Page 14 of Christmas Wish
“Can you tell him to come here so I can pet Brutus?”
Ryder unnerved her with his quiet strength and intense stare; it was like he could see deep into her heart and mind and soul. He stirred up feelings—and desires—inside her that scared and titillated her. If he could manage all that in just a couple of days, there was no telling what maelstrom he’d create in her if they were to hook up.Really? We’re leaving in a few days. I can’t get involved with him. What am I saying? I don’t even know that he’d want to get involved. I have to get a grip here and stop acting like a schoolgirl with a fucking crush.
“Are you gonna call him? I don’t think the dog wants to move.”
Savannah shook her head and approached the canine. “Brutus, can you let us out? Be a good boy.” She snapped her fingers, waving her hand toward the hallway. “Go on now.” The dog just looked at her, his chin still poised on his paws.
“He isn’t listening,” Timmy said.
“Shit,” she muttered under her breath before crossing her arms in front of her chest. She pinched her lips together and stared at the German shepherd. “Please get up, Brutus. I have to put Timmy’s clothes in his room.” Nothing. The dog laid there like a sack of potatoes.
“Come on, Brutus.” Ryder’s husky baritone was sensuous and commanding. The dog pushed up and his nails clacked on the hardwood floor as he padded toward his owner.
Savannah’s whole body tensed, expecting Ryder to walk through the doorway at any moment, but he didn’t. Timmy poked his head out the door, looking down the hallway. Upset at letting herself be flustered by Ryder, she pressed the stack of clothes against her and walked with her chin held high over to Timmy’s room.
* * *
A dusty pinkglow lit the edges of the clouds as darkness slowly crept in. The cabin was quiet; Timmy was napping and Savannah wasn’t sure where Ryder and his dog were. She stepped into the hallway and noticed two more rooms—one door was closed, the other was ajar. Deciding to check out her surroundings, she padded over to the half-opened door and paused when she saw Ryder sitting on the edge of the bed in his boxers massaging his thigh, although it wasn’t a full thigh. She pressed her fingers over her parted lips and scanned the room, her gaze landing on an artificial leg next to the nightstand. Brutus lay on the floor near the bed, and his ears perked up when he saw her. She slinked away quickly not wanting Ryder to know that she’d invaded his privacy. With a sick feeling in her stomach, she went into the living room and sank down on the couch.I can’t believe I violated his space like that.Savannah stared at the dancing flames in the fireplace. She’d noticed he had trouble with stairs when he’d come into the trailer, but she just figured that he had joint pain or something.I wonder if he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident.She’d seen a Harley in his garage that morning. She knew of two people who’d had bad accidents while riding. One of her childhood friends’ brother had lost a leg in a motorcycle crash when he was nineteen.I wonder what Ryder’s story is. Maybe the anger and bitterness that emanates from him are because he lost his leg.She pulled up her legs and tucked them under her butt and let her mind drift.
“You need anything?” Savannah jumped at the sound of Ryder’s voice. A low chuckle rumbled from him. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
Shaking her head, she smiled. “It’s fine. I must’ve dozed off. The fire is so warm and toasty.”Don’t you dare look at his leg.
“Yeah. It’s hard to believe that it’s twenty below outside. I’m gonna have a shot of whiskey. You want one?”
“No thanks.” A grimace passed over his face, and his jaw tightened as he turned away and headed into the kitchen.He’s in pain. I bet if we weren’t here, he wouldn’t be wearing his prosthesis.The guilt was like gasoline in her gut, tightening her chest and forming a thickness in her throat. She lowered her gaze when he came back into the room with a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other.
Ryder shoved aside several motorcycle magazines before putting the whiskey and tumbler down on the end table; he gripped the arm of the couch then plopped down, an audible curse resounding around the room. Savannah looked up and saw the sheen of perspiration on his face. After swallowing several times, she folded her arms and breathed deeply.
“Your home is beautiful. What kind of wood are the floors?” she asked.
“The floors and ceilings are made of reclaimed barn wood.” Ryder brought the glass to his lips and took a sip then jerked his head toward the fireplace. “All the stone is local. Same with the one I have in the master.” He shifted a few times as if trying to get comfortable.
“Everything’s so well crafted. It’s just stunning.” Savannah’s heart tugged each time Ryder massaged his upper left leg.
“Where’re you from?” he asked, his look catching hers.
“Boston … well, really south of Boston. Quincy. What about you?” That crazy connection between them was starting up again.
“I’m from here.” He leaned back against the cushion and the gray T-shirt he wore outlined his finely toned chest. His muscular arms were covered in tattoos, and a strong desire to have them curled around her made her blush.
“You like what you see?” Ryder took another sip.
Without looking in a mirror, Savannah knew her face was flaming red; she could feel the heat under her skin. “Caught in the act.” She laughed trying to brush it off. “I wish I had the discipline to work out more,” she said, hoping that would end the discussion.
“Why … you look damn good as you are.” Ryder’s gaze dropped to her breasts and lingered there.
Savannah instinctively crossed her arms, watching him, and featherlike lines crinkled around his eyes when he laughed before looking away. He poured more of the amber liquid into the glass and took a healthy drink. She watched him intently; she liked the curved bow of his mouth, the way his hair fell across his forehead, and how rough and warm his hand was when he’d touched her earlier.
“Are you sure you don’t want one?” Ryder tipped the glass to her before throwing it back.
“I’m sure. I was going to check out the fridge and cupboards to see what I can make for dinner.” She held her hand up, silencing him. “It’s the least I can do to repay your kindness.”
Ryder’s gaze drifted to her mouth making her burn.I can’t believe how my body reacts to him.“Go check it out.” He rubbed his pant leg again while grinding his teeth.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly exhaled, hoping she wasn’t making a mistake. “You don’t have to sit there in pain. I accidentally—no reason to say I was snooping—saw you in your room earlier. You don’t have to wear your prosthesis just because we’re around. I want you to be comfortable in your own home.”
For a pause that seemed like an eternity, Ryder’s face darkened and he stared at the fire, a frown deepening into a scowl.
