The Memory of You (Sanctuary Sound #1)(23)

Before Ryan could erase the surprised look off his face, Emmy marched back into the room and handed him the phone. “Mom wants to talk to you now.”

He snatched it while still looking at Steffi, then closed his eyes as if praying for patience. “Hello?”

Steffi smiled at Emmy, who stood at her father’s knee, looking happy for the first time all evening. Emmy glanced over her shoulder toward Steffi and said, “If my mom sees Dad sailing, she’ll have fun and we can be a family again.”

The pained, panicked look in Ryan’s eyes suggested he’d heard Emmy’s wish. It also mirrored Steffi’s queasiness when thinking about Ryan reuniting with Val.

“Of course not, Val,” he said, giving a tight reply to whatever she’d said. Ryan’s brows lowered. “Yes, we have a child’s life vest.”

Steffi thought he’d prefer some privacy, so she removed her dishes from the table and went into the kitchen. She saw Molly outside watering her rose bushes, which left her alone to eavesdrop on Ryan.

“Yes, that Lockwood.” Ryan’s voice remained even.

There was a pause, during which Steffi couldn’t help celebrate the fact that she’d gotten under Val’s skin, even if Val was totally off base with her suspicion or possible jealousy. But the victory was short-lived when Steffi remembered Emmy’s hopeful face and the harsh reality of the situation.

“In case you forget, I work all day,” Ryan sighed. “I can’t supervise Emmy every second she’s here, but she won’t get hurt using a wrench.”

Another pause preceded Ryan saying, “I’m sure Emmy would love to spend a weekend with you,” at which point Steffi heard Emmy yelp, “Yay! When, when?”

Stef imagined Emmy had jumped and clapped, too.

More silence followed.

“Happy to.” Ryan sounded drained. “Here you go.”

He must’ve handed the phone back to Emmy, because Emmy asked, “When can I visit, Mommy?”

Steffi wondered about the way Emmy reverted to baby talk with her mom. Was that normal for them or a result of the separation? Maybe both.

Ryan barreled around the corner into the kitchen, nearly knocking into her.

“Spying?” He crossed his arms.

“Not like I had much choice.” She supposed she could’ve gone outside to chat with Molly, but she’d wanted to listen. Rude and wrong, but honest—with herself, anyway.

He gripped the edge of the sink before looking at Steffi again. His expression resembled that of a man being served his least favorite meal. In Ryan’s case, that would be meat loaf. Any meat with onions, really.

He hung his head and shook it, as if disbelieving what he was about to say. “Can you come sailing on Sunday?”

“No.” And not just because of his offensive demeanor.

“Five minutes ago you said you wanted to be friends, yet already you’re backpedaling on me.” He thrust one hand toward her, eyes brimming with disappointment. “This is why I worry about Emmy getting close to you.”

“I told you earlier I’ve made plans to see Peyton on Sunday.”

“Oh yeah.” His face paled as he grimaced. “Sorry.”

Determined not to be a shrew like his wife, she graciously let his insult go.

“I could go sailing next Sunday, provided you make me a promise.” She raked her fingers through her ponytail. If they were ever going to be friendly, he needed a major attitude adjustment.

He crossed his arms. “What kind of promise?”

“You’ll stop assuming the worst about me.”

He fell back against the counter as if she’d shoved him, which she’d wanted to but hadn’t. Then his face filled with an emotion she couldn’t quite name—something caught between melancholy and hopeful. “Deal.”

Steffi stuck out her hand without thinking, just like she did anytime she and Benny had this kind of exchange. Ryan stared at her hand before clasping it.

They shook, but neither of them immediately released hands. For two seconds, they lingered there, hands linked, eyes locked on each other—two seconds that made staying for dinner worthwhile.

Her mouth went dry. She licked her lips, drawing his gaze.

He dropped her hand, swallowing hard. “I’ll tell Emmy.”

Before she replied, he turned and left her alone in the kitchen with her heart resounding in her chest.



Ryan’s phone buzzed in his pocket while he was presenting a motion in limine with regard to witness testimony. It buzzed two more times before he was finished, but he had to keep his head in the game. Judge Kramer had a tough rep, and Ryan didn’t want to draw his ire. As soon as the arguments concluded, he hastened outside the courtroom to check his phone.

He didn’t recognize the first number, which accounted for two of the attempts. The third ring had been his mother, whom he dialed as he strode down the hallway of the imposing criminal court building.

“What’s wrong?” Had his father’s gout gotten worse?

“I’m with Emmy . . . in the principal’s office.”

He came to a dead stop in the middle of the busy hallway. “What happened?”

“No one’s hurt, but let me put Principal Lotz on the phone.”

Ryan sweated in his suit. All around him, colleagues, defendants, and other people milled around. He stuck his finger in one ear so he could hear and wandered to a secluded spot near the wall.