Ryan's Return by Barbara Freethy

Author:Barbara Freethy [Freethy, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Barbara Freethy
Published: 2011-05-11T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Jonas pulled a pair of faded blue jeans over his white cotton briefs. He cast a quick look at the hospital room door, but it remained closed. Thank God. He actually had a few minutes' peace from Helga the nurse from hell, or whatever her name was. He walked over to the closet and took out his shirt. His fingers fumbled with the buttons as he hurried to get dressed.

With any luck the cab he had called would be waiting downstairs, ready to take him home. He would worry about paying the hospital bill later.

As Jonas headed for the door, it opened in front of him. He looked up, expecting to see one of the nurses or the doctor, but it was his son, his youngest son, the one who reminded him of all the mistakes he had made in his life.

"What the hell are you doing here? I don't see you for twelve years, and now I'm tripping over you every time I turn around."

Ryan's mouth curved into a reluctant smile. "It does seem like that, doesn't it? I came to keep you company, but it looks like you're on your way out."

"Damn right. And don't try to stop me."

"As if I could."

Jonas heard the bitterness in Ryan's voice. He pretended he didn't. "Get out of my way then."

Ryan didn't move. "How are you getting home?"

"I called a taxi."

"Ah, the getaway car. I don't suppose the doctor knows you're leaving."

"I don't need his permission. I feel fine, and I'm going home. I heard on the radio that the river is rising. I'm sure as hell not going to stay here when my house may be going underwater."

"It's not in any danger at the moment, and even if it was, what could you do? Hold the river back with your bare hands?"

"If I have to. At the very least I can put some sandbags out."

"No, you can't."

Jonas tried to walk past him, but Ryan grabbed him by the arm. There was as much determination in his eyes as Jonas had ever seen.

"You can't fill sandbags. You just had a heart attack," Ryan said.

"You going to do it for me?" Jonas challenged. Ryan didn't answer. "That's what I thought. You don't care about our home. You never did."

"Yes, I did. I cared about it when Mom was there. I cared about it when I was growing up. It was never the house that made me want to leave. It wasn't the town either, for that matter."

"Then what? Are you still afraid of the river?"

Ryan flinched but didn't say anything. Jonas was almost sorry to see the self-control. He had the upper hand when Ryan lost control. When he didn't -- well, he'd call it even.

"You would like it if I said yes, wouldn't you?" Ryan asked. "Because it would be easy to call me a coward. Well, I'm not a coward. I'll swim in the damn river if you want me to. If that's what it takes to get through to you.

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