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Taking the can of paint stripper off the bench, he poured it into an e a brush, he applied it to the wood of the chest
He liked too s about Phoebe The way her hair hid her face like a curtain and then when it was draay discovering she’d hidden a s Phoebe was no shrinking violet She was a survivor JT’s baby was lucky JT’s baby!
What was happening to him? Phoebe was JT’s wife Was It didn’tto JT There was the bro code You don’t take your best friend’s girl
Ryan picked up the putty knife and began to scrape the paint off in thin sheets
No ht want to
A board creaked above him
It didn’t matter Phoebe didn’t feel that way about hi a hard ti for a connection to JT All he meant to her was someone who had known the father of her baby He would be her friend and nothing more
Still, it was as if he saw the world as a better place when he was around her Like his wounds were finally closing That life could be good Not black-and-white Living or dying But happy, healthy and hopeful
“Hey, down there, your dinner is served” There was a cheerful tone to her voice, like so another they cared about
Ryan’s heart thuainst his chest Wouldn’t it be nice to be called to every s improved life
Phoebe was filling their glasses when Ryan’s footsteps drew her attention to the door of the basement It had been over a year since she had called so it twice in less than teeks She liked it There was so about it that made her feel like all was as it should be in her world
“Sood”
“You do know that all I did was pick it up, don’t you?” she said, putting the pitcher back on the corner
“Yes, but you did a good job with that”
He looked at the table She had set their places hat little she could find in Ryan’s woefully low-stocked kitchen Passing a shop, she’d iht a handful of flowers She hoped he didn’t think she was suggesting that this was more than a friendly meal
He nodded toward them “Nice touch”
She smiled “I like fresh flowers I couldn’t resist them”
“I’ll have to remember that Let me wash my hands”
Ryan went to the sink With his back to her she had a chance for a good look What would it be like to run her hands across these wide shoulders? To cup what must be a firm butt?
She didn’t need to be thinking like that But she was pregnant, not dead
“What’s wrong? You feeling okay? You have an odd look on your face”
She’d been caught ogling him “No, no, I feel fine”
A slow s the worry away “Okay, let’s eat I’ry”
Had he figured out what she’d been thinking?
They each took one of the two chairs at the table
“I didn’t knohat you liked so I got two kinds of soups and two sandwiches, hoping you liked at least one of each”
“It all looks good”
“I didn’t ht not be able to find it if I did” She pushed it toward him Ryan’s hand brushed hers when he reached for it
The flutter in herShe jerked her hand back
“Is that a valid co skills?”
“Not really, but now that you mention it I’ve not really seen any of those skills outside your shop”
He laughed “I deserve that I’o downstairs As forthat isn’t bills when I get around to it” He glanced through the pile and pulled an envelope out, tearing it open Slipping a card out, he studied it a moment, then laid it on the table “It’s an invitation to Sophia’s wedding next weekend”
“You weren’t kidding That had to have coo”
He gave her a sheepish look “I’m sure it did”
“I’ to be there to deliver this baby I’ve becoive her up I don’t want just anyone to deliver But I’ve got to make a choice soon”
There was a long pause before Ryan leaned forward and said, “I’d like to do it”
Phoebe sucked in a breath “You want to do what?”
“Be your midwife Would you let me take over from Sophia?”