Page 37 of Love on the Brain
“Flour, water, butter, eggs, powder, salt, chocolate chips, and vanilla drips!” Noah sang.
Ryan was impressed. “You’ve done this before, then?”
“Every Saturday. ’Cept if I have an early ball game. Then Mommy puts frozen ones in the toaster and makes me eat a tube of yogurt.” He made a face.
Ryan laughed. “I can understand that. You need a lot of protein before you work out.”
Noah sighed. “That’s what Ms. Molly says. But I don’t like her shakes, so I guess the yogurt is okay.”
Ryan had heard about Molly’s shakes. “Proteins and greens are fuel. Your body needs the best fuel for it to work its best.” He scooped a cup of flour and handed it to Noah, who dumped it into the mixing bowl.
Noah poured in the rest of the dry ingredients while Ryan filled the measuring cup with water and set it on the counter. “Is that why I have a tumor? ’Cause I don’t eat the best fuel?”
Noah’s question caught Ryan off guard. “Naw, buddy. We don’t know what caused it, but I can say with confidence it wasn’t what you ate or didn’t eat.”
The little boy nodded and used both hands to lift the cup and pour the water into the bowl. Ryan held the bowl steady while Noah mixed.
They made three waffles, and as he cleaned the iron, Ryan glanced at the clock. He’d have to get ready soon. Just when he was debating waking Jane up, she arrived in the kitchen. Her wide smile was as bright as the full sunlight now streaming in from the east-side windows.
“You’re going to spoil us,” Jane teased, picking up the plates from the counter.
Ryan shrugged and flashed her a grin. “It’s my pleasure.”
She grinned back at him and set the plates on the table. “And we appreciate it. Don’t we, Noah?” she asked, returning to the kitchen for silverware and napkins.
“Uh-huh,” he said, climbing off the chair. “I need to go wash my hands.” He ran toward the bathroom.
Ryan saw his opportunity to ask Jane about the firehouse visit. “I should be home by seven thirty. I know it’s probably late but was thinking, maybe we can go to the fire station and I can introduce Noah to the medics that came here? You know Cruz. Maybe show the little guy what they do so he’s not so afraid?”
Jane pressed her lips together and didn’t answer right away. “Okay. I’ll let Connie know we’ll stay here one more night. I think that’s a good idea. Thank you.”
Her gratitude made him feel all warm inside. He was glad she’d been receptive. Noah was already a brave little kid. If a visit to the firehouse could help him face his fears, then Ryan was all for it.
He prayed it was the right thing. The last thing he wanted to do was trigger Noah—or his mother.
CHAPTER11
Ryan opened the driver’s side extended cab door and reached up to depress the button on the five-point harness for Noah. The boy slid down out of the booster seat and tentatively leaned forward so Ryan could scoop him into his arms.
“I got you, buddy. You ever see the inside of a fire station before?”
“Yeah. Chief Cranmore is my grandpa’s friend. His place is small.” Noah’s head turned as he scanned the sheer size of the firehouse. “He only has one truck and one ambah-lance.”
“Here they have three trucks that serve different purposes. But I’ll let my friend Cruz tell you about that, okay? He’s the expert.”
“Okay.”
Ryan waited for Jane by his truck’s front bumper, and then they walked toward the open bay together, where Cruz was waiting in front of an ambulance that faced out.
“Is that my ambah-lance?” Noah asked. He tightened his grip around Ryan’s neck and rested his head close.
Ryan slid his hand up Noah’s back and whispered, “I know this is probably a little scary, but I’ve got you. Let me know if you want to get down, okay?”
“Okay.” Ryan dared a glance at Jane, who quickly looked away.
When they were in earshot, Cruz waved hello. “Welcome to Station One.”
Ryan shook Cruz’s hand. “Thanks. You remember Jane, and this is Noah.”
