don’t really want to get into confusing the boys right at the moment, so I settle for a quiet, “Thank you.”
The rest of the afternoon leaves me feeling like an observer. Ryker seems to have prepared what he was going to say for who knows how long, because his signs are near-perfect. A few mess-ups leave the boys giggling and asking me for help. I help where I can, and we rely on Ollie’s lip reading skills for the rest. Ollie seems thrilled not to have to stare at me or Max for the whole day, as he’s able to interact with someone new.
After the tour is done, and the boys have their seed cups to take home—with strict care instructions—they get in the car after saying thank you to Ryker.
“Thank you, Ryker.” I say once the boys are buckled in. “Not just for the tour for them, but . . . for Ollie.” I shrug as I feel teary-eyed.
“Hey, no problem, Nat.” He smiles and places a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s do it again soon, okay? They’re a blast.”
I nod. “Okay. I’ll call you.”
For the entire drive to Eric’s place, Max and Ollie engage in loud conversation about whose squash will grow bigger and how they want to live at a farm when they grow up. My focus keeps drifting back to the look on Ollie’s face when Ryker met him eye-level and started speaking his language. It was like he was staring at a super hero, and I find myself hoping that one day they learn that he really kind of is.
The drop-off at Eric’s is a bit quieter than usual. The divorce was finalized two weeks ago, and it seems Eric’s just starting to process the whole thing. The boys carry in their seed cups and start talking about the farm. Eric knew I was taking them there; I was open about my plans.
“They look like they had a good time,” Eric says coolly as he watches the boys.
“They did.”
Eric looks at me for a few seconds before looking down and walking toward the boys in the kitchen.
“See you guys later.” I force a smile and get my ass out of there before things reach a new level of awkward.
Getting in the car, I call Tosha.
“Hey you,” she chirps.
“Hey. Listen, I can’t make it to dinner. Something’s come up.” Reaching the end of Eric’s street, I turn on my right turn signal, retracing my track from twenty minutes ago.
“Something bad or something good?” she asks, sounding slightly concerned.
“We’ll see. I’ll call you tonight.”
Hanging up, I focus my sights on getting back to Manning Farms.
Pulling into the driveway, I see the barn is closed up, but the porch and living room lights are on. I get out of the car, and quickly make my way to the front door, knocking before nerves get the best of me.
Ryker opens the door, wearing the same Carhartts and a button down plaid shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows. “Natalie?”
Before I can say anything, my arms are around his neck and I’m hugging him as tightly as I’ve wanted to all day . . . for the last several months. Letting the cold air swirl into his house, Ryker hugs me back for what feels like a full minute.
“What you did for Ollie today,” I say, pulling away so we can step inside, “he’ll never forget that, you know.” I find myself wiping away tears I didn’t realize were falling. “You made him feel special, Ryker . . .”
Ryker smiles as he leans back on the arm of his couch, still holding my hand. “He is special, Natalie . . . he’s yours.” That grin of his takes control of me in an instant.
“I don’t want you to disappear again,” I blurt out. “You hear me? I don’t care if it’s for a month, or a decade, you’re not doing it again.” I playfully push his shoulder.
“Okay,” he holds up his hands in defense as he laughs, “I promise.”
“Well, um . . . I should get going. I just wanted to thank you face-to-face for being so great with him today.” After a quick hug, I turn and head for the door. Halfway down the stairs, I hear Ryker stop the screen door behind me.
“Natalie,”
Turning slowly on the stairs, I catch Ryker in the middle of a deep breath. I wait.
“Do you still love me?” Ryker’s voice is shaking as he stands in the doorway.