His eyes widened in genuine shock. “You’d... do that?”
I hadn’t meant to offer. The words had just tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. But seeing him sitting there, vulnerable and hurt, something protective flared in me that I couldn’t ignore.
“I’m not promising anything,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the warning bells going off in my head. “But if your dad’s the kind of asshole who hits his kid for supporting his friends, then maybe you shouldn’t go alone.”
Ryder stared at me like I’d grown a second head. “Larry would never approve. And if my dad found out...”
“Larry doesn’t need to know. Neither does your dad.” I couldn’t believe what I was suggesting, but I pressed on anyway. “I’ll take my day off and meet you there. And if they catch wind of it, I’ll say it was a personal invitation from Evelyn. He won’t argue with that.”
“Why would you risk that for me?” His voice was small and uncertain, nothing like the confident flirt I was used to dealing with.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Because nobody deserves to be alone when they’re standing up for what’s right.”
The lantern light caught the moisture in his eyes before he blinked it away. He looked down at his hands, a small, genuine smile playing at his lips. Not the practiced smirk he usually wore, but something real.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of what I’d offered settling between us. This was dangerous territory. If Pete decided to make a stink about things, I’d be back in prison before I could blink. But sitting across from Ryder, seeing that bruise darkening on his jaw, I couldn’t bring myself to abandon him.
“Does this mean our month is over?” Ryder asked, a hint of his usual playfulness returning.
“Nice try,” I replied, unable to suppress a small smile. “You’ve still got a week left.”
He groaned dramatically, but there was no real disappointment behind it. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
I stood, knowing I should get back to the bunkhouse before someone noticed I was gone. “You should get some sleep. And put some ice on that jaw.”
Ryder nodded, rising to his feet as well. We stood facing each other in the dim light, closer than we needed to be. I could smell his cologne, that expensive woody scent that had haunted my dreams. For a moment, I thought he might try to kiss me again, might push his luck while I was feeling generous.
Instead, he simply reached out and squeezed my arm once, his touch warm through my shirt.
“Thank you, Connor,” he said softly. “For listening. And for the offer.”
I nodded, stepping back before I did something stupid like pull him into my arms. “Get some rest, Ryder.”
As I walked back to the bunkhouse, I couldn’t help wondering what the hell I’d just gotten myself into. As I crawled back into bed, I stared up at the ceiling hoping I hadn’t just made the biggest mistake of my possibly short free life.
Chapter 11
Ryder
Istood outside the Nelson Ranch, waiting for Connor, convinced that he would never show. Why would he? The man didn’t owe me anything and his promise to accompany me had been made while I was under duress. Even now there was a thin layer of foundation on my jaw covering up the last vestiges of the bruise my father had given me. Connor had been very upset when he saw it, but that didn’t mean he’d follow through.
Nobody else ever had.
How many guys had I dated through high school and college that had promised me they would stand up for me? Then, when the time came, they just disappeared. Not that I could blame them. My dad wasn’t the kind of person you stood up against easily. So why would Connor when he had so much to lose?
“It’s almost time, Ryder.”
I turned to see Evelyn approaching, dressed in a simple blue dress that somehow made her look ten years younger. Her silver hair was done up elegantly, and she wore a corsage of wildflowers on her wrist.
“They’re starting in about ten minutes,” she said, giving me a sympathetic look. I’d told her about Connor meeting me there. “Maybe he got caught up with something at the ranch.”
I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment. “Yeah, maybe.”
She squeezed my arm gently. “Well, I saved you a seat next to me. You don’t have to sit alone.”
I forced a smile. “Thanks, Evelyn.”
