“Okay, can you ask around and find out who trapped him? He might be here trying to find help with whatever trouble he’s in, but if that trouble means he’s working for your father, I’m giving Baum the bum’s rush, influencer or no influencer.”
“I’ll look into it. So. Are you excited for the rehearsal on Friday?”
I pulled a coaster over and fiddled with it, playing it casual, though I knew he could sense my raised heartbeat. “Can’t wait.”
He pressed his hand gently over the back of my own, waited until I met his eyes.
“Ryder loves you, Delaney. I know this. You know this too. Everything else in the world can go to dust, and that truth between you won’t change.
“I heard what you said to Patrick. That you would go into heaven or hell for Ryder. He knows that, too, and would do the same for you.”
I swallowed quickly, surprised by the sudden rush of emotions: happiness, pride, love.
“I know.” I cleared my throat and tried again. “I know. Thank you.”
He withdrew his hand and picked up his drink. “Plus, if Ryder abandons you at the altar, I will kick his god-bound ass. Me and several other people in this town.”
I scoffed. “If he abandons me, you’re all going to have to stand in line. I can do my own ass-kicking, thank you.”
“Ah,” he said, raising his cup. “True love.”
Chapter Eleven
The wordof Patrick Baum holding court in Ordinary had blazed through all the on-line sites. We were seeing license plates from California, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Alaska, and Arizona. Traffic was a nightmare.
By sunset, all the motel signs were turned to no vacancy. The restaurants pulled extended hours to accommodate the larger dinner crowd, the bars were over maximum occupancy allowed. Even the grocery store parking lot was full.
It was good business, but made for a long damn day for all of us working with the public.
It was past midnight by the time I got home. The driveway was empty. Ryder was still gone.
I thought about making dinner and decided it was too late.
“Popcorn works, right?” I said as I wandered into the kitchen. I tossed a bag into the microwave, then headed upstairs for a quick shower.
I changed and settled on the couch, a warm blanket over my lap, dragon-pig on one side, Spud on the other.
I was slotted for backup on the emergency lines tonight. Jean was first, but with so many people in town, I kept my phone ringer up, knowing I’d get overflow.
So when my phone rang, I answered it without looking at the screen. “Police Chief Delaney Reed. What is the reason for your call?”
“Police Chief? I’d like to report a crime,” Ryder said on the line. His voice was soft and tired, but there was humor behind it too.
He sounded wonderful.
He sounded like he missed me.
“What kind of crime? Violent?”
“There’s a thief. She’s stolen my heart.”
“So cheesy,” I said.
“No, you don’t understand. It’s a heart of gold.”
I groaned.
“A heart ofgold,” he repeated. “Which is very valuable. And it’s been stolen. So what are you going to do about it?”
