Page 54 of Love on the Brain
“Yeah.” He scrubbed the back of his neck. “Can I take the soup in to her?”
“Sure. Just let me run in and tell her I’m leaving first.”
“Okay.”
Jane checked on Macy, prayed healing over her, and reminded her to call if she needed anything. Kevin was waiting at the bedroom door when she opened it. The sad look on his face made her heart twinge.
Funny how people could change, she thought. Kevin had been confident to the point of arrogant as a teenager, putting himself and his needs and wants before anything else. He’d rarely come to youth group events at the church, insisting he was in control of his destiny instead of letting God direct him. He infuriated Shelby to the point where whenever Jane called home from college to check in with her sister, Shelby was either mad at how he was treating Kat or brushing off Macy. “Mousy Macy,” he’d called her. Kat’s accident had occurred when they were dating, and he’d broken up with her while she recovered.
Yeah, funny how people change, how hearts could change. There was nothing mousy about Macy anymore, at least on the outside, and it was clear that Kevin had feelings for her borne of the time they’d spent together as she’d been back and forth from Nashville and touring over the last couple of years.
Unlike Macy and Kevin, Jane and Ryan had never been enemies, but their hearts had changed, finding a new object of love and desire, born of their deep friendship. Jane believed that friendship was a necessary ingredient for love, and she and Ryan were on their way. And if Kevin had truly changed, he’d be just the kind of guy Macy needed. She prayed for it.
Everyone was deserving of love.
* * *
Dr. Keppler’sretirement party was taking place in the Cliff Walk’s dining room. Since the resort was hosting its monthly Country Night later that evening, guests had been asked to wear their best denim and flannel. Ryan went a step further and packed his best Western boots and hat. Years ago, during Jane’s first visit to Austin, he’d overheard her telling Casey how a cowboy hat and boots worn right were more appealing to her than a fancy suit.
As he slid on his boots in his room at the main lodge, he hoped and prayed he was wearing his right.
So far, his visit had been everything he’d expected and more, even if he and Jane hadn’t had much alone time yet. He’d flown out Thursday afternoon following an early shift and had made it to Crane’s Cove in time to say good night to Noah. He and Jane had gone to the diner for a late dinner and dessert. Shelby was working, and it had been a revolving door of townies, all who knew Jane, including a handful of women who wanted to know who her “handsome friend” was. Ryan loved how she’d blushed, and he didn’t think she was fooling anyone by introducing him as an old friend and Noah’s godfather.
Yesterday he’d traipsed around town with her as she dropped Noah at preschool, helped out at the church, picked Noah up, took him to the playground, and then headed home. They’d cooked dinner together in her kitchen and enjoyed a pleasant meal with her dad and Noah. Afterward, he’d taken Noah outside to practice his throwing and batting skills. The kid was a natural, and even with a Wiffle Ball, Ryan knew and recognized that Noah had that extra something that would propel him to the next level when he was older if he worked hard. Jane sat on the porch and watched, her concerned expression melting away as time passed. He’d assured her he wouldn’t let Noah get hurt, and he’d kept that promise.
This morning, they’d ridden through the trails at the resort. Noah sat in the saddle with him on JC’s old horse Slade, and the sweet boy had fallen asleep cradled against his chest. Ryan had almost cried, he’d been so happy. The boy trusted him, and Ryan had never experienced such a powerful, primitive feeling of protection over anyone.
As they dismounted, Noah woke up and was full of questions about the horses. Jane had to remind him they had to hurry home to get ready for Dr. Keppler’s party. Noah had balked and adamantly stated he was too tired and didn’t want to go. Jane told him he had to go because there was no one to babysit him, but they’d leave early. Noah began crying, and she’d held him close and said she’d skip it when Mellie Walker, one of the girls who worked in the barn, offered to babysit. Jane looked to Ryan, and he gave her a nod. He’d seen Mellie with the kids at the dedication ceremony, and she seemed capable and smart.
He checked his phone. It was nearly time to meet Jane downstairs. Ryan had wanted to pick her up for the party, but she’d texted she planned to ride over with her dad and would Ryan mind bringing her home instead? A picture of him kissing her good night on her porch flashed through his mind, and he told her he’d be more than happy to.
Happywas an understatement.
Even though it had been Noah’s tumor that had brought them together, Ryan had never been so filled with joy in his life. When they’d driven by Dr. Keppler’s empty office earlier, he felt as if he was finally on the right path. He’d inquire tonight about purchasing the property and ask Jane what she thought about him moving to Maine.
A lot was on the line. It all seemed sudden and a long time coming all at the same time. But he trusted God that He wouldn’t download such ideas into Ryan’s heart for no reason.
Ryan gave himself a once-over in the mirror and left his room. He wanted to meet Jane in the parking lot so they could have a moment alone together before entering the event.
Hurrying down the stairs, he waved to JC at the registration desk and squeezed through the arriving guests and down the hall past the offices and fitness room to the side door that opened into the parking lot off the kitchen.
Ryan was leaning against the building, thumbs hooked through his belt loops, when Pastor Porter’s car pulled into the lot, sans the pastor. She must have dropped him off at the entrance.
Seconds later, he was at her door as she shifted the car into park. He opened it and tipped his hat. “My lady.”
Jane giggled and reached for her own cowboy hat on the passenger seat. She set it on her head, and he offered his hand. She placed her hand in his, and he tugged gently. In one fluid motion, Jane was in his arms and the brims of their hats were bumping.
Her giggle intensified as he sheepishly regretted the awkward fail. She took off her hat and tilted her face up to him. “Smooth.”
He laughed. “It almost was.” He sucked in a long breath and took her in. Her hair fell in two blond braids over her shoulders. She’d opted for a fitted pink cotton shirt with a heart-shaped neckline and sheer sleeves that ended in a cuff at her wrists, with a ruffled denim skirt. Feminine and sweet, just like Jane.
But it wasn’t what she was wearing so much as what shewasn’twearing. He squeezed her hands as he bent down to kiss her and realized her fingers were bare.
Hope-filled lightning shot through his veins as he deepened the kiss and moved his hands to her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he kissed her with a renewed fire and determination to make her his.
Jane pulled away too soon, and he stared in a love-drunk haze as she reset her hat, pulled on her jacket, grabbed her jacket and purse, and hit the lock button.
Instinctively, he crooked his arm, and she slid hers through it. “Let’s get inside,” she suggested. “It’s cold out here without your arms around me.”
