Page 79 of Rescuing Ryder

“Are you coming to the party?” Ryder asked again when she avoided his question.

“Yes. I’m in charge of chaperoning from 1800 to 2000.”

“Can I help you?” Ryder volunteered.

“I’m sure Kassie can use more hands on deck. Check with her. Ivan’s punishing his men by making them spread out, watching for horny teens searching for secluded areas.”

“He punishes his men? Who is this guy?” He jerked his head back in question.

Claire grinned. “Victoria and Ivan are something you need to witness for yourself. They come with teams of men and whatever they say goes. If he finds any slackers, he punishes them. I believe last time, they picked flowers and spent an afternoon making snowballs for a snowball fight between the couples.”

Ryder’s face scrunched as he tried to picture a bunch of men picking flowers and making snowballs.

She chuckled. “Wait until tomorrow and then you’ll understand.”

“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” he murmured.

“Till tomorrow,” she answered softly.

Ryder began to lean in for a kiss when she stepped back. Hurt flashed across her face before she masked it with a smile. Guilt rolled in his gut. He didn’t intend to cause her discomfort. He wanted to talk to Whiskey before Tex arrived. Now, Ryder seemed to have blundered his chance with Claire.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

The veterans and teens who didn’t enjoy the holiday or the gory costumes enjoyed the cafeteria and the back deck of the hospital. Treats galore covered every surface. Game tables covered the lower floors away from the noise and movies played all day.

The teens and veterans who enjoyed the season ran across the front yard of the hospital. Carnival games, food vendors, and a haunted jogging path put on by the veterans delighted the teens until their turn happened later in the evening on Bear’s Mountain. Old-fashioned games such as bobbing for apples, an egg tossing contest, and potato sack races offered fun for all.

Laughter filled the mountain while Ryder’s nerves felt shot to hell. He anxiously waited for Tex and his family to arrive. He already approached Kassie three times asking for Claire’s whereabouts. When Ryder walked toward her again, she sent him a menacing stare and pointed in the opposite direction. Frowning, he turned to locate Whiskey.

A hand clasped on his shoulder as Leo carried his baby girl in his arms. “Chase called. He picked up your friends and they’ll arrive in ten.”

“Leo,” someone called.

Leo turned around to discover his daughter with a sucker stuck in her hair and crying. “Shit. Can you hold Grace for a minute? Catherine’s on her way. I told Melody to ask her mom. She’ll strangle me if I have to use my KA-BAR on June Bug's hair.” Leo shoved the baby into Ryder's arms as he raced to aid his little girl.

Ryder held the baby out from his chest, trying to figure out what to do with her. Grace’s big blue eyes stared at him as her hands reached to grab at the first thing she managed to catch. He smiled at her and the next thing he knew, her eyes pooled with tears as her bottom lip quivered. Panic instantly set in.

“Hold her to your chest. You’re scaring her by holding her away. Babies love cuddles,” Claire’s voice came from behind him.

Ryder slowly lowered the baby to his chest and rubbed her back. Grace became fascinated with his beard, and he pretended to make noises when she touched it, making the baby cackle in glee.

“You’re a natural,” Claire praised him as she cooed to Grace.

“This isn’t as bad as I thought,” he bounced Grace lightly on his hip.

“It’s the fun part, not the feedings in the middle of the night, dealing with an overstimulated baby at 0200, and frantic trips to the pediatrician’s office, which cause parents to pull their hair out.” Claire played peek-a-boo with Grace as she spoke.

“I thought you wanted kids,” Ryder stated as he made faces.

“Someday. When I find someone who can tolerate a pink house and knows how to fix things,” Claire teased.

Chase waved at him, indicating Tex and his family arrived.

“I’ll take Grace. Visit with your friends,” Claire offered as she reached for the baby.

“I want you to meet them,” Ryder slid Grace into her arms.

“I’ll come over once I help Leo with the girls.” Claire didn’t wait for a reply as she trotted off. Ryder turned and walked to where Chase waited with his friends.

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