Page 79 of Edge of Steele
Ryleigh was off limits.
Remember that. Don’t hurt her again.
Something else that he couldn’t compromise on either. No matter how painful it was for him.
The drive to Finn’s house where Avery was being cared for by her babysitter was short, but Ryleigh had relaxed and sleep beckoned. She would love to take a quick nap before dinner, but she also wanted to spend time with Avery.
What a surprise. Ryleigh had never thought of herself as mother material. She doubted Finn considered himself father material either, but here he was raising a child by himself. And from what Ryleigh had seen, he was putting that can-do SEAL attitude into his every move and doing the best job he could do.
Ryleigh understood. The child’s terrible loss really spoke to Ryleigh’s heart, and the desire to help Avery find joy in life again ate at Ryleigh. Much like she’d seen in Finn. So tonight, she would relax and forget about the bomber. At least until after Avery had gone to bed.
Finn pulled into the driveway. Avery sat on the porch steps. She waved wildly at them and then came running.
Finn stopped shy of the garage. “Something’s up.”
Ryleigh looked beyond Avery to movement on the porch. “Come on, now. What aretheydoing here?”
“Who?” Finn shifted into park.
“My grandparents.” Ryleigh had to work hard to get the words out over her rising unease. “They’re rocking away on your porch.”
He glanced at her. “That’s odd.”
“For most grandparents,” she said. “But not mine. They don’t know what boundaries are in the lives of their grandchildren. It’s sweet but can sometimes be overwhelming.”
Irritating too, but she wouldn’t speak badly of them. It was love—so deep that Ryleigh only hoped to emulate it one day—that motivated their every action.
Still, she dreaded this upcoming conversation and sat watching until Finn opened her door.
He gave her a pointed look. “Coming?”
Ryleigh got out. She had to believe they arrived to butt into her life. Thankfully, she’d only told Mackenzie about Finn and had sworn her to secrecy or her grandad would give Finn an earful.
Avery rushed up to Ryleigh and Finn, excitement burning in her eyes. “Your gran and grandad are here. I like them. They’re nice. They brought cookies and other good stuff. I wish I had grandparents as nice as them.”
Avery grabbed Finn’s hand and dragged him toward the porch. He cast Ryleigh a plea for help, so she somehow got her feet moving, and the three of them reached the steps together. The situation in so many aspects would be idyllic. The sun shone warm and a soft breeze played over the yard, carrying the scent of roses from bushes dividing the next-door property. She was with the man she was falling for and his sweet little girl.
But then, her grandparents stared at her from the rocking chairs creaking with each move.
Her gran pushed ruby red glasses up her nose and smiled. “We knew you and this wonderful man would be working hard on the investigation and could probably use a home-cooked meal.”
“Actually,” Ryleigh said. “Finn cooked a fabulous dinner last night.”
“He grilled burgers.” Avery thrust her chest out. “They were really good.”
“Thanks, Peanut.” Finn held his hand out to Ryleigh’s grandmother. “Finn Durham.”
She clasped his hand firmly and shook. “Eloise Steele, and this is my fine husband, Artie.”
No way her grandad, who was a former lawman, would sit for an introduction. He stood to shake hands and look Finn in the eye. “Nice to meet you, young man. Were you in law enforcement before your job with Shadow Lake Logging?”
Finn shook his head. “Retired SEAL.”
“Impressive,” her grandad said. “Thank you for your service.”
“Ditto from me,” her gran said. “We should probably get dinner going. Bring the basket, Artie.”
“Wait,” Ryleigh said. “Saturday night is pizza night. Avery’s tradition.”
