The Difference a Day Makes (Perfect, Indiana: Book Two) (13 page)

She hurried to keep up. “What’s with the sudden interest in quilting?”

He opened his truck door and tucked the quilt behind the seats, then reached for the plastic bag she held. “I have an idea.”

“Are you going to share it?” He was still smiling, and she loved seeing him this way.

“Sure, when I’ve had some time to work it through.” He put his hands on her waist and brushed a quick kiss across her forehead. “I’m starving. Let’s head to the park.”

Still curious, she climbed in and tried to figure out what his idea might be. He navigated through the city like he knew the area. “How do you know your way around so well?”

“I studied Google maps on my computer the other day.” He shrugged. “After lunch, we have to head to Waterford Avenue. That’s where the VA outpatient clinic is located. I need to make a couple of appointments.”

“Noah’s idea or yours?”

“It’s a stipulation to my remaining employed.” He shot her a wry look. “But it’s time.”

He quickly averted his gaze, and she reached out to cover his hand where it rested on the gearshift. She didn’t say anything, just twined her fingers with his, hoping he understood how glad she was to know that he’d be getting the help and support he needed.

Ten minutes later, they pulled into a metered parking spot next to an expanse of green bordering the Ohio River. Picnic tables dotted the park, along with large oak and maple trees heavy with bursting leaf buds. Ryan went to the back of his truck for the blanket, and she gathered their lunch and climbed out. “Have you been here before?”

He nodded. “I did a little exploring a few weeks ago. Come on, darlin’. I know the perfect spot.”

She followed him to a huge old oak. He spread the blanket and then took the bottles of water from her. Dropping their bagged lunches on the blanket, Paige lowered herself and settled against the trunk. The fresh spring air filled her lungs, and the sun warmed her skin. Her stomach growled, and she reached for one of the white paper bags. “I got one turkey with Swiss cheese and one ham-and-cheddar sandwich. I figured we could share them both.” She started pulling out food. “We also have chips, fresh fruit, and coleslaw.”

Ryan scooted up to lean on the trunk beside her, and their shoulders, hips, and thighs touched. Heat flooded her cheeks.
She fussed with the bags to avoid looking at him and handed him a packet with plastic utensils and a napkin. “Dig in.”

He took a bite out of his half of the ham sandwich and nudged her with his elbow. “You first,” he said around his mouthful.

Gazing out at the surrounding park, she wondered how to tell her story without sounding like a pathetic fool.

“I won’t judge, sweetheart. I promise. Cowboy’s honor.”

“Speaking of cowboys, I really want to go to that rodeo. If you won’t go with me, I’ll find someone who will.”

“Like Ted?” He stiffened beside her.

She gave him a noncommittal shrug and picked at her fruit salad.
Not nice
. Using Ted as a delay tactic or to manipulate Ryan was beneath her. She swung her gaze to his. “I was thinking more along the lines of Ceejay and Lucinda. A girls’ day out.”

He relaxed. “I’ll take you, but I don’t want to go hunting down my relatives.”

“All right. I won’t force the issue.”

“Start talking, little girl. We have a deal.”

Her appetite disappeared, and her stomach knotted. “Why do I have to go first?”

“Because you read my letter without permission. You snooped. You start.”

“Fine,” she huffed. “I worked at a manufacturing company for large construction equipment.” She launched into her tale of woe. “Anthony Rutger, this coworker of mine, offered to take one of the bids I’d worked on to the courier waiting in the lobby. I was on the phone with a client at the time.” She blew out a breath as memories of that day came back to her. “He’d also offered to drop a couple of my bids into the outgoing mailbox a few times. I trusted him.” She shrugged. “Turns out he set me up. He never gave the envelope to the courier and delayed putting my bids in the mail. Because of my
naïveté, we lost a big account, and I had a few complaints against me for lateness. I got fired from my very first real job.”

Unwilling to meet his eyes, she stared toward the river. “I am currently unemployed, as in completely without an income.” She waited for him to say something. When he didn’t, she turned to find him deep in thought. “Say something.”

“There’s more to this story, right?”

“Does there have to be more?” She picked at the sandwich in her lap.

“Paige…”

Several tense seconds ticked by. The intensity of his perusal brought heat rushing to her face. “Oh, all right. Anthony and I were dating. I should’ve known something was up when he insisted we keep our relationship a secret. I…I’m such a fool. I even thought we had a future together,” she mumbled as mortification burned a hole through her.

“You loved this Anthony fellow?”

“No.” She fussed with her water bottle. “I thought I did, but afterward, I didn’t feel heartbroken, only angry.”

“Do you want me to head up to Philly and rearrange his face for you?”

The intensity of his brilliant blue gaze kicked her pulse into overdrive. He meant it. Ryan’s anger on her behalf warmed her, and all the bunched muscles in her neck and shoulders relaxed. “No, but thank you for that.” The sudden sting of tears made her blink, and he reached for her hand.

“You didn’t deserve what happened, Paige. The only thing you’re guilty of is trusting the wrong man. That’s not your bad—it’s his.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “If it’s any comfort, everyone gets fired at least once in their lifetime. Hell, it’s kind of a rite of passage.”

She chuffed out a teary chortle and swiped at her eyes. “Not Harvard graduates. Not Langfords.” She sniffed. “I…I can’t tell my parents until I’m back on my feet.”

“Why is that?”

How could she tell him she didn’t measure up in her father’s eyes? She didn’t want Ryan to see her that way. “They spent a lot on my education, and I don’t want to disappoint them. Once I have a new job, then I’ll tell them.” Or at least she’d tell them part of it. All they had to know was that she’d left Ramsey & Weil for something better. Not a complete lie. Ryan scrutinized her again. She fidgeted with the plastic utensil packet.

“OK, now, see, some of this doesn’t make any sense to me at all.”

“Like?” She peered at him through her soggy lashes.

“Like why you feel you have to hide this from your family, for one thing. From what I know about Noah, your family would be nothing but supportive. Plus, I’m having a hard time visualizing you working for a company that produces large construction equipment.” He tipped his head down to meet her gaze. “Why construction? I see you more as…”

“As what?” She stiffened. “Fluff? Are you saying you don’t think I’m capable of succeeding in that kind of industry? Because—”

“Hoh, boy. I hit a nerve.” He drew back, and his eyes widened. “I believe you could be a success at anything you set your mind to, darlin’. I’m just trying to understand what motivates you.”

“I’m not fluff.” Or at least, she didn’t want to be. “And I’m not a spoiled little rich girl either.” She jutted out her chin in challenge. Ryan chuckled, and that mouth of his melted her insides into…marshmallow fluff.
Dammit.

“Hell no, you aren’t.” He put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. “Who made you feel that way?”

Her heart put up a fuss, and her palms grew damp. Did she want to bare it all? No, but hadn’t she barged into his apartment to find him passed out and clutching an empty whisky bottle? Not to mention that letter she’d read without permission. She owed him the same degree of revelation if she meant to be his friend. “All right, here’s the thing.” She sucked in a calming breath. “Has Noah told you much about the family business?”

“L&L?” Confusion clouded his expression.

“No.” She bit her lower lip and wondered how to explain her own inadequacy. “Langford Plumbing Supplies. My family owns a plumbing supply empire that began generations ago.” She glanced at him to see how he took that bit.

“Go on.”

“Dad wanted Noah to take over at some point, but my brother had his own plans. Noah made it clear he had no interest in the plumbing industry or in taking over.” She straightened. “I, on the other hand, want to take over the family business, and my dad won’t even consider me for the job. He won’t consider me for any job within the company.” The discussion churned up the disappointment she always carried with her, souring her stomach.

She fisted her hands in her lap. “I went to Harvard to get my degree in business administration and marketing with the idea that an Ivy League MBA would convince Dad I’m worthy of his trust.” Her chest tightened, and all the rejection she’d suffered, knowing she didn’t measure up in her father’s eyes, overwhelmed her. “It didn’t. I overheard him talking to Noah. My own father is the one who said I’m mostly fluff—naive fluff, to be exact—and didn’t I just go and prove him right?”

Ryan drew her closer. “Maybe I should rearrange
his
face.”

A twisted laugh broke free. “You asked why large construction. I figured if I can make it in a place like that, he’d have to take me more seriously. I mean to prove to him that I’m up to taking over the family business.”

“Hmm,” he murmured and absently stroked her shoulder.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She glanced at him.

“It means I’m thinking. Which is no easy feat with such a gorgeous, warm, non-fluffy woman sitting beside me.” He waggled his eyebrows at her.

“Gorgeous and non-fluffy?” She giggled, loving the way he’d lifted her out of her funk so deftly.

“Let me ask you something.” He peered down at her. “Do you have a passion for toilets, fixtures, drainpipes, and faucets? Is that what occupies your mind every waking minute?”

“No.” She shrugged. “I don’t know a thing about plumbing fixtures, nor do I care to. It’s the
business
, Ryan. Don’t you see? I do know business and marketing. What difference does it make what it is that I’m marketing, so long as I’m good at it?”

“Huh.” He nodded and went pensive again.

“What?”

“I don’t know. It seems to me your whole fixation with running the family business has more to do with proving something to your old man than it does with the actual company you claim you want to run.”

“Yeah?” She blinked. “So?”

“Well…” He hesitated, took his arm from around her shoulders, and turned one of his inscrutable looks her way.

“Spit it out, Malloy. Whatever you’re thinking, I want to hear it.”

“You don’t have anything to prove to anyone but yourself, darlin’. Did it ever occur to you that you might be a whole lot
happier if you found something to do that really excites you?” He nudged her. “It sure doesn’t sound like you’re all that enamored of plumbing supplies. There’d be no stopping you if what you market is also something you love with a passion.”

“You don’t understand,” she snapped.

“Huh. Don’t I? Seems to me I’m not the only one who’s a little too close to be objective.”

She opened her mouth to retort, only to close it again. Proving herself to her father
was
her passion. She wanted that moment of triumph more than anything. “Let’s finish up here and go buy that phone you need so badly.” She grabbed her turkey sandwich and took a big bite, chewing what tasted like cardboard in her mouth. “Seeing as how I have no income, you get why I’m not going to buy it for you.”

“But you’re still going to insist that I have one, right?”

“I am. You
will
have a phone before we leave Evansville today.”

He chuckled low in his throat. “You, Paige Langford, are a force of nature. Glorious, indomitable, and obstinate. You’re a whole lot of things, darlin’, but fluffy isn’t one of them.”

Her eyes widened. “You think I’m glorious?”

“Hell yes, and it breaks my heart you’re going to take all that glory away from Perfect when you leave.”

Her breath caught. He was only teasing, yet leaving him behind was going to hurt her for real.
Crap
. She reached into one of the bags and pulled out two huge chocolate chip cookies. “Here.” She handed him one. “Surprise.”

His face lit up like a little boy’s, and she glimpsed what he must’ve been like before his life had imploded. “I have family here, Ryan. I’ll be around.”

“Not the same at all,” he murmured and turned away.

Her throat tightened, and her eyes stung. Did he have any idea how he affected her? “Don’t forget you promised to bare your soul as well. Quid pro quo and all that.”

Sighing, he nodded. “Cookie first.” He took a big bite, leaned his head back against the broad tree trunk, and lowered his hat over his face.

“Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not going to nap.” She took his hat, placed it on the blanket, and elbowed him in the ribs.

“It was worth a shot.” He grinned at her with all of his dimples tugging at her heartstrings.

“Out with it, cowboy.”

“Damn, you’re a pushy woman.” His eyes closed, and his face tightened. Several seconds ticked by before he finally spoke. “I had just finished my master’s, and—”

“You have a master’s degree, and you enlisted in the army?” Her brother also had his degree before he’d enlisted, but it was because he wanted a military career. Having a degree meant the difference between commissioned or noncommissioned officer status, and for Noah, it made sense. “Did you want a military career?”

“Hell no. Don’t interrupt, or I won’t get through this.”

“Sorry.”

“My master’s is in fine arts—hardly a degree that would get me anywhere in the army.” He ran his thumb back and forth over the back of her hand. “I was engaged to be married. I’d just accepted a job in Dallas at a small advertising firm, and Theresa and I were in Oklahoma to visit my folks. We were finalizing the plans for our wedding.” His head dropped to his chest, and the muscles in his jaw danced under his skin.

Now that he’d shaved, every emotion he experienced showed clearly on his expressive face, leaving him exposed and
vulnerable. He’d been hiding all that agony from the world, and her chest ached for him. “Go on.”