Page 57 of Take Me Please, Cowboy
“What are you doing here?”he asked, taking her in his good arm, the other still was in a sling.
She smiled shyly.“Came to see you.Did I come at a bad time?”
“No.A great time.I was about to cuss someone out.You saved me from losing my temper.”
“Then I’m glad I arrived in the nick of time.”
“Me, too.”He kissed her, and then again.“Let’s get out of here and get some lunch.That is, if you’re hungry.”
“I haven’t eaten yet.”
“Good.I haven’t, either.”
*
They ate burgersat the little burger joint in downtown Eureka and shared an order of fries.Rye wanted to know how long she’d be able to stay and asked her if there was anything in particular she wanted to do or see.
“Just you,” she answered, stopping herself from reaching for another fry.“And obviously your family.But if there’s a scenic drive we could do, or something pretty to see, I did bring my paints.Just in case.”
“I’ll have to think about that,” he answered.
“Are you working tomorrow?”
“No.Not now that you’re here.”
“Don’t close the office because of me.”
“It’s slow right now.I’m not missing anything, and I would miss you if I went to work and left you alone.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be alone.I’d have your family for company.I can’t wait to see Josie again.”
“Actually, she’s not here right now.She’s visiting Hannah in Missoula.”
“That will be fun for her.”
“From what I understand, Hannah’s boyfriend is planning on proposing soon.I’m hoping that’s not this weekend.”
“You don’t like her boyfriend?”
Rye slowly shook his head, expression grim.“No.And it disgusts me even calling him a boyfriend.He’s twice as old as she is.He’s not attractive.He’s not fun or interesting.He’s not good enough for her.He’ll never be good enough.”
Ansley’s brows rose.She’d never heard Rye speak of anyone like this.“So, why does she love him?”
“I don’t think she does.I think she’s confused.”Rye’s jaw worked, the muscle near his ear tightening.“He has some money.He’s showered her with gifts, with all the things she’s never had, and it’s turned her head.”
Ansley reached across the table to take Rye’s hand.“But if she’s happy?”
“Then I’d be happy, but I don’t think she’s happy.I think she’s being a sacrificial lamb.”Rye pulled his hand away.“She’ll marry Ron because he can pay for things, and that would ultimately make things easier on me.”
Ansley was glad when lunch was over and Rye suggested heading over to the house to show her around and introduce her to Jasper and his parents.Rye’s negativity toward Ron had been a shock, but as the big brother, he was of course protective and invested in Hannah’s future.She could only imagine how her brothers would react if she brought home a man twenty years her senior, a man who was spoiling her with gifts.They’d be uncomfortable, too, and her dad would have plenty to say as well.She almost asked Rye how their dad felt about Ron, but he got a call, and he took it, saying he’d be back in the office on Monday, and by the time he hung up, she forgot about her question.
Ansley drove behind Rye’s truck, following him to his house.He gestured for her to park off to the side, while he parked next to her.
Her heart sank a little as she took in the house.She hadn’t expected anything fancy, but it was a very dark brown block, two stories high with a sharply pitched roof and plain square windows.If the house was painted a lighter color, and there were shutters and perhaps some landscaping, it would have more curb appeal, but as it was it just looked utilitarian, as did the flat overgrown yard.
A wide ramp led to the front door, the brown stain quite scuffed on the bottom third.She wondered if the marks were from Jasper’s wheelchair.Of course, she wouldn’t ask, but anxiety bubbled up, anxiety that this was Rye’s home, and she might possibly be living here with him one day.He opened the front door and stepped back so she could enter.The house was dark, the blinds on the windows were drawn.It was all Ansley could do to stand there when she already felt like she was suffocating.
“Dad likes to keep the curtains drawn,” Rye said, closing the door behind them.“But when Josie’s here, she’s opening up everything.But with her in Missoula, he’s got it all buttoned down.”
