Ryker must have read her mind. He stood from where he was sitting at the table and said, “I’m going to step out in the hallway a second.”
When the door closed behind him, Rhi said, “If it’s not too much trouble, I need some pads. I’m due to start my period in the next couple days.”
“Not a problem. Ryker said your hair’s long. Is there any special shampoo and conditioner you prefer?”
“I honestly don’t know what’s out there now. Where I’ve lived the last ten years, we made our own stuff. So, just get whatever’s cheapest. Same with deodorant.”
Rory made a humming sound. “I’ll take care of everything. Sutton, that’s Ryker’s father, and I will hit the road here in the next little bit. If you’re already asleep, we’ll see you in the morning.”
Rhi choked back a sob. How’d she get so lucky to be found by these amazing people? “Please, don’t rush on my account. You’re already doing too much for someone you don’t know.”
“Nonsense. This is what our family does. If you think of anything else you need, just have Ryker call or text. I don’t know your story, but I promise, everything’s going to be okay now.”
“Thank you. For everything.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll talk to you soon.” Rory disconnected, and Rhi stared at the phone. It had been ten years since she’d seen anything modern. Anything that wasn’t approved by the elders. Cell phones weren’t on the list.
Ryker strode in the room, holding the door for the man pushing their food cart. Ryker instructed him to put everything on the table. He tipped the guy, then motioned for her to join him. Rhi’s stomach grumbled just thinking about what was waiting for her. When Ryker removed the domed lids, Rhi stared at all the food. It had been so long since she’d enjoyed a meal. She should be used to eating home cooking, even if it was prepared in massive quantities. It had been devastating, going from a happy teen with two parents to a miserable girl whose father lost his mind when his wife died. Rhiannon’s mother had been a ray of sunshine, living her life as though each day could be her last. Daisy – Rhi’s mom – had tried her hand at painting. She took drum lessons. She even went skydiving. But she was never happier than when she was in her garden. Rhi never minded helping her mom. Working with dirt, learning about the various herbs, that had been their thing. Something just the two of them did. Rhi’s father never complained openly, but his mother did. Grandmother would call Daisy a witch. She would chastise David for allowing Daisy to influence Rhi in things that went against God’s word. It wasn’t until Daisy died that Rhi understood how much influence her grandmother had over Rhi’s dad.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” Ryker had one of the thick, juicy burgers halfway to his mouth.
“Yeah, sorry. Just lost in thought. Thank you again.” Rhi sat down across from Ryker. It was tempting to sit next to him, but putting space between them was necessary for her sanity. Where she’d escaped from, unmarried men and women weren’t allowed to eat together. They weren’t allowed to spend time together. The preacher talked more about sins of the flesh than any other topic, but Rhi didn’t think they pertained to her. Not once had she entertained an impure thought about a man. Until she was locked inside a hotel room with Ryker Lazlo.
Rhi took a tentative bite of her burger and groaned. It was better than she remembered. “Oh, man. This is so good.” She dipped a couple fries in ketchup and shoved them in her mouth. She closed her eyes as she chewed, relishing the saltiness. All the food she’d eaten the last ten years had been bland and unremarkable. Next, she took a sip of the cold soda Ryker had poured over ice. It was so good she chugged half the glass before it burned her throat. When she let out a belch, Rhi slapped a hand over her mouth and looked at Ryker. His expression was a mixture of confusion and laughter. What she didn’t see was condemnation. “I’m so sorry,” she said anyway.
“Nothing to apologize for. My brother Hayden would give that a seven.”
“A seven?”
“It had depth but not a lot of volume.”
“Your brother rates belches?”
Ryker grinned. “He does. Hay is thirty-two going on twelve. He’s still a kid at heart.”
Rhi let that sink in. It was hard for her to remember how her life had been before her mom died. Burping at the table wouldn’t result in a lecture or having food withheld as punishment. After eating half her food, Rhi was stuffed. She’d been taught not to waste her food, but the portions were never this large.
“You full already?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the burger would be so big. I’ll finish it. I promise.”
“You don’t need to eat it if you’re full. It’s not like it’ll go to waste.” Ryker took her half-eaten cheeseburger and put it on his plate. “I’m a growing boy,” he joked and took a bite. At least she thought he was joking. There was nothing boyish about the man. He was ruggedly handsome with dark, messy hair and equally dark eyes. He wore jeans and black boots. Not the same kind some of the men did where she came from. These were scuffed leather, and they looked well-worn.
“After we eat, I need to go get my bike from the convenience store. Will you be okay here by yourself?”
“Sure. Can I watch television while you’re gone?”
Ryker frowned. “Of course. You can do whatever you want. All I ask is you don’t leave the room.”
That wouldn’t be a problem since she had nowhere to go. “Thank you. Is it okay if I turn it on now? I’m really excited to see what kind of shows are on these days.”
“Rhi, how long has it been since you watched TV?”
“Ten years. When my dad and I went to live in our new home, we weren’t allowed to have one.” They didn’t have anything that could be a distraction from the teachings of the Bible. Rhi had not been allowed to take any of her toys or books with her when they moved. Her life had ended the day she lost her mother in more ways than one.
“I’m sorry if I’m overstepping, but can I ask where your mom is?”
“She died when I was thirteen. My dad said it was a brain hemorrhage, but my grandmother said it was God’s punishment. She never liked my mom because Mom was different. Grandmother called her nasty names because my mom refused to go to church.”
“You mentioned earlier they called you Anna because it sounded less pagan. Is that why your grandmother didn’t like your mom? Because she wasn’t a Christian?”
Rhi nodded. “Mom was a free spirit. At least that’s what she told me. I never understood what she meant until later when someone called me that. I was always getting into trouble because I wanted to help in the garden, the way I helped my mom. I was laughed at when I talked to the plants. Mom said they were living things and thrived when you treated them as such. When I told my preacher that, he chastised me and wouldn’t let me near the garden afterwards.”
“Rhi, was your preacher in charge of where you lived?”
“Yes. Everyone thought he was a good man, but I thought he was a jerk. I used to get in trouble for talking to the boys. Before we moved, I had lots of boy friends. Not boyfriends, but friends who were boys. Our neighborhood was filled with them. I rode bikes with them. Played video games. We lived in a cul-de-sac back then. Everyone knew everyone, and it was normal for everyone to play together. We all went to the same school. Rode the same bus. I called their mothers ‘mom’ the same way they called mine that. Nobody cared that I talked to plants or that I liked to play in the dirt. They were my friends. But when my dad took me to live in our new home, I didn’t have any friends. There were a few girls in my school, but they didn’t like me very much because I was always getting in trouble. And if I got in trouble, everyone was punished.”