Begin Again (Crimson Romance) Read online

  Darn. She was really looking forward to holding the baby bunny again. Boots wasn’t much of a cuddler. “Well you’ve already named him anyway,” she said, more coldly than she’d meant to. “I’m sorry. That’s nice of you. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  CHAPTER 5

  Ryan frowned as he hung up the phone. What had happened to Maisie since lunch? Maybe she was feeling sick, but he sensed something else was bothering her. He wasn’t used to having to work so hard for a woman’s attention. He drove the SUV and his disappointment back home. He had been looking forward to seeing her tonight. If she lived alone, he’d at least have the excuse to bring her some soup. But he knew her sister would take care of her if she really was sick. Unsure what to do, Ryan picked up his phone and called his sister.

  “Rose, it’s me. Got a minute?”

  “I always have time for my baby brother. What’s up?” It was good to hear her voice.

  “I’ve met someone amazing, but she’s different, and I don’t know how to let her know how I feel without pushing her away.”

  “That’s great! I mean that you met someone, not the other thing.”

  Ryan laughed.

  “How is she different?”

  He pulled his SUV into the garage and lifted the cage with Lucky sound asleep inside. “She’s been through a terrible tragedy, and she doesn’t know that I know about it.”

  “Just be your sweet self, and she’ll see how you feel.”

  “I’ve tried that.” Ryan sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “I really like her, sis. A lot.”

  “I’d say so since this is the first time you’ve ever asked me for advice about a woman.”

  “She’s everything I’ve been looking for my whole life.” He closed his eyes and pictured Maisie’s face the first time he had gotten a smile out of her. “You know I haven’t even kissed her yet?”

  “Really? I’m proud of you. All your life you’ve gone for the girls that throw themselves at you. My little brother has finally grown up.”

  “Ha ha. Don’t get me wrong, Maisie is a knockout. She just doesn’t know it. And she has a pure heart.”

  “Momma and Daddy told me about your visit. I think they like her as much as you do. Can’t wait to meet the woman that finally caught my brother’s heart.”

  He sighed. “Should I tell her how I’m feeling? She tends to push me away if I get too close.”

  “Actions first — the words can come later. Who knows, maybe she feels the same way.”

  “Thanks, sis.” Ryan disconnected. He got out the critter food and fed Rex and his temporary visitor. He hoped his sister was right. If Maisie didn’t feel the same way about him — well, he couldn’t even think about it.

  • • •

  Ryan opened the door to his longtime friend. Jacob, who stood about six inches taller than him, reached out to shake his hand, and Ryan pulled him in for a manly hug.

  “Good to see you, man.”

  Ryan nodded. “Glad you made it. Come on in.”

  Jacob looked around as he walked inside. “Nice place.”

  “Thanks. I’m just renting this place. It was the best I could find on short notice, but I do plan on looking for a home to buy next year.”

  Ryan walked his buddy around his place. When they got to the kitchen, Ryan opened the refrigerator. “Soda?”

  “Sure,” Jacob said, taking the can from him.

  They went back into the living room and sat down.

  “So how many more pets are you planning on getting?” Jacob chuckled as he glanced at the rabbit cage.

  Ryan smiled. “Rex, the rat, is mine. I’m holding onto Lucky for a friend.”

  “Business is good?”

  Ryan set his can down on the table. “Great. There is a big need for my services in this town.”

  Jacob took a long swig of his drink. “I’m happy for you, man. I do miss watching games with you, though.”

  “I know. But, hey, the drive wasn’t too bad, right?”

  He shook his head. “Not bad at all.”

  Ryan knew his friend needed to talk about more than the small stuff or he wouldn’t be here in his house. “So what’s up? Any dating?”

  “Nah.” Jacob crushed the empty can. “I can’t really see getting involved with anyone else.”

  Something was definitely on his friend’s mind. “You’re young. You’re single.”

  “I know. I still can’t wrap my head around her cheating on me.” He paused. “She wants me back.”

  Ryan’s eyes widened. “Wants you back?”

  Jacob nodded his head. “She said it was a mistake. That she still loves me.”

  Ryan hoped Kate wouldn’t suck his friend in again; she was bad news. “What do you want?”

  Jacob sat back with one leg propped up and tugged on the hem of his jeans. “I don’t know. I still love her.”

  Ryan rubbed his chin. “Have you thought about counseling?”

  “Maybe. What do you think?”

  He couldn’t ignore the hope in his friend’s eyes. “I think you should follow your heart.”

  Jacob nodded. “Enough about me. Who has your attention in this town besides all the rats, birds, and lizards?”

  Ryan smiled. “Her name is Maisie Scott. She’s amazing, and I’m hoping she feels the same way about me.”

  He laughed. “Women always feel that way about you.”

  “Yeah, but she’s different.”

  • • •

  “What’s wrong with you today?” Lola asked, eyeing Maisie from across the diner’s counter. “From the way you and Ryan were looking at each other yesterday, I thought you’d be in a great mood today.”

  Maisie sighed and filled the coffeemaker. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She glanced at the clock. Ten more minutes and Ryan would be walking through those doors for his apple pie.

  She popped a bubble. “Well snap out of it, will you?”

  Maisie drew her eyebrows together and turned to look at Lola.

  Lola shook her head. “I’m sorry. It’s just that ever since Ryan started coming in the diner, you’ve acted alive. I don’t want you to regress.”

  “You don’t understand.” Maisie walked away to fill her last order of the night. As she was carrying the tray of food back to the table, she realized Ryan hadn’t come in. If she was avoiding him, why did the thought of not seeing him have her in knots?

  • • •

  After she cleaned Boots’s cage and fed him a peanut, Maisie decided to take a hot shower. Ryan hadn’t shown up at the diner. Had she successfully pushed him away? Sadness filled her heart as steam filled up the bathroom. She leaned against the tile wall of the shower with her head hanging down and watched the suds go down the drain.

  “Maisie!” her sister called from the other side of the door.

  It wasn’t like her sister to come down here at night, especially when she was in the shower. She reached down and shut off the water. “Yeah?”

  “Ryan’s upstairs in my living room.”

  Maisie’s mouth dropped open. “Uh, I’ll be up as soon as I’m dressed.”

  “Okay!”

  Oh my goodness, he’s here! Probably to give me the bunny. Or to see me! Maisie dried off as fast as she could and threw on a pair of shorts and T-shirt. She looked in the mirror at her wet hair. No time to dry it. She pulled it into a ponytail and swiped on some lip gloss and eyeliner. In a hurry, she skipped the powder she usually brushed over her freckles to lighten them. After a deep breath, she walked up the stairs to find Ryan sitting on the sofa with her sister and Sam.

  “Feeling better?” Ryan asked looking up at her with a sheepish smile.

  She had almost forgotten she’d told him she was sick yesterday. “Mmm-hmm
.”

  “Good.” He stood up and pointed to a cage about four times the size of her hamster’s. “I brought your rabbit over and supplies you’ll need to start out. Would you like me to carry it downstairs for you?”

  Ryan looked amazing in his red polo shirt and blue jeans. His blond hair curled over his ears, making him look adorable. He was so masculine yet had that boyish charm. Maisie realized she was staring when her sister cleared her throat to make a point.

  “Sure, that’d be great.” Maisie followed him down to her apartment.

  “Where do you want to keep him?” Ryan asked looking around with the cage in his arms.

  “How about on the counter?” Maisie pointed to the L-shaped counter behind her sofa.

  He turned to look at her. “That won’t leave you much room to eat.”

  Maisie shrugged. “I eat upstairs in the kitchen most times. I just eat snacks down here.” She looked at the bunny. “Is this the same little guy?” Smiling, she opened the cage to take out her new pet. She lifted him to her face. He smelled sweet.

  Ryan grinned. “I cleaned him up for you. He’s doing so much better. Just keep him on the vitamins.” He took out the dropper and handed it to her.

  When his fingers touched hers, she felt a warmth sizzle throughout her body.

  Maisie took the bunny out of the cage and walked over to the sofa to sit down. She held him up to her face and pressed his nose to her own. “He’s the cutest thing. I guess the name you picked kinda stuck in my head.” She put the animal in her lap and stroked his fluffy fur. “Welcome home, Lucky.”

  Ryan sat down beside her and grinned. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He rubbed the rabbit’s long ears. “I’ll just check on Boots, then I better head home. My buddy from Illinois is visiting.”

  Maisie looked away from Lucky to Ryan. “Oh, is that why you didn’t stop by the diner?” Why was she relieved?

  “Yeah. Plus I didn’t think you’d be working today.”

  She blushed. “You come to the diner for pie or to see me?”

  Ryan looked at her as if she’d just asked him to solve an impossible equation. “I thought that much was obvious.” He leaned over to plant a kiss on her lips before she knew what happened.

  His touch was so quick, yet profound. His lips were so kissable, she didn’t want to pull away, but she shouldn’t let him think she was interested, even though she was. “Ryan, I’m not able to be in a relationship right now.”

  He nodded and winked. “I’ll wait until you are.” Standing up, he walked over to check on Boots. “He looks good. Call me if you have any questions about Lucky. Or if you change your mind about anything.”

  Maisie pressed her lips together and nodded as Ryan disappeared back up the stairs. She got up to put Lucky in his cage. She closed her eyes and smiled as she thought of Ryan’s sweet lips on hers. Maybe her heart wasn’t as dead as she’d thought.

  • • •

  Ryan couldn’t get the grin off his face as he drove back home. Even though their kiss was only a couple of seconds, the sensation of Maisie’s lips pressed to his made him feel buoyant. Whenever they touched even the slightest, it was like a new kind of energy was formed. She was beautiful inside and out and couldn’t look more perfect holding Lucky in her lap. They had a future. He knew it. Now somehow he just had to convince her of that without scaring her away.

  As he pulled into his driveway, Jacob rushed out of the house, twirling his keys on his finger. “Thanks for the visit, but I have to get going. I’m meeting Kate tonight to discuss counseling.”

  Ryan shook his hand and slapped his back. “That’s great, man.”

  Jacob grinned. “Yeah, I want to get there before one of us changes our minds.”

  Ryan laughed. “Don’t let me keep you.”

  • • •

  Ryan didn’t recognize the number on his phone.

  A stranger’s voice asked, “Is this Mr. Ryan Tucker?”

  Ryan drew his brows together. “It is.”

  “Mr. Tucker, I am calling from the ER at County Hospital. I’m sorry to tell you that Mr. Jacob Jones has been in an accident.”

  Ryan’s heart dropped. “Is he okay?”

  “He is in with the doctor now. You were listed on his emergency contacts.”

  “I’m on my way. Was his ex-wife notified?”

  “Claire Jones?”

  “No that’s his momma. She’s in a nursing home.”

  “I’m sorry, no. Only Claire Jones and you were listed as his emergency contacts.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Ryan disconnected and grabbed his keys. He should have told Jacob to be careful. Instead, he let him rush off, knowing how anxious he was to get back to Kate. Tears stung his eyes. Jacob was like a brother to him. He had to be okay.

  • • •

  Ryan sat beside his friend’s bed and watched him sleep. Between the bandage around his head and the cast on his arm, he looked even worse than Ryan had imagined on the way over to the hospital. The man driving the semi wasn’t harmed, except for a couple of bruises, and claimed Jacob had run the red light. He rubbed his scruffy face and dialed Kate’s number for the twentieth time. Where was she? Didn’t she care that her ex was lying in a hospital bed partly because he was rushing home to meet her?

  Ryan glanced at his phone and let out a sigh of relief to see Kate was finally calling him back.

  “Kate, it’s Ryan Tucker. Jacob was in an accident. I’m here with him in Indiana at County Hospital.”

  “Oh my gosh. Is he okay?”

  Ryan looked at his sleeping friend. “He’s got a broken arm, some broken ribs, a sprained ankle, and a concussion, but yeah, he’s going to be okay.”

  Silence.

  Was she crying? Worried? “Are you still there?”

  “I’m here. I’m just trying to decide what to do.”

  Her ex, a man she supposedly still loved, was hurt badly. What was there to decide? If Maisie were in an accident, he’d be right by her side. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I can’t come to Indiana. I have work. How is he going to manage with broken ribs and a broken arm?”

  Ryan’s face burned. “He was rushing back to see you. To work on your relationship!”

  “I know. I feel bad, but the fact is I can’t take care of him.”

  Ryan got up and walked into the hall. “Kate, you haven’t changed. You are still the same selfish, cold woman you’ve always been and always will be.” Ryan disconnected and walked down the sterile hall to the exit doors. He needed some air. As the cool air hit his face, he took a deep breath. The moon was full and bright. He leaned against the rough brick building. He had never been a fan of Kate’s, but he’d kept his mouth shut when Jacob had married her. Then he’d kept his mouth shut again when Jacob had wanted her back. It was time Jacob heard the truth about what he really thought of Kate.

  As he walked through the circular door, his cell phone buzzed.

  “Ryan, it’s Maisie. I hope I didn’t reach you at a bad time.”

  Her voice was like chocolate, smooth and sweet. He would never grow tired of the sound. “Well, I’m at the hospital.”

  “The hospital? Why?” He could hear the alarm in her voice. Maybe she did care about him.

  “I’m fine. It’s my friend, Jacob. He was driving back to Illinois and was in an accident. I’ve actually been here for the last few hours.”

  “Is he okay?”

  Ryan paced. “Yeah, he’s hurt, but he’ll heal.”

  “What hospital?”

  “County. He didn’t get far before the crash.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He licked his dry bottom lip. “Things happen. So is everything okay with you?”

  “Oh, yeah, I just wanted to know if I should
give Lucky anymore vitamins tonight. How about you? Do you need anything?”

  “No, just pray for Jacob. And no, you don’t need to give him more vitamins tonight. Start the dose tomorrow.”

  “Okay. I will.”

  “Talk to you later.” He disconnected and walked back inside.

  • • •

  Maisie glanced at the cup holder as she drove to County Hospital. She knew from experience that the hospital’s coffee was nasty and thought Ryan could use something better and stronger. When Maisie had called Ginger at the diner and asked for a personal day then stopped in to get two coffees and two pieces of pie to go dressed in a skirt and ruffled shirt complete with heels, Ginger had about had heart failure. Once the initial shock had worn off, she’d smiled and rushed Maisie back out the exit door into the warmth of the sunshine.

  Maisie didn’t want people to get the wrong idea. It wasn’t like she was going on a date or something. She just knew Ryan could use some support and, after all he’d done for her, she wanted to repay his kindness. Pushing the doubt that she should be here away, she pulled her car into a parking spot.

  • • •

  After Ryan had told Jacob about Kate’s coldhearted phone call, Jacob had stared out the window, looking lost.

  Ryan swallowed the lump in his throat. He hated seeing his friend like this. “You’re too good for her, Jacob. You always were.”

  “Look at me.” Jacob shook his head and held up his cast. “What am I going to do?”

  Ryan walked over closer to Jacob’s bed. “You’re going to stay with me until you heal. I’ll get someone to help you while I’m at work.”

  Jacob closed his eyes then opened them with tears glistening in the sunlight. “I’m a burden.”

  Ryan shook his head. “You’re not. You’re my best friend, and you’d do the same for me if the situation were reversed.”

  “I can’t even walk without a crutch or bend my arm, man,” Jacob whispered. “I just wanted to make things work with Kate so bad. After all she’d done to me, despite her selfishness, I still loved her.”

  Ryan winced. He hated seeing his friend in emotional pain even more than physical. “I know.”

  Jacob reached his hand out for his cup of water on the bedside tray and moaned. “That hurts.” He closed his eyes. “I think my love for Kate has finally died.”