Rescuing Ryder (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk #1)

Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Patch rested his head against the leather seat. The pilot informed him they’d land in thirty minutes. He shook his head, still surprised he even entered the jet. Because it landed at a private airport, Wolf and Ice waited with him. A steward fetched him from the private area once the plane completed fueling. Ice stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Good luck,” she whispered.

“Thanks, Ice,” he murmured.

Wolf shook his hand and slapped him on the back. “I’m a phone call away if you need me,” he assured him sternly.

As they readied to land, he felt restless, wondering if he made a mistake. Why did he deserve happiness when his buddies had families and people who missed them? Gunner would sock him in the nose for even thinking it. But Gunner didn’t endure seeing the pain in Patty’s eyes or the kids.

He rang the doorbell to Gunner’s home and waited. Patty answered and stepped aside, allowing him to enter. The silence in the house echoed with grief. The kids, who normally ran and squealed their delight at seeing Uncle Patch, walked solemnly down the stairs and greeted him before Patty’s sister rounded them up to take them to her house, giving Patch some time alone with his best friend’s wife. Their little faces held expressions of confusion, hurt and pain.

Patty led him into the living room. The flag sat on the fireplace mantle beside two pictures. One of him with his unit and another of their wedding day, where Gunner smiled down at Patty with so much promise of a future together.

“Do you or the kids need anything?” Ryder asked as he scanned her face. She seemed to age before his eyes as she glanced up and shook her head.

“No. I can’t believe he’s gone,” she whispered. “We planned on taking a vacation when he returned. He wanted to take the kids camping along the Grand Canyon.” Her eyes grew wet as she grabbed a tissue from the box beside her. “Did he suffer?” The anxiety reflected on her face while she waited for him to answer.

Ryder shook his head. “No. Gunner’s last thoughts were of you and the kids. He said to remind you he left something in the safe and to tell you how much he loved you all.”

She burst into tears and nodded. “I don’t know how we’ll make it without him. He was my life.”

All he managed to do was slide beside her and offer her empty comfort. The distraught faces of Gunner’s children as they hugged him goodbye promised to haunt him forever. It should’ve been Ryder, not his best friend, who died. Now Patty and the kids suffered, and all he could do was offer her empty words and a letter in a safe. If Gunner only knew how much his decisions affected the people he loved.

Tex met the plane along with the doctor from the video call and another man. Guessing they planned to take advantage of every minute, he breathed in, preparing for the onslaught of questions.

Tex limped slightly as he walked toward him. “Damn, glad to see you. Thanks for coming.”

“Like you gave me a choice. I think your mother must’ve been part Italian. You have the whole guilt trip down perfectly,” Patch quipped.

Tex ignored his comment as the others waited to meet him.

“Patch, meet Dr. Chase Winters, who you met on the phone and my friend Matthew. I helped his team out of a few scrapes back in the day. He works on the mountain.”

Both men gave a chin lift, and Matthew took Patch’s bag from the pilot coming up to talk to the physician. Chase handed them an envelope, and the pilot and steward grinned before returning to the plane.

They climbed into Chase’s truck. “Kassie left you a plate from the BBQ at the cabin and instructed the crew to have snacks. Do you want anything from the grocery store before we head home? Ours closes at 2100. The cabin has essentials such as coffee, bread, crackers, etc.”

“I’m good,” he responded. He didn’t plan to stay long enough to need a grocery run. He came to hear them out and give it a few days for Tex before telling him this place operated like all the others.

“If you don’t mind, I need to pick up formula. We have a new baby, and Em accidentally dropped the container on the floor while trying to help her mom. She’s such a great big sister. Kassie’s using our backup but will worry. If I pick it up now, it’ll save me a trip tomorrow.”

He almost wanted to laugh. This guy practically salivated over his wife and kids. Geez, what a sap. “Nah, I’m along for the ride. If I stayed home, I’d be busy staring at my wall,” he sent the dig to Tex.

“I’ll go in with you. Tess tried some new recipes, and I used the cilantro she needed for tomorrow. God forbid, Taco goes without for his tacos,” Matthew chimed in.

They parked at the supercenter and the men discussed what they needed while Tex and Patch stayed in the truck.

“You’re pranking me, right? Where did you find these guys? I think they cashed in their man card a while ago. The doc seems led around by his dick and your friend went into the store to buy cilantro. It’s practically a weed. He probably could pick something up on the mountain and his buddy wouldn’t even know the difference,” he surmised.

“You promised to give this a try. It’s like you’re picking out things to dislike. Kassie’s brilliant and I’m considering bringing my girls up here to meet them. They adopted a little girl and are over the moon. From the sounds of things, Kassie went through an ordeal and can’t conceive. The men seem very protective of the tiny redhead. Matthew showed me the team building with their leader’s permission. It rivals some of the government’s facilities. Taco’s woman works as a chef. She’s attending school and cooks in the community kitchen and for the team. I met the town baker, Bryanna, today. She’s married to one of their teammates, Saint.”

“Did you drink the Kool-Aid on the hippie mountain? They brainwashed you in less than a day,” Ryder replied as he watched the two men return to the vehicle.

“We’ll take you to the cabins and meet with you at 0700. Kassie may join us later. She’s currently reviewing your medical records,” Chase informed him as he drove toward Serenity Mountain.

“Isn’t it a bit late? Shouldn’t she be tucked into bed?” he asked sarcastically.

Matthew chuckled. “I can’t wait to see how PITA deals with this one.”

Patch felt the heat of Tex’s stare even in the dark. Hey, he agreed to come. He didn’t promise to like these people.

“Tex, my rehab specialist saw you limping, and I noticed it earlier. While we meet with Patch, he asked if you might join them. He can work on your stump. Gary received a new shipment of ointment. Since most amputees at the hospital are fairly new, he wanted to try it on someone seasoned. Do you mind trying the stuff and see if you find the same relief as the newbies report?”

“I’m up for it. I smelled something in the therapy room. Did they use it in there?” Tex asked.

“No, Whiskey’s wife, Samantha, works with natural herbs and we order massage oils and creams from her for relaxation and health benefits. None of its pharmaceutical grade, but it seems to relax our residents. If you want, I’ll let Kassie know. Samantha leaves us baskets to give out. The visitors love them. We’ll send one home with you.” Chase offered.

“Thanks,” Tex answered. “Do you know what time Kassie rescheduled my flight in the morning? I didn’t plan to spend the night. I’ll need to call my wife and arrange for her to pick me up.”

“She has the jet on standby. She didn’t want you to worry about rushing to the airport. She said to use the credit to bring your wife and daughter out to visit Patch. She’s looking forward to meeting your wife.”

Ryder scowled. “Doc, I don’t go by Patch. If you don’t want me to catch the flight back with Tex in the morning, the first thing that has to go is my moniker. It’s non-negotiable.”

“Understood,” Chase acknowledged him.

Ryder fell silent as they made their way up the mountain. He didn’t see any lights until they reached the cabins. Chase parked in front of cabin three and turned off the engine.

“Tex has the code for the cabin. The golf cart is parked in the shed next to it, or you can take a walk and use the path veering to the right.”

Ryder grabbed his bag and Chase and Matthew waited until they entered the cabin before leaving.

“I chose the first room on the right. You can bunk down in the one on the left.” Tex went into the kitchen and pulled out a piece of pecan pie and a container of vanilla ice cream. “I’m calling my wife. See you in the morning.” He finished putting away the cartons and turned toward his room.

Ryder walked to his room and tossed his bag onto the bed. Unlike his metal one, the homey bedroom held a handmade quilt and solid wood bed. He flipped on the switch to his bathroom to find a multi-head shower with a seat.

Not bad…

Returning to the kitchen, he noticed the picture of a couple with a kid. Alongside it appeared the story of the hospital. He picked it up and read it. The picture contained images of Dr. Winters and his parents and the story of how the dreams of a father and son turned into the hospital on the mountain.

He smirked as he set the picture down. It seemed like he might be the first person to shatter their dream. He opened the fridge and found a plate of ribs, potato salad, and baked beans. A massive slice of pie with his name taped along the top and a note sat on the second shelf.

Homemade ice cream in the freezer.

Of course, he now lived in fantasy land… Who the hell made ice cream these days?

He pulled out the pie, warmed it in the microwave, and dumped some vanilla ice cream on top. He stabbed it with a fork and shoved it in his mouth while debating whether to eat the ribs. His eyes rolled back into his head as the dessert hit his taste buds. Damn . He might stay for the food.

Ryder stood at the counter as he surveyed the cabin. It contained cozy touches which made a person feel right at home. A small kitchen bar held a pack of cards and a couple of games. A basket of fresh fruit sat to the side.

Shoveling in the last bit of pie, he decided to warm up the meat. Taking out the container, Ryder searched the cabinets for a separate plate to warm the food. He dug into the potato salad while he waited. When the microwave beeped, he removed the hot dish. The smell wafted to his nose, making his mouth water. He inhaled deeply as he tried to recall the last time food interested him. Gunner would give his left nut for ribs.

Well, here ya go, buddy. You want me to live through you; we’re about to try these bad boys.

Ryder picked it up and dug in without bothering to use a fork. His eyes closed as he savored the flavor. He took another bite, and before he knew it, he polished off the potato salad and turned to warm up the baked beans. When he finished, he put everything in the dishwasher and returned to his room.

Frowning, Ryder stared at his bag. Why bother to unpack? He unzipped it, removed a pair of boxers, and opened the closet door to chuck the bag inside. Tex might accuse him of not trying if he noticed the unpacked luggage. He stopped when he found the cot inside. A note lay next to it.

Please use this if you need a moment alone. The room is soundproof, and you’re safe. If you need help, press the button to your right. You’re worthy. You matter. We care.

Yeah, right. They probably show up with a needle and syringe to take away the pain. Didn’t they know it only dulled it?

Sighing, he turned off the light and climbed into bed. Staring into the darkness, he wondered what the morning promised… another review of his records, a medication change, and pitying glances from the staff. He squeezed his eyes shut as he felt the nagging in his gut telling him to give this an honest chance. His team’s faces came to mind. Ryder wasn’t worthy and he mattered to no one. Tomorrow only promised to cement what he knew all along.