Healing Hearts (New Hope Falls #6) - Kimberly Rae Jordan Page 0,69
reached his apartment, Ryker let himself in then sent her another message.
I was wondering if I could come by tomorrow afternoon.
He pressed send, then waited. Since he was staring at the screen, he noticed when the three bubbles appeared. But almost immediately, they disappeared and didn’t show up again.
Frowning, Ryker put his pizza into the fridge then went to sit on his couch while he waited for Sophia’s response. He wondered if she was trying to come up with a way to ask him to stay away. If that was the case, perhaps he needed to give her a way out.
If it’s not convenient, that’s fine.
After more waiting, he glanced at the time and realized that it might be right around Bryson’s bedtime. He hoped that was what was causing her delayed response, but he really had no idea what might be going through her mind. Clearly, he was out of practice when dealing with women. Or maybe it was just dealing with someone like Sophia.
With Lydia, the woman never held back. She always said what was on her mind with seemingly no regard for how her words might make another person feel. Strangely enough, however, she seemed to be able to temper that when dealing with her patients. Still being straightforward with them, but doing it in such a way that the pregnant women were receptive to whatever she said to them.
She and Callie were very similar in their direct, blunt interactions with people, which was probably why they got along so well. They’d been friends for years, and it had been through Callie that Ryker had initially met Lydia. It hadn’t surprised him that the two of them had remained close friends after the breakup. They were essentially two peas in a pod.
However, when it came to Sophia, Ryker had never gotten the feeling that she was one who spoke her mind. Still, he hoped that Sophia would feel comfortable enough to do what was right for her and Bryson, regardless of how it might make him feel. Especially if they had come from a cult, it was important that she feel able to voice her opinion now.
Rather than continue to just wait, Ryker went to change into his workout clothes. There happened to be a hockey game on, so he watched it as he used the elliptical. He wasn’t a huge hockey fan, but he enjoyed sports in general, so he tended to watch if a game was on.
He’d finished up and was on his way to the shower when his phone’s text alert dinged.
Sophia: I think perhaps it would be best if you didn’t come by anymore.
Ryker felt a little sick at her words, but he couldn’t argue with her. I understand. I’d still like to help you with the yard. You could just let me know when you and Bryson won’t be home.
Sophia: You don’t need to do that.
Ryker ran his hand through his hair, then gripped the back of his neck. He completely understood where she was coming from, but the prospect of not seeing the two of them again made him sad. Sadder than it should have.
I know, but I’d like to.
Sophia: It’s just that I’m worried that Bryson has gotten too attached to you.
You don’t need to explain your reasons to me. If this is what you feel is best for you and Bryson, I will respect that.
Sophia: But you’ve done so much for us already. I feel like I owed you an explanation.
To be honest, I was kind of worried about his becoming too attached to me as well. I should have explained that I’d be back once a week rather than just disappearing the way I did. I’m sorry that my decision upset Bryson. I made a mistake.
Sophia: I never envisioned where things would go when I asked you to speak with him that day. He responded better to you than he has to any man, including those in my own family.
Ryker knew he shouldn’t be pleased by that, particularly because Sophia was concerned about how things had developed because of that.
Sophia: I know he’ll be upset that he can’t see you, and maybe that’s not good either. I don’t know what to do.
That last sentence of hers reached out and tugged at his heart. He knew she was trying to do the best she could for her son, and he wanted to support her in that, not make things more difficult.