Page 26 of The Baxters
Kari’s mother stared at him for a few seconds. Then she nodded. “Okay.” Her eyes glistened and she blinked. “Come in, Ryan. Please.” She studied him. “I’ll get you a towel.”
“Thanks.” A few steps inside and Ryan stopped. He touched Mrs. Baxter’s arm. “Tim isn’t… he isn’t here, is he?”
“No. He’s at the chapel with Kari’s dad. The others… they’re upstairs.” She shook her head. Was that relief in her eyes? “Kari’s out back. On the porch.”
In all the years Ryan had known Kari’s mother, thewoman had never looked like this. Shocked, maybe. Like she wasn’t sure if he was actually standing there.
She sized him up again. “Wait here.” She hurried off and returned with a worn blue bath sheet. By then Ryan was starting to take off his tennis shoes, but she shook her head. “Don’t worry about the rain. These old wood floors have seen worse.”
“All right.” He took the familiar-looking towel and thanked her. How many times had he and Kari come in from the rain only to have Mrs. Baxter help them like this? Ryan ran the cloth over his face and body and handed it back to her. “Is it okay? Can I…”
“Yes, Ryan.” She crossed her arms, as if she were suddenly cold. “Go to her.”
The Baxter house was as familiar as his own. He made his way through the foyer, into the living room. Good that the others weren’t around. This moment had the potential to be more than awkward.
He took the few steps through the kitchen and out back.
Water dripped down his face as he stepped onto the porch and shut the door behind him. And then—like a thousand times before—he turned and saw her. She was in sweats and a thin white shirt, but she looked stunning. Her hair and makeup ready for the big event. Sitting on the porch swing. The place where they had talked and laughed and looked at stars all those summer nights.
“Ryan? You’re soaking wet.” She was on her feet, fear clouding her pretty blue eyes. “What… why are you here?”
He came to her slowly. No way he wanted to frighten her, not now. The minutes were too precious. When he was a few feet away, she sat back down. As if the idea of a hug was out of the question.
For an instant he thought about taking the seat beside her. But that wouldn’t do. Not based on her expression. He leaned against the porch railing and faced her. Never mind the rain still hitting the back of his neck. At the same moment, thunder clapped overhead and the downpour grew loud against the porch roof.
He glanced over his shoulder and then back at her. “Nice weather.” He raised his eyebrows and gave her a goofy grin. One that had always made her smile.
Kari clearly wanted to stay serious, angry even. She had a right. He hadn’t even asked permission to be here. But something in his tone or his silly expression must’ve caught her off guard because her laughter came and like that the air between them was easy again.
The way it had always been—right up until his injury.
“Okay.” She exhaled. “You’re crazy, Ryan Taylor, you know that?”
“I’ve been told.” He laughed, too. And if only for these precious seconds they were the same as before. Kari and Ryan. Together again.
“Here.” She patted the spot beside her. “Sit down. Out of the rain.”
Ryan held his breath as he sat beside her. So close he could smell her shampoo, feel her arm against his. He slid over some, giving her room. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah.” She turned so she could see him. “You should be. It’s my wedding day.” With one hand she gave an exaggerated wave at the sky. “And clearly the weather is on my side.”
They both laughed again and the familiarity of it felt better than Ryan had ever dreamed. But he didn’t have long. He had something to say and now was the time. “I shouldn’t be here. I know that.” He allowed himself to get serious again. The rain let up just enough so he didn’t have to raise his voice. “Today… it’s the last day you’ll be Kari Baxter.”
Tears filled her eyes and she nodded. “Yes.”
“And I guess…” His wet shirt stuck to his skin and he brushed a few raindrops from his eyelashes. “I couldn’t miss the chance to say goodbye.”
Kari closed her eyes and tears slid down her cheeks. When she opened them she let out a sound that was more cry than laugh. “My makeup doesn’t stand a chance around you.”
And there it was, just like that. Kari might not have meant to tell him, but she had. Her feelings for him were still there. Otherwise she wouldn’t be crying. Ryan reached out and with the gentlest touch he caught her next few tears. “What a bad friend.” His voice was soft, for her alone. “Making you cry on your wedding day.”
“Ryan…” She searched his eyes. “I can’t do this.” His fingers were still on her face, and she removed them, easing his hand back down to his side.
Without thinking he caught her hand in his. In amove as familiar as his own heartbeat, he eased his fingers between hers. She didn’t pull away. As long as he lived he would remember that single fact.
On Kari’s wedding day when he took hold of her hand… she let him.
The feel of her skin against his took his breath. Ryan worked to press on, to say what he’d come to tell her. He ran his thumb over her hand, his eyes never leaving hers. “I don’t know what happened between us.” He searched her pretty face. “After all this time, I still don’t know.”
