“Definitely a deal.”
“Leave it, Shay.”
“I think you love her.”
Ryan exhaled.
“And I think her feelings are pretty strong for you.”
Ryan went for honesty. “She doesn’t believe we could work.”
“And you believe you can?”
“I know I want to try.”
Shay smiled. “Then you need to make her see reason, and if anyone can do that, it’s you.”
Before he could answer, Noah arrived looking worried.
“Where is she?”
“With Annabelle and Jake. Shay met Faith on the trails; she was heading to the rest home to see your mom. I heard her scream from the cabin, then found her unconscious under a redwood tree.”
Noah cursed. “How the hell did that happen?”
“The thing is, Noah, when she regained consciousness, she told me she’d been pushed.”
The dark eyes narrowed as they focused on Ryan.
“I didn’t question her further, as she was hurting pretty bad. But she’s okay other than the cut to her head, from what I gather.”
Noah’s jaw clenched as he fought for control
“She’s okay, bud, and in good hands,” Ryan said, gripping his friend’s shoulder.
“Thanks for finding her.” The words were thick with emotion. “And now I’m going to ask her some questions, if she’s up to it, then we’ll go see Cubby. If someone pushed her, we need to find who it is and why they did it. Then make sure they are made to pay.”
“With you there.”
“Thank you again.” He man hugged Ryan hard, then walked through the doors to where Faith was.
“Made to pay?” Shay got out of his chair and came to where Ryan stood.
“No one hurts one of ours and gets away with it,” Ryan murmured softly. He felt the need for justice in that moment. It ran through him like fire. He wanted whoever had done this to Faith, and he wanted them now.
“One of ours? Is this another code thing like not telling tales?”
“Something like that.”
“That’s a fierce look you have on your face. You just rein that in now, my friend.”
“Someone hurt her.”
“I get that, and that she’s special to you. But there is a sheriff in this town who will deal with it.”
Ryan didn’t speak again. He just paced until Noah returned.
“She’s okay. Her head hurts like hell, but she’ll recover. I asked her what happened, and apparently, she was walking with Shay, then left him and headed down to the rest home. Seconds later she was being propelled forward and couldn’t stop herself from hitting the tree.”