She gazed up at him and something passed between them in that moment, a subtle awareness. She caught her breath, her lips parted slightly. He didn’t stop to think it through. He probably couldn’t have formed a coherent thought anyway. He only knew he wanted to kiss her. That hehadto kiss her.
An instant before their mouths would have connected, he heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway.
Jerked back to his senses, he eased away, reeling at what he had almost done.
He had been inches away from kissing Holly Moore, from tasting her to see if she was as soft and luscious as she looked.
That was totally unlike him. He certainly dated, but only women who wanted the same things he did. Not soft, vulnerable single mothers with tender hearts that were begging to be broken.
He turned, telling himself he was grateful for the interruption, and was astonished when his father stepped out of the late-model pickup truck, went around to the passenger side and pulled out a huge basket.
“What’s this?” he asked as Doug walked up the sidewalk toward the house. The suspicion in his voice made it sound like he thought his father was hand delivering an improvised explosive device.
Doug gave him a tentative smile. “A few meals for you and Audrey. Neighbors and friends from church have been bringing meals over for Diane since the accident and our fridge is full to bursting. I also made a couple of soups Diane particularly likes. I thought you might be able to use some of this before it goes to waste. If not, you can freeze it all for Kim when she gets home.”
Ryan wasn’t sure what astonished him more, the idea of his father making his stepmother’s favorite soup for her or that Doug could be thoughtful enough to consider that Ryan and Audrey might enjoy some of their excess.
Diane’s doing, he expected.
“That is surprisingly generous of you,” he said.
Doug frowned briefly at his tone but pushed it away to offer Holly a polite smile. “Mrs. Moore. How nice to see you again.”
“Hello, Colonel Caldwell. How is Diane?”
“Better. She’s starting to get around on her crutches.”
“I’m so relieved to hear that. I’ve been worried about her.”
“She has loved all the flowers she has been sent from your store. Other people have brought her arrangements from different florists and a few bouquets from the big box stores here in Shelter Springs, but yours are always her favorites.”
“That’s always lovely to hear. Thank you.”
“Holly and her daughter were kind enough to help us decorate the house for the holidays,” Ryan said.
“Great idea. Kim will love that when she returns.”
“Can I help you with the basket?” Holly asked.
Doug shook his head. “I’ve got it. I’d like to check on Audrey while I’m here. See how she’s doing.”
Because you think I’m incapable of properly caring for her?
He thought the words but bit them back before they could spill out. Why did he revert to being a surly teenager whenever he was around his father?
“Sure. She’ll be happy to see you,” he replied.
Holly opened the door before Ryan could do it.
“Thank you,” his father said and carried the basket inside.
He followed his father, where they found Audrey and Lydia sitting on the floor with opened boxes around them.
Audrey’s features lit up and she jumped up.
“Grandpa!” She rushed to his father’s side. Doug set the basket down on the coffee table and hugged her tightly.
“There’s my girl. Looks like you’ve been busy, making the place look festive.”
