A Fresh Start (48 page)

Since Kate entered their lives, she had become an important part in all of their lives. She was the linchpin that held all of them closely together. With Kate, they’d all become a family, with the exception of Evelyn.

He wasn’t sure if it was the way she refused to reveal information about herself, or the formality with which she treated everyone, but there always seemed to be a wall between her and everyone else.

Refusing to dwell on thoughts of Evelyn, Dan shook his head and returned his focus to the conversation. “Marianne already brought his stuff over. He’ll be staying with her in the other wing.”

“Why? That’s quite a long walk from the kitchen and we all know how much he loves the kitchen.” Kate looked up and grinned at Tyler.
 

Tyler beamed back in return and said, “There’s a guest room near ours. He can stay there.”

“Marianne says it’s easier for her to take care of him that way. Plus, there’s a room right on the first floor, so he won’t have to climb the stairs.” He kept his eyes on the road and smiled to himself. That was the exact reason Marianne had told them, though they all knew Marianne just didn’t want anyone disturbing the newlyweds.
 

When they got to the hospital, Dan and Tyler gave a nonchalant “Hi” to Ryan before settling on the couch while Kate went to fuss over him.

Among all the guys, Ryan was the muscular one. His shirt fitted him so snugly that everyone could see the contours of the muscles through the stretched t-shirts. Dan knew Kate would be shocked to see their own giant lying in bed with a heavy cast on his arm and a huge brace on his leg.

“Oh, my God. I’m so sorry we didn’t visit you earlier,” she said, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Don’t be. I was in on the decision of not telling you guys. Where’s my present?” Ryan asked with his boyish grin and usual upbeat tone.

“Back at the mansion. Don’t worry, she knows you love her, she won’t forget your present,” Tyler answered from the couch.
 

Dan laughed when he heard how disgruntled Tyler was.
 

Besides being the strongest among all of them, Ryan was also the friendliest. His initial friendliness toward Kate had bothered Tyler, especially when Ryan openly professed how he loved her. Tyler knew Ryan had spoken jokingly, he simply refused to let it go.

“How are you doing?” Kate asked, after shaking her head at Tyler’s childish behavior.

“Great, especially since I get to stay at the mansion for three whole months. I’ll get to eat Marianne’s food for three whole months!”

Kate laughed softly at Ryan’s equally childish answer. “You guys deserve each other.”

Dan joined in the laughter. “I think he won’t mind being paralyzed if you tell him that he’ll get to enjoy Marianne’s food for the rest of his life.”

Tyler grinned at Dan’s words.
 

It was true, Ryan probably wouldn’t mind.
 

“When will you be discharged? We’ll come and get you,” Tyler said.

“You can take him back now if you want.”
 

Everyone looked toward the door as Joseph entered. Kate got up from Ryan’s bed and gave him a hug. “You coming with us? We can wait for your shift to end.”

“That’s still hours away. You guys must be tired from your flight. Go back and rest. How are your eyes?”

After much pushing, Kate finally found time to get her Lasik surgery done before the wedding. In the beginning, she had complained that her eyes felt dry rather easily, so Tyler had bugged Joseph on checking her eyes whenever he was at the mansion.

“Fine. I still can’t believe that I have perfect eyesight. Sometimes, I go to bed thinking I should remove my contacts.”

Tyler walked up to his wife and ran his fingers through her hair. In reaction, Kate gazed up at him and leaned against the length of his arm.

Again, the simple intimacy they displayed reminded Dan of the ache in his heart. “I’ll get the papers settled while Kate fills him in on Marianne’s menu for the night.” He stood and walked out without a second look at the rest of them.

“You all right?” Joseph asked as he followed him. “Evelyn again?”

“I’m fine.” There wasn’t much he could say. How was he supposed to explain to his friends that Kate’s best friend was driving him crazy, but he couldn’t get himself to stay away from her?
 

“Anyway, Ryan may be quitting his job,” Joseph said after a moment of silence.

“Really? I thought he loved being a fireman.”

“Actually, after the fire at Kate’s house, he started having second thoughts. Then, this accident.”

“So what’s he going to do?”

Joseph shrugged. “I don’t think he’s put much thought into it yet.”