Chapter 10

Megan

The flight to Ohio was amazing, and I was beginning to fall for Ryan more than I ever thought possible. I only hope that things could be as wonderful forever and tried to talk myself down from getting too giddy. I had to keep my wits about me, and I couldn’t let the distraction of his charm and good looks make me biased. I still had a job to do, and I was especially excited that now he was on board with some fresh ideas for saving the environment. We’d talked for the entire trip, and since we weren’t wasting any time checking into another hotel, we went straight to the plant.

Things in Ohio were ten times as better than they were Arkansas and Ryan was all smiles. “You should be proud of this department. They’ve really got things under control here.”

“That’s amazing. Especially considering this is where those reports were coming from.” He let out a sigh of relief, and I put my arm around him earning a grin from the plant manager.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy, Boss. Whatever this little lady is doing for you, you better keep her around.” He gave us a wink and then shook Ryan’s hand and mine before walking away.

He did seem happier than he was when I’d arrived and I wondered what that was all about. We finished up earlier than expected and got some lunch before heading back to the plane.

As we strapped in for take-off, I noticed we were back in the seats we’d started out in on the way. If anyone would have told me then that he’d be sitting beside me holding my hand on the way home, I’d have thought they were crazy, but now I didn’t want him to let it go. I nestled in closer leaning my head on his shoulder as we took to the skies.

“Ohio was a good example of the progress you’ve been making with the new teams. Now if you could get your Arkansas division in tip top shape, then you’ll be all set.”

“I appreciate the advice and I’m seriously going to look into these things. I was thinking, why don’t you stay on with me for good? I could hire you on to work hand in hand with my team as lead consultant, and you could still keep with your studies and your work with Easton if you wanted.”

“A consultant? For real? That would be amazing.”

His fingertips glided through my hair. “Well, you shouldn’t be giving me all this extra advice for free.”

“Well, I care about you and well, I care about the people this will help.” His mouth was on me before I could finish my thought, his kiss was long and languid, and he pulled away only to rest his forehead to mine.

“That’s exactly why you deserve the position because you do care so much and not only that, Megan, but you inspire others to want to learn about it. That’s valuable.” I thought about the college students and how bored they’d been and wondered if I should warn him about my touring skills. Instead, I agreed.

“I’d love to come to work for you.”

“There’s something else I wanted to ask you, and if you don’t want to, I’ll understand.” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “My mother is expecting me for Sunday dinner, and well, it would make her week—okay her year—life, if you’d go with me.” He laced his fingers through mine and squeezed. “And you do owe me for that whole panty teasing incident while I was on the phone with her.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll go, but only because of that whole panty thing, which I still deny was a tease.” I held back a smile, and he poked at my rib which caused me to erupt with laughter.

I couldn’t help but notice how he’d changed so much and remembered that even the plant manager from earlier in the day had noticed. “Why are you so much happier?”

“You make me happy.” He shrugged. “And you can do me a favor and give my father a hard time at dinner. It’s the least he deserves, believe me.” His face darkened with the same hard expression as that first day.

“I just mean, you were harsh and heavy before. I might have been being a real bitch, with my own problems as the cause, but I can’t help wondering what was weighing on you. I can see it in your eyes sometimes. Do you not get along with your dad or something?”

His expression dimmed even more. “My father had always been a drinker, not to any sort of excess, but he enjoyed his share. He’d hoped to use that as a bonding tool with David. The two were always having a drink together after a long day at the office talking about future plans surrounding David’s takeover. The night that he’d died, David had been drinking at a dive downtown all alone. He’d called me for a ride home. The accident was my fault, Megan. I’ve already been responsible for one person’s death, that’s why the idea of my business poisoning people hits home so much.” He gripped my hand and kissed it.

“I’ve hated my dad since that night. Not only because he’s blamed me every day for taking away his favorite son but because he’d influenced my brother to go down that road, to begin with. He’d enabled him.

“My brother told me on the way home that night, something I’ve never told my father; that he didn’t think he could handle the pressure of running the company. Five minutes later he was dead. It had all happened so fast.” My heart broke for him. I put my arm around his neck and held him tight.

“I’m so sorry, Ryan. That wasn’t your fault.

He raked his hand through his hair. “I wasn’t paying attention and ran off the road, Megan. When I overcorrected, I flipped. We were both pinned in, and I couldn’t do anything to save him. He bled out in front of me. Even if it wasn’t deliberate, I’m always going to be responsible. And my father is never going to see it any other way either.”

“What about your mother, have you ever told her about your feelings? Couldn’t she talk to you father about it?” It didn’t seem right that they’d made him endure the guilt for all this time. That along with the pressures of running the company had to be taking its toll on him.

“Mom and I are close. She knows, but she likes to see the good in everything, and so she doesn’t like to dwell on it enough to deal with it. It hurts her too, and I don’t want that either. Dad always compares me to David. Sometimes I wonder if he feels the wrong son died.”

“That’s awful, Ryan.” His eyes met mine, and he pulled me into his arms.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be sharing this. It’s too gruesome and sad. I don’t want you to feel those things. Let’s talk about something happier. What makes you smile?”

“You’re sweetness. I can’t wait to meet your mom. I have a feeling that if you get it from anyone, it’s her.”

“I think that’s a safe guess.” He belted a laugh and settled back in his chair.

We spent the rest of our time in the air talking about happy things and laughing together, but I couldn’t help but be upset for him. I felt if he never dealt with these things they’d continue to fester in an unhealthy way and he was much too young to have so much stress put on him.

When we landed, and my car came to get me, he said goodbye with a kiss. I called Jana on the way home and gave her the report and though I’d called her every day I hadn’t told her about me and Ryan.

“So you’re on your way home? How was it? Did the last plant live up to Megan Stephens’ standards?”

“Actually, yes; The Ohio unit can’t be the blame for those complaints. I’m going to look into the surrounding businesses and see if I can’t find the culprit. That place is one of the cleanest I’ve seen.”

“That’s wonderful! I bet your boyfriend is happy.” She let out a giggle.

“How did you know? I mean, he’s not officially or anything, but—

She gave a squeal that pierced my ears. “I was only kidding, but now you’re going to have to tell me everything!”

I spent the rest of my ride home doing just that and missing Ryan every moment.