Page 98 of Blue Norther
“Why do you want to take me to the house?”
“Because, that’s where it all started for us.” I must have looked confused, because he shook his head and sighed. “The house that Arianna inherits after her parents die. We need to get back there before the storm really starts. Otherwise, it won’t be perfect.”
“That cabin is a long way from here, Ryan. I can’t walk that far. I need to be back with Connor. He’s going to be scared. He’s just a baby.”
“I’m fucking sick of hearing about that baby, Callie! I let you put him up in his crib, safe and sound. That wasted time! You said goodbye. It was never supposed to behisbaby. It was alwayssupposed to be you and me. Just the two of us! And then you had to go off and do this. It was a fucking mistake. That baby is a fucking mistake.” His pacing became more frantic until his face snapped towards mine. In two steps, his hands were on my shoulders. “It’s okay. I’m not mad at you for wanting to know what motherhood could be. But the baby is his now.Colt’s.We have the chance to start over. Forget about your mistake. Forget about that baby. It’s just the two of us from here on out. Come on.”
His fingers traced down my arms as he pressed his face closer to mine. I turned just in time for his lips to press against my cheek.
“Ryan, please.” I squirmed, trying to get out of his hold. Instead of being mad, or backing away, he smiled. His hand cupped my cheek and he nodded.
“You’re right. I need to save our first kiss for when we are surrounded by candles and flower petals, just like you planned.” His eyes went to the rafters of the barn. “The rain is picking up. We’re going to have to make a run for it.”
“I can’t run. The incision from my c-section isn’t fully healed.”
His face darkened as he looked down at me. “Then I’ll just have to carry you.”
The thought of him touching me more made acid churn painfully in my stomach. “No. I-I’ll try. Okay? I’ll try to keep up with you. And if I can’t, then you can carry me. I want to show you how strong I can be.”
He nodded, a smile crossing his face. “I knew you’d see. This is all going to work out, Callie. I promise. We’re going to make it perfect.”
Every cell in my body ached. But I hadn’t complained. Not when the skies opened up and drenched us. Not when I stumbled and tripped over fallen branches and roots in the woods between the ranch and my parents’ house. Not when my insides felt like they might fall out through my incision. I used to know this area like the back of my hand. Colt would meet me out here, and we’d sneak off to the springs.
I tried to think of how to use that to my advantage. If I could bring him somewhere that would trap him and give me time to get away. But there was nothing. And more than that, Ryan seemed to know exactly where he was going.Is this how he was watching me? In the woods? Lurking in the shadows?
The thought sent a shiver through my body just as the house came into view through the thick trees.
“You’ll have to clear the security alarm when we go in,” he said. His hand slipped up to my elbow as my knees started to buckle. God! My belly ached from all the movement. “Careful. We’re almost there. We’ll get nice and dry, and I’ll warm you up in front of the fireplace.”
I wracked my mind for what significance the fireplace had in my story. And then I remembered. The fight. The storm.
Ari had run out of Alex’s place in the middle of a snow storm. He’d found her collapsed, covered in snow…and taken her back to her house because it was closer.
He peeled off her clothes, warmed her by the fireplace…and it was the first time they were intimate together.
Oh no.Oh fuck, no.
A key appeared in Ryan’s hand, and he quickly unlocked the door. Thedoor openalert started chirping, and I knew we hadtwenty seconds before the alarm would sound. I thought about it. For a second. Just letting the alarm sound and praying that he would run. As if he could sense what I was thinking, Ryan stepped closer to me, running his hand along the small of my back. No. There was no way he would run. I knew what I needed to do.
I move towards the panel. 0525. The day Colt and I were married.
The alert stopped chirping, and Ryan smiled.
“Good girl.”
Ew. There was only one man in the world that could say that to me without me wanting to gouge his eyes out. And Ryan was not him. “I need to use the bathroom.”
“I’ll come with you.” He started to walk towards the stairs, but I reached out, setting my hand on his arm.
“No! Please, Ryan. I need some privacy. I need…I need to dry myself off and I’d like to make myself presentable. I must look like an absolute mess right now. Why don’t you…” My eyes drifted to the kitchen. “Boil some water? I have tea or hot cocoa in the cabinets. That would be perfect if you want to start a fire in the fireplace.”
He nodded. “That does sound cozy. Don’t take too long, or I’ll have to come looking for you.”
“I promise, I’ll be quick.”
God, my legs were trembling, but I forced myself to stay upright as I climbed the stairs. Whatever he’d put in that tea was still making me feel so weak. But I wouldn’t let it win. I had to get back to Connor. To Colt.
I made it into my bedroom and marched straight through the door leading to the bathroom. I closed the door, trying my hardest not to make a sound as I slid the lock in place.
