Begin Again (Crimson Romance) Read online

  They went into Maisie’s bathroom and she shut the door and locked it. “I was there, and I froze. I was so scared. But Ryan came and took me to safety.” She wiped Cady’s tears. “He saved me. He didn’t leave.”

  Cady sniffed her nose and took a piece of toilet paper to blow it. “You had me so worried.”

  “I’m sorry. I forgot my phone.” She waited for Cady to finish wiping her nose. “I love him, Cady.”

  Cady’s mouth widened and turned into a smile. “I knew it. I’m happy for you.” They both heard Sam call downstairs that their parents were there. Cady yelled, “Be right up!” She looked at Maisie and smirked. “Your hair and makeup aren’t bungled because of the storm, are they?”

  Maisie sucked her lips together. “Nope.”

  Still smiling, Cady shook her head. “Better hurry and get ready before Mom is down here.”

  • • •

  Ryan fed Rex a treat on his way out the door. In the shower, he’d had an idea. Maisie’s new house needed a storm shelter, and he planned to have the basement finished for her with reinforced walls. He was pretty sure a tornado was the tragedy that took away her family two years ago. That would explain her reaction today. He had other ideas, too, but they’d have to wait. When he walked outside, he found that it had finally quit raining. He dialed Jacob and put him on speaker. His friend answered as he was pulling out of the driveway.

  “Hey, man. How are you?” Ryan asked.

  “Good. Keeping busy.”

  “I’m in love with Maisie.”

  Jacob chuckled. “You’re just now realizing that? I could see it in both of your eyes a long time ago.”

  Ryan put on his turn signal. “You could?”

  “Yeah, it was almost sickening to watch.”

  Ryan laughed. “I’m on my way to meet her parents now.”

  “That’s a big deal. Good luck.”

  He came to a four-way stop and motioned for some walkers to pass. “Thanks. I’m a little nervous. I hope her sister isn’t still mad at me.”

  “It wasn’t your fault Beth showed up and lied. You’ll be fine. Parents like a guy with a good-paying career.”

  “Somehow I don’t think that matters much to her parents.”

  • • •

  After explaining her frightful day to her parents, they hugged her tight.

  “We’re glad you’re safe,” her mom said. “If anything happened … ” tears shined in her eyes.

  Maisie nodded. “It’s over now. Let’s just enjoy the rest of the night.”

  Maisie answered the doorbell on the first ring. She was more than excited to see the man she loved.

  “Hey, you.” She held open the door for Ryan. He was dressed in a teal cotton dress shirt with dark blue jeans. His hair was still slightly wet, and she could smell the clean scent of his soap.

  He kissed her cheek. “Hey, gorgeous. Miss me?” Smiling, he handed her a bottle of sparkling cider.

  Maisie took the chilled bottle from him. “Everyone’s in the dining room.”

  “You look great.”

  Maisie smiled. “Thanks. So do you.”

  They headed to the dining room where everyone was already sitting around the table. Maisie opened the bottle of cider.

  Maisie’s parents stood up and walked over to Ryan. Her dad shook his hand. “You must be Ryan. I’m Tate.”

  “Nice to meet you, Tate.”

  Maisie’s mom hugged Ryan. “Hi, Ryan. I’m Eden. It seems as I have you to thank for the smile on my daughter’s face.”

  Ryan laughed. “I’d like to think so. I know she’s the reason for the one on mine.”

  Her parents nodded and motioned Ryan to sit down next to Maisie. Cady passed around a large bowl of spaghetti.

  “This looks delicious,” Ryan told her as he took a large helping.

  Cady grinned. “Thanks. And thanks for being there for Maisie today.”

  Ryan looked over at Maisie. “It was my pleasure.” He squeezed her leg under the table.

  Looking around at all the people she loved in one room, Maisie smiled and took a piece of garlic bread from the plate that was making its way around the table.

  Maisie’s dad set down his glass of cider. “So you’re an exotics veterinarian?”

  Ryan nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  “Please, call me Tate. Is that what brought you to Pleasant Valley?”

  “Yes, in a way it was. I looked for a town in need of a clinic, and this one happened to be the closest to my parents in Illinois.”

  Her dad nodded. “Very good. There is a great sense of community here. I hope you’re here to stay.”

  Ryan glanced at Maisie. “Yes, I plan on making Pleasant Valley my home. Business is great, and so are the people. In fact, my parents have been for a visit and gave me their approval before leaving.”

  Maisie’s mom spoke up, “It’s great to hear that you are close with your parents.”

  “Yes. I’ve always looked up to them.”

  Maisie listened to the easy conversation between Ryan and her parents. He would fit right in with her family, like he’d always belonged. If she could only get the courage to tell him about her past and show him her scars, they might just have a future.

  • • •

  After dinner, Maisie walked Ryan outside. “They adored you.”

  Ryan smiled. “They’re great.”

  “I’m closing on the house tomorrow. I’ll be there all day moving if you want to come by.”

  “I’ll be there.” He kissed her gently. “Goodnight, Maisie.”

  She watched him drive away. What a day she’d had. Tomorrow would be a big day as well. She walked back inside the house as her parents were saying their goodbyes.

  Her mom hugged her. “He’s a wonderful man.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  Her dad kissed her cheek. “I can tell he cares a lot about you. Let him in, honey.”

  She was trying. She waved as they walked out the door. Wow! Her parents liked him, and they had nothing bad to say. That was a first.

  CHAPTER 13

  Overwhelmed with emotion, Maisie unlocked the door to her new house. She was finally on her own again. After two years of feeling lost, she had someplace to call hers. She took a deep breath and carried Boots’s cage into the empty living room. Slowly, she walked across the weathered oak floors and looked around at the peach walls. Yes, they weren’t the best choice, but paint was the first thing to tackle on her growing list. Her sister and Sam came in right behind her carrying Lucky’s cage.

  “You can sit him in the corner next to Boots. The movers should be here in a few minutes. Shouldn’t take them long. I don’t have much.”

  Cady looked at her and took an envelope out of her purse. “Happy housewarming!”

  Maisie took the envelope from her and opened it, expecting to find a card. “Thanks, you didn’t have to … ” She paused to look at the check for two thousand dollars. “This is too much. I can’t take it.”

  Sam stepped up to her and held up his hand. “You have to — we want to help. Buy some furniture, use it for repairs, but take it, okay?”

  Maisie swallowed and bit her lip. “Thank you.”

  Cady smiled. “You’re welcome.”

  Maisie turned at the sound of Ryan’s voice, “Hello, hello.” He had a huge bouquet of flowers in a glass vase and a laundry basket full of cleaning supplies and paper towels.

  She took the flowers from him. “Thank you. They’re gorgeous.”

  “Where would you like this?” he asked, holding up the overfilled basket.

  “In the kitchen.” She followed him back and set the flowers on the granite counter. She peeked in the basket. “Wow, thanks for all this.”

  “You
’re welcome, but your real gift comes later.” He scooped her into his arms and kissed her.

  Sam walked into the kitchen, “Sorry to interrupt, guys, but the movers are here.”

  Maisie reluctantly let go of Ryan. “Okay.”

  She supervised while the movers carried in her couple dozen boxes and her bed. After the movers had emptied the truck, her sister helped her unpack while Sam and Ryan cleaned the kitchen and the bathrooms.

  The day sped by until it was just her and Ryan sitting on folding chairs in the living room, exhausted.

  She looked over at him. “Want to order pizza?”

  “Sounds great.”

  “What do you like on yours?”

  “Everything. So anything you want, I’m fine with.”

  She walked back into the kitchen. It sure didn’t match the rest of the dated house. Maple cabinets lined the walls, and granite countertops reflected light off their shiny surfaces. There was an island with a darker maple finish. Stainless steel appliances gleamed on top of the tile floor. The previous owner knew the kitchen would sell the house alone and had stopped the remodeling there.

  She opened up her laptop to get a phone number to the nearest pizza place that delivered. When she found one, she picked up her phone and ordered a large pie — half with everything and half with pepperoni.

  “You’ll need to go furniture shopping soon,” Ryan said as she walked back into the living room.

  She smirked. “You have something against folding chairs in the living room?”

  He tilted his head back and laughed. “Not if you don’t.”

  She walked over to him and sat on his lap. “So after dinner are you giving me the rest of my present?” She batted her eyes, trying her best to look flirty.

  He patted her thigh. “I think you misunderstood what that present might be, but I’m happy to give you that as well.”

  She tilted her head. “Hmm, what is it then?

  “It’s a surprise. It may be a week or so before you get it.”

  Ugh. I hate surprises. “Just tell me. It better not be expensive. My sister and Sam already gave me two thousand dollars, and I didn’t want to take it.”

  He took her hand and kissed it, giving her goose bumps in the process. “Don’t worry about how much it cost. It’s something I really want you to have.”

  Maisie sighed. “Code for expensive.”

  Ryan laughed. “Let people spend their money how they want to.” He looked around the room. “This house is starting to grow on me. I think it will be great once it has a fresh coat of paint and some furniture.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I think, too. About that, you’re helping me paint, right?”

  The doorbell rang and she stood up. “Saved by the bell.”

  Ryan laughed. “Of course I will help you paint.”

  She took the pizza box from the teenaged boy and gave him a large tip. Her stomach growled at the aroma of globby cheese and pepperoni. “Look, I made dinner.” She held up the box as she walked past Ryan.

  “Aww, you shouldn’t have.” He followed her into the kitchen.

  They stood at the island eating the pizza from the box. It was the best meal she’d ever eaten.

  • • •

  Maisie woke up to the sound of running water. Last night had been great, and she would love nothing more to hop in the shower with Ryan, but she couldn’t. So far, both times they’d made love, she’d managed to keep his eyes and hands off her belly. How long could she keep this up before he found out? She sat up in bed and looked around the room, remembering where she was. Her home. And all the work that came with owning it.

  Ryan walked out of the bathroom dressed, but his hair was wet. “Good morning.”

  She smiled. “Morning.”

  “Sorry if I woke you, but I need to get to work.”

  “Oh, yeah, I forgot you had to work.” She paused and pulled the cover up to her neck. “I took today off.”

  He walked over to her and kissed her. She loved the way his lips locked perfectly with her own.

  She wished he could climb back into bed with her and hold her all morning. “You want to come over after work?”

  He smiled. “Sure. Just let me stop by and feed Rex, then I’ll grab us some dinner and be over.”

  “I’m going shopping, so maybe we’ll actually have someplace to sit besides folding chairs and the floor.”

  “That’s good to hear. See you tonight.” He gave her one more quick kiss before he left the room.

  She got out of bed and padded around her house barefoot. She couldn’t believe the huge place was hers. For two years all she wanted was to be left alone and now that she was, she wanted someone here with her.

  • • •

  “How about this one?” Cady asked her, sitting on a tweed sofa with rolled arms.

  Maisie sat down next to her and leaned back. “It’s comfortable.” She closed her eyes and imagined her and Ryan snuggled up on it watching a movie with a baby in her arms. Whoa! Where did that come from? She stood up. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this sofa.”

  Cady laughed. “What does that mean?”

  Maisie blushed.

  Cady gave her a curious look. “What?”

  “Nothing.” She ran her fingers over the soft fabric. “Okay, I’ll get it. I’ll get the whole set.”

  Cady slapped her hands together and squealed with delight. “Yay! This is so much fun.”

  She looked around for the saleslady that had hovered over them earlier. “Hopefully they have it in stock and can deliver today.”

  Maisie stood at the cash register and wrote the check while she tried to ignore the image that had popped into her mind moments ago. Maybe it was because of seeing him with Jay. Maybe because they’d gotten closer, and she realized she wanted to have a family with him someday. More than anything.

  “Where to next?” Cady asked as they walked out the door.

  Maisie recalled the dreadful walls. Who would paint their entire house bright peach, anyway? “Paint store?”

  Cady smiled. “You got it.”

  Maisie got into her sister’s black BMW and buckled her seat belt.

  “So everything going good with Ryan?”

  “Yes. I’m thinking about telling him I love him tonight.”

  Cady looked over at her and beamed. “That’s amazing.”

  Maisie sighed. “Yeah.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I haven’t exactly told him the details about what happened when I lost Luke and the baby. Or showed him my scars.”

  Cady’s forehead wrinkled. “But I thought you two … ”

  Maisie bit her lip and turned her head. “We did.”

  Her sister raised an eyebrow. “Then … how?”

  Maisie shrugged. “It was dark and — ”

  Cady held up her hand to stop her. “Never mind, I don’t want to know. Mais, you have to show him. He has a right to know exactly what you’ve been through.”

  “I know. I want to. It’s just … I’m afraid he’ll be turned off by it.”

  Cady shook her head. “Oh, Mais, you mean your scars? They’re not that bad.”

  Maisie felt her bottom lip tremble.

  Cady reached over and put her free hand on hers. “That didn’t come out right. I’m not dismissing how you feel about the constant reminder of your loss. It’s just that they don’t take away your beauty, they only add to it. You are a survivor.”

  Maisie wiped her eyes and smiled. “Thanks.”

  Cady pulled up to the paint store. “Now let’s pick out something fabulous for your walls.”

  • • •

  The day went by extra fast because Harper had overbooked him due to a couple of emergencies. Ry
an had once told him not to turn away any animal in need of urgent care. After stopping by the diner and feeding Rex, he was finally on his way to Maisie’s place. He was exhausted but not too tired to be excited about seeing her. Something was bothering him, though. He had a feeling Maisie was either overly shy or ashamed of her body for some reason. She had made sure he hadn’t see her naked or touched her too much during their lovemaking. He loved her and wanted her to be completely comfortable with him, wearing clothes or not. Maybe it was time to tell her how he felt.

  He pulled into her driveway next to her car. All the lights were on inside the house, though she must have hung curtains. His stomach growled as he got out of the SUV and grabbed the bag of food. He was about to ring the doorbell when Maisie opened the door wide.

  “Surprise!” She held out her arms wide and looked around the room.

  The walls had been painted a grayish-sage color, and new living room furniture sat in the middle of the room. It didn’t look like the same house. The warmer color gave it a cozy, lived-in feel. A tweed sofa and matching loveseat were arranged in an L-shape, and a leather ottoman was square in between them.

  “Wow. This looks great!” He walked around the room, taking it all in. “How did you get all this done?”

  She stuck her hand in the bag he was holding and grabbed a fry. “I had help. My parents, a couple of their friends, and Cady and Sam.”

  He looked closer at the wall. “Is it still wet?”

  She shoved another fry in her mouth. “Just the far wall. Don’t touch it.” With a smile she, motioned him back to the kitchen. “Look, I even got two stools so we could sit at the island and eat.”

  Ryan pulled out a bronze stool with leather seat. “I’m impressed.”

  Maisie put their cheeseburgers and fries on plates and poured them some soda. “How was your day?”

  He finished chewing the enormous bite he’d just taken from his cheeseburger. “Well, I thought I’d done a lot until you showed me all this.”

  She set down her glass. “It was a busy day. I’m super tired though.”

  “Me, too.” He wanted to tell her he loved her, but he wanted it to be special, not when they were both beat.

  Maisie looked in the bag. “No pie? Or did you eat it on the way here?”