Prologue
Ryatt stared athis sister. “Seriously? You’re getting married?”
More change and mixed feelings slammed into him. But Quinton deserved this, and he was so happy for her. “I’m really delighted.” he said. “Yeah, it kind of shook me there for a moment. You know how I feel about change and all, but this is a good change. The family needs to grow, and this is something that I think would be really good for you. He obviously adores you.”
She laughed. “I don’t know how that came to be, but, yes, I think you’re right.”
“No thinking about it. That man is unbelievably hooked.”
She smiled. “Well, it’s nice to know,” she murmured. “He’s a very special man.”
“And I agree. Absolutely I would love to be part of your wedding,” he told her. “Don’t make it too soon, and I might even manage to walk down the aisle.”
“I’m not making it too soon,” she agreed, “because you can bet I’m gonna walk down it too.”
He laughed at that. “Well, now we have goals,” he stated. “I’m seriously delighted for you.”
And, when she took off, a beaming smile took over his face. He sank down onto the bed, stunned at the turn of events. He didn’t even know why he was so shocked. It was obvious that the two of them were meant for each other; maybe it was just the speed of it that shook him. And, of course, he’d just said goodbye to somebody in his life—somebody he really had no businesseven hanging on to—and here his sister was now making more change happening.
Ryatt wasn’t very good with change; he knew that. He was working on it, but he wasn’t there yet. However, he would get there. He definitely would get there. When a knock came on his doorframe, he looked up to see a small redhead, her single braid hanging down the front of her shirt. He smiled and asked, “Hi, what can I do for you?”
“Well, if you’re up for it, I have paperwork for you to sign.”
That was not what he wanted. He glared at her. “Great way to ruin the day.”
She shrugged. “Yet it needs to be done. And I promise, afterward, I’ll get out of your hair.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he tried to convince himself that it wasn’t her fault that his joy over his sister’s upcoming nuptials were now a distant memory, and that reality was hitting him with a bite. “What is the paperwork for?”
“You asked for a transfer, I believe.” Her tone was innocent, but a wary look filled her gaze. She set the paperwork on the small table at his side. “I’ll leave these with you. When you’re done, you can contact anyone in the office or bring them down yourself.” And she quickly backed up to the door.
“I’m not transferring,” he snapped, and his tone brooked no argument. “Yeah, I was pissed. Yeah, I was in an ugly mood, but I wasn’t serious.”
She stared at him, nodded, and whispered, “Got it. I’ll let Dani know.” And, with that, she disappeared.
Ryatt swore at his unruly bad temper, his lack of patience, and the situation that had stretched his new sense of calm to morph him into an angry bear.
Dani had called his bluff.
Good for her but not for him. He’d have to fix this.
And fast.
Chapter 1
Days later, afterprofusely apologizing to Dani,again, Ryatt Metzner settled back onto his bed. He’d been at Hathaway House for two months now, maybe even longer; he’d lost track of time. And, ever since his arrival, Ryatt had been lashing out. That reaction to the changes in his life had only been exacerbated when his sister fell here, on the way to visit him, and subsequent medical tests had revealed a host of recurring medical problems for Quinton.
Her becoming a repeat patient here—out of the blue, as it seemed to Ryatt—added to his angst, as if he’d lost his way. He was finding it again, at least he hoped he was, but it seemed almost impossible to understand what had gone on and why he’d been so difficult. One part of it was hating change. The other part was not seeing a future for himself, especially after he was here in a position to heal and then suffering a mental setback when Quinton’s visit required further rehab for her. It had been heartbreaking.
Yet it had also put him more or less back on track again. At least he hoped so. As he stood on his crutches, here in his room, staring out the window, a knock came at his door.
“Come in,” he called out. As he turned, he saw one of the staff members, and he was pretty sure that he had sent her away in tears one day recently.
She stared hesitantly, looking at him.
“Hi.” He smiled. “I’ll try not to bite off your head today.”
She flushed. “Hey, I should be used to it, but I get it. You were having a bad day.”