Sherryl Woods – The Devaney Brothers: Ryan and Sean: Ryan's Place (страница 20)

He looked up then and spotted her. “Hey, Maggie,” he said, then turned and said something in an undertone to Lamar that had the boy grinning. Ryan patted a spot next to him. “Come join us. I have to finish reading this story. I can’t leave Lamar in suspense.”

“Maybe she should do the girl’s part,” Lamar said. “You sound kind of funny doing it.”

“Hey,” Ryan protested, “is that any way to treat a man who has humiliated himself to keep you entertained?”

Maggie sat down and reached for the book. “Allow me,” she said with a wink at Lamar. She finished reading the last few pages, then sighed as she read, “The end.”

“You were real good,” Lamar said, approval shining in his eyes.

“Better than me?” Ryan demanded.

Maggie rolled her eyes at the question, causing Lamar to giggle. “Tell him he was better or he’ll be grumbling all day,” Maggie advised him.

“Mr. Devaney, you were the best,” Lamar said dutifully. “Thanks again.”

“Anytime, kid. I’ll see you before you go to the hospital, okay?”

“Okay,” Lamar said, his smile fading. He regarded Ryan fearfully. “You think you’re gonna be able to find my dad by then?”

“I’m working on it,” Ryan assured him. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure he’s here with you and your mom before then.”

“Thanks. It’ll be okay if you don’t find him, though. I’m not too scared. And my mom and me will be okay, long as we have each other.”

Maggie had to bite her lip to keep from crying at the boy’s obvious attempt to appear brave.

“I know that,” Ryan told him. “But I’ll try hard, just the same.” He looked at Maggie. “You ready?”

“Sure.” Impulsively, she bent down and gave Lamar a kiss. “You take care of yourself.”

“I will. Come back sometime, okay? I wouldn’t mind hearing you read another story. My mom doesn’t always have the time, and listening is even better than reading to myself.”

“I will. I promise.”

Outside, Maggie drew in a deep breath. “How risky is this surgery of his?”

“It’s heart surgery, so there’s bound to be some risk,” Ryan said, his expression grim. “It’ll go a lot better, though, if he’s feeling optimistic.”

“Which is why you’re trying to track down his dad,” she guessed.

Ryan nodded. “He took off when he found out about the surgery. Since he quit his job, that cut off their insurance and their income. That’s how they ended up at the shelter.”

“Father Francis turns to you a lot in cases like this, doesn’t he?”

“He knows I’ll do what I can.”

“Does it make up for what happened to you?” she asked.

He frowned at the question. “What are you really asking?”

“I notice you’re eager to help Lamar find his dad. Have you ever looked for your own?”

She could see the tension in his face as his jaw tightened. “Why the hell would I want to?” he asked heatedly.

“For the same reason you’re trying to find Lamar’s father for him—because your dad broke your heart when he abandoned you.”

Ryan shrugged, clearly refusing to concede the obvious. “I got over it.”

“Did you?”

“Yes,” he said emphatically, his scowl deepening. “And I don’t talk about that time in my life. Not ever.”

“Maybe you should.”

“And maybe you should mind your own damned business!”

He left her on the sidewalk staring after him, stunned by the force of his anger.

“Well, hell,” she muttered, swiping at the tears spilling down her cheeks.

She was still standing in the exact same spot, debating whether to go after him, when Ryan reappeared at the corner. She watched as he sucked in his breath, squared his shoulders and walked toward her.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have bitten your head off like that.”

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