Page 2 of My Stupid Heart

“Holy shit, half-pint.What the hell are you eating?Fertilizer?You’ve grown like five inches since I saw you last.”

She let go of him and stepped back, beaming.“Maybe because it’s been over a year since you’ve been here.People grow up, you know.”

A police officer was already getting out of their car and cautiously making his way across the lawn.

“It’s okay, Lenny.Ryker is a friend.He’s here to help,” came the soft, feminine voice of Molly from the front door.

Lenny nodded, glanced at Ryker, who smiled and waved, then the cop returned to his patrol car.

“I’m taller than Mom,” Sasha beamed, glancing at her mother who, standing at only five-foot-two, was as petite and sweet as Ryker remembered.She took her time meeting them in the driveway, her green eyes bright and full of joy as she stared at him with a wide smile.

“She is taller than me.She’s going to be tall like her dad,” Molly said with pride as she reached them and lifted onto her tiptoes to hug Ryker.She smelled like she always did, of sunshine, almonds and gardenias.It was a unique scent just to her and one that drove Ryker wild.She held on for just an extra half-second and he covertly buried his nose in her strawberry blonde waves, before she released him.“It’s good to see you, Ryker.It’s been way too long.”

“That’s what I said,” Sasha chided.“Do we smell or something?Why has it been over a year?”

Heat infused his cheeks from both women chastising him.“I know.”He scratched the back of his neck.“I’m sorry.”

“Well, you’re here now.Thank you for coming on such short notice.”Molly’s expression turned grim.“Let’s go inside and we’ll fill you in.”

He followed Sasha and Molly into their quaint but well-kept bungalow.It wasn’t too big.Just the right size for a mother and daughter.The yard wasn’t huge, so Molly could easily maintain it herself.When they first moved in, Ryker, Aaron and Rob flew out for a week and put in a nice big deck for her off the French doors.They also painted her fence and replaced her gutters.

Molly never asked them to do any of it.She said she could just as easily hire someone, but she was Brendan’s wife and Ryker and his brothers swore to take care of her.All they had to do was call her, check in, and ask what she needed.She knew better now than to tell them she didn’t need anything.That didn’t stop them from flying out.It just made them fly out sooner.

“Guest room is all ready for you,” Molly said, closing the door behind them.“You know where it is.”

Yes, he did.Across the hall from Molly’s room.

“I can take your bag to your room, Uncle Ryker,” Sasha said, forcing him to relinquish his duffle bag to the lanky teen.She disappeared down the hallway, leaving Ryker and Molly alone.

“I’m sorry again for pulling you away from the wedding,” she said, wringing her hands together in front of her as she made her way into the kitchen.The marble-topped island that Ryker, Decker and Cal installed a few years ago sat looking just as new as the day they finished, only this time it had a big pitcher of lemonade on it with three glasses.

She knew he was a sucker for a tart homemade lemonade.

“Wedding was yesterday.It’s all good.The happy couple is getting ready to head out on their honeymoon.Deck’s staying to help Asher around the ranch while Nate is away.It was good to have us all there together.Never happens anymore.You were surely missed.”Sasha rejoined them.“You both were.”

“Next wedding, we go, no matter what, Mom,” Sasha said.“I can miss a dance recital.”

“I think Decker and Ryker are the only two single soldiers left,” Molly teased.“Not a lot of weddings left to go to.”

“Uncle Cal and Hannah haven’t gottenmarriedyet, though, right?There still needs to be a wedding.”

“Less people are making it official these days.”

“Too expensive,” Ryker murmured.

“Among other things,” Molly replied ruefully.She picked up the pitcher of lemonade and poured three glasses.She didn’t even bother to ask him if he wanted one.She knew the answer.Everyone and anyone who knew Ryker knew the answer.

He took a long sip and sighed as he swallowed.Damn, that was good.

“Sasha made this batch,” Molly said, making a puckered face.“Oof, not enough sugar.”

“I think it’s perfect,” Ryker said, draining his glass.“Perfect, Sash, don’t change a thing.”

His favorite teenager in the world grinned at him over the rim of her glass.

“So, let’s get down to brass tacks here,” Ryker said.“Tell me about this lunatic.”

Itnevergoteasierseeing Ryker.

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