Page 19 of Ryder
“Yeah.” Jake stands, clapping my shoulder. “You really do.”
“How?”
“Start by showing her you take her dreams seriously. That you see her. Not just as someone to flirt with, but as someone whose passion matters.”
He’s right. Damn him.
“When did you get so wise?”
“About the time I realized being afraid of losing something was a terrible reason not to try for it.” He heads for the door, then pauses. “And Ryder?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t screw this up. Because if you hurt her, you’ll have to answer to more than just me. The whole town loves that girl.”
As I watch him leave, his words echo in my head. The whole town loves that girl.
Yeah. They’re not the only ones.
The realization should terrify me. Instead, it feels like finally admitting something I’ve known all along.
Now I just have to figure out how to prove it to her.
The answer hits me like a bolt of lightning. I grab my phone and dial.
“It’s nearly midnight,” Rachel answers, “so this better be good.”
“I need Gram’s recipe box.”
A long pause. “The one in the attic? The one you wouldn’t even let me touch after she passed?”
“Yeah.” I start pacing. “And I need you to call that fancy kitchen supply place in Bozeman. The one that did your wedding registry.”
“Ryder Winston.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “Are you finally getting your head out of your ass about Dana?”
“The competition.” The idea is taking shape now. “She needs professional equipment, right? Not just my amateur kitchenstuff. And Gram’s old recipes… remember how she used to say baking was about passing down love through generations?”
“Go on.”
“Dana gave up her whole family’s expectations to follow her passion. Maybe… maybe she needs to know she’s got a new family now. One that believes in her.”
Rachel squeals, nearly deafening me. “Oh my god, you’re in love with her!”
“That’s not…” I stop. Run a hand through my hair. “Yeah. I think I am.”
“Finally! Okay, I’m calling Elena. We’ll handle the equipment. You get the recipe box. But Ryder?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t just show her the recipes. Tell her why they matter. Tell her about how Gram taught you to appreciate baking. How watching Dana in the kitchen reminds you of her.”
My throat goes tight. “How’d you know that?”
“Because I see how you look at Dana when she’s baking. Like you’re seeing something precious. Something worth protecting.”
“When did my baby sister get so smart?”
“Around the time my big brother got so dumb about love.” But her voice is gentle. “Go get the girl, Ryder. And don’t screw it up this time.”
