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“Seems pretty pointless to get hitched if we’re not sleeping under the same roof.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and stared down the street. “So I’ll be staying with you. Even if you’d rather I slept on the couch.”
He was right. In a town the size of Stonewall Crossing, there was no such thing as privacy or personal business. If their lightning-fast wedding didn’t cause a wave a gossip, the two of them living apart immediately after the wedding surely would.
“You’re right,” she murmured, confused and anxious.
Ryder’s pale blue eyes swept over her, the muscle in his jaw clenching briefly. “Still hungry?” His gaze was intense, further rattling her.
The knots in her stomach tightened. The last thing she meant to do was make him angry. But she’d gotten good at being on her own. Relying on him meant opening herself up, being vulnerable. She tried to explain. “Like I said, it’s a lot. I’ve been on my own for almost six years now—”
“You’re not alone anymore, got it?” he argued, his gaze falling to the sidewalk at their feet.
Maybe not right now. She wasn’t the only one whose world had been turned upside down overnight. He’d done everything he could to help, and she was holding him at arm’s length. “Got it.” He was frustrated and angry—and he looked adorable. There was no way she could stop the smile from spreading across her face. “I’m sorry.” She stepped forward, forcing him to look at her.
His gaze met hers as he let out a deep breath. The corner of his baby blues crinkled as he smiled. He shook his head at her, tugged her coat closed, and took her hand in his.
“You’re kinda cute when you’re angry, Ryder Boone,” she admitted.
He looked at her, one eyebrow cocked. “Hell, I’m cute all the time, Princess.”
She laughed, letting him lead her down Main Street to Pop’s Bakery.
* * *
RYDER’S PHONE WAS ringing before they reached the bakery. It was Hunter. And Hunter was the only one he didn’t want to talk to right now. He loved his big brother, but he?
??d be less likely to get all warm and fuzzy over his unexpected marriage than his sister.
“Need to get that?” Annabeth asked.
He shook his head. “Nope.” He silenced his phone and tucked it into his pocket.
“Ryder.” She tugged on his hand. “I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but maybe you should call your family?”
She was so pretty, she always looked so damn pretty. He studied her, enjoying the sight of his wife. He smiled, brushing a lock of her long golden hair from her shoulder. “Probably.” The tip of her nose was red from the cold air. “But it’ll take too long.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, typed a short text and sent it.
“Ryder.” She was clearly disappointed in him. Arms crossed, deep frown, hell, she was even tapping her foot.
He grinned. “Come on, Princess, let’s eat.” He held the door open for her.
“Morning, you two,” Carl Stephens called out. “What’s got you out and about on such a chilly morning?”
Ryder looked at Annabeth. She was blushing and he liked it. “Food,” Ryder answered.
“What’ll it be?” Carl asked. “The griddle’s still going if you want some pancakes? Or French toast?”
“Pancakes, please.” Annabeth nodded.
Ryder nodded, helping Annabeth shrug out of her coat. “Any chance of eggs and bacon or sausage, too?” He hung her coat over the back of her chair, then pulled the chair out for her.
“You bet. Help yourself to the coffee and all the trimmings. Lola’s got all those flavor things and sweeteners, in case you’re interested in making your coffee all fancy.” Carl was hovering, watching every move he made.
Ryder’s phone started vibrating again, bouncing off the metal button of his leather jacket. He saw Annabeth glance at him, her disapproving frown making him smile all the more. Something about his smile made her roll her eyes, and then he was laughing. And Carl, joined by Lola, looked back and forth between the two of them.
“Well, I’ll be,” Lola said, her eyes wide with excitement. “If that isn’t a ring I see on your finger, Ryder Boone.”
Carl bent forward, peering through the lower part of his glasses. “Is it?”
