Wait for the Wind Read Free Page B

dealt with that and let the hurt go for her daughter, but his silence, his casual carelessness, was worse than a fist to the face. She needed his help, but how could she ask for it now? How could she not? I can’t do this on my own.
    She came here to grieve and remember. One of her children had died thirteen years ago today. How was it she and Ryan couldn’t even grieve together over that baby? Why had she had to see him today after so long apart and be reminded? It would have been easier if he’d hated her, but she saw he no longer cared either way. Maybe he never had. God, she wished she could hate him. She buried her face in her knees and sobbed.
    * * * *
    He’d meant to go back to his mother’s, borrow her car since he’d yet to replace the one he’d sold, and drive to the pub to visit a moment with Skye. Liv appeared well taken care of and completely lost in love. No. Not lost, found. She and Jack seemed so happy together. He was thankful she had someone special. Kate had loved him once, or at least Ryan believed she had.
    She’d come to him in the middle of the night, a stricken look on her face. They’d argued and she’d yelled at him. There is no baby, Ryan, not anymore. How long would those words haunt him? Had she hated him that much for asking her to put her dreams on hold to have their child? Hadn’t she wanted to marry him? She’d killed his baby. Abortion, whatever label he put on the act, it was still murder in the most horrendous form.
    He’d meant to be cold toward Kate, but when she had left Liv’s house there had been such pain in her eyes. Did she feel remorse? Had she grieved that loss?
    And then he remembered what day it was.
    His feet had carried him down the path to the ocean. Why had he come here? Because he knew this was where he’d find Kate. His mother was right, as usual. They’d have to settle things between them or Liv would be the one to suffer. Kate’s sobs carried with the wind, drifting up to him and beckoning him to follow the sound. This hallowed ground had once been their place. Kate would hurt as he did. Didn’t he owe it to his child to be civil at least? Basic human kindness.
    Ryan stepped behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder. Her short, choppy hair style left her neck bare. Smooth, pale skin peeked out from beneath the collar of her lab coat, enticing him to touch just one more time. Once Kate would have turned into him and taken the comfort offered.
    “I’m sorry if I did something to upset you back there. It wasn’t my intention.” Yes, it was and it was clear he’d done a damn fine job of it.
    “You don’t have to comfort me. I’ve been on my own for awhile. I’ve learned to be self-sufficient. I’d rather be alone, if you don’t mind.” Spite dripped from her words.
    “I see. I’ll leave you to your pity party.”
    “I’m sorry. I’m a little raw at the moment. If you’ve come to grill me about Liv, I can tell you, professionally, she really is fine. As long as she keeps her stress level down, I don’t foresee any complications for her delivery.”
    “That’s good.”
    “Can we just not fight this day? Out of respect, if nothing else.”
    “I’ve left you alone just like you wanted. I’m just trying to be human. I don’t want to fight with you, Kate. I’m too tired to fight anymore. We’re going to run into each other from time to time. I’d rather it not be awkward for either of us, and like you said the stress would be bad for Liv.”
    “She’s been through enough, but I’m glad she found Jack. They’re good for each other.”
    “You wanted to fight the night you left me.” Ryan stretched out beside her on the sand, leaned back on his arms and waited in silence for her to explain her actions.
    “I had to leave, Ryan.”
    “You could have stayed, married me and had the baby. We could have managed. I had my degree, could have worked from home. I wouldn’t have kept you from going to school. I loved that child, Kate.