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“I want to stay with Faith,” Ryan said.
“You can’t because you need to be checked out,” Jake told him. “Be a good boy and do as you’re told, and I’ll look after her.”
He hesitated.
“Trust me,” Jake added.
He nodded and let a nurse he didn’t know take him and Noah to be checked out.
Noah hadn’t spoken since they’d climbed into Cubby’s cruiser and sat in silence while the nurse prepared things.
“Well now, you two have been busy.” Dr. McBride Sr. walked in looking glamourous, as she always did, even in a doctor’s coat. “Let me look at you to make sure your handsome faces aren’t needing my attention.”
Noah grunted something, and Ryan rasped out a few words, but his throat hurt.
“Faith is okay. I just checked on her, and she’s getting some oxygen.”
He knew she was okay, but hearing the words didn’t hurt.
She looked them both over and declared they were fit, healthy, and incredibly handsome young men with a few burnt edges.
He and Noah headed back out to reception. Buster was there, sitting next to a woman he didn’t recognize. She had a bandage on her arm.
“Ryan.” Cubby walked in. “I need to talk to you at the station.”
“Why?” Buster asked.
“I think the fire was deliberately lit.” The sheriff looked grim.
“This is because of you.” Noah’s words were a low rumble of anger. “My sister nearly died because of you, Ryan.”
“What?” Ryan looked at him.
“We don’t know that yet, Noah,” Cubby said.
“You just said the fire was deliberately lit, and Faith was pushed into that tree. This is on him!” Noah roared jabbing a finger at Ryan. “Someone has to have seen them together and realized they’re more than friends.”
Ryan hadn’t moved his eyes from Noah. Was it true?He let his mind go over the events leading up to today. He’d retrieved that package, then Faith had been pushed into that tree, and now this.Christ!How had he not come to this realization himself?
“She’s in danger because of what’s between you two; what other reason could there be?”
“You need to calm down now, Noah,” Cubby said.
“He’s right,” Ryan said softly. “I’ll go.”
“What?” Buster said. “You can’t just go. You and Faith are good together.”
Ryan looked at his friend and felt the pain of what he must do hit him hard. “I have to go to keep her safe.”
He walked out of The Yelp before anyone could stop him. Cubby roared his name, but he ran, heading for the trails. It was dark and hard to see, but he didn’t stop. His lungs and throat burned, so he slowed to a walk and made this way to the Texan’s house where he’d left his SUV.
Climbing in, he fired it to life, then backed out the driveway before anyone inside realized what he’d done. He then headed into town, numb inside at what he was about to do. Lights gave him a final glimpse of the shops he’d frequented and The Howler, where the woman he loved lived.
He swallowed down the tears; there was no time for that now. It was done; he was leaving everything he loved. “And you’re an idiot for only seeing that now.”
He’d found what he’d not known was missing in his life in the month he’d been there. Love, friendship, and a place to be Ryan Lawrence.
He’d run away thinking his hometown offered him nothing and come to realize that in fact, it held everything.
