“Lucky me.” She lifted her chin, but her eyes were bloodshot, and he didn’t think the wind had much to do with it.
“You look like you need pie.”
She blinked. Then a faint smile. “What makes you think pie is the solution?”
“In this town? It’s the only solution.”
He nodded toward Benji’s diner. “Come on.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he was already sliding his arm through hers. “And I’m buying.”
“You’re freezing.”Ryder brushed snowflakes from her shoulders.
He opened the door to Benji’s and waited for her to step in first. Warmth and noise spilled over them. The hiss of the griddle, the rattle of cutlery, the soft murmur of voices—he’d grown up on those sounds. The air smelled of fresh coffee and frying bacon, undercut with the cinnamon rolls that had been Louisa’s Sunday special since he was a kid. Ellie loved those rolls just as much as he did. Some things didn’t change.
Louisa appeared as the bell over the door chimed, pink gingham apron tied at her waist, coffeepot already in hand.
“Ryder Meyer,” she drawled, grinning like she’d caught him skipping Sunday service. “Well, it’s been too long. How are you? And where’s that sweet girl of yours?”
“Hey, Louisa. I’m good. Ellie’s with my folks, getting spoiled rotten.”
“As is a grandparent’s sacred duty.” Louisa lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “My Harold thinks I don’t see him slipping extra toffees to the little ones, but I see everything.” She straightened. “This place has been a madhouse today—baking half the county into pies and cakes for the pre-school fair this weekend. But we always have space for you.” She gave Ivy a twinkling glance. “And who’s this lovely lady you’ve dragged in out of the snow?”
“This is Ivy,” Ryder said. “She’s here with her brother?—”
“Oh, the Englishman in talks with the drilling outfit?” Louisa nodded knowingly, as if she’d already read tomorrow’s paper. “Well, welcome, sugar. Coffee for both of you? And I’ve just pulled fresh pies—apple and cherry. Come with ice cream.”
Ryder turned to Ivy. “Apple or cherry?”
“Apple would be lovely, thanks.”
He took Ivy’s coat and hung it by the door before guiding her into the nearest booth. The vinyl squeaked as she slid in, cheeks still pink from the cold.
Louisa poured two steaming mugs of coffee. “I’ll be right back.” She winked at Ryder before bustling off toward the counter.
Ivy tucked her hands around one of the mugs Louisa had left behind. “Does everyone in this town know my business already?”
Ryder leaned back, deadpan. “Only the parts you haven’t figured out yet.”
She huffed, half a laugh. “In London, you can live next to someone for ten years and never learn their name. Here I sneeze once and the waitress knows my blood type.”
“That’s Aurora Cove.” He wrapped his hands around his own mug. “We don’t do strangers for long.”
Her gaze met his over the rim of her cup, a new softness in her expression. “No, I can see that.”
Louisa reappeared with two generous slices of pie. “Apple for the lady, cherry for you, Ryder. Don’t say I never take care of you.” She slid the plates down and vanished again.
Ivy ducked her head with a smile. “I could get used to this kind of hospitality.”
Ryder forked a slice of pie and watched in amusement as Ivy did the same.
She closed her eyes, lashes skimming her cheeks as she savored the taste. “Oh my God,” she murmured. “This is amazing pie.”
The way her shoulders eased on the first bite, the tiny sound she made when she swallowed. Like she hadn’t let herself stop for days.
He nodded, swallowing his own bite. “Told you. You needed pie.” He stabbed a cherry. “You’re different from what I expected.”
Her eyes lifted, curious. “Different how?”
