Ryder by Diana Gardin

Author:Diana Gardin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2019-02-11T16:00:00+00:00

16

RYDER

Frannie with a can of spray paint in her hand, interacting with the kids who have been like a saving grace for me, is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Where did this woman come from?

Even Nevaeh, whom I noticed giving her the side eye when we first came in, is now standing beside her, watching Frannie spray lavender angel wings on the side of the wall.

“See?” Frannie’s saying. “After I finish with these, you’re going to stand right in front of them. And I’m going to take your picture. And since you’re so gorgeous, and your name is ‘Heaven’ spelled backward, you’re going to look just like an angel in the photo. And you know what I’m going to do with that picture?”

Nevaeh shakes her head, a look of awe on her face. Frannie leans down and whispers in her ear. An expression of delighted pleasure spreads over Nevaeh’s face like the first rays of dawn on a cold winter morning, and that’s when it happens.

That’s the moment I lose my heart to this woman.

I thought shit like that only happened in the movies, this real defined moment when one person falls for another. But I just know. Nevaeh is my gauge, because she reminds me so much of Echo. After we lost our mom, Echo was always trying to escape the world she was forced to endure. She ended up turning to drugs to do that. And Nevaeh is still so young, but her home life is forcing her hand, making her look for routes of escape I want to help her avoid. And I know without a doubt that if Echo were here, she’d approve of Frannie. She’d be happy that I’ve found someone who makes me happy. And she’d want me to do everything in my power to make sure that woman stays safe by my side, no matter what it takes.

“Hey, Mr. Ryder.” Joey, one of the older, Latino boys who helped me carry the tubs of paint from the car, nudges me. “Is Ms. Phillips your girl?”

Chuckling softly, I black out the edges of the big block letters I’ve painted on the wall. We’ve all decided to paint a group mural based on our own individual artistic thoughts and ideas. Standing back and admiring my work, I read the large orange and red letters rimmed in black: WHAT WE DO NOW ECHOES IN ETERNITY.

Smiling, I aim my gaze at Frannie, who’s finishing up her angel wings. “Maybe she will be. Why? You like her?”

“She’s cool.” Joey’s tone is all serious. He flings his head to one side, trying to get his long brown hair to flop out of his eyes. “You seem different today.”

Nodding, I put the cap on my paint and sling an arm around his shoulder. “The right woman can do that for you, Joey. Remember that.” I evaluate the mural as everyone is finishing up. “This looks pretty dang good, everyone. Proud of you guys.”

“Ryder!”

I turn toward Frannie when she calls my name.

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