What was with that last look? Was he upset because he didn’t want to go to David’s tonight? Or was this somehow a reminder of his loss of Cara?
She could easily imagine how he was suffering from that. She’d had plenty of practice with how dark emotions could impact life. Even if her dad hadn’t heaped tons of guilt on her after the accident, she’d already blamed herself. But Wally persuaded her to go to counseling when she moved in with him, and she’d worked through it.
But Ryan? He was a protector. Had always been and would carry an extra measure of guilt for not being there for his fiancée. It could even be the reason for his fluctuating behavior since they’d reconnected. Was surely behind his need to keep Mia safe. She would like to help him. She couldn’t though. Not even if she understood his motives. She couldn’t alleviate his guilt. Only he could do that.
She clenched and relaxed her hands to ease her tension. Things between her and Ryan were far too complicated and too personal. They promised to work together as professionals, but only a few hours on the job, and the possibility was waning fast.
No matter. She couldn’t disappoint Eddie and the other students Ryan had assigned to her. She would simply have to make sure she and Ryan kept things strictly businesslike in the future so neither one of them got hurt again. And now she would do her best for Eddie. Devote herself to him and him alone for the next hour.
She rose to get some fresh air so she wasn’t closed down for the session.
She stepped from the office into the main rec center and searched the space for Ryan and Eddie. Didn’t find them. Instead, she spotted her father and a nurse talking near medical screens set up in the corner. Her steps faltered as she studied him. Ryan had told her a doctor examined the students to confirm their ability to handle the extreme conditions before they could join in.
He hadn’t said her father was that doctor.
Rattled, she resumed walking toward the door, picking up speed. Her athletic shoes squeaked on the wood flooring, and a group of students mimicked the sound, magnifying the noise. She glanced at her father. He’d spotted her. She assumed he would ignore her, but he handed a folder to the nurse and started in Mia’s direction. They met near the exit blocked by students and counselors filing out of the room.
“Mia,” her father said. “I heard you were working with the students.” He spoke as if they were friends.
How odd.“I hadn’t heard the same about you.”
“Dr. Rucker had an emergency. I’m filling in for him.” He twisted a rubber band between his fingers. “This is a good thing you’re doing here. Helping these kids. I’m real proud of you.”
Proud of her? She didn’t know how to respond other than to gape at him.
He tipped his head at the corner with the medical screens. “Looks like I have a student waiting on me. Keep up the good work.”
Completely unsettled, she gawked at him as he crossed the room. Was it possible he really did want to reconcile with her as David had said? Or was this just a way to make her doubt his involvement in the threats?
The room closed in on her, and she needed air even more. She squeezed through the remaining students at the door and crossed the lawn. Sydney, pacing and checking her watch rushed forward. She grabbed Mia’s arm and dragged her behind a stand of junipers.
Sydney planted her bright pink athletic shoes in the dirt behind a thick tree trunk. She wore pink shorts and a striped lime green and pink knit top, looking more like someone who worked at a resort office than the other day.
She peeked out behind the tree and gulped air, nearly panting.
Something was wrong. But what? “What’s up?”
Sydney pursed her lips and glanced around the area. Was she worried about someone overhearing them?
She faced Mia. “I just heard you’d be working with these kids. My little sister, Nikki, hopes to major in filmmaking after high school. She’ll be shadowing the documentary staff for the next few days.”
Why would that bother Sydney? “That’ll be a good experience for her.”
Sydney waved a hand. “Oh, I know that, but Nikki’s kind of flighty, and I’m worried about her hanging around the kids in the program. Do you think you could keep an eye out for her and tell me if she’s getting into any trouble?”
Sydney’s little sister sounded far tamer than Mia and Sydney ever were in high school, but Mia could understand Sydney’s concern. “I’m happy to help.”
Sydney pointed toward the driveway. “That’s Nikki. On the sidewalk by the big guy with the camera.”
Mia studied the girl’s pixie face with three pounds of eye makeup. She had auburn hair and was cute in a high school girl kind of way, but Sydney with her blond hair softly framing her face devoid of makeup was stunning.
Nikki looked up, and Sydney pulled Mia deeper into the trees. “I don’t want her to see us talking.”
Mia gave a solemn nod she believed Sydney’s sisterly concern deserved.
Sydney peeked around the tree again. “Nikki’s facing the other way now. Gotta go before she sees me. Catch you later. And thanks.” She skittered away, staying under the cover of trees lining the driveway.
Thankfully, Sydney’s drama took Mia’s mind off her father’s odd behavior long enough to regain enough composure to go back to the students. She eased out of the trees and rounded the corner while keeping an eye on the parade of students.
