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Ryan drove the rest of the way to Cassie’s house in a tense, uncomfortable silence. He wasn’t used to this unease with her. Although they often spent quiet moments together, they were never marred with this uneasy weight.
Pulling up to her cozy, blue bungalow with its yellow door, he eased into his usual spot then shifted the truck into park.
“Thanks for the ride.” Without glancing his way, Cassie shoved out of the truck, slamming the door behind her.
Ryan stared after her. From her behavior, one would logically assume he’d done something wrong, but nothing came to mind. When they’d left the party, she’d only seemed slightly annoyed he insisted on driving her. Now, she wouldn’t even speak.
Well, if she thought he’d driven all the way to his daughter’s home and would leave without seeing her, she didn’t know him as well she thought. Pushing out of the truck, he followed her up the paved path to her small front porch.
“You really don’t have to—”
“I told you I want to see Ellie.” Giving her room to argue would be counterproductive. He reached around her, brushing along the back of her body and opened the door.
Releasing an annoyed huff, she entered the house. Ryan still didn’t have a clue what bothered her, other than his very presence, but he followed her inside.
“Mommy.” Ellie called. Her bare footsteps slapped rapidly across hardwoods, then were muffled by a rug before again crossing the bare floor. In his mind, Ryan followed her path. He knew Cassie’s home as well as, if not better than, his own.
“I’m sorry,” a woman’s voice replied. “I told her you were busy. Honestly, I didn’t think you’d answer.”
Recognizing Jana’s voice, Ryan entered the room. “Are you kidding? Cassie couldn’t wait for an excuse to leave.”
Jana’s green gaze swung to Cassie who still snuggled their daughter.
When Ellie spotted him, she squealed in delight, then wiggled out of Cassie’s arms. “Daddy. I didn’t know you would come too.” Her little legs carried her in a blur across the distance between them.
His heart swelled at the genuine happiness on his daughter’s face. She may have called Cassie first, she may count on her mother more, but Cassie had spoken the truth, the bond he and Ellie shared couldn’t be matched by anyone else. He’d lay down his life for this kid… and her mother. Over Ellie’s shoulder, his gaze wandered to Cassie. She slipped out of her jacket, again revealing the naked expanse of her muscled back. What would it be like to kiss his way down her spine and watch goosebumps bloom on her perfect skin? Not for the first time, he wished he’d taken more time with her the night she’d granted him. He knew now even redoing that one time wouldn’t satisfy him. But at least he’d have fewer questions.
“Mommy didn’t tell me you were at the party.” Ellie leaned back, taking in the dark button-up shirt he wore. “How come you’re not dressed up like Mommy?”
“Because men don’t have to dress up like packages in order to be unwrapped,” Cassie mumbled to Jana, too low for Ellie’s ears.
He didn’t bother correcting her. When it came to Cassie, he’d gladly unwrap her no matter how she decorated the package.
Apparently unconcerned with his response, Ellie twisted out of his arms. No sooner had her feet hit the floor, than she wrapped her fist around his thumb and began tugging him toward the Christmas tree.
“Look what Mommy and I got for you.” The pure joy in her voice was gift enough for him. “We went all over looking, until Mommy—”
“We’re not supposed to tell your daddy about his gifts,” Cassie reminded her before she spilled the beans. “It’s a secret. Remember?”
“Oh yeah,” Ellie mouthed, over-exaggerating each word, then mimicked locking her mouth and eating the key.
Ryan chuckled, pulling the girl to him for a hug. Sometimes she was too cute.
Behind him, Cassie rummaged through the top drawer of the antique dresser nestled in the corner of her inviting living room. In any other home, the hundred-year-old piece of furniture would probably have one of those protective lace things or crystal candleholders. In Cassie’s home, a snapshot of the three of them sat in a macaroni frame with a stack of battered paperbacks that threatened to topple beside it. Everything about her home whispered comfort. She and Ellie didn’t just reside there. The two of them enjoyed the time they shared within these walls. And Cassie hoped to find someone to join this domestic nest. No matter how badly he wanted to, Ryan couldn’t forget that she’d said one day she wanted to share her life and her home with someone.
Cassie took money from the small drawer, heading over to Jana.
“You don’t owe me the full price,” the co-ed protested.
“She called. Not you.” Cassie pushed the money into her hand.
“Yeah, but if I weren’t such a pushover —”
“I’m thankful you are,” Cassie insisted. “As predicted, the party was miserable.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Especially the gift exchange.”
Jana cocked a brow. “I thought you weren’t participating.”
“Me too,” Cassie replied. “Sophie entered a gift for me.”
