And I knew without a doubt that I was alone.
I inhaled and let out my breath, calming the clatter of my thoughts all trying to crowd in past the roar of the unhoused power rolling through my head.
The swell of the power’s song made me realize it had been quieter last night. Whether that was because of Ryder, my fatigue, or the various concoctions of rhubarb I’d imbibed, I wasn’t sure.
I rolled over and pulled the covers tighter around my shoulders.
The other half of the bed was empty, the candles on the step ladder nightstand no longer burning.
A small piece of paper was folded into the shape of a little origami house, the door open to show writing on the inside, my name written above the lintel. I lifted the house and a tiny folded paper dog that somehow looked a lot like Spud sat in its place. So cute.
“I had no idea you were so clever with paper.” There didn’t appear to be any writing on Spud, so I unfolded the house. Inside, written in Ryder’s square, clean style was a note.
“A dear John?” I sighed and rubbed my hand across my eyes. “Terrific.” I sat, holding the covers against me in the cool of the room, and read.
DELANEY, I’MSORRYICOULDN’TSTAY. WORKCAMEUP. IFLASTNIGHTWERERHUBARB, I’DGIVEYOUANELEVENOUTOFTEN.
—RYDER
I didn’t know if I should laugh or be offended. Had he really just left me a note comparing me to rhubarb?
I rubbed at my eyes again, a mix of emotions rolling out as laughter.
“You jerk,” I groaned between snickers I couldn’t stop. “This is no way to romance a woman.”
The empty room had nothing to say about that, and I left the little unfolded house on the ladder and picked up Spud.
I took in a deep breath and let it out. Maybe it was better he wasn’t here when I woke up. Maybe that would have been too intimate, too much of a promise neither of us were ready to keep.
Still, I would have like to have opened my eyes and felt him there next to me. Would have liked the chance to settle against him, wrapped in the scent that was spicy and rich and wholly his, mingled with the lavender of my sheets and the heavy vanilla perfume of the candles.
“Guess we don’t always get what we want, eh, Spud?” I left Spud on the empty pillow and wandered off to the bathroom.
The scent of vanilla lingered in the smaller room. It had been sweet of him to fill the house full of candles. It had been romantic.
I smiled as I looked in the mirror.
“Well,” I said to my happy reflection, my hair mussed, my eyes still soft and relaxed. “No matter where it goes from here, last night was worth it.” I pulled out my toothbrush so I could get ready for the day.
I took a quick shower and had just finished pulling on my clothes and boots when my phone rang from the other room. I jogged out and picked up the phone, glancing at the screen.
“What’s up, Jean?”
“Are you okay?” She sounded out of breath, her words sharpened with worry that wasn’t quite panic yet.
“Yes? What’s going on?”
“I woke up with a really bad feeling, Delaney.”
“Woke up? You were supposed to be on night shift.”
“I traded with Roy.”
“Okay. When?”
“Last night. When else would I trade?”
“When did you get the bad feeling?”
