Page 40 of Forever Fallen

Her Grammy would have ‘just eaten him up with a spoon…’or at least said that very phrase.

“Good morning,” he said easily, leaning forward and kissing her on the cheek dutifully. “How did you sleep?”

“Like a zombie…”

“Looking for brains and running all night?”

“Feels like it,” she hedged, smiling softly at him. “You made coffee. Thank you so much. I could use a cup.”

“It’s a fighter pilots’ breakfast,” he smirked, pouring two cups that he already had waiting on the counter. “Coffee and cigs…”

“But you don’t smoke?” Sophie said curiously, accepting the coffee mug from him, and realizing he drank the dark brew as strongly as she did. You couldn’t see the bottom of the cup, and her grandmother always preferred it much weaker than her.

“I’m dieting,” he replied evenly, but his eyes crinkled slightly at the corners, telling her that he was teasing.

“Well, you certainly look nice. My grandmother adored a man in uniform,” she admitted, leaning forward to kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you for coming with me.”

“I’m an awesome husband…” he said evasively, looking away.

“You’ll do,” she said softly, patting him on the cheek and smiling.

* * *

Fifteen minutes later,Ryan was driving her car and grumbling all sorts of things under his breath about the hated Toyota, the rolling ‘egg’, and those abysmal tires…

“I’m getting new tires on this rolling disaster tomorrow,” he uttered. “Why on earth did you ever pick this thing? What about a nice SUV or muscle car? A Challenger is a great muscle car that is a throwback...”

“Because my car gets thirty-two miles to the gallon and I was commuting a lot,” she informed him pointedly, laughing at how disgruntled he was.

“I’m surprised this infernal thing isn’t pink with eyelashes…”

“I can get eyelashes for my car?” she asked, her voice full of excitement, just to get him riled up.

“Please don’t…” he said flatly, looking at her – but his eyes were full of kindness. “And we are here.”

Sure enough, Ryan was keeping her deliberately distracted so she didn’t feel so overwhelmed or upset.

Getting out of the car, he opened her door and took her hand, walking her through the small lot towards a pathway that was lined with people already… in uniform.

Stunned, she saw the men all snap to attention. Their elegant and debonair dark uniforms lined the walkway to the graveside ceremony that was scheduled to begin shortly.

Turning, she looked at Ryan in amazement – only to see that he was watching her, measuring her reaction. His dark eyes were brimming with pride, concern, and nervousness.

“What’s this?” she whispered tearfully. “Your friends are here?”

“I wanted to honor the woman that raised my wife – even if I didn’t know her,” Ryan said gently, touching her cheek. “I hope you don’t mind?”

“No…” she sniffed – only to have him lean down and kiss her softly.

His lips barely brushed hers and she knew it was just as a reminder or to be polite at this solemn moment.

“Crying…” he announced in a whisper, as a smile touched his lips, causing her to laugh tearfully. “I’ve gotta be quick.”

She reached up, touched his cheek, and nodded, unable to fight the rioting emotions within her as she stared at him.

Ryan was always surprising her and she had no clue that anything like this was possible. He’d chosen to stay with her in their mock-marriage, was trying to keep her off-center today, and then took every chance to do something incredible… like honoring her beloved Grammy.

“Mrs. Merrick? Shall we…?” Ryan began, releasing her hand and extending his arm in a formal manner.

---