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Ryan went back downstairs feeling like a cat with his fur rubbed the wrong way. He knew what people thought about him and his lifestyle, and usually he didn’t care about their assumptions. Strangely, today he did.
“So, Noah is on the prowl. He wants exact details about this Blair,” Buster said when he returned.
“I bet.”
“You find Faith?”
“Yeah. She’s okay and heading back here soon.”
“The assholes have been removed.”
“Nice work,” Ryan said. At least Faith wouldn’t have to see them again.
“Your family has arrived; they’re in the restaurant,” Buster added. “And nice work on defending our girl. Seems you haven’t gone soft after all.”
“Nothing soft about me, bud.” Ryan forced a smile. “Thanks for the security detail.”
“No worries. Any time you need it, there are plenty of us handy.”
He slapped the hand Buster held out.
“Ryan!” Noah said, approaching. “A word.” He looked angry. Dark brows lowered, body tense. “What just happened in the bar between Faith and that guy?”
“I’m sure Buster told you.”
“And now I want you to tell me.”
“He was annoying your sister; she punched him, and then I punched him and gave him some advice. End of story. Now I need to go have dinner with my family.”
“He had something to do with the change in her when she came home from her studies; I’m just not sure how,” Noah muttered.
“Changed how?” Ryan asked. Because anything to do with the woman he’d just kissed intrigued him. It always had.
“She came back more guarded, tougher in some ways, and vulnerable in others.”
Had both Ryan and Blair been in some way responsible for these changes Noah had seen?
“Well, you’d know your sister.” Ryan wanted to question Noah more but knew that would be suspicious. “Go talk to her, bud.”
“Will do.” Noah walked away.
Ryan located his family and took the seat across from his mother. Militant wore her customary black, but on the lapel of her shirt was a pink rose. Ryan blinked.
“Nice rose.”
His mother blushed. Actually blushed. “A friend gave it to me.”
Ryan shot Hope a look. She shrugged.
His mother had a friend who liked her enough to give her flowers.Weird.
“That baby showing any signs of coming to greet its uncle yet?” Ryan asked Hope. She looked tired tonight.
“Not yet, but my back hurts, so that’s a good sign.”
“Your back hurting is a good sign?”
“Having a baby is not fun, Ryan,” his mother said through pursed lips as she read the menu. “It hurts and can take—”
