Page 9 of Deserving Ryleigh
Finally, it was her turn. To Ry’s surprise, Tiny escorted her down the hall toward Henley’s room. She was tongue tied and didn’t have any idea what to say to him. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to expect her to sayanything. Hewalked by her side, only moving behind her when they passed someone in the hall. Even then, she could feel him at her back, a larger-than-life presence that made her not feel the need to keep her head on a swivel. Which was practically a miracle, because for ten years, since the day she’d snuck out of her father’s house, she’d done nothing but look over her shoulder.
When she entered Henley’s room, she noticed right away how tired her friend looked. Happy, yes, but also exhausted. And it was no wonder. She’d been in labor for hours, gone through the pain and excitement of giving birth, and had been holding court with their friends for at least two hours now.
Little Elizabeth Ryleigh was sound asleep in the crook of Henley’s arm, and Tonka stood at the side of her bed, staring down at his wife and daughter with a look of awe.
“Hey,” Ry said, unsure what else to say.
“Get over here,” Henley ordered, holding out her free hand.
Ry stepped forward and gave her friend an awkward hug.
“Sit,” Henley ordered, gesturing to a chair that was pulled up next to the mattress.
Ry sat obediently.
“Finn, I love you, but can you please give me and Ry a moment. You can take Jas to get a snack. She hasn’t eaten all day, and I’ve been listening to her stomach growling for the last hour.”
“I don’t want to miss anything,” Jasna whined.
“Honey, you aren’t going to miss anything. Elizabeth is asleep, and she’s gonna stay asleep for the time it takes you to eat and return. And I’m going to take a nap as soon asRy heads out. You’ll come back, kiss me good night, then go back to The Refuge with Finn because the goats are probably eating the wood of their stalls by now, and Melba is probably mooing up a storm, and I’m sure Scarlet Pimpernickel misses you something fierce. Not to mention it’s past Beauty and Wally’s dinnertime.”
“All right. But don’t let Elizabeth do anything cute until I get back!” Jasna told her mom. Then she leaned over the bed, kissed her mom, and headed for the door.
“We’ll be back soon. Then you can sleep,” Tonka told her before giving her a long and heartfelt kiss. “Love you so much. You have no idea the gift you’ve given me today.”
Ry felt like a third wheel, but she stayed completely still, as if that would make her invisible.
“Go,” Henley ordered. “Oh, and bring me back a large order of tater tots. I’mstarving.”
Tonka chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”
As soon as Tonka was gone, Tiny approached the side of the bed and smiled down at Henley. “Congratulations, Hen.”
“Thanks, Tiny.”
“She’s beautiful,” he said, gesturing to the sleeping baby.
“She’s a baby, of course she is,” Henley said. “I need you to give me and Ry a moment as well.”
Tiny nodded. “Of course. I’ll be down the hall if you need anything.”
Henley rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what I could need, but thank you.”
Tiny’s gaze met Ry’s, and she wasn’t sure what she was seeing in them. She had so many questions, but knew she’d never ask any of them. It still felt as if she was in an alternateuniverse. She’d gotten used to the status quo, of Tiny treating her as if she was a spy who needed constant supervision. And now he was…
She didn’t knowwhathe was doing.
The second Tiny was gone from the room, Henley sagged against her pillows.
“You’re tired,” Ry said. “Maybe I should go too.”
But Henley’s hand shot out and gripped her arm tightly. “Please, no. Stay.”
“Why?” Ry blurted.
“Because you’re even-keeled. You have an aura that always seems to calm me. I love our friends, they’re all amazing. But all that enthusiasm can be exhausting. With you, I can relax. I don’t have to pretend with you.”
Her words floored Ry, and she shook her head in disbelief, still having a hard time wrapping her brain around what this woman had done. “I can’t believe you gave your daughter my name.”
