After breakfast, he'd surprised me with a full day of spa treatments. Couples massage, facial, steam room, hot stone therapy, and finally a soak in the mineral pools overlooking the mountains.
It's the kind of indulgence I'd never allow myself normally, but that feels absolutely perfect after the emotional rollercoaster of the past few weeks.
And of course after I phoned in a favor with Zoe and Janet Morrison to look after the shelter for the day.
I hope they're going okay.
"You're doing it again," Ryder says, his voice warm with amusement. I feel him shift on his table beside me, turning his head to face me. "I can practically hear you mentally checking off shelter tasks."
The massage therapist hits a particularly tight knot in my lower back, and I let out an involuntary groan before answering.
"Was I that obvious?"
Ryder's eyes crinkle at the corners and he nods. "So what are you going to do with the money? All one hundred and nineteen thousand of it."
I close my eyes as the therapist works her magic on my shoulders.
"I guess start first thing tomorrow. Calling every contractor in Iron Ridge. Starting with the people for that ancient AC unit." I exhale deeply as another knot releases. "Then the plumbers for the leaky pipes in the dog washing station. And the roofers."
"Sounds like you've got it all planned out."
"I've been dreaming about these renovations for years." I turn my head to look at him, our faces just inches apart betweenthe massage tables. "I have a whole binder of quotes and plans. Color-coded tabs and everything."
Ryder chuckles. "Of course you do."
The massage therapist moves to my legs, working her thumbs into my calves. "What about you? Big game coming up, right?"
"Next Tuesday night." Ryder winces as his therapist works on what must be a tender spot. "Coach is running extra practices all weekend."
"Back to reality for both of us, huh?"
"This is our reality now." His hand reaches across the small gap between our tables, fingers brushing mine. "You with your shelter binder, and me with my practices. We just... do it together this time."
The word 'together' is weighted with promise. It still feels heavy, but the weight of fear in my heart is slowly melting away the more I let Ryder back into my life.
"I like the sound of that," I whisper.
The therapists ask us to roll over, breaking our connection momentarily.
As I settle on my back, staring up at the ceiling, I realize how different everything feels now. The money, the renovations, my daily work…
It's all the same, but somehow completely transformed. Maybe because I'm not facing it alone anymore?
Soon, our masseuses finish up and they help us into the softest robes I've ever worn. We're led to a private relaxation room with a view of the snow-capped mountains and Ryder pours us each a glass of cucumber water from the crystal pitcher.
It's the perfect way to finish our day, and Ryder slides next to me on the chaise lounge, not even attempting to conceal the grin spreading across his face.
"Remember when we used to sneak up to Lookout Point?" he asks, his arm warm around my shoulders. "That spot where we could see the whole town and the mountains beyond?"
I let my gaze drift around the panoramic windows. The mountains rise in the distance, their snow-dusted peaks glowing in the late afternoon light.
God, I could stare at this view forever.
"How could I forget? You nearly rolled your truck trying to get up that damn hill."
He laughs, the sound vibrating through his chest. "Worth it though. The look on your face when we spread that blanket and I pulled out all those candles... I thought you were going to cry."
"I did cry, you idiot." I poke him in the ribs. "We were eighteen and it was by far the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for me."
