Chapter 25

25

Ryder had never pictured himself being content sitting at a desk and poring over business ledgers and records, but with every passing day of learning more about Mr. Hollis's business investments and ventures, he found that his interest was only growing.

"And I've contacted three more of the financial advisors earlier today," Mr. Andridge was saying from the chair across the desk from Ryder. "They'll be giving me a detailed report on all the transactions."

The young lawyer had arrived in New York City a week ago and plunged right into the disaster that Mr. Morgan had made with his underhanded sales. Mr. Andridge had not only begun finding ways to recover what had been lost but had also taken over prosecuting Mr. Morgan and Lenora for their swindling. But the process was complicated and would likely take months.

At a soft knocking against the door frame, Ryder's heartbeat began to race. He didn't even have to look to know who was there. But he liked looking at his wife. In fact, he liked looking at her a lot.

He crossed his arms behind his head and sat back in the leather chair that had once belonged to Mr. Hollis. He'd initially been drawn to the office because of the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves along one wall, filled with an incredible collection of history books that Genevieve had given to him as a wedding present.

There were still times he couldn't believe they were married and she was his wife. He let his gaze rove over her, starting with her dark hair, pretty, smiling lips, flushed cheeks, and then working his way down, lingering on her beautiful body.

She offered a polite smile to Mr. Andridge, but then she turned her gaze back to Ryder. "Boone is napping for a while this afternoon."

Her gaze raked over his body in the same way his had just raked hers, leaving a trail burning through him—a hot trail he wouldn't be able to extinguish, a hot trail he only wanted to fuel all the more.

He dropped his arms from behind his head and tapped the desk in front of him. "Good. Do you have a minute to give me your opinion on something?"

"Of course." Her smile only widened.

Although he didn't grin, pleasure rippled through him. He'd loved being with her for the past two weeks since his arrival. It had been pure bliss both day and night. And he especially loved stolen moments like this.

"I guess this is my cue to leave." Mr. Andridge stood with his silver cane, his voice wry with humor. He'd witnessed their affection for each other enough since arriving and had shown himself to be tactful, which Ryder appreciated.

It didn't take long for Mr. Andridge to gather his files and head out of the office. As the door clicked closed behind him, Genevieve was already at Ryder's side. "So, you would like my expert opinion, would you?"

He fitted his hands on her waist and dragged her down so that she was sitting on his lap. Her arms wound around his neck, and she quickly bent in, her gaze riveted to his mouth, one thing clearly on her mind.

Kissing her was always on his mind. He could admit it. And as she closed the last of the distance, he wasted no time in giving them both what they wanted, fusing their lips with a fervor that was filled with all his adoration for both her body and spirit. He'd never tire of showing her how much he cherished her, had decided it was something that would take forever and that he'd relish every moment.

At the bang of the door opening, Genevieve startled and would have stood up except that he held her in place. Only one person ever interrupted them so boldly. Tanner.

"Don't you ever do anything else besides kiss?" Tanner's voice dripped with sarcasm as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Don't you ever knock?" Ryder groused back.

"Not when it's so fun to interrupt you."

Ryder fitted Genevieve into the crook of his arm and loved that she didn't fight him, instead curling into him with her head resting against his shoulder. "One of these days, I'll pay you back. Just wait."

He hoped Tanner would have the good fortune of finding a woman as wonderful as Genevieve. In the meantime, Tanner had been busy most of the time, visiting orphanages, searching records, and working with his investigators to track down leads. Now that they believed their father's name was Hawthorne, they'd hoped that would help, but so far, they'd gotten nowhere in their search.

Tanner didn't come inside. His expression held an intensity that made Ryder sit up straighter, forcing Genevieve to do the same. "What is it?"

"It's time for me to head back." After arriving in New York City, Tanner had shaven, gotten a hair trim, and shed his coonskin cap and buckskin coat for a regular hat and suit, probably so that he'd have more luck and face less discrimination during his investigations. But today, he wore his usual mountain-man attire.

"You sure?" Even as Ryder asked the question, he realized that he was the uncertain one, not Tanner. He wasn't ready to let go of his brother. Tanner was all he had left of his past, and he didn't want to lose him, even if only to distance.

"I'm sure." Tanner met his gaze, a sadness and a maturity in his eyes that hadn't been there before. Probably because he was starting to finally realize just how impossible tracking down their family was and was learning to accept the inevitable—that they didn't have anyone else left, only each other.

Tanner straightened his cap and then slung his bag over his shoulder. "I want to get back into the high country before snow closes up the passes."

"You've never let a little snow stop you before."

"I know. But it's time for me to go."

Ryder's gut tightened.

Genevieve laid one of her hands on his, obviously sensing his unrest.

He wanted to say that he'd be back at his own ranch soon and would see Tanner then, but he hadn't made up his mind yet when to leave New York City. A part of him knew he would need to go soon too now that it was early October.

But another part of him wanted to stay and work with Mr. Andridge and continue to learn more about the Hollis enterprises. Genevieve had also introduced him to a publisher who was interested in helping him polish and publish his collection of tales that told the history of Colorado.

Genevieve had assured him that she would be happy to go with him wherever he chose, that she didn't have a preference either way. Even so, he'd noticed the way she glowed whenever she came back from volunteering at the orphanage. And she'd resumed many of the charities that Lenora had cancelled and now spent much of her free time overseeing their operation.

"You need to stay." Tanner spoke the words with such conviction that this time Ryder startled.

"I haven't decided—"

"You belong here." Tanner waved at the office and the desk and then at Genevieve. "It's almost as if you were made for this."

"But my ranch—"

"It was never your passion. You did it because you had to provide for your family."

Was Tanner right?

"And you did it so that you could stay close to me." Tanner's eyes gleamed with unshed tears that he rapidly blinked away. "But I don't need you to watch out for me any longer, Ryder. I'll be okay. I want you to be free to lead your own life and find your own happiness now."

Ryder's throat tightened with emotion. Was that what he'd been doing? Watching out for Tanner all these years and putting his own life on hold to do so?

Tanner held his gaze a final long moment, then nodded.

"Goodbye, Tanner." Genevieve smiled at him tenderly. "You know you're always welcome here."

"Thank you." He seemed to be taking in her beauty. "I'm glad Ryder has you now. You're the family he's always needed."

Without another word, Tanner spun and walked away.

Ryder watched the open door, not quite ready to let him go but knowing he had to.

Genevieve didn't say anything—just leaned her head back against his shoulder while still holding his hand.

Tanner was right. It was time for them to go their own ways and make something of themselves. They'd both been spared to live. And it was time to start doing that to the fullest.

He bent and pressed a kiss against Genevieve's forehead. "I love you."

She lifted his hand and kissed the back of it. "I love you too."

He was living his life to the fullest with her. He couldn't ask for anything better.