Page 82
“It has to be at least three hours because I’ve got three empty cups of coffee sitting beside me.”
“Okay, Honey. Just stay there. I’ll be there soon. Don’t move, all right?”
“Ryker, I think I have to move,” she let out a half-hearted laugh.
“Why?”
“I have to pee.”
“Okay, you get a potty break, but that’s it. And leave your cell phone on.”
“Okay. But I’m not answering it if I’m in the bathroom. I don’t believe in that.”
“Duly noted,” he smiled.
22
“Is she doing any better? Do you think I should fly up there?” Lark asked Ryker.
“Actually, I think that your mom’s call last night helped Amy a lot, Lark. She needs positive mother role models in her life. She needs to see that, you know?”
“I know.”
Ryker could hear Lark’s smile through the phone line.
“Charlie is bringing over brunch this morning. Lawrence already has the window fixed, God knows how. Carla would come over with her boys, but they both have the flu. I think she’s covered right now, but if not, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, Ryker. I’m glad she has you.”
Ryker felt those words all the way to the soles of his feet.
“Hell, Lark. We both know I’m the lucky one. Tell the big guy I’m going to be taking at least three more days of PTO. I want to get through her mother’s bond hearing.”
“You got it.”
He looked up as he set down his phone and Amy walked into her small living room. She snagged the book off his knee and threw it over her shoulder then curled up on his lap like a kitten.
“I can’t believe I slept that long,” she whispered after she finally got settled.
“You stayed up until three o’clock in the morning, Honey. That’s what’ll happen when you drink that much cop coffee late at night.”
“You know, you really didn’t have to fly up here.”
He stopped stroking her back.
She looked up at him and gave a small smile. “But I’m very thankful that you did.”
“That’s a good girl. Did it kill you to say you liked having someone to lean on?”
“No, it didn’t kill me, smartass.” She scratched the palm of her hand. “But I will have to invest in cortisone cream since I’m allergic to leaning on anyone.”
“I’ll buy you stock in the company on our first wedding anniversary.”
She went still. “It is hard…asking for help.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Amy, I’m going to tell you something that I don’t know will make this better or worse. I like having you lean on me. My mom is one of the most kick-ass women you will ever want to meet, but I’ve watched her lean on my dad for support all of my life. I’ve liked that dynamic. I’m not saying in any way, shape, or form that I want to marry a weak woman. Because if my mom ever got the feeling that I thought she was weak, she’d kick her Navy SEAL son’s ass from one end of the United States to the other. No, that’s not what I’m saying, not at all. What I am saying, is that I want to know that I have provided a safe space for you. That I am your comfort, your solace, your shoulder, and your champion.”
She burrowed her face closer into his neck and he heard her sniff.
