To the Beach and Back

Chapter 16

The second I see Ryan on the porch, with Jacob, Andrew, and Simon waving by his truck, I throw my arms around him, tears stinging my eyes.

"What are you... Why are you ..."

He holds me tight. "Why wouldn't I be? You need help and we have the weekend free."

"But ... but ..."

The world becomes a blur. Nobody has ever done something like this for me. Or maybe they have but I can't remember right now. All I can think about is Ryan's strong chest against mine, my heart beating wildly.

He's here.

To help me.

I don't know what to say or what to do other than to hold him, even though he must be uncomfortable by now. I force myself to step back, wiping my face. A stab of guilt hits me. Is Ryan here because of my saying how overwhelmed I was? Is that why he came?

Out of guilt?

"You didn't have to do this, Ryan, I'm sorry if I made you feel obligated."

"Don't even start that, Marcie, we came because we wanted to," he says, hooking a thumb to the guys by his truck. "Before we go any farther, though, there are some conditions."

"Oh, like sleeping accommodations?" I quickly say, glancing over my shoulder to the inside of Ryan's house. "Because I'm fine with sleeping on the sofa so you can have your bedroom back. And I'll gladly pay you all. Whatever it takes!"

Ryan laughs and shakes his head. "No, Holda is letting us stay in her guest bedrooms, so we're good. And as for payment, I still owe you for all the hard work you did on my website and the guys? They just want food, beer, and evenings off to go clubbing."

What?

They're here ... for free?

"Oh, and I'm dying to show you something." Ryan takes my elbow and leads me down the porch steps. My legs shake as he points to the long boxes stacked in the back of his truck that are sealed shut with duct tape.

"I talked to my flooring guy on Wednesday, and he sold me some mislabeled and returned engineered hardwood at a great price for you." He opened one of the boxes and pulled out a piece in shades of dark gray and beige. "It's a little over what you budgeted but will help with resale value."

I'm overwhelmed.

It's too much! I run my hand along the beautiful wood that is just perfect for a beach house. I've met Ryan's flooring supplier many times, but I never knew he liked me enough to offer discounted flooring. I step back from the truck, wrapping my cardigan tight around my stomach and glancing at the four men by the trucks and Allyse on the porch, who gives me a wink.

Did she know about this?

It's just too much.

Ryan lays a hand on my shoulder. "Marcie, it's okay, we want to be here, and we want to help, so just accept it because," he glances at his watch. "Daylight's burning and we have lots to do."

"Like ... breakfast first?" Andrew says with a smile.

"I'm on it," a deep, husky voice comes from the left. We turn to see Holda walking toward the guys with a tray piled with bundles of aluminum foil squares and a basket of muffins. "There's enough egg sandwiches with sausage and cheese for everyone and I got coffee coming next."

"I'll help you," Allyse says from the porch, pulling on her shoes and trotting to Holda's as the guys dig into their food, leaving just me and Ryan.

"You good?" Ryan asks, turning his dark eyes to stare into mine. "Because it looks like you're about to pass out."