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Ryder smiled, pleased. His demeanor toward Julian instantly warmed. “I can hook you up with some discount codes when we get back tomorrow.”
While their bromance bloomed, I found a sweet spot where the river pooled near the bank. I plopped myself down on a moss-covered rock shaded by an aspen tree. Julian and Ryder both tried to join me.
“I don’t think so, boys. You’re going to have to find your own spot.”
Julian chuckled and walked past me. Ryder, on the other hand, settled on a rock near me. Julian took note and gave me a wink as he headed farther up the river.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I teased.
His eyes gripped me. “Hell, I don’t know.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “You have this pull on me.”
I could tell this admission distressed him. “Well . . . why don’t we act like two old friends fishing and see where it goes,” I suggested, hoping that didn’t scare him away.
He tilted his head, mulling over my invitation. He finally let out a heavy breath. “You’ve never ceased to surprise me.” A faint smile crossed his lips.
I grinned and dropped my line in the dark water pooling beneath my dangling feet. Play it cool, I reminded myself. “How’s work going?” That was friend-like.
Ryder dropped his own line and went with it. “Busy. We have a lot to do before our new release next month.” He didn’t elaborate further or ask me anything in return, so we sat in companionable silence for a bit, moving our lines here and there every minute or so.
After a few minutes, out of the blue he asked, “Why did you give up being a midwife? You loved it.”
I focused on some of the leaves that had fallen in the river that danced among the light current. “I still love it. I just needed a change after . . .” This probably wasn’t a good time for me to mention this all came about because I thought he was cheating on me and I left him. I faced him and was met with uncertain but soft eyes. I would take what I could get from him. “Anyway, I hope to get licensed here someday, but for now I’m enjoying running the boutique.”
“It suits you.” He grinned.
“I do love clothes.”
“I remember.” He moved his line farther out. “By the way, thank you for suggesting I talk to Mr. Carrington. Bobby Jay has a meeting with him this week to discuss a partnership.”
“That’s great. Mr. Carrington is a good man.”
“Seems like good folk.”
“Speaking of folks,” I bit my lip, “can I ask how yours are?”
His ears tinged red and his jaw pulsed, but he took some deep breaths. “They’re good, Shelby. They miss you,” he was reluctant to admit. “Especially my momma.”
“I miss them too.”
He picked up a pebble near him and tossed it into the river. “They’d love to hear from you.”
I had to choke back the tears. “I’ll be sure to call them.”
“You do that.” His lip twitched. “How’s your side feeling?”
I looked down at my side even though it was covered by my tank top and the dressing Ryder had placed over it. “I think I will survive.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
I couldn’t hide my grin. I was so pleased, I almost didn’t notice the tug on my line. I jumped when I realized. “I think I might have a bite.”
Ryder pulled his line out of the water and got right up next to me. “Gentle,” he guided me.
I yanked a bit, and the fish or whatever it was fought back, almost making me lose my grip. “Goodness, it’s lively.”
Ryder laughed at me. “Darlin’, this is no time to be proper.” It wasn’t the first time he had said that to me. “Don’t give him any slack.”
I used both hands to tug on the active line.
“Easy, easy.” Ryder bent over to get a better look. “He looks like a big one. Start pulling him in slowly.”
I did as he instructed. “He’s putting up a fight.”
“You’re tougher than him. Show him who’s boss, just like I taught you.”
For a beautiful moment it felt like old times, but I reminded my heart not to get its hopes up.
I stood carefully, doing my best to keep ahold of the line.
Ryder stood too, all smiles. He was in his element.
I pulled the line up enough to see a bit of what I was dealing with. The fish was twisting and doing his best to get away.
“One good yank should do it,” Ryder assessed.
“Okay.” I pulled with all my might.
The fish came flying out, and before it hit me in the face, Ryder grabbed ahold of it. The thing wriggled fiercely in his hands. “Look what you caught.” Ryder was as proud as could be.
I couldn’t care less about the fish. My heart was hoping to catch something much bigger. I hoped this was a start.
