“You coming?” Kenzie called out.
For a moment, it wasn’t Kenzie sitting in the passenger seat, but a bubbly blonde. Ryker blinked and forced himself to the present. He walked stiffly toward the truck and slid in. There was still an indentation of his teenage butt in the front bucket seat.
“I can’t believe what good shape your truck is in,” Kenzie told him with a radiant smile as she reached across the seat to place her hand on his knee.
“I haven’t driven it since winter of my freshman year of college, but I make sure it’s kept in running shape,” he told her, hearing the different tone to his voice. He sounded as if his throat had tightened, because it had. “So, where are we going?” Ryker tried to relax his voice and change the subject away from the truck.
“Head toward Charleston.” Kenzie practically bounced with excitement as Ryker put the truck in gear and drove it out of his garage. He’d made it as far as Main Street and was about to turn on South Cypress to head toward Charleston when the cop lights flashed behind him.
“You’re getting pulled over?” Kenzie asked with disbelief.
“It’s my friend,” Ryker said, feeling his body go stiff again as Granger appeared at the door.
“You’re driving it,” Granger said with the same stiff voice Ryker had.
“Kenzie Carys, meet my long-time friend, Sheriff Granger Fox. Granger, this is Kenzie. She wanted me to drive it tonight to fit in better.”
“You’re the nurse who saved Ryker. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Granger smiled into the cab and Kenzie seemed to relax, knowing he wasn’t getting a ticket.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“I think you’re the first woman to ask Ryker not to drive one of his fancy cars.”
“Well, we’re going to Clyde’s.”
Granger burst out laughing. “You’re taking Ryker to Clyde’s. That’s great. Oh shit, I didn’t even notice the T-shirt and jeans.” Granger’s smile was so big and genuine it made Ryker wonder what kind of person he’d been the past fifteen plus years.
“What’s Clyde’s and why am I suddenly worried?” Ryker asked with mock seriousness that made both Granger and Kenzie laugh.
“Kenzie, I’m so glad Ryker had the good sense to get dragged out of that fire by you. You’re rescuing him in more ways than you know. Have a good night.”
“Goodnight!” Kenzie replied before Ryker rolled the window back up. “What did he mean about rescuing you?”
“Apparently, my friends and family think I have no life outside of business. I guess you’ve breathed new life into me both literally and figuratively. Now, tell me how to get to whatever Clyde’s is.”
10
Kenzie was trying not to laugh at the look of horror on Ryker’s face at the neon sign flashing Clyde’s Saloon.
“Is this a honky-tonk?” Ryker asked slowly as he took in the dirt and sand parking lot packed with trucks and the sound of loud country music blaring from the saloon.
Kenzie tried not to laugh, but it was no use. “Jen and I come here to blow off steam sometimes. Tonight is ladies' night so I get in free.”
“I think I can manage the cover charge,” Ryker said dryly. “However, you’re right. The truck fits in better.”
“Come on. They have the best burgers for a hundred miles.” Kenzie didn’t wait for Ryker and jumped from the pickup.
Ryker met her in the parking lot and held out his hand. She didn’t know if it was romantic or if he was scared she’d toss him into the saloon and make a run for it. “Hold on,” Ryker told her before jogging back to his truck. In the bed of the truck was a steel box that was flush against the back window. Kenzie watched as he took a deep breath and opened it. He’d been physically affected when she got in the truck. He hadn’t driven it since freshman year of college, his friend Granger was similarly affected when he saw Ryker driving it, and now she noticed the way Ryker’s hand shook just slightly as he opened the storage box.
She wanted to ask him about it but knew timing was everything. Ryker would tell her if and when he wanted to. His jaw was tight as he reached into the box, but a second later he pulled out his hand with a cowboy hat in it.
“Oh, Ryker! I can’t imagine you with a cowboy hat,” Kenzie said, laughing as she saw him trying to relax.
“When in Rome,” Ryker said, but she noticed the way his voice was still tight. “I wonder if it still fits. I haven’t worn it since I was eighteen.”
Ryker set the black cowboy hat on his head and grinned. “It fits perfectly and I demand every date from now on you have to wear it, jeans, and these great tight T-shirts,” Kenzie said with authority.
That drew a grin from Ryker as he reached for her hand again once again. Kenzie smiled up at him and enjoyed the way he began to slowly relax as they walked inside Clyde’s.
“There’s an open table,” Kenzie said with surprise as she dragged him across the dance floor and past the massive bar. It was a table for two deep in the shadows and it couldn’t be more perfect for tonight because they were seated in the small booth shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Nothing fancy,” she said, handing the menu to Ryker.
“Well, there are thirty different beers,” Ryker said with a smirk. “Then burger, burger, or burger.”
“Howdy, welcome to Clyde’s,” a waitress said as she stopped at the table. Kenzie didn’t miss the way she eyed Ryker, but Kenzie also didn’t miss the way Ryker didn’t even care she was there. “What can I get you and your sister?”
“Girlfriend,” Ryker said, leaving no room for argument. “We’ll both have a burger and beer.”
The waitress nodded and hurried off to her next table.
“Girlfriend?” Kenzie asked teasingly. “I don’t know if we’re at that level yet.”
“I’m at a saloon for you. We’re at that level.”
Kenzie laughed and grabbed his hand. “Well, I’m withholding boyfriend status until you dance with me.”
Ryker immediately slid from the booth and held out his hand. “Shall we?”
Kenzie placed her hand in his and was surprised when he whisked her out onto the dance floor with as much confidence as she expected he had in the boardroom.
Being in his arms was like nothing else Kenzie had ever experienced. She felt safe, secure, cherished, and so very small. He held her tight, twirled, dipped, and danced her around the giant floor until their food arrived.
“Am I up to boyfriend status now?”
“Most definitely,” Kenzie said, taking a sip of her beer. “Are you serious about this? You don’t have to actually date me for this reunion. I don’t want you doing this as some weird obligation for saving you.”
“You are not an obligation and I’m very serious about dating you. Exclusively, in case there was even a question about it. I’m not big on talking about my feelings, but with you I can be myself. I can’t remember the last time I felt like that with a woman. I trust you and that is everything in my book.”