Ryder was surprised when Blake did a pretty good job of it. She ate almost half of the meal, much to his satisfaction, and when he ate what she’d left behind it was the perfect amount to fill him up without making him feel stuffed.
When they were all done he gathered up the plates, saucers, glasses and cups and headed toward the kitchen. “I’m washing up,” he said over his shoulder, “and then I’ve got work to do.”
“What kind of work?” she called after him but he didn’t stop to answer. She would see, soon enough.
Later, when the dishes were clean Ryder threw off his shirt and headed out to the back yard with Blake in tow. “I made you a vegetable garden,” he said. “You’ve got a lot of good, fertile land here. You’ve got to use it up.”
When they got to the garden plot Blake gave a gasp of surprise. “This is huge,” she said, her look one of admiration. “When did you find the time to do all this work?”
Ryder shrugged. “You were gone. The business was closed. I had a lot of time on my hands.” He didn’t tell her the time he’d spent working in the garden had been therapy for him. It was time he had used to think. “I just want to get this soil tilled before I go. Give them a fighting chance once I go.”
Blake put a hand on her hip. “Are you saying I’m going to kill your precious plants? I may not have a green thumb but I’m no plant killer.”
“That may be,” he said as he bent to pick up the garden fork, “but I’ll feel better if they’re all set before I leave.”
Blake rolled her eyes. “If you want to give yourself all that work, be my guest.” She put a hand up to swipe a tendril of hair from her forehead. “It’s hot out here. I’ll be inside if you need me.” She turned to head back toward the rear porch but then paused and looked back at him. In her eyes was an expression he could not read. “Don’t stay in the sun too long.” That was all she said but the words hung in the air as she stared at him, looking like she wanted to say more. The next instant the spell was broken and she turned and walked away.
It was a full minute before Ryder stopped staring after her retreating back and at the back porch door as it swung closed behind her. Then, with a grunt, he turned his attention back to the task at hand.
Ryder had been digging the earth for less than ten minutes when he heard the sound of a car coming up the stretch of dirt road leading to Beaumont’s. When he looked up it was to see Peggy Thatcher’s champagne-colored Chevy pulling up to the front of the building. It soon disappeared, blocked by the hulking structure of the building, but Ryder knew the instant she got out of her car and entered the front door. The tinkle of the bell was that loud. Sure that Blake would have heard the bell, too, he got back to his digging. The ladies were sure to have lots to talk about. He would be in no danger of being disturbed by those two.
Ryder soon found out that that was where he was wrong. He’d been back at his task for only twelve minutes or so when he heard a cheerful female voice call his name. He looked up in time to see Peggy descending the steps and then she was heading across the yard toward him.
“Howdy.” She was waving her hand at him and there was a wide smile on her face.
“Howdy,” he said back as he let the garden fork fall into the dirt. He was sliding his hands down the sides of his jeans, getting rid of the excess dust, when she came to a halt in front of him. “Well, aren’t you the busy one? Blake told me you made her a vegetable garden.”
“Yes, ma’am. Been working on it for the past week.”
She folded her arms across her bosom and shook her head. “You never cease to amaze me, young man. There’s a lot about you I like, and now this. You’re a man after my own heart.” She released her arms and spread them wide, looking like she was getting ready to wrap them around him.
He raised his eyebrows then gave her a crooked smile. What was the lady going on about now?
“I didn’t know you were a gardener like me. This is wonderful,” she gushed. “Maybe you and I can swap gardening tips.”
He shrugged. “Any time.” He was still curious, though. She hadn’t come out to the backyard to talk gardening, had she?
“Listen,” she said, stepping closer and lowering her voice like she was about to share a secret, “I’m inviting you over to my house this evening. Seven o’clock. Just a gathering of friends. I want you to be there.”
Ryder cleared his throat. “Thanks for the invitation. I would have loved to be there but I’m leaving town today. I’m sorry.”
“What? You’re leaving?” Peggy’s brows fell and she was glaring at him like he’d just committed a grievous sin.
“Yes,” he said, his voice quiet. “I’m heading back to Des Moines.”
“No, you’re not. I made arrangements. I had this all planned. You have to be there.” Her glare was still there but now there was a hint of disbelief, maybe even desperation, in her voice. It didn’t make sense. His presence certainly couldn’t make or break her party.
He opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off. “I told all my friends you would be there. They’re expecting you. You have to come.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Well, since you put it that way, I guess I could stay one more day. I’ll just tell Blake-”
“Excellent.” She clasped her hands together, her eyes flashing with glee. “You know my house. Be there at seven o’clock sharp. The front door will be open. Just walk right in.” And then she came closer and tilted her face up to whisper in his ear. “And don’t tell Blake you’re coming. It’s a surprise.”
Now he understood. It was a surprise party for Blake. It looked like Peggy and her friends were about to give her a big welcome home. Ryder smiled and, without hesitation, he nodded. “I will definitely be there.”
CHAPTER NINE
“Where is everybody?” Blake whispered the words to herself as she stepped in the front door of Peggy’s house then pushed it closed behind her.
She left the foyer and stepped into the living room but there wasn’t a single soul in sight. “Strange.” She frowned. Had she gotten it wrong? She could have sworn her friend had said she should get to her house by ten minutes to seven, not a minute later, and just walk in the front door. Peggy had said she and the ladies from the sewing circle would be there, waiting. They’d planned a get-together, and Blake should arrive at the appointed time and she shouldn’t tell Ryder. Now if that wasn’t a sign of a surprise party in the making, she didn’t know what was. She’d guessed they’d planned a going-away party for Ryder. They must have given him some cock-and-bull story because he’d suddenly changed his mind and decided to stay one more night. So where the hell were they?