When I was a little girl I wanted the stereotypical dream of every little girl. I wanted a home and a husband with a house full of kids. I never dreamed of a career or anything remotely close to it. Then I grew up and got older and things changed. I had my family and my career and as time passed there was less time for that little girl’s dream. Dating was never easy and most men were intimidated by what I did and I didn’t really think it was fair to raise a child when I wasn’t home half the time. So I made my choice, my sacrifice so to speak. A child’s dream for a woman’s reality.
I hadn’t lied to Brian before. I did wonder what my life would be like if I wasn’t in the business. I was twenty-four years old. If I hadn’t taken my father up on his offer would I have found a man to marry before now? Would I be a mother or would I have simply found another career to follow?
The next morning I lifted my head from the back of my sofa to look down and see Mike was gone. Slowly, I got up and went to get in the shower. I needed to go back to Brian’s.
Half an hour later I was knocking on Brian’s front door. Instinct forced me back when he opened the door and looked at me.
“Hi,” he greeted softly.
“Hello. Leighanne awake?” I asked, my tone distance and professional. I prayed I could keep it like that.
“Yeah, she’s eating breakfast. Come on in,” he said, opening the door wider for my entry.
I moved past him and headed straight for the kitchen. I needed Leighanne in the room, s barrier, a distraction, a reminder. For whatever reason I simply needed to see her.
As I walked down the hall in front of him, my mind registered how he had looked opening the door. Tired, sad, torn. It was obvious he had spent the night wrestling with what had happened. And yet he still looked beautiful.
Stop it, Ryder!
“Morning, Ryder,” Leighanne greeted as I walked into the kitchen.
“Morning, Leigh. Got a busy day planned today?” I asked, smiling at her.
“Actually, it’s just me and that gorgeous man behind you today. I thought we might go to Kev’s and spend the day in the pool since he invited us over. What do you think, baby?” she asked Brian, kissing him softly. I looked away in pain.
“Sounds good to me,” he answered, his eyes focused on me.
“Well if you are going to be with family all day you don’t really need me to shadow you. So here’s the deal. As long as you stay at Kevin’s all day, no trips to the store or the gas station or anything else I’ll leave you alone,” I offered.
“You don’t have to do that,” Leighanne assured me.
“Come with us,” Brian offered.
That was all I needed, to see Brian walking around a pool with no shirt. So close yet so far away.
“No thanks. I think I’m going to take the chance and go see my little girl,” I answered.
“You have a daughter?” Brian asked, his face a mask of shock and surprise.
“No, she’s not my daughter biologically. She was my best friend’s little girl. I’ve kind of adopted her in my heart even though she lives with her daddy,” I explained.
“Was?” Leighanne asked.
“Michelle was killed in a car accident last year. She asked me to take care of Sasha for her. So Sam and I raise her together. I’m her aunt Ry,” I explained, smiling.
“You must miss her terribly when you take out of town jobs.”
“I do. As much as she misses me I think.”
“How old is she?” Brian asked.
“Sasha? She’s two,” I answered, smiling at the thought of the adorable little redhead. “Well, I think I’m gonna get out of your hair. Have fun and remember. Only Kevin’s house, got it?”
“Got it,” they echoed.
I turned and headed back towards the front door. Even as I made my way I could feel Brian following me. He stopped me at the door.
“Please come,” he begged.
“For what purpose, Brian? To tease what can’t be? You have this amazing woman in there that is crazy over you. Go back in there, take her to your cousin’s and spend the day loving her. I’m going to see my daughter,” I said, leaving before he could say another word in an attempt to stop me.
Links to other sites on the Web
Chapter 13
Back to Fan Fiction Index
Get your own Free Home Page