Rescuing Ryder (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk #1)

Chapter 44

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Monday morning, Ryder threw his clothes on the bed, intending to pack his bag. The team took turns sitting with him. He thought their presence might drive him senseless, but it didn’t. Strangely, it felt comforting. They didn’t attempt to persuade him to stay. When he talked, they listened. Sometimes, they shared bits of their souls to show Ryder he didn’t carry the burden alone.

Ryder dumped the items he brought from Claire’s house on the bed to repack them in order. He picked up the shirts and folded and rolled them when he pulled something lacy from the pile. The sheer white bra with dainty lace came into view and he fingered the delicate edging. Ryder’s thoughts drifted to Claire standing in the matching lingerie set, the bra molding her plump mounds, the size easily fit in his hand. Everything about her fit.

He entered the bathroom and grabbed more items, zipping them into an airtight bag. Ryder caught his reflection in the mirror. Mere months ago, he stared at someone he didn’t recognize. Now, he remembered the man who he used to be.

Uncle Ryder gave piggyback rides and watched the kids while Gunner drove his wife to the OB. Ryder smiled when Gunner returned, grinning like a jackass, stating he made a boy.

After packing, he brought the bag to the living room and set it on the floor. Ryder grabbed another cup of coffee and checked the time. Chase volunteered to take him to the airstrip. When he heard the knock, Ryder expected Doc and seemed surprised to see Kassie standing at the door.

“Chase will take you to the airport. I came to see if you needed anything before you left,” she announced. “I researched the area and discovered some support groups near you. I printed out their information.” Kassie handed him a folder with the numbers highlighted.

“Thank you for everything, Kassie. You and Chase should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. You’re making a difference,” he said. It sounded like a hollow thanks for something so significant and meaningful. He realized he’d miss the women of this community as much as the men.

Kassie walked toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Good luck, Ryder. The door will always be open if you feel a need to return.”

He squeezed her tightly before letting go.

“I’m sorry I let you down,” Ryder whispered.

Kassie smiled and shook her head. “You never let me down. You’ve grown and the light shines in your eyes again. It’s a start.”

“Claire helped me. Can you thank her for me? I don’t think she wants to hear from me anytime soon,” Ryder admitted sadly. She seemed to fill his thoughts and the one thing he regretted the most. Ryder didn’t want to leave her when it felt like there was so much more to say.

“Can I tell you a story?” Kassie asked him.

“Is it a sappy one? Will you tell me how you kissed Doc and all your dreams came true?” he teased.

“They did for the most part.” She chuckled. “My story begins when I ran from James Stanton, a known mafia leader, drug lord, and sex trafficker. I ran with my daughter, Emma, to Seattle, where I met Chase. He brought me to this mountain to heal and I fell in love. Matthew found me and I had to choose between the man I loved or face the man responsible for tearing my family apart. I chose avenging my sister’s death over the man I loved.”

Ryder found himself drawn to the story and sat on the edge of the chair while Kassie paced.

“In the midst of it, I ended up kidnapped by one of his former business partners, who believed I held on to money that belonged to him. When the team found me, it was too late. I lost our child. Chase sat by my side when I woke up in the hospital bed.”

Kassie sat across from him. “I still pushed him away because I didn’t know the person I saw in the mirror. Life no longer appeared rosy and full of hope. Claire came to the cabin and I refused to come out for three hours. She never gave up on me. One day, I faced the hard, ugly truth. I pushed Chase away until I lost him. Chase let me choose if I wanted to live a life without him or work at building something with him. I’ll never regret which path I chose. It comes with bumps and I lean on my friends and family to help me. It’s the best decision I ever made.”

Ryder knew why Kassie told him the story and the message she attempted to convey. “What if I make the wrong choice?”

“Then you start over and make new ones until you make the right one. Remember the family you found here and who loves you.” Kassie cupped his cheek before leaving the cabin.

Ryder’s heart thumped in his chest. He understood why the team protected the tiny spitfire who appeared wise beyond her years. Or did the events in her life shape her into the person who stood before him?

He sighed and scratched the overgrown scruff along his jaw. He regretted not shaving and sipped on his coffee. Twenty minutes later, Chase arrived. Ryder gazed out the window, thinking how everything appeared green when he arrived, and as he left, the brilliant colors of fall seemed to bring a different sign of change and a promise of beauty.

“The plane’s fueled and ready for you when you arrive. Kassie ordered you lunch from Ty’s and it’s in the cooler. Bryanna stocked you up on some goodies and Samantha sent along a care package,” Chase informed him as they neared the airport.

“Thanks, Doc. Thank the women for me, too.”

Chase didn’t respond as he drove straight to the tarmac and up to the plane. “Safe travels. You have the numbers for the team and me. We expect you to use them if needed.”

Ryder nodded. Words refused to come as he grabbed his bag from the back seat. Chase rounded the vehicle to shake Ryder’s hand.

Climbing the steps of the plane, Ryder’s head pounded and his gut clenched, screaming for him to turn back. He paused at the entrance to glance at Chase, who watched him with his hands in his pockets. Feeling like a failure, he lowered his head and entered the plane’s cabin.

Taking his seat, Ryder buckled up, threw his head back against the headrest, and gripped the arms of the chair. His heart pounded wildly in his chest. Sweat covered his forehead and Ryder shut out the voices telling him to end this nonsense. He made his choice and now he needed to live with it.

A text buzzed in his pocket and Ryder pulled it out, hoping Claire messaged him. The phone buzzed again, then again as messages flew across the screen. He swiped at them until he read one message fully. Ryder’s eyes widened and he hastily unbuckled as he heard Chase running up the stairs.

“Ryder,” he barked.

He didn’t need to call. Ryder met him at the entrance with his bag.

Chase turned and raced to the driver’s side and he jumped in. Both men’s expressions turned grim, and they prepared themselves for what was to come.

Claire put the kettle on and returned the file to the secret drawer. Claire’s stomach rolled and she picked up the prescriptions for nausea and migraines. Her head throbbed along with her broken heart as she thought about Ryder leaving this morning. Dr. Klein’s visit offered her a distraction. If left to her own devices, she’d climb back into bed and spend the day sulking.

Claire stayed up all night reading the file. It felt like she was on the cusp of something big. Highlighting comments and searching through earlier notes, she lost track of time and after four hours, she paid the price for not following the rules. Glancing at her clock, she rushed to shower and dress before Dr. Klein arrived.

The water boiled and she poured the kettle of steaming liquid into the teapot and added sugar and cream to the tray. The electrician promised to arrive in an hour and Matthew volunteered to stay while she went to the hospital.

A knock indicated her visitor arrived and Claire opened the door for him to enter.

“Good morning,” she greeted.

“Good morning,” Dr. Klein returned. “Oh, Claire, did you suffer another migraine? You appear a bit peaked. Shall we cancel the tour for another day?”

Claire shook her head as she led him into the living room. “I set out some tea. I took the meds and hopefully by the time, I drink the caffeine, it’ll simmer down,”

“We can reschedule,” he insisted. “Do you know what set it off?”

She could only think of who. Claire smiled. “I’m afraid I played the rule breaker all night and continued reading the David Kilner file. Now I’m paying the price.”

“I’m sorry. I hope you found something for investing your time and suffering the repercussions of reading too long.” Dr. Kein studied her face.

“I feel I’m getting closer. I don’t know why I’m eager to discover it. The man’s dead and won’t harm anyone again.” Claire motioned for him to sit.

“Why don’t you lie on the couch and I’ll get the tea? If you insist we still tour, I want you feeling better,” Dr. Klein offered.

“I can do it,” she insisted. “I already have it prepared and steeping.”

He led Claire over to the couch and lightly pushed her down. “Then it’ll only take a moment to bring it in here,” Dr. Klein admonished her.

Claire relented and lay her head against the cushion. The scent of Ryder seemed to disappear…just like him.

Dr. Klein brought the tray in and set it on the table. He poured the tea and offered her sugar or cream. When Claire shook her head, he passed her the cup and held onto it until he assured himself she gripped it tightly.

“I hate to see you in pain,” he admitted as he sat in Ryder’s chair. No. When he sat in her chair.

“I’ll feel better with the added caffeine,” Claire assured him as she sipped the hot brew.

Dr. Klein smiled. “I’m in no rush; take your time. Did you call ahead to let your employers know you planned to bring me?” he asked as she poured herself another cup.

“Kassie and Chase won’t mind. Perhaps you might send a few patients our way,” she suggested as the hot liquid began to soothe her. “I’ll take you as soon as I finish this cup. Can I offer you breakfast? We can make a stop at the bakery.”

“No, thank you. I ate with my mother this morning. She seemed much calmer than when I arrived and I wanted to enjoy some peaceful time with her.”

“She’s blessed to have such a caring son. As you know, the elderly don’t tend to have many family members devoted to their care.”

“I’m relieved she’s in a place where they understand the rantings of dementia and provide her with the care she needs.”

Claire finished her cup and Dr. Klein put his tea on the tray.

“I’ll take this to the kitchen, then we can leave.” Claire rose to pick up the tray when a wave of dizziness overcame her.

“Allow me to take it to the kitchen,” he offered.

Claire smiled weakly as she sat down to allow the feeling to pass. When he returned, Dr. Klein held his hand out, and she grasped it. Leaning against him, she picked up her purse and exited the house. Taking her keys, he locked the door behind them and assisted Claire into the car.

Warning bells started to ring in her head as her body grew sluggish. It took too much effort to raise her gaze as Claire attempted to ask him to call for help. Her mouth refused to work, and her arms lay by her side like limp noodles. Dr. Klein leaned over her and buckled her in.

“Don’t fight it, Claire. Let the meds kick in and you’ll feel better soon,” he soothed.

Panic hit Claire as her body slowly refused to move. She scanned the area, hoping someone witnessed her inside the car, yet she saw no one. Her heart raced and she screamed her terror inside her head when the car began to move.

He pulled out of the driveway and turned toward Seattle. Claire’s body moved side to side with the vehicle, causing her face to hit the passenger window. She watched the landscape change as they neared the main road. The mountain’s access road came into view and she screamed silently, pleading for someone to help her.

“I’m sorry, Claire. If Kilner succeeded in doing his job, I wouldn’t be the one to do this. I’ve always admired your determination and drive to learn how the mind works. Once, I strived to become exactly like you. My mother thought me a strange child, especially when she caught me with the brains of small animals. She didn’t understand the calling to discover how the mind worked or how you can manipulate it like putty in your hands.”

Terror shook her to the core. Claire’s mind flipped through the files as she recalled the notes in the margins and how Dr. Klein pointed out the flaws of Kilner’s temporary insanity plea. Her young mind, eager to learn from one of the best, soaking up every detail. She believed every single suggestion Dr. Klein presented to her, ignoring her own instincts. What had she done?