Page 6 of Ashes to Ink

He didn’t miss the disappointment in Abby’s gaze, but heknew it likely had nothing to do with him, probably just the fact that shedidn’t want to be alone. He couldn’t blame her. The thought of going back tohis big, empty house didn’t really settle on his shoulders like it shouldeither.

“I’m going to get her right to sleep, but if you want tocome in, at least for a hot drink, you’re more than welcome to. I want to saythank you. But I also don’t want to take up any more of your time. This hasalready taken up too much of it.”

Ryan shook his head and closed the car door.

“I don’t mind. I didn’t have any plans. The fact that youguys are safe is all I really need.” He paused and thought better of hisinitial answer. “Yeah, I’ll take you up on that hot cocoa, but Adrienne tellsme you have something with peppermint.”

Abby rolled her eyes and grinned. “She’s addicted to thatpeppermint tea. It’s the white chocolate peppermint bark one. I had it lastyear, as well.”

Ryan licked his lips, and he didn’t miss the fact thatAbby’s gaze followed the motion. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one that wastired. “I’ve had it. That was some damn good stuff.” He winced, looking down atJulia.

“No worries about the cursing. She’s heard worse, eventhough everyone tries to be good about it. Plus, she’s out cold. You’re fine.”

“Speaking of cold, let’s get inside.”

“You’re right. Standing out here doesn’t make a lot ofsense. I guess I’m still a little flustered.”

He followed her to the house and watched as she deftlyopened the door, Julia still in her arms, doing it as if she’d done it athousand times before. And maybe she had. She had raised Julia alone from birthand hadn’t had any real help.

He didn’t know how she did it, especially considering he hadtrouble taking care of himself some days. But she was damn good at it and hadeven created and ran a whole business on her own. Ryan was just a tattooartist. Yeah, he was a good one, but he didn’t own his own shop. He finallyowned his own home, but he didn’t have much else.

And…that was enough feeling sorry for himself.

Ryan stood awkwardly in Abby’s small living room, settingthe car seat down on the floor out of the way as Abby went to put Julia tosleep. He kind of wished he’d been able to say goodnight to the little girl, butthat wasn’t his place. He was just a friend, and not even a close friend. Maybeover time he and Abby and Julia could get closer, but Abby didn’t need him andhis troubles.

He didn’t need himself and his troubles most days.

Ryan took a look around the space, enjoying the way she haddecorated. It looked like a home rather than how his house looked. She hadphotos on the wall, art and different knickknacks on shelves and tables. Theplace was clearly childproof as well, with Julia being able to toddle around.But it still felt warm and lived-in. It wasn’t dirty, wasn’t even messy, but itwas clearly a home.

His house, on the other hand, barely had anything on thewalls but his TV and a shelf he’d put up so he could set the rest of theentertainment equipment up. He didn’t have much in the way of furniture, onlywhat he needed. Honestly, the house was too big for him, but it was a stealsince he had worked on revamping and reinstalling things on his own.

But it didn’t feel like a home to him. Maybe it should, andprobably would later, but for now, he was still working on it. Abby walked outas he was looking at a few photos on the wall, pausing on one in particular.

She must have seen what he was looking at because she cameand stood next to him, a small smile on her face. Her eyes didn’t look sad, butthen again, maybe she was just good at hiding it. After all, he was good athiding things, too.

“That’s Max,” Abby said softly.

He swallowed hard. “Julia’s father, right?”

“Yes. I try to keep Max around the house for her. And forme, for that matter. I never want to erase him, even though he never got tolive in this place.”

She didn’t seem to mind talking about Max, but he alsowasn’t going to bring the other man up and hurt her if he didn’t need to.

“The place looks great, Abby. I like what you’ve done withit, and it looks like a perfect home for Julia. You’ve done well.”

She smiled then, her eyes a little brighter. “I’ve tried.I’m not home that much, not as much as I should be. Between work and makingsure Julia gets to see more than just the inside of these walls, I haven’t beenable to really put the rest of my mark on it.”

He snorted. At Abby’s look, he explained what he wasthinking. “If you could see my place, you’d see why what you just said ishilarious.”

“A bachelor pad?”

“Maybe. Or maybe I’m just not good at the whole decoratingthing. I’m good with art when it comes to tattoos, but not so much when itcomes to my walls.”

“You know, one of the Montgomeryswould probably help you with that. They’re all really good at decorating their houses.”

“I’ve noticed that. But you’re pretty great, too.”

“Are you offering me a job to decorate your house?”