Rescuing Ryder (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk #1)

Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Claire closed the door after the party from hell. Chase and Kassie left first, claiming they needed to return to the kids. She suspected it had more to do with Kassie’s ointment-plastered face and bloodshot eyes. Then, the others cleaned her kitchen and put away the leftovers. They left a pile of sweet and thoughtful gifts.

Maddie and Joe, who watched Chase and Kassie’s children, sent a homemade quilt from the older women. Chase and Kassie gave her a gift certificate to Samantha’s spa for candles and bath products and a gift certificate to Ty’s, the nicest restaurant in town. Catherine and Leo gave her a personalized door knocker and a gift card to the local nursery to purchase plants. Shadow and Taco purchased her a new lawnmower. Saint and Bryanna brought over a beautiful basket for blankets and filled it with premade loaf bread, pizza dough, pretzels, rolls, and biscuits. Edie chipped in with them and gave her a gift certificate for the local hardware store. Samantha and Whiskey gave her a clothes basket with natural cleaning products and a beautiful rug she planned to add to her entryway. Catherine’s mother and stepfather, Carol and Jake, sent over a card with instructions to pick out her fabric pattern and Carol planned to use her sewing skills to make the padding for her window seat. Victoria and Ivan, Kassie’s friends and protectors, sent their love from Ireland and promised to bring her a gift upon their return.

The crew certainly knew how to make a girl feel welcome. She went about the house, now smelling like Samantha’s salon, and turned off the lights. One of the men picked up her mail and set it on the half-wall beside her purse. She must’ve dropped it when she sprayed Kassie. Flipping lights off as she went, she walked back to her room. She placed the mail on her bedside table while she removed her makeup and changed into a pajama short set. She slid into bed, dwelling on poor Kassie’s face.

She reached for the mail and set aside the bills before coming to a pretty envelope with flowers decorating the corners. Thinking it was another housewarming card, she opened it and read it.

I’m counting the days until I see you again. The mountain won’t keep you safe, Claire.

She dropped the note and scooted out of the bed in a flash. Grabbing her sweatshirt, she slipped into a pair of tennis shoes, and nabbed her purse and keys. She turned on the porch light and checked her surroundings, wishing for her can of pepper spray. She unlocked her car with the key fob and jumped in. Locking the vehicle doors, Claire turned to the backseat, thinking she watched too many horror movies not to. Peeling out of the driveway, she headed toward the security of the mountain.

When she arrived in the hospital parking lot, Claire laid her head against the steering wheel. She’d call the detective in the morning. Now, if she only figured out a way to sneak into her office without being seen by the veterans who roamed the halls or a sleepless teen seeing her. Opening her car door, Claire sprinted to the entrance, swiping her key card. Walking briskly down the hall, she ducked into her office and locked the door. Her chest moved up and down heavily as she allowed the panic to set in. Claire sat on the sofa with her head between her knees as she tried to regain control.

She shakily went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Removing her sweatshirt, she hung it on the back of the door. Setting her alarm for 0500, Claire decided to rise early and drive back to her house, switch out her clothes, and pack another bag. Grabbing the blanket she used for the last two weeks, she curled up on the couch, feeling safe and secure in knowing no one entered the hospital without the team knowing.

Ryder knocked on Dr. Winters’ door. When no one answered, he searched for the new doctor Dr. Winters mentioned. He found his office down the hall from Claire’s. He tapped it lightly, feeling mixed emotions about his actions.

“Come in, Ryder. What can I do for you?” Dr. Hill greeted him as he opened the door.

“I’m searching for Dr. Winters. Have you seen him?” he asked.

“Dr. Winters and Kassie won’t be in for a few days. Kassie suffered a small mishap and plans on working from home. Doc’s staying with her to take Em to school and care for Tori,” he explained.

“I hope it’s nothing serious,” Ryder responded as he sat across from him. “I hoped to speak with Dr. Winters today.”

“Can I help you with anything?” Dr. Hill asked as he closed his laptop.

“How do I request a different physician?” Ryder asked nervously.

Dr. Hill placed his hands on his desk, giving Ryder his full attention. “Which doctor do you want to replace?”

“Dr. Winters said I get a say in my care. He mentioned you joined his team recently and I want to switch from Dr. Meyers to you,” he rushed out.

Dr. Hill slightly raised his eyebrows in surprise. “May I ask why? Dr. Meyers comes highly recommended. It’s unusual for anyone to request switching from her.”

“Can you take me on? We hold differences of opinion and I don’t think our personalities mesh,” he lied.

Dr. Hill nodded. “I see. I’ll clear it with Dr. Winters this afternoon. He may call you to verify your request,” he informed Ryder as he picked up his pen.

“Thanks. When can I set up appointments? Do I stop attending the group sessions if I’m switching?”

“No. Let’s keep you on your current schedule. Dr. Winters can make any adjustments as needed.”

“Great. I’ll wait to hear from Doc.” He shook Dr. Hill’s hand before leaving his office.

Ryder walked by the suspiciously closed door of Claire’s office. He considered stopping to explain, but he didn’t feel ready. Knowing her, she’d act like a dog with a bone and demand answers and call him on his shit, neither of which he was ready to give.

Taking out his phone, he called Tex.

“It’s about damn time I heard from you. How’s it going on the mountain? Melody and I thought we might fly up in a few weeks for a visit.”

“Yeah, yeah. Rub it in. I’ll admit it’s different here,” Ryder stated gruffly. “Can we talk about something else? How’s the wife and kiddo?”

Dead silence greeted him. He pulled the phone from his ear and checked to see if he lost his friend. “Tex?”

“Yeah. I’m here. Do you know how long it’s been since I heard you string more than ten words together or take an interest in something?” Tex asked.

He stopped and took in the view around him. Did the place change him without him noticing? Ryder’s hand went to his chest in the realization, his view of his days changed. Before, he woke up dreading the day and counting the clock down. In his weakest moments, he unlocked his gun locker and stared at his weapon.

Now, he woke up to whatever disaster Claire attempted to fix alone. He watched for the young soldier, Scott, because he reminded Ryder of the young kid from his unit. The teens greeted him with a smile and sweet Zuri always brought him a bottle of water when she saw him enter the hospital. Maybe his life changed more than he thought.

“I’m sorry, Tex. I’ve acted like a self-centered ass. Claire’s kept me busy with one project or another. I never even noticed how much things changed.” He sighed.

“I take it you’re making progress there?” Tex asked cautiously.

“I’m here. Let’s not read too much into it. I said I’d try it,” Ryder apprised him as he rubbed his hand through his scruff.

“Fair enough. I’m glad you called,” Tex sighed. “Kassie and Chase seem to know what they’re doing.”

“Yeah. They’re good people. I spend most of my time with Claire. She doesn’t hound me nonstop. In fact, I’ve helped repair a house she bought. Tex, you won’t believe it. The thing appears as if someone dumped an entire bottle of stomach medicine over the top of it. They trimmed it in bright yellow and dark purple as if it wasn't bad enough.” He laughed—a full whole-hearted belly laugh. When did he start to laugh again?

“It sounds like you’re enjoying your time there,” Tex chuckled.

“For my life, I can’t understand how she can read directions on how to build something, and it appears like a third grader built it. Then she claimed the fireplace didn’t work and she forgot to turn on the gas. Oh, man. She’s intelligent and beautiful but can’t use a screwdriver if her life depended on it,” he gushed.

“She came with very high recommendations. Dr. Winters says she’s a miracle worker with some of his harder patients,” Tex informed him.

“I bet she is. She’s tenacious and never gives up. The kids love her and I think a few veterans feel smitten.”

“What about you?’

The smile Ryder carried on his face disappeared. “What do you mean?”

“You’re talking a lot about her. I’m happy she’s helped you, but she has a job to do,” he reminded him gravely.

“Nah, you got it wrong. Did I mention I’m switching to a different doc? She’s got a full load and I’m transferring over to Dr. Hill,” Ryder explained as he ran his hand through his hair and walked in a circle outside his cabin, not remembering how he even got there.

“Melody and I will touch base with you soon and plan a visit.”

“It sounds great, man. Listen, I gotta run. There’s another group session in twenty minutes and I want to make it,” he made an excuse to cut the call.

“We’ll see you soon,” Tex bid him goodbye.

“Thanks.” Ryder disconnected the call. He entered his cabin, grabbed a beer from the fridge, twisted the top off, and downed a few gulps. His stomach churned and his chest grew tight as he thought about his time with Claire. Ryder loved it when he made her laugh. She didn’t get offended by his smart-ass comments. When Claire asked him questions, she never felt intrusive or overbearing until she pegged him the other day with the stupid exercise with the blindfold. She seemed to genuinely listen to what he said. Then again, her job was to listen to all the patients.