Free Ryan's Crossing by Carrie Daws Page A

thinking about your career options again?”
    Ryan met her gaze. “I suppose. Two weeks ago, McWilliam didn’t seem like it was that far away. Now, well… I just don’t know.”
    “Is your family growing on you?”
    He looked at her for a moment, considering the question. “Maybe. And maybe a few others too.”
    She brushed her hair behind her ear. He was beginning to recognize that motion as discomfort.
    “Before I got here, I dreaded coming. I didn’t know what to expect out of Rach-, er, Amber, much less the family she was marrying into. And my dad and I haven’t always gotten along.”
    “In what way?”
    “I feel like I’ve disappointed him, that being a paramedic wasn’t what he wanted for me. I think he wanted me by his side looking for Rach.” Ryan shook his head. “I’ve got to get used to calling her Amber.”
    Brittney put her hands in her jacket pocket and shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m sure it’s a tough change.”
    “Anyway, things are different from what I thought they’d be.”
    “In a good way?”
    She looked at him. He decided he could get lost in those eyes. “Yeah, very good.”
    “Want to go down to the cafeteria and get some coffee?”
    “Sure. Lead the way.”

    Ryan rolled over and looked at the clock. 9:17. By the time the hospital got Amy and Joshua settled into a room, it had been almost one o’clock in the morning. He’d driven Chad and Brittney back, watching Brittney let herself in her parent’s front door before he and Chad walked down the road just a bit to get their cars. After that, he had gone home and barely removed the tuxedo before falling into bed.
    He grabbed clothes and jumped in the shower, hoping the hot water would help his foggy brain recover. Ten minutes later, he walked into the kitchen to find his mom pouring a cup of fresh coffee and his dad reading the paper.
    “I heard you in the shower, so I started a fresh pot.”
    “Thanks, Mom.”
    “How were Chad and Amy when you left last night?” said Victoria.
    “Still pretty shaken,” said Ryan, taking a sip of the coffee.
    “Did you find out any more?” said Thomas.
    “No. They weren’t expecting the results from the bone marrow test until they talked to a doctor this morning.”
    “Did you suspect cancer yesterday, son?” said Thomas.
    “Yeah, Dad. I did.”
    “Was that kind of thing you were doing over the holidays?” said Victoria.
    Ryan wondered if his parents would ever put Christmas to rest. It was past, done. Can we move on? Aloud, he said, “Kinda.” He took a sip of his coffee. “I had to take three anatomy and physiology classes and some first aid and trauma care type classes for my license, but I’ve picked up a lot during clinicals and hanging around the ERs.”
    “You know, the clinic is looking to hire someone full time,” said Victoria in the tone moms get when they have an idea that they want their children to act on.
    “I’m not a doctor, Mom,” said Ryan, knowing where this conversation was leading.
    “I know,” said Victoria. “But sometimes they have trouble getting a doctor down here regularly. And lots of folks complain because the only person who’s always there is the receptionist. Even the nurses rotate down from Portland. It’d be nice to have someone there with medical knowledge who knows more about you than just what you want to be seen for on one particular visit.”
    “I’d bet you could probably handle a lot of what happens in Crossing,” said Thomas, joining forces with his wife. “Seasonal type things like colds and flus, sprained muscles, and that type of thing.”
    “You can’t sprain a muscle, Dad,” said Ryan.
    “Just something for you to think about,” said Thomas innocently.
    Ryan paused to look at his dad. Just something to think about. No debate? No pushing the issue farther?
    “Well, we better get moving if we’re going to make it to church,” said Victoria. “Did Keith ever come back upstairs?”
    “I haven’t seen him,