Page 30 of Christmas Wish
“Lost it.” Ryder went over to the island and reclined against it.
“Can’t you find it?”
Ryder chuckled. “Nope. It’s gone. The doc cut it off.”
“Did it hurt?”
“Sure did, but not so much anymore.”
“Oh.” He scrunched up his face while staring at Ryder. “Did the doctor cut it last night?”
Ryder’s face crinkled in laughter. “Nope. It happened several years ago. I have a fake leg.”
“You do?”
“I’ll show it to you sometime.” Ryder was ready to ask Timmy if he wanted to come to his room to see, but then he remembered that Savannah was in his bed. “You hungry?”
“Uh-huh.”
Ryder handed a banana to the boy. “Eat this for now, and I’ll be back in a bit. Do you like pancakes?”
“They’re my favorite. Mommy always makes a smiley face on them.”
Damn, this kid is killing me.“I don’t do that, but you’re gonna like them anyway.” He looked at Brutus. “Stay with Timmy, boy.”
When Ryder entered the bedroom, Savannah wasn’t there. He glanced at the open bathroom door and wondered if he’d imagined that she’d been in his bed. It wouldn’t surprise him if he did since she’s been on his mind so damn fucking much for the past week. He sighed and locked the bedroom door, not wanting her to see him without his leg. He sat at the edge of the bed and massaged lotion on his skin. A limb, especially an above-knee cut, took time to shape back into the fit of the prosthetic.
After almost an hour, Ryder was dressed and ready to make Timmy a stack of his killer pancakes. He snapped his fingers then remembered that Brutus was with the boy. Shaking his head, Ryder chuckled; the German shepherd had really taken a liking to the boy.
The scent of dark-roasted coffee beans wafted around him as he made his way to the kitchen. When he entered the room, Ryder found Timmy sitting at the table coloring a picture, and Savannah washing dishes by the sink. He sucked in a sharp breath and ambled over to the pantry.
“Morning,” he said gruffly without even a sideways glance at her. He couldn’t bear it if she had “the look” on her face: sad smile, eyes filled with pain, and sympathetic creases across the forehead.
“Good morning,” she replied cheerfully. “I just made a pot of coffee. Would you like a cup?”
“Yeah.” He scanned the shelves looking for the baking powder and flour.
“Black, right?”
“Yeah.” He grabbed several items.
“Timmy tells me you’re making pancakes. He loves them.” A small laugh floated in the air. “I have to admit, I do too.”
She’s trying so fucking hard to be perky.He slammed the ingredients he needed on the counter. “I’m not much for small talk.”
A soft hiss of breath. “Oh … I’m sorry,” she said.
For the next half hour, Ryder flipped flapjacks while Timmy watched in fascination and Savannah read the cereal box on the table for the tenth time.
The only one chatting and laughing during breakfast was Timmy, and he seemed unaware of the strained tension between Ryder and Savannah.
“I ate too much,” Timmy said, putting his hands on his belly.
“Means you liked it,” Ryder said, as he stood up.
“I’ll wash the dishes since you made breakfast.” Savannah started to collect the plates.
“Sit down. I’ll do it. I got friends coming by to dig us out.”
