Chapter 11

11

Caleb followed Ryder out onto the porch.

Dolly bounded between them, sprinting for the squirrels digging through the snow on the edge of the forest. He took a deep breath of chilly, moss-scented air. Never got old. Closing the front door behind him with a firm hand, he braced himself for the conversation he knew was coming. He didn't want Grace to hear what was on Ryder's mind. Heck, he wasn't sure he wanted to hear it.

"She needs an X-ray, Caleb."

"I know." Caleb stuck his hands in his pockets. They both understood the X-ray wasn't the only matter at hand.

Ryder's gaze bore into Caleb, his concern etching itself at the corners of his eyes. "There are bruises on her forearm."

"She had a rough night last night." Caleb left it at that. The sight of Ellie resting her head on her dad's shoulder prevented him from going any further. Simpler to keep Ryder out of the full loop. As a single dad, Ryder had enough on his plate and there was no way Caleb wanted those goons anywhere near his niece.

"Not just bruises." Ryder wasn't easily deflected. "Fingerprints. Purple marks from where someone has grabbed her and damn near broken her arm." Ryder's breath formed wispy clouds.

Caleb's eyes snapped to the screen door. On the other side, Grace sipped her coffee, both hands wrapped around her mug for comfort. The sight of her there, at peace, stirred an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach. Bruises. Some bastard had hurt her. He took his hands out of his pockets and gripped the porch railing. "I'll speak to her."

"Where exactly did you find her?" Ryder's tone grew insistent.

"She's not lost property, Ryder."

Ryder bared his teeth. "You know what the f—, damn it, you know what I mean."

"Daddy." Ellie buried her face in his neck.

Ryder cupped her small head with one hand. "I know, sweetie, we're just going."

"She was on Barrow road." Caleb stared at the forest edge. The squirrels had vanished and Dolly was snuffling through the snow, throwing up billows of white frosty dust. "I was on my way home from drinks last night, came across her car… I already told you that."

"And that's it?" Ryder raised an eyebrow in silent challenge.

Caleb leaned back against the porch for support, his facade of indifference faltering under Ryder's interrogation. "I'm not sure what you're looking for here." A hint of frustration crept into his voice. "I'll get her checked out and speak to Mitch about towing her car this morning. Get her back on the road."

"You can't save everyone, Caleb."

Caleb pushed up to standing. "Don't judge everyone by your experiences."

Ryder's head snapped up.

Shit. "I didn't mean?—"

"Get her checked out, Caleb." Ryder shook his head and jogged down the steps to his SUV, where he strapped a squirming Ellie into her car seat.

Caleb followed and reached out, resting his palm on Ryder's shoulder in a gesture of apology. "I'm sorry. That was unfair. I didn't sleep well last night."

Ryder turned and shoulder-hugged his brother. "Forget it." He closed Ellie's door with a decisive thud. "But there's more going on here that she's letting on. If anything, learn from my experiences. Don't be like me," Ryder cautioned as he glanced back at the house. He handed Caleb a paper bag from the passenger seat. "There wasn't much left, but I tossed what I had in there. I think they're a similar size."

Caleb accepted the paper bag. "Thanks. I mean it. Now, get out of here. Ellie's going to be late for daycare, and the Commander will roast you if you're late for your shift."

He waited while Ryder got in and started the engine so he could wave to Ellie as they left, then returned to the house, his thoughts already consumed by the woman waiting inside.

"I should go." Grace slid off the stool as soon as he re-entered the kitchen.

"No."

"No?" Her expression shifted to confused.

"No." He shook his head, unsure what the hell was going on with him. He didn't know what was driving him to care for this woman, but he knew he couldn't let her leave yet. He wanted to take care of her, make her a hot breakfast and get her wrist X-rayed. Even though he couldn't remember the last time he'd cooked for anyone apart from offering Ellie cookies.

"I'm going to cook you breakfast and make a few calls so we can get your wrist looked at." He placed the bag Ryder had given him on the counter. "I asked Ryder to bring a few things over for you." He inclined his head at her crumpled clothes. Although, to him, they didn't detract from how she looked. They almost made her seem more real, grounded in life, not some plastic ideal.

Grace peered into the bag, pulling out a wool sweater with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. "This was kind. I wasn't expecting that." She hesitated, rubbing the fabric between finger and thumb. "Do they belong to his wife?"

"Belonged."

"Oh." She looked crestfallen.

"She left three years ago." Without a backward glance for her daughter or the husband who adored her.

"I'm so sorry."

He nodded. "Yeah well. It was hard for a long time, but things are better now. Ryder's much better, too. Time heals some things."

"Yeah. It can." She stilled, her eyes searching his for answers. "Why are you doing this?"

He considered her question for a moment. "Why wouldn't I?"

Because right now, the truth was far more complicated than he dared to admit.