Page 39 of Edge of Steele
“We’re just working together,” he said, doing his best not to reveal that he wanted to date Ryleigh.
She curled her legs up in her purple swivel chair. “Why did you stop going out?”
“I had to deploy all the time, and it wasn’t fair to her for me to be gone so much.”
“I remember that. You would go away, and me and Mom would pray for you all the time.” She remained focused on him. “But you quit that for me.”
“I did.”
Avery tilted her head. “How come you didn’t do it for her?”
Yeah, why didn’t I?His desire to stay with the team. The only explanation, but it sounded so selfish that he couldn’t say it. “Ryleigh’s a grown-up and didn’t need me like you do.”
Avery blinked up at him. “Don’t grown-ups need other people?”
“Yes, but not usually for all the basic things like a place to live and food.”
“And love.” Her vulnerable tone touched him deeply. “We all need love.”
“Yes, we do.”
She clutched her book tightly. “I love you, Finn. Please don’t marry her and leave me alone.”
He squatted by her chair and took her hand. “I’ll never leave you, Peanut. Never.”
“You pinkie promise?” She held out her little finger.
He quirked his finger with hers and gave her a reassuring smile. “Pinkie promise.”
She threw her arms around his neck and held tight. “I hated it when I had to live at that foster home until you got here. I never want to do that again. I don’t want to be alone again.”
“You never will be.” He only hoped he could keep that promise. He would never let this child down, but he couldn’t do anything to prevent a freak accident. Or a health issue like her mother succumbed to.
He leaned back and brushed her hair from her face. “Want to help me cook the burgers?”
“Okay, but the grill is hot. I could get hurt.”
The little girl he’d known before her mother died had never been this fearful. He hoped he could bring her security back. “I’ll show you how to stay safe.”
“Okay.”
He turned to leave and saw Ryleigh at the door. She stepped forward. “Sorry to interrupt. I just came to tell you a timer is going off in the kitchen.”
“Means the grill’s ready.” He held out his hand to Avery. “Let’s get those burgers cooking.”
She gave Ryleigh a triumphant look, then grabbed Finn’s hand and dragged him from the room and past Ryleigh.
Curious.Avery still saw Ryleigh as competition for his affection. No need. No need at all. He had plenty for both of them, something he was just coming to learn, thanks to Avery. Made his upcoming talk with Ryleigh even more important.
9
After dinner when they were relaxing around the table, Ryleigh couldn’t look at Finn without seeing him in Avery’s room. His tender look for the vulnerable child. His gentle explanations. Ryleigh’s heart had melted in so many ways. Seeing the big, tough guy being so loving and soft. The child’s obvious pain at losing her mother. Finn’s hope in making a good life for the broken child.
Ryleigh wanted to swoop in and hug both of them. To hold them until the big bad world disappeared. Until Avery got over her loss. But Ryleigh couldn’t do a thing to help. In fact, she was a problem. Avery seemed worried Ryleigh was going to steal Finn.
She wasn’t of course. Was she? Not steal him, but if she was with him for long, she would probably cave and let him back into her life if he asked. Did he even want that?
“What do you say, Ryleigh?” Finn asked.
