Healing Hearts (New Hope Falls #6) - Kimberly Rae Jordan Page 0,73
his milk.
Though she wouldn’t admit it to anyone, it pleased her that Ryker felt at home enough to settle into the chair he’d used before without waiting for her to tell him where to sit. This time, because she’d already dished up Bryson’s food, he insisted she take her food before he did.
“This is delicious,” he said a short time later. “You like it too, huh, buddy?”
Bryson nodded. “I like potatoes.”
“So do I.”
Sophia once again ate in silence, listening as Ryker and Bryson talked about all kinds of things. On this night, Ryker also talked about Michael’s dog.
“His dog is a wolf?” Bryson asked.
“No. His dog is a dog, but his name is Wolfie.”
“Does he bite?”
“No. He’s very friendly.” Ryker leaned closer to him. “Do you know who his favorite person is?”
Bryson shook his head.
“Vivianne. He loves Vivianne.” Ryker grinned. “When Michael puts her down on a blanket on the floor, Wolfie will sniff her head, then he lays down beside her. Here.” He pulled out his phone and swiped at the screen then angled it toward Bryson.
Bryson’s eyes went wide as he took in whatever was on the phone. “Momma, look.”
Ryker held out the phone so that she could see the picture. Sure enough, there was a dog lying with his head close to Vivianne’s. It really was quite a picture.
“Do you have a dog?” Bryson asked.
“No. I live in an apartment, and I’m gone a lot of the day, so it wouldn’t be fair to the dog.”
“Does Wolf…Wolfie stay by himself?”
“Sometimes, but there are times Michael brings him in his truck.”
“Does he have to use a seatbelt?”
“Nope.” Ryker grinned. “He likes to poke his head out the window when Michael drives.”
“Momma wouldn’t let me do that.”
“That’s because your momma’s smart.”
Bryson smiled. “She’s the smartest. I love her.”
Ryker looked at her then, and Sophia felt her heart speed up just a bit. There was affection in his gaze, and even though it was for Bryson, it did something to her too.
After she’d left the compound, she never imagined that there would be a man who would ever care for her son. His own father hadn’t exhibited any affection for him.
If only she could have found a man like Ryker before she met Ezekiel. Of course, a man like Ryker wouldn’t have looked twice at her. At least not one who didn’t have an ulterior motive in seeking out someone like her.
Her stomach soured at the thought, and she shifted her attention back to her food. She’d accepted that the real danger of Ryker’s presence in her life was to her heart. But it was a risk she’d have to take in order for Bryson to not just be happy but to grow and thrive from having a positive male role model in his life. One he actually wanted to be around.
And maybe once he was more settled in his life, he’d be more accepting of other men like her dad and brothers.
After they were finished eating, Bryson helped her dish up the brownies they’d made earlier, then she added a small scoop of ice cream to each plate.
“I love brownies and ice cream,” Ryker said.
“Me too,” Bryson agreed as he picked up his spoon. “Momma said everyone likes brownies and ice cream.”
“I’d have to say that I agree. Brownies and ice cream are the best.”
Bryson lifted a piece of brownie and stared at it. “I helped make the brownies.”
“Good job.” Ryker took another bite. “Very yummy.”
The one thing Sophia really appreciated about Ryker and how he related to Bryson was how he gave such positive feedback and reinforcement. Bryson didn’t talk about cooking as being women’s work anymore, and she knew part of that was because Ryker had told him that men cooked too.
After they were done with the dessert, Bryson convinced Ryker to let him read a story to him. Sophia took advantage of Bryson’s attention being elsewhere to clean up the dishes from the meal. There were enough leftovers that they’d be able to have it for supper again the next night.
When she was done, she went into the living room to find them sitting on the couch. This time, Ryker was reading to Bryson. He used different voices and sounds as he read, which Sophia knew was no easy feat, and yet he did it with ease.
This man… He seemed perfect, which made her wonder what was wrong with him. He really couldn’t be that perfect, could he?