wondered if she regretted the night before. He didn’t. Claire filled something inside him and brought out a protective side he didn’t know existed. Knowing the team members cared for her and seemed happily married, Ryder didn’t like the familiarity they showed when they pulled her in for a hug or rubbed her arm. Each took turns stopping in daily to check on her and let her know they planned to keep her within their circle. When Ryder met them for PT, they always asked about her, making him jealous.

They returned to the house and Ryder held the door open as she walked inside. Immediately walking to her office, Claire sat at her desk and pushed the drawer, releasing the hidden bottom. She pulled the file she desperately wanted to read.

“I’ll set the timer when you start to read,” Ryder reminded her.

Claire sent him a menacing stare. Picking up the file and placing it under her arm, she entered the kitchen. She poured a glass of water from the pitcher and added a wedge of lime and mint. Then she walked to the living room and sat on the sofa. Claire recalled Kilner’s threats and the fear he instilled in her, shivering at the memory of him hitting her repeatedly.

---