Page 30 of Finding Love

When he disappeared inside, she realized that, even though they hadn’t seen any staff when they passed through the house, they probably had been watched from the moment they’d driven up.

Less than five minutes later, three staff members carried out warm plates and set them down in front of Ryder and her. The third plate was for Willy—small strips of steak in a bed of rice and eggs.

Their meals were uncovered to reveal white fish on a bed of rice and grilled vegetables covered in a butter cream sauce.

Glasses of wine were poured for each of them and then the staff quickly disappeared.

“Was this how you grew up?” she whispered.

Ryder shrugged slightly and for the first time since they’d arrived, she realized he looked annoyed. Or maybe scared. She didn’t know which it was.

“Are you okay?” she asked, after a sip of her wine.

He took his own sip, downing half the glass in one gulp. “I hate this place. Hate what it stood for. Hated every moment growing up here. Since my father’s death, it’s been nothing more than a drain. On resources and time.”

“Why didn’t you sell?” she asked, understanding his views. The place was gorgeous, but obviously far too big for just one person. She couldn’t imagine why any single person would have purchased such a huge place other than to flaunt their wealth.

Ryder glanced around and shrugged. “I suppose I was too busy to bother with it.”

She could tell that he was keeping something from her and figured that he would tell her in his own time.

“You could sell now,” she suggested.

He nodded. “It’s one of the things I’ve come back into town for.”

She felt her heart skip. “Then you plan on living at the place in Pride?”

He shrugged and looked off over the water as the last rays of light disappeared.

Suddenly, string lights flickered on overhead, lighting up the patio, pathways, and swimming pool and bathing them in soft romantic lighting.

Every single light in the house appeared to be on as well, making it seem like a beacon in the night. She wondered just how magnificent the place looked from the water and itched to see what the yacht was like. Had he taken it out himself?

He had told her he’d never gone sailing. A boat that big probably had a crew, she realized. She turned back to the view of the yard.

“Wow,” she said after looking around. “It is pretty amazing.” She turned back to him and noticed that he was watching her now.

“I haven’t decided yet where I’ll live. Whatever happens in my future, I like the place in Pride. I think it’s a solid investment.”

She covered her frown by taking another sip of wine. She hadn’t wanted her dream home to be someone’s investment. Especially not Ryder’s.

“I’ve upset you,” Ryder said after they ate in silence for a moment.

“No,” she lied. “I’m just tired from the trip.”

He nodded. “We can finish eating and then head inside. If you want, we can save the tour—”

“No,” she interrupted. “Thanks. I’m not that tired. Just…” She sighed heavily and looked out over the water again as she shook her head. Then she turned back towards him. “Tell me something about yourself. About your childhood that was good. There must have been something.”

He tilted his head as his eyes ran over her. Then he smiled.

“There was. I learned to cook from my aunt Trina. Trina Gallant. My father’s older sister. He has a younger one, Lucinda, Lucy, that I hardly ever see. Rina died from cancer when I was fourteen. She lived with us after she found out she was sick and during that time taught me everything I needed to know about cooking.”

Brook smiled as he continued to talk about his aunt. From what she could gather, his aunt was the only good thing that had happened to him in his youth.

She felt guilty for being jealous of the home he’d grown up in and comparing it to her own. No matter how small her home had been, it had been filled with love.

Both of their plates were empty now, and the two glasses of wine she’d had dulled her entire body. He was quiet for a moment and then said, “Come on, we’ll have a quick tour and then get settled.”