Page 40 of Love on the Brain
Strength was something Ryan always had enough of, sometimes more than he needed. He always gave some of it to those in need. Jane darted a glance at his profile as he navigated the streets. His biceps filled out the fabric of his coat, and his pants always hugged his thighs and backside. Not that she’d been checking him out—not since she was eighteen, anyway—but she’d have to be blind not to notice his incredible shape.
On the inside, he was focused, responsible, accountable, humble, secure in his faith, and always did what he said he would. His integrity, fidelity and loyalty—even when they were undeserved, like when he was with Sunny—were infallible.
He was an incredible man. And one day, he’d find love again. He’d find someone without baggage that he could start fresh with and live the life he dreamed about, here in his hometown.
Jane would go back to Maine, raise Noah, and serve her community, like her dad had done when her mom died. She could never replace Casey, so why even try?
When they arrived at the house, Ryan carried Noah in and placed him on the guest bed. Jane pulled out a clean set of pajamas from his suitcase.
“Anything I can do to help? Should I wake him up?” Ryan asked.
Jane set the pajamas on the bed and thought for a minute. “No, better to let him sleep. You could get a warm washcloth with soap while I change him.”
“Okay.”
Jane began the process of peeling off Noah’s many layers of clothes. She’d been hoping for a respite from winter weather this week, but similar to New England, Texas weather was unpredictable.
Ryan returned as she was changing Noah’s socks. He handed her the washcloth, and she set to work gently wiping Noah’s face, neck and hands. Ryan went around the bed to stand opposite her and lift him up so she could pull the covers back. Together, they positioned him among the pillows.
“Noah, baby, I need you to wake up to take your medicine. Just for a minute, okay?”
He sighed and rolled over, away from her. Ryan’s chuckle caused her to look up at him. He smiled and leaned down to speak into Noah’s ear. “Hey kiddo, can you sit up for me?”
To Jane’s surprise, he did just that. Ryan supported his back and Jane quickly grabbed the pills and handed them to Ryan. She opened the top of Noah’s thermos, exposing the straw, and waited.
Ryan placed the pills in Noah’s hand, and he slowly brought them to his mouth. Jane was quick to follow with the thermos, and Noah took a sip to push the meds down.
“Daddy,” Noah whispered. Ryan guided him back into the pillows, and Jane opened the video on her phone. Noah’s eyes fluttered as he listened to the good-night video, then reached up to give Jane a hug and kiss.
Jane held him close until his arms went limp with sleep. “I need to check his vitals,” she said to Ryan. He nodded. She felt his eyes on her as she worked and wondered what he was thinking about. Noah? Their hand-holding?
When she finished, she set her stethoscope and penlight on the dresser and kissed Noah on his forehead. It was late. She needed to get to bed herself.
Ryan followed her into the hall. She paused at the door to her—his—room, then changed her mind. She needed something to help calm her nerves.
Tea? Whiskey? Both?
Both.
A cup of Cinnamon Fire Tea would surely do the trick. She spun on her heel and headed for the kitchen. She removed the teakettle from the stove and filled it with water from the sink. Ryan sat at the bar, silent. She wished he would say something. Anything. It was too quiet.
And her thoughts were too loud.
When it was filled, she brought the kettle back to the stove and turned the burner to high, then set about opening cupboards until she found what she was looking for.
“The tea is in the cupboard above the Keurig, and the whiskey is in the freezer.”
Jane spun around. “How did you know?”
He shrugged, and a half-smile briefly stretched his lips. “The kettle, and the intensity in your expression. It’s your I-need-cinnamon-fire look.”
Jane sucked in a breath. She had a look for that?
“Thanks. Um, can I make you a cup?”
“Sure.”
He knew her so well. Reallyknewher.
