Begin Again (Crimson Romance) Read online

  An idea popped into Ryan’s head and he grabbed his jacket. “No, I’ll take care of it. Would you mind closing up?”

  “Sure.” Alice smiled.

  “Great, see you tomorrow.” Ryan walked to his SUV. Tonight he planned on making a house call, and it wasn’t for a pet.

  • • •

  Instead of heading to the diner, Ryan drove to Maisie’s house. With any luck, her sister would be home. As Ryan pulled into the driveway, he started to have second thoughts. He closed his eyes. He only wanted to help her deal with whatever was bothering her. Must be the medical professional in him. When Ryan opened his eyes, a woman with long strawberry-blond hair was walking toward his SUV.

  “Hello?” The woman asked.

  Ryan rolled down his window. “Hi, I’m Ryan, a friend of Maisie’s.”

  The girl smiled. “I’m Cady, her sister. Maisie’s not home. She doesn’t get off work for another hour.”

  Ryan drew his brows together. “I was actually hoping to speak with you.”

  Her hazel eyes glanced back at the house. “Okay, come on in. I’ll make us some lemonade.”

  Ryan followed Cady inside the brick home. They walked through the modern house and into a Mediterranean-style, reddish-orange kitchen. Cady motioned for him to sit down at the little table.

  Ryan looked around the upscale kitchen. “You have a beautiful home.”

  Cady got a pitcher out of the ivory cabinet. “Thanks. I’m a little guilty of watching too many home and garden shows.”

  “I was going to say your kitchen — as well as the rest of the house — looks like it came right out of a magazine.”

  “Good. That’s what I was going for.” She handed him a tall glass of fresh lemonade and sat down across from him. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

  “I don’t mean to pry, but a few times Maisie has … ” He couldn’t find the words.

  Cady set down her glass. “Gotten upset?”

  Ryan nodded. “Exactly. And when I try to get her to open up to me, she shuts down completely.”

  Cady sat and stared out the kitchen sliding door into the landscaped back yard for a minute. Then she looked back at him and sighed. “Look, Ryan. Give her time. She’ll come around.”

  “If it was just that, I wouldn’t be here.” He scratched his head. “I know something happened to her to make her the way she is. I’m afraid that if I don’t know what is bothering her, I will say or do the wrong things and hurt her even worse.”

  “I guess I can tell you the gist of it. A couple years ago, Maisie lost her husband and her unborn child all in one night.”

  “Maisie was married?” He was surprised, but it didn’t change how he felt about her.

  Cady nodded. “I’m afraid that is all I can say. I’ve probably already said too much.”

  Ryan nodded. “I understand. And thank you.”

  “I only told you what I did because Maisie seems to be very fond of you.”

  He took a sip and sat his glass down. “And I am of her. Thanks for the drink. I should get going.”

  Cady nodded and reached out to place her hand firmly on his arm. “Ryan, don’t hurt my sister.”

  Ryan looked Maisie’s protector in her hazel eyes and said with all honesty, “I won’t.”

  • • •

  Exhausted, Maisie counted her tips. Not bad. She put on her jacket and was about to walk out of the diner when Ryan came in before she could put her hand on the door.

  He grinned. “Hi.”

  Maisie swallowed. “Hi. I was just on my way out.”

  Ryan looked into her eyes, and for a split second, she thought he was going to kiss her. “How about getting us a couple of pieces of pie to go? My treat.”

  “That depends, where are we taking the pie?” she asked breathless.

  “I got the results back on Boots. The labs were negative. I thought I’d go home with you and check him out.”

  A customer came up to the door they were blocking and they stepped aside to let him through.

  Maisie rubbed her shaking hands together. “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I want to.” Ryan smiled. “Make mine apple.” He handed her money out of his wallet.

  Maisie walked back toward the counter where Lola stood. “Hey, can I get two slices of apple to go? I already clocked out.”

  Lola smirked and nodded. Maisie watched her wrap up the pie. Lola handed it to her and Maisie gave her the money.

  “Enjoy.” Lola winked.

  Maisie rolled her eyes and turned around.

  Ryan was waiting for her at the door. “I’ll follow you home.”

  “Okay.”

  Maisie got into her car and took a deep breath. He was persistent if nothing else. What was it about this man that had her so confused? Yes he was gorgeous, and yes he was a thoughtful man, but what else? One minute she wanted to let him in and let him be her hero. The next, she wanted to push him far away so she never had to deal with the feelings he was creating deep in her heart. A heart that was already shattered and defective. His headlights behind her were a constant reminder that he was about to be in her private space. Her place. Not only did that scare her, it excited her at the same time.

  Maisie parked her car and waited for Ryan to get out of his. She handed him the pie and unlocked the front door. Odd, her sister and husband weren’t in the living room reading like usual. Good, maybe she could sneak Ryan downstairs without playing twenty questions. Ryan followed her down the steep stairs and she turned on a light.

  Maisie looked around at the meager furnishings. If it had been up to Cady, the basement would look like the upstairs.

  “It’s not much, but I won’t be here forever.”

  “It looks great to me.” Ryan walked over to Boots’s cage and opened the door. While he examined her hamster, she put the apple pie on a couple of paper plates.

  “Good news. His fur is starting to grow back,” Ryan called over to her.

  Maisie walked over to look. “It is?”

  “Yep. It could have been the stress of being in a new place or he could be allergic to his bedding.” He put Boots back inside his cage. “If he doesn’t lose any more fur, it was probably just stress. Keep an eye on him and let me know if all his fur doesn’t grow back.”

  Maisie smiled and handed Ryan a plate. “Thanks. You really didn’t have to make a house call. I could have brought him into your clinic tomorrow.”

  Ryan took a big bite and swallowed. “I really just wanted to see your place.”

  Maisie laughed at his honesty. She took a bite of the warm apple dessert.

  “Also, I may have wanted to ask a favor.”

  She stopped her fork in midair. “A favor?”

  “This Saturday I’m having a free clinic to give back to the community, and my assistant couldn’t cancel her plans. I really could use your help.”

  “But I don’t know anything about animals.”

  “Sure you do. Anyway, I just need an extra set of hands.”

  How could she tell him no? Only a completely selfish person would refuse to help him after all he’d done for her. “What time do you need me there?”

  Ryan’s smile caused his eyes to light up and crinkle. “Eight A.M.”

  After they finished eating, Maisie walked Ryan back upstairs and again wondered where Cady was. She told Ryan bye, and not looking a gift horse in the mouth, she ran back downstairs before her sister could pounce.

  • • •

  Maisie had managed to get through the next couple days without Cady’s inquisitions. She wasn’t sure if she should be relieved that her sister was finally giving her some space or curious why. On Saturday morning, Maisie waited on the porch for Lola to pick her up. She had convinced h
er to come and help out at the free clinic so she wouldn’t have to be alone with Ryan all day. Being alone with Ryan did crazy things to her insides, something she didn’t know how to deal with right now.

  Dressed in jeans and a lavender T-shirt, Maisie sat on the bench outside her sister’s front door. A few minutes later, Lola pulled up in her bright yellow Beetle. Lola’s dark hair was pulled into a messy ponytail.

  “What kind of people get up this early on a Saturday?” Lola asked, before chugging a Starbuck’s coffee.

  “It’s a good cause,” Maisie said getting into the tiny car.

  Lola picked up a cup and handed it to her. “Here, I got you one, too.”

  Maisie smiled and took the hot drink. “Thanks.” She took a sip and let the caffeine do its job.

  Lola glanced at her over her sunglasses. “Why do I get the feeling that the reason you wanted me to come along was more than just helping out sick animals?”

  Maisie shrugged. “I dunno.”

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  “Oh my … ” Maisie words trailed off as her mouth fell open at the line of people standing outside the clinic door waiting like it was a concert or something.

  “You have to be kidding me. And how many hours are we supposed to be here?” Lola screeched as she parked her car in the lot.

  “Uh, supposed to be four.” Maisie’s mouth still hung open. “I guess you use the word ‘free’ and people line up.”

  • • •

  After looking outside at the crowd, Ryan was happy Maisie had brought a friend to help. When he’d thought of the idea to offer a free day, he’d had no idea what to expect. Even on his busiest day he had never had this many patients. He met Maisie and Lola around at the side entrance.

  Ryan smiled as he let the women in. “Thanks so much for helping. Looks like we’ll have quite the day ahead of us.” Maisie’s red hair looked like silk and smelled like strawberries. He had the urge to run his fingers through the softness but instead looked over to her friend. “Lola, you can sit behind the desk and sign people in.”

  “Sure, sitting is good.” Lola sat down and took a long swig of her coffee.

  He turned back to Miss Temptation. “Maisie, you can call people back and assist me.”

  She nodded and gave him a thumbs-up.

  “Ready?” he asked them.

  They both nodded, so he unlocked the doors so the line of people could pile into the small clinic.

  • • •

  Ten critters later, Ryan washed his hands and went into the next room to check on Maisie. He had left her to feed an abandoned baby rabbit while he examined a snake and a bird. A lady had found the rabbit in her flowerbed, and he was barely responsive. Ryan could tell the rabbit had once been a pet.

  “How’s he doing?” Ryan asked behind Maisie. He could still smell the strawberry scent of her shampoo, although it wasn’t as strong as it had been three hours ago when she’d first arrived.

  Maisie held the young, white and gray rabbit in her lap, feeding him with a dropper. “He seems to be feeling better. The vitamins and water are perking him up.”

  The way Maisie cared for the feeble, dirty animal melted Ryan’s heart and soul. In that moment he felt something inside that he knew was turning into love. Maisie was everything he had ever wanted in a wife. Could she be the one this time? He knew it wouldn’t be easy. Maisie had been through a lot and wasn’t ready to share that tragedy with him. But after today, he knew she was worth waiting for.

  Ryan wiped his hands on a paper towel and tossed it in the trash. “Thanks for all your help. We only have seven more patients.”

  Maisie smiled as she continued to care for the rabbit. “Is that all?”

  Ryan returned her smile. “It will be a while before I can offer a free day again. But I’m glad we were able to help out so many people and their pets in need of assistance.”

  She stroked the rabbit’s fur with her finger. “Me, too. And Ryan, what you do for animals … it’s amazing.”

  Ryan watched her in awe. She gets me. “For all your help, can I treat you and Lola to lunch?”

  Maisie lifted her head and smirked. “In Illinois?”

  Ryan tilted his head back to laugh. “Not today. How about the little Mexican restaurant down the street?”

  “Sounds great.” Maisie looked down at the little animal. “What will happen to this little guy?”

  “I can try to find him a good home.” He looked at her and paused. “Unless I already have?”

  The tiny pink nose nudged her hand. “I think you have.”

  Ryan nodded and grinned, “I have some supplies at home I can give you. Later tonight I can bring over your new pet and a cage.”

  Maisie took a deep breath. “Okay.”

  Before leaving the room, Ryan saw Maisie put the animal back inside the cage with a warm towel and heard her whisper. “I’ll think of a name for you later. I hope you like hamsters.”

  • • •

  Maisie couldn’t believe she had agreed to keep the bunny. But when she had seen the helpless baby, her unused maternal instincts had kicked in. Ryan sat across from her at the restaurant. She took a warm, salty tortilla chip out of the basket and dipped it into the spicy salsa.

  “Too bad Lola already had lunch plans,” Ryan said before taking a bite of his chimichanga.

  Lola had whispered to her that she didn’t want to be a third wheel. Plus she was sure the eighteen-year-old had better things to do than to hang out with old people. Maisie took another chip. “She doesn’t know what she’s missing.”

  Ryan broke a large chip in half. “We were swamped today, huh?”

  “I’ll say. I’m exhausted. I think your job is even harder than working at the diner.”

  Ryan lifted his glass of soda. “Let’s call it a tie.”

  Most men who had a college-degree career would look down on a woman who waited tables, but not Ryan. Could he be too good to be real? Was their time together a figment of her imagination?

  “So have you thought about a name for your new pet?”

  Ryan’s question snapped her out of her thoughts. She set down her cola. “Mmm, no. Any ideas?”

  He thought for a moment. “How about Lucky?”

  Maisie shook her head. “He was abandoned and almost dead when that lady brought him in. Lucky may not be a good name.”

  He smiled. “Ah, but I was referring to having you to take care of him.”

  Maisie blushed almost as deep as the color of her hair. “I’m sure I’ll come up with something.”

  • • •

  Just as Ryan was about to put the key in the ignition, his phone rang. Caller ID told him it was his friend calling from Illinois.

  He put him on speaker. “Hey, Jacob.”

  “Hey, man. How’s it going?”

  “Really good.” Ryan glanced over at the freshly cleaned rabbit. Maisie wouldn’t even recognize him from this morning. “I had a free clinic today and had an amazing turnout.”

  “That’s good. I was thinking about coming to see your new place tomorrow if you’re not going to be busy.”

  Ryan had hoped to see Maisie tomorrow, but he hadn’t spent time with his friend since he moved. Recently divorced, Jacob needed him. “That sounds great.”

  “Okay, I’ll drive out tomorrow then. Maybe we can get lunch when I get there.”

  “See you then.” Ryan disconnected and started his SUV. He looked over at the rabbit, which was twitching his pink nose. “Ready to go home?”

  • • •

  Cady laughed and shook her head, “A few weeks ago, you didn’t even want a hamster, and now you’ve adopted a bunny, too?”

  Maisie shrugged. “I know. Improvement, right?”

  Cady hugged her sister. “Ye
s, I’m glad you’re forming connections again.”

  “Look, I need to tell you something.” Cady let go of Maisie and sat down on the sofa in Maisie’s basement apartment. “Ryan stopped by here the other day while you were at work.”

  Maisie’s stomach turned the way it had when her mom had told her the truth about Santa when she was ten. “You talked to him?”

  “He was worried. He cares a lot about you, Mais.”

  “But not enough to respect my privacy,” she said in almost a whisper. She fought the tears burning behind her eyes. “Did you tell him?”

  “I didn’t go into any details. I just told him about your loss.”

  Maisie nodded with her mouth open. “How could you? I wasn’t ready to talk to him about that. Now when he looks at me, I won’t know if it’s only pity I see in his eyes.”

  Her sister shook her head. “Oh Mais, he doesn’t pity you! He likes you. A lot! I can tell.”

  Maisie stood up and walked over to the tiny window. Who was she fooling? Ryan would only feel sympathy for her, not love. She pressed her hand to her stomach and closed her eyes. Now she’d never know how he truly felt. She didn’t want Ryan to see her hideous scars, ever.

  “I need to be alone,” she said in a harsh whisper.

  “Okay. I’m sorry. I thought … ” her sister’s words trailed off as she headed up the stairs.

  Maisie sat down on the floor and let the tears fall. It would have been so easy to fall into Ryan’s arms and pretend that nothing had ever happened, pretend that she was unscathed and whole. But she couldn’t do that to him. He deserved better. She dried her eyes and picked up her phone to call him.

  “Hey, I’m almost there. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you see Lucky.”

  Maisie forced herself to smile so the sadness would leave her voice. “Um, I’m not feeling well. Could you just give him to my sister?”

  Silence for a moment. “I guess so. Is everything okay?”

  She nodded as if he could see her through the phone. “Yes, I just think I’m getting a cold or something.”

  “Okay, well, feel better. If you want, I can just keep him until you feel better.”