“Between that and your military experience, I bet you have a lot more options than you think.”
“Guess I haven’t really looked into it. Always planned to be a lifer.” She’d miss the Army if she decided to end her time now, but she’d miss life happening here if she stayed in. What else would she miss if she was gone another decade? Her gaze fell on Ryder. Occasional visits wouldn’t be enough to make up for it all.
The bear moved into the shallow water near the shore, causing both Kinley to freeze and Rowdy’s ears to stand straight up. “He’s just hungry. We’re not a threat to his dinner,” Ryder said, again in a low, calm tone.
“You must think I’m a sad excuse for a soldier,” she said with a half-hearted laugh. “Send me to combat, but get me the heck away from the bears.”
Ryder locked his gaze with hers. “I don’t think that at all. It takes bravery to join the military. Signing your name on that dotted line means you’re willing to give your life for your country if it’s asked of you. My brother had the same courage you do when he joined.”
The candid compliment did a number when it came to inflating Kinley’s ego. “You’re pretty brave yourself, Chief. You put yourself at risk every day you put on that uniform. Sunset Ridge is more than the sleepy, charming town it portrays.”
The swishing of water echoed across the lake, announcing the bear’s retreat. He—or she, Kinley wasn’t certain—carried a fish in its mouth.
“Looks like she’s taking home a salmon dinner.” Ryder slowly stretched to his feet, eyes on the beast until she disappeared into the tree line. Rowdy popped up with him, leaning against his leg as together they watched the departure.
Ryder hopped back up on the tailgate, sitting a few inches closer than before. Their palms, both flat on the metal, nearly brushed. Kinley swallowed. “Should we be heading back?” she asked.
“Not just yet.” Ryder reached for the paper bag, digging inside. He pulled out two wrapped cookies and handed one to Kinley. “You know I’m not really a dessert kind of guy, but I make an exception for their butterscotch chip cookies. Don’t tell anyone, though. Mom gets wind of that she’ll try to stuff me so full of sugar I’ll choke.”
Their fingers grazed when Kinley accepted the treat, tingles dancing through her hand and up her arm at the touch. It wasn’t fair that Ryder Grant still had such a strong effect on her after all these years.Stronger. Even when she’d pushed him as far away as she could, she was stuck with a horrible crush on him all through high school. Watching him date Mercedes, no matter how on-again, off-again they were, had been torture.
“Try it.” Ryder nodded at the cookie she had yet to unwrap. “I promise you’ll thank me when you do.”
Kinley took a bite before Ryder could steal the cookie back. It really was as tasty as he claimed. She chewed slowly, hoping to make the enjoyment last as long as possible.
They sat on the tailgate for a while longer, enjoying the relaxing sounds of nature. No more bears, thankfully. Kinley could handle days like this . . .forever. She swallowed hard as deep emotions rushed through her chest. Before long, she’d no longer be able to lie to herself about what she felt—or didn’t feel.
“Guess we better head back before everyone wonders what’s become of us.” Ryder pushed off the tailgate, then reached a hand to Kinley.
She didn’t need his help, but she didn’t mind it, either. The excuse to place her hand in his was enough reason to set aside her pride. “They might think the bears got us,” she jested. Her hop down propelled her forward, planting her nose right into Ryder’s hard chest. His arms went around her back, steadying her until she no longer rocked on the tips of her toes.
His woodsy scent, so strong on his shirt, invaded her senses. The world stilled in his strong, capable arms.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
He eased his protective embrace but didn’t drop his hands away or take a step back. “Fiona wouldn’t forgive me if I returned you with a twisted ankle.”
Kinley couldn’t convince herself to slip out of his hold, which only made her gaze land on his lips again. She yearned to run her fingers over his beard, to pull him down by the cheek.
“Kin, you can’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” Her words escaped as barely more than a raspy whisper. “Like I want to kiss you?”
Ryder swooped down so quickly she had no time to brace for impact. Their lips collided, moving as one in an old familiar rhythm. Kinley’s fingertips tingled and her toes curled inside her hiking shoes. Kissing Ryder was more exhilarating than she remembered. Unlike their first kiss, which had started out awkward but ended with a thrill, this one began right where the first left off.
Her fingers curled around the back of his neck, pulling him closer still. Worries of the future faded away as electricity coursed through her veins and danced in the air surrounding them. Ryder was the first boy she’d ever loved.Could he be the last?
Something buzzed against Kinley’s shoulder once, then twice.
Ryder was the first to break apart the kiss that left them both panting for air. “Sorry,” he said, pulling a phone out of his shirt pocket.
“You havesignalout here?” She turned a full circle, certain they were contained by mountains in every direction.
“It’s Mom.” Ryder held out the phone for her to see the text.
Mom:Lunch @ 11am Wednesday for the newlyweds. Bring Kinley XOXO
