Sergeant's Baby Surprise: An Ex-Military, Christian Baby Romance (Maple Grove Cowboys Book 2) by Nora Christian

Author:Nora Christian [Christian, Nora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

8

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the sprawling ranch as Ryan and Jack sat on the porch of the old farmhouse, nursing bottles of beer. It was one of those rare, tranquil evenings when the world seemed to slow down, allowing space for conversation and reflection.

Ryan stared down at the label on his beer bottle, a faint blush of embarrassment still coloring his cheeks. He took a deep breath, the weight of the incident at the cheese shop still fresh in his mind.

"Jack," he began hesitantly, "I just wanted to apologize again for what happened today. I don't know what got into me. Emily will probably...”

Jack turned to his friend, his expression understanding and kind. "Ryan, there's no need to apologize. We all have our moments, especially with the things we've been through. You're not alone in this. It’s not like I don’t understand.”

Ryan sighed, a mixture of relief and guilt washing over him. "I just felt so embarrassed, especially in front of Kelly. She's, well, she's cute, you know? I don't think she'll ever look at me the same way after today."

Jack chuckled, patting Ryan on the back. "Ah, young love, my friend. I remember feeling that way about Emily when we first met. But let me tell you something about women. They're not as quick to judge as we think, and they appreciate honesty and vulnerability."

Ryan raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "You really think so?"

Jack nodded, his eyes reflecting a depth of experience. "Absolutely. You don't have to be perfect or hide your flaws. In fact, showing your human side, your ability to learn and grow, can be even more attractive."

Ryan contemplated Jack's words, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes. "So, you think there's a chance?"

Jack smiled, clinking his beer bottle against Ryan's. "There's always a chance, my friend. Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. Just be yourself, and if it's meant to be, it'll happen."

Ryan took another sip of his beer, the cool liquid supplying a momentary distraction from the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind. He appreciated Jack's encouragement, but a lingering doubt still gnawed at him.

"Jack, I appreciate your optimism," Ryan began slowly, "but sometimes, I feel like I'm not healing at all. Like I'm just stuck in the past."

Jack leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the starry night sky. "I get it, Ryan. Healing can be a slow and unpredictable process. It's not always linear, and it's okay to have setbacks. But trust me, you've come a long way."

Ryan's brows furrowed as he searched for words. "Have I, though? Sometimes, it feels like I'm still out there, in that desert, with the sandstorms and the chaos."

Jack's voice was gentle but firm. "You're not out there anymore, Ryan. You're here, on this ranch, with people who care about you. You're learning to adapt, to find new ways of living. That's progress."

Ryan let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of his past experiences pressing down on him.

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