Page 38 of Deserving Ryleigh
He had sandwiches, chips, bottles of water, and even a baggie of Robert’s coveted chocolate chip cookies. They were in pieces, but Tiny figured they’d taste just as good.
He smiled as he pulled out another item with a flourish.
Ryleigh grinned. “A Christmas Tree Cake?” she asked incredulously.
“Yup.”
“Do I even want to know what you did to get Robert to give you one of those from his secret stash?”
“Nope,” Tiny teased with a smile. The truth was, he hadn’t had to promise anything. Robert had offered one of his favorite treats without prompting, saying someone as special as Ryleigh deserved it. He couldn’t disagree.
“Can I tell you something?” Ryleigh asked.
“You can tell me anything,” Tiny said without hesitation.
She looked around as if trying to see if anyone might be eavesdropping. It was adorable. Then she whispered, “I can’t stand those things.”
Tiny burst out laughing.
“Seriously, they’re gross. They have some sort ofcoating on them that makes my mouth feel slimy. And they’re too sweet. I always feel as if I need to eat something green and healthy to soak up the sugar coursing through my veins after I have one.”
“But you always seem so excited when you get one,” Tiny said.
“Yeah, because I know how precious they are to Robert, and if he’s willing to give me one, I know it’s because he really likes me.”
Tiny’s smile died. He didn’t like that this woman thought she had to eat something she hated in order to be liked. “He’s not going to be offended if you don’t like them,” he said.
Ryleigh merely shrugged.
“He’s not,” Tiny insisted.
“It’s not a big deal. It’s not as if he gives me all that many. It’s the least I can do for everything he does for The Refuge.”
That was another thing, Ryleigh did so much to help make The Refuge prosper. It was as if she had a personal stake in the success or failure of the place, but in reality, she gained or lost nothing if the retreat prospered. She simply wanted it to do well because she liked the people who lived and worked there.
Reaching into his bag, Tiny pulled out the last thing he’d stashed before they’d headed out.
Ryleigh’s eyes got wide. “Is that…moonshine?” she asked.
“It is.”
“But I thought alcohol wasn’t allowed at The Refuge?”
“It’s not,” Tiny agreed as he unscrewed the cap. “Butevery now and then, it’s nice to have a swig or two.” He held out the bottle to her.
Ryleigh stared at it for a beat, then lifted her gaze to his. “I’ve never had it before.”
“You’ll like it,” Tiny reassured her.
“I heard it’s strong.”
“It is. You’ll only need a few swallows to feel it.”
“I’m not sure getting drunk is the best idea when we’re sitting on a huge rock in the middle of the woods with a long hike to get home still.”
“You aren’t going to get drunk…just have enough to feel good.”
She still hesitated.
