Rescuing Ryder (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk #1)

Chapter 23

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Dr. Winters held his daughter’s hand with one hand and carried the baby carrier in the other. He nodded at Ryder as he met him at the nursery door.

“Leo’s dropping Kassie off and picking up Em. Then we can chat,” he instructed him as he placed the baby on the changing table and unbuckled her. Emma ran to the swing, held it as he put the baby in, and covered her, careful not to wake her. Then Chase turned to Em and gave her a high five as they cheered silently.

“Sorry, Kassie’s been afraid to hold Tori for the last few days and Ladybug has acted as my helper. She’s the best big sister ever,” he explained to Ryder, clearly saying it for Emma’s benefit. “Catherine asked Kassie to check on Bryanna this morning.”

“I can wait,” Ryder assured him as he watched the hall uneasily.

He witnessed Claire disappearing to her office late at night. Ryder didn’t like the thought of her driving down the mountain late at night. He wondered why she stayed late and if she saw other patients then. Not wanting to approach her, he kept his distance over the last week, refusing to discuss the day she blindfolded him and what he saw. After all, she insisted he had choices, and he chose not to talk about it.

At some point, he knew he’d have to inform her about his request to switch psychiatrists. Something held him back. He attempted to write her a short note, and they now lay on the cabin floor, like his thoughts over the last few days. He tried to call and leave a message, but it seemed like a chicken’s way out. Then he reasoned he still needed to talk to Dr. Winters, resolving afterward he planned to tell her of his decision.

He watched as Leo lightly held onto Kassie’s arm while he led her to the nursery. As they grew closer his eyes widened at Kassie’s reddened face. Her eyes appeared bloodshot, but she still smiled at the residents.

“Hello, Ryder, how are you doing?” she greeted him.

“A helluva a lot better than you, it seems. What happened to you?” he asked, forgetting little Emma remained in the nursery with her little sister.

She painfully smiled as she glanced in her daughter’s direction. “I experienced a little bit of an accident. But I feel much better since Dr. Emma and her daddy cared for me. Em, grab your backpack. Uncle Leo’s taking you to school with Melody. She went down to the cafeteria with Claire for a muffin if you want to pick something. She’s waiting for you and her dad there,” she addressed the little girl.

When she left, Chase hovered over Kassie. “Why don’t you stay at home today and return on Monday? I’ll see to your patients,” he coddled her.

She brushed him away, annoyed. “I feel loads better. It only appears worse because of my fair skin,” she protested.

Ryder narrowed his eyes and came closer to Kassie. Using his fingers, he tipped her chin upward to examine her more closely. “Who the hell sprayed you with pepper spray?” he barked. Ready to defend the defenseless redhead against whoever did such a menacing trick on her. Her husband didn’t seem pleased with him handling his wife freely but with her delicate skin, the redness stood out like a homing beacon.

“I accidentally scared someone and it sorta happened,” she explained. “Are you sure it’s ok to hold Tori and Em? I don’t want them to get any residual. I’ve washed it off, but I’m worried if even a speck got on them…” her voice drifted.

“Princess, you’ve soaked in lemon juice, bathed in milk, and thrown away the clothes you wore. I promise. You can hold the baby and Em without issues.”

“Tori snuggles into my neck and I’m concerned I missed some of it,” Kassie fretted. “I know, I’m overreacting and it happened a couple of days ago.”

“Believe me, Kassie, it’s long gone, and you’re right about your sensitive skin. The redness can last from two to four weeks. Do your eyes hurt? They still appear bloodshot,” Ryder asked her gravely, forgetting why he originally came to talk to Chase.

“They feel fine. The redness decreased from yesterday, but the dryness bugs me. Chase gave me eyedrops to lubricate them, and it’s helping,” she said. “Thank you for the advice.” She smiled.

“We can go to my office,” Dr. Winters offered as he led him two doors down. Instead of going behind his desk, Chase sat on the couch, leaving Ryder the chair.

“I wanted to talk to you about switching from Claire to Dr. Hill,” he said.

“Really? Did you talk to Claire? She didn’t mention it to me when I spoke with her.” Dr. Winters sat back, surprised by his request.

“I didn’t discuss it with her. It’s not anything personal. Dr. Hill is a veteran. I think he understands what we went through better. Claire may help veterans but I don’t think she truly understands what happens over there,” he explained. It sounded like bullshit, even to his own ears.

Dr. Winters nodded. “If you feel more comfortable with Dr. Hill, then I’ll ask him to add you to his schedule.”

“I already talked to him and start on Monday as long as you approve,” he blurted.

Chase frowned. “Of course, I’ll inform Claire.”

Ryder left the office, feeling like the biggest heel ever, and hoped Doc didn’t take his demand as if Claire did something wrong.

Claire stretched and glanced toward the cabins, wondering if Ryder still ran. With the weekend looming, she didn’t encounter him on the path for their daily run the entire week.

The mornings turned brisk and she zipped up her jacket before starting a slow jog. The tapping of her feet on the pavement pulled her into a sense of calm as she ran through the list in her head.

Set up a ride for Sara to visit her dad, call the security company for a new estimated date for the alarm, try to reach Dr. Klein, and work on finding Scott, the young soldier, a mentor around his age.

Whiskey’s schedule between the team and his time at the hospital grew hectic, and she hated to ask him to take on more, considering he still dealt with his issues, too. His wife, Samantha, supported Whiskey’s efforts to help his fellow brothers, but with her expecting their second child, Claire knew how important his presence at home meant to the couple.

Running around the path’s bend, she pulled out her water and sipped. Her hand brushed against something crinkly in her pocket when she replaced it at her hip. Wondering what she left in it as she recently washed it, she frowned as she discovered an unwrinkled note. It didn’t appear washed or faded. She slowed her jog and eventually stopped near the brightest light to see what the note contained.

You sleep peacefully, Claire. It's almost as if you were meant to do it forever. Sweet dreams…

Stuffing the note back into her pocket, she took off at a dead run, glancing behind her every few minutes to ensure no one followed. Claire’s chest heaved as her heart raced. Her breath caught in her throat. Tears threatened when she reached the last section of trees before the parking lot. She sobbed in fear and glanced back when two strong arms grabbed her, making her scream.

“Claire, geez you gotta stop screaming every time you see me. I’m getting a complex.” Ryder glanced behind her, searching the path for whatever frightened her. She let out a relieved cry as she clung to his shirt.

“What happened, Claire? Are you hurt? Did you see a bear? Tell me,” he demanded.

“I…I…” She shook her head, unable to put a coherent sentence together.

Ryder pulled her to his chest. His hand held the back of her head as she trembled. His gaze focused on the woods behind her.

“Hey Claire Bear, you’re safe,” he murmured in her ear. “I’ve got you.”

Claire raised her head to try to explain, but his lips crushed against hers as he cradled her head. Their bodies melded together in desperate need. Her arms wrapped around his neck, bringing him closer. Their tongues dueled and Ryder growled into her mouth. Her hands clutched at his shoulders, begging him not to let go. Claire ceased to breathe but for another reason other than panic. Ryder stole her breath away. His body enveloped hers, making her feel safe and secure.

“Claire,” he whispered.

She jerked back as if ice poured over both of them. She panted heavily as she stared at his mouth. Her fingers touched her lips as if reliving the searing heat scorching them.

“You're my patient, Ryder. We can’t…can’t do this,” Claire stammered.

He stepped forward, closing the space between them. Her hand shot out.

“No. I’m sorry. It’s inappropriate.” She ran around him and raced to her car, hitting the remote to unlock the door and jerked it wide open. Claire glanced back to see him standing on the path’s edge watching her. She started the car and drove the short distance to her office and locked herself inside.

What if he told Chase or Kassie? Their thoughtless actions jeopardized her job and his recovery. Claire’s thoughts raced as she dwelled on what caused her to run into Ryder’s arms. Whoever put the note in her pocket did it at her house. They went inside while she slept and slipped it in her pocket. Reaching for her jacket, she examined the note from her pocket. The handwriting matched the card. Who sent her those notes if David Kilner remained at the Seattle Mental Health Facility?

Curling into a ball on her bathroom floor, Claire let the tears fall, terrified for her future, or did she even have one?