When they settled in the car she turned to him. “I know it’s later than we expected but would you mind if I still went by to see Mom and Becky, just for a little bit? I can’t come all the way to Dallas and not go see them.”
“Of course. I’d be surprised if you didn’t.” Ryder reached over and gave her a reassuring pat on the leg. “Just give me the address and I’ll have you there in a jiffy.”
Relieved, she relaxed back into her seat and smiled. “Thanks.” It was a word full of meaning. She was thanking him for so many things. He’d been there for her in more ways than one. She couldn’t even begin to repay him.
It was almost eight o’clock when they got to Blake’s family home. As they pulled into the driveway she saw when Becky drew back the curtains and peeked out, then her eyes lit up and her face split into a wide smile. “Mom, they’re here,” she yelled and then the curtains fell back in place as she dashed off to the front door. Blake laughed. She was just as eager to see her sister. She couldn’t wait to wrap her up in a huge bear hug.
She’d called home as soon as she’d left Pequoia and got a cell phone signal. When she told Becky she was on her way to Dallas her little sister gave a shriek that almost burst her eardrum. Her mother was almost as bad.
And now she was here. It made her almost glad she’d had to come to Dallas for that awful business. At least it was a chance to see her family.
Before she could get out of the vehicle Becky was bounding down the steps. Blake had just enough time to open the passenger door, slip out and hold her arms open wide. Becky barreled right into her, almost knocking her over.
“Blake,” she squeaked, “you’re here. What took you so long?”
Blake gave her sister a squeeze and then she put her away and stared down into her excited face. “Hey, Squirt, you’ve been growing again. Don’t you know you’re not supposed to be growing up without me?”
Becky laughed at her teasing. “You haven’t been gone that long.”
Blake gave her a playful chuck under the chin and then she turned her toward Ryder who had gotten out of the car and was observing the sisterly greeting, a look of amusement on his face. “Becky, this is Ryder Kent, my escort for today and my…friend.” Blake had no idea why she’d stumbled on the word friend. It was like saying it out loud made her think about what it really meant. Friend. Ryder was all that and so much more. “Ryder, this is Becky, my little sis.”
“Pleased to meet you, Becky.” Ryder gave her an easy smile that had the young girl blushing and smiling back shyly.
Blake glanced up and saw her mother peering through the window. “Come on, guys. We haven’t got all night.” She set off for the house, leaving Ryder and Becky to bring up the rear. She knew this would have to be a super-quick visit. Ryder had several hours of driving ahead of him and she didn’t want to be the cause of an extended delay.
As soon as she stepped onto the porch, Rosie flung the door open wide. “Blake.” She held her arms open and Blake stepped right into them, happy to be holding her mother again. Maybe it was the emotion of the moment, brought on by the strain of having to rehash Jerome’s deception. She found herself clinging to her mother like she would never let go.
Trying hard not to break down Blake released her mother and stepped back then turned to Ryder who had come to stand just behind her. She forced a smile. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Ryder-”
“Yes, the young man you wrote me about. Your friend.” Rosie lifted her hand to shake Ryder’s.
“Mom.” Blake rolled her eyes. Did she have to go and say all that? What must Ryder be thinking now? Quickly, before her mother got it into her head to reveal anything else, Blake changed the subject. “I finally did it, Mom. The statement is in. Now let the chips fall where they may.”
“Good girl.” Rosie gave her a congratulatory pat on the arm even as she ushered them into the house. “You should have done it a long time ago but better late than never.” Then she smiled back at Ryder. “I hope you like roast beef because that’s what I fixed you for dinner.” Then she gave her daughter a not-so-subtle wink and all Blake could do was sigh. So much for not wanting Ryder to find out she’d written and told her mother all about him.
After that they sat down to a delicious meal, albeit a quick one, and much too soon and to her regret, Blake had to bring it all to an end. “We’ve got a long drive ahead of us,” she explained, “and I’ve got to open the restaurant tomorrow.”
“I know, dear, and I’m sorry I was such a chatterbox this evening.” Rosie gave Ryder an indulgent smile. “You forgive me, don’t you?”
He reached out and patted her hand. “There’s nothing to forgive. I enjoyed every minute of it.”
“And I enjoyed having you here.” And from the way she spoke, Blake could tell that her mother liked Ryder. A lot. That was definitely a good sign. But then, when it came to Ryder, what wasn’t there to like?
Later, as they traveled along the highway that would take them back to southwest Texas, Blake couldn’t help but smile. Just before they’d gone through the door her mother had pulled her back to whisper in her ear. “This one’s the real deal,” she said softly. “A true gentleman. If you two choose to go further I give you my blessing.”
Blake knew exactly what her mother meant. When Rosie first met Jerome she’d found him charming but still she’d hesitated. She hadn’t quite come out and said it but Blake could sense her ambivalence. This time, though, there was clearly no question in her mother's mind. As far as she was concerned, Ryder was ‘the one’.
“You’re okay?”
At his question Blake gazed over at Ryder. “Hmm?”
“You just sighed. Tired?” He glanced at her then back to the stretch of road ahead. Although it was almost ten o’clock the highway was alive with vehicles heading to and fro.
“I’m fine,” she said and then spoiled it when she followed her words with a yawn.
Ryder chuckled. “Don’t fight it. Relax. Get some sleep. I’ll wake you when we get home.”
Home. He’d said the word so easily, like Beaumont’s was truly her home and his. And she liked the sound of that…very much.
Blake had no idea when she eventually slipped into slumber. She’d felt so safe and comfortable by Ryder’s side that she hadn’t even tried to resist when she felt sleep begin to claim her. He’d switched on the radio and she was listening to John Legend’s, “All of You”, when the music faded away and all went still…