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“Hey.” He rose, lowering the bird to the back of his chair.
“Hey.”
“You okay?”
“Yes.” Faith wasn’t sure what to say next. “I, ah, I just needed to get away.”
His smile was only small but tugged at something inside her chest. “They love you.”
“They’re smothering me. HRH crouched down before me and touched my face.”
Ryan whistled. “That had to have been a shock.”
“More than. Not sure Buster will recover, actually. He was dazed and confused when I last saw him.”
“Worry and fear will do that,” Ryan said solemnly. “Your friends and family are invested in you like you’re invested in them. They’re also scared that someone will hurt you again.”
“I know.” Faith didn’t stop to think; she just took the step that closed the distance between them and walked into his arms.
They wrapped around her tight, and she sighed, resting against him. Why did this feel so right?
“You scared me,” he said into her hair.
“Scared me too. Ryan?”
“Hmmm?”
“Will you let me sit in the other chair and listen to you play?”
He eased back, holding her shoulders. “If that’s what you want.”
Faith nodded.
He nudged her down into the seat, then disappeared inside. Minutes later, he came back with a thick blanket and a mug of coffee. He handed her the coffee and tucked the blanket around her. Syd hopped onto her shoulder and investigated her hair.
“Easy, boy, that head is sore,” Ryan said.
“Scurvy dog!”
“He’s an intuitive bird.” Faith laughed.
“I’m getting used to him, but the 3:00 a.m. dance on my chest is getting old.”
“Cubby said he has no leads.”
“I know. I spoke to him earlier,” Ryan said, taking his seat. “You need to be careful, Faith. It could have just been a random attack, but maybe not.”
She’d lain in her room thinking about this for hours. Everyone had people who didn’t rate them in life, but to have someone want to harm you was another matter entirely.
Ryan picked up his guitar and started to play a soft melody. He sang, and Faith forgot everything but him. His voice was wonderful: deep, raspy, and rich.
“You want to?” He looked at her.
“A little, but don’t tell anyone. Noah won’t even let me lift a fork.”
He leaned across and took her mouth in a slow, sensual kiss. Then he began to play the song she’d been singing that day he’d walked in on her in the bath.
Faith sang a few songs with him, then just listened. Closing her eyes, she dozed, loving the peace of being here with Ryan. Time slipped away as they sat there with nature all around them, and the day slowly slid into early evening.
