Derailed Read Free Page B

…” He gasped and choked.
    Courtney went down on her knees beside him and offered comfort as she rubbed his back. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m sorry I was a bitch. I didn’t know you were …” Her brow rose when she couldn’t complete her sentence.
    “I’m not good with people. I have anxiety.”
    He would no longer look them in the eye. Everett offered Courtney a tight smile. “I’ve got the documents. I’ll read over them and come up with a proposal by next week. I may require access to the drilling sites.
    “You are free to come and go as you please. If you let me know you’re coming I’ll have the gate unlocked.”
    “Very well. I’ll be in touch.”
    Courtney and Everett left Ashton sitting on the cold hard marble as they made their exit.
    Once he was behind the wheel of his car Everett sighed. “That wasn’t awkward at all.”
    Courtney pointed at the trees as they drove away. “With the moss hanging from the tree limbs this would be a great place to film a horror flick. It’s as if the grim reaper is dressed in tattered rags.”

Chapter 3
    A horn blew. “They’re here!” Ryder hollered.
    Fiona finished wrapping the brownies she’d made for Ryder’s contribution to the fishing trip. She gathered his backpack that they’d stocked with various lures and bait recommended by Mr. Roy.
    “Did you get the sunscreen?”
    “It’s already loaded in the pack.”
    “Great.”
    Looking down she saw he had his pillow and the Kermit the Frog plush animal she’d purchased for him when he was three. She didn’t want to cry, she wanted to be strong and convey to Ryder that she trusted him to have a big-boy weekend, but the tears filled her eyes at the sight of her baby so grown up and handsome.
    The horn blew again. “Ready?” Fiona asked.
    He nodded, and that was when she saw the collected moisture in Ryder’s eyes. She’d need to keep her own tears in check until they were on their way.
    At the truck she confirmed the details with Mr. Roy and then she watched Ryder load into the back seat next to Elijah. When he shut the door any hopes she had for a hug were shot. Mr. Roy put the truck in reverse and started backing out. Fiona waved, but only Mr. Roy waved back. Before he could make it out of the driveway the truck stopped and Ryder opened the door, bouncing out. He ran up to Fiona and hugged her tight, “I love you, Mommy.”
    She kissed his forehead and inhaled his fresh clean scent. “I love you, Ryder. Be safe, okay?”
    “I will.”
    Fiona wrung her hands as she watched the large truck disappear down the road. She would have to find some way to keep busy all weekend or she’d spend the entire time worried about Ryder.
    The phone in her hand buzzed. As she walked back toward the house she read the text from Everett:
    Just checking on you. I think you are ignoring me. That’s fine, I’d ignore me too. Just wanted you to know I’m here and thinking of you and would love to see you again. We could go for lunch or dinner or a movie or whatever. I could get a tattoo. I would, you know. If it meant you would let me see you I’d let you give me a tattoo. I’d prefer it not be floral, but I’ll leave the details up to you
.
    She smiled. Everett was charming and he knew how to make her laugh—something no other guy had ever been able to do. Mainly because she’d had to worry about money and Ryder and the shop.
    Her finger smoothed over the glossy phone screen. How she longed for another night with him—in his bed. His touch was silk and his kiss, she remembered, had rendered her speechless. The phrase
friends with benefits
bounced around in her head. However, she didn’t know what Everett’s intentions were. He worked in Boston so nothing long-term would be possible
. Didn’t that work well for a sex buddy
? Maybe they should meet and discuss.
    She typed a reply:
    Would U like to get lunch, or I can make lunch for us. Then we could talk
.
    On her phone an icon popped up, indicating he was