“I’d like that.”
Lee dropped his hand on her shoulder. “If you need anything, just ask. If you’re like your mother, you won’t want help. But you’re my daughter. I’ll always be here for you.”
* * *
Good-byes were Kinley’s least favorite occasions. She spent her final hours at Fiona’s cabin, surrounded by family and friends as she packed, realizing for the first time in her life how very special they were to her. She was through taking them for granted.
No one put her on the spot about the Army or coming back. Ava hinted how wonderful it’d be to see her more often before she hurried back to the shop. But otherwise, everyone seemed to pretend it wasn’t a relevant topic.
Kinley appreciated the space to make her own decision, but she kept waiting for Ryder to ask her to stay. To tell her he and Rowdy couldn’t stand another day without her. Maybe he’d confess his love for her on their drive to the airport. Kinley, at least, needed those miles to build her courage. She hated to leave without telling him how she felt about him, but she was afraid.
“Got you all loaded up,” Ryder said from the front door. “Ready, Kin?”
“She’ll be right out,” Fiona said.
Ryder took the cue and stepped back outside.
“Fiona,” Kinley said, refusing to leave without knowing what’d been bothering her aunt. She’d given her more than ample opportunity to come clean, but the clock was ticking away its final seconds. “Tell me why you’ve been acting so odd. Are you sick?”
“Heavens, no.” Fiona wrapped her in a tight one-armed hug. “They cut my hours at the library some, that’s all.” Though her aunt said the words flippantly enough, Kinley saw the pain in her eyes, the stress the reduced income would’ve already caused. Fiona had lived and breathed that library her whole life. It never paid much, but now . . . “Get that look out of your eyes, sweetie. I’ll manage, okay?”
“Are you sure? I can—”
“I want you home as much as anyone else, but don’t youdarecome back on some selfless mission to support me. I mean that.”
Kinley made it to the door before she realized she nearly forgot her purse on the kitchen table. “I’ll never get used to carrying one of these.” The lighthearted joke brought tears to her eyes, forcing her out the door before waterworks started in front of Fiona.
“Let’s get you to the airport.” Ryder held the passenger door of his truck open for her, offering his hand. Rowdy stood on the center console, her greeting committee. She stopped before getting in, failing to find the right words. Instead, she drew Ryder in for a sweet kiss. The earth still rocked beneath her feet when their lips met.
The wordsI love youlodged in her throat.
“What was that for?” Ryder said with a smile she’d grown to love.
“Just because.” Kinley hopped in the truck and waited for him to join her.
As Ryder trekked down the dirt road, Kinley watched Fiona’s cabin disappear in the rearview mirror. Her heart clenched at the thought of leaving this all behind. It didn’t feel right to go, but her commander would never authorize an extension with that important appointment scheduled for its last possible day tomorrow.
As they rolled down the highway, passing the knoll still missing its town sign, Kinley saw a moose loitering near a patch of trees.What now, Ed?“I swear, that moose has it out for me. Can’t imagine why.”
Ryder reached for her hand. “You know, if it wasn’t for Ed, I might’ve never known you were home. You’re pretty good at hiding when you don’t want to be found.”
“But he got me arrested!”
“Which also got Melba to confess everything.”
“True.” Kinley looked over her shoulder through the back window, but Ed had faded from sight. “He needs to work on the execution of his plans.”
The long drive felt over in a blink of an eye, the outskirts of Anchorage appearing long before Kinley was ready. They skipped any leisurely sightseeing to ensure Kinley didn’t miss her flight. Though the Army had instilled the habit of being early to everything, Kinley dragged out her airport return to the last second.
The brave words she’d been searching for the whole drive still eluded her as he pulled alongside the passenger drop off. “Ryder—”
“I’ve enjoyed our time together, Kin. Really, I have. But I haven’t forgotten for a second that you have a life—a career. To throw it all away . . . I could never ask you to do that, and I won’t.”
The words, though kind, still squeezed her heart in an unpleasant way. She gave Rowdy a bear hug, letting the dog lick her face. “I left you a secret bag of Cheetos in the glove box. Don’t tell your dad.” Kinley bolted from the truck before she lost her nerve.
“Let me know you get back, okay?”
He wrapped her in his warm, protective embrace, tucking her head beneath his chin. Kinley closed her eyes tight, warding off tears and fighting to memorize the way she fit so perfectly in his arms.
