The car he'd seen earlier was still at the house when they rode up to park in the front drive. A familiar feeling rolled over him as they walked to the front steps. As soon as they opened the front door he had an ominous dread spread through him.
Mallory saw the change in his demeanor as he closed the door. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it to let him know she was there. His face was unreadable as the hard Ridge slipped in and took over.
They walked into the den to find Oakley, Luke, his parents, Maggie and Joshua, his old friend that served with him. "Joshua, what are you doing here this late?" He walked over and embraced his friend.
The look in Joshua's eyes told him it was bad. "Ridge I'm sorry this isn't a pleasure call."
"Spill it Josh." Ridge sat down and Mallory joined him as he grasped her hand tightly. She was his sanity safety line.
With a pained expression Joshua turned to look out the window he was standing beside. This was the hardest thing to do. Ridge was making progress and this would set him back again. Finally, taking a deep breath and resolving it was the only way, he turned back to his old friend.
"I received a call this afternoon regarding Sloan." He walked toward his friend slowly.
Ridge knew something was wrong and it was bad. He released Mallory's hand and stood up. "He's dead." It wasn't a question, but a statement.
"Yes, Ridge, he's dead." He placed his hand on Ridge's shoulder in comfort.
"How?" It was only one word but a powerful one. He had to know how he was killed. Where it happened?
"He was doing a security sweep inside a building when a bomb went off. They said he was killed instantly." Joshua looked down at Mallory and saw the tears. She hurt for Ridge and in that moment he knew his friend had found love.
"What are the plans for the service?" Ridge tried to remain calm, but the rage inside of him was straining to explode. His friend was dead and he felt helpless. He soldier inside wanted to find the rogue bomber.
Joshua could see the emotion in his friend's eyes. He knew Ridge was hanging on by a tether and maybe he needed to get him out of the house for a few minutes. "Let's step out on the porch and talk." It was spoken as more of a command and not a request.
Stiffly Ridge stood up and walked out the front door, leaving Mallory not sure how to react. He'd been so rigid with an emotion she couldn't quite understand. Joshua glanced at her before he walked out and gave her a slight smile. It spoke volumes to her. His small show of support told her that he had things under control.
Once they were on the porch, Ridge released a ragged breath and turned toward Joshua. "Now that we're out of earshot, tell me everything." His voice was rough with the anger that took over his body.
Joshua told him everything he knew, which wasn't much but it seemed to make Ridge calm a little. "His parents are holding a memorial service this weekend. They want you to be a pallbearer along with myself and a couple of other guys from our unit. I told them I'd ask you and let them know."
"I'll be glad to honor him." His answer was clipped in tone, but when he turned back to look at the barn emotions overtook him and he ground his teeth together. Just when he was getting a grip on reality this hit.
"They also wanted to know if you'd say a few words at the service." The tension in Ridge's back told Josh that he was trying hard to hold together. He understood that fight well. The barely held tension in his own body was almost palpable.
Silence stood between the two soldiers as they thought about their friend. "Tell them I'd be glad to speak for my friend and fellow soldier." His voice dropped low as frustration slipped inside his heart. The old familiar feelings were coming back in and he'd tried so hard to push them away. Closing his eyes he reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Josh, was he under Rodgers command when he went into that building?"
Knowing the reason behind the question Josh turned to look out across the dark yard. "Does it matter now?"
"To me it does." Ridge slowly walked over to the railing and drew in a deep, cleansing breath. "That man needs to be out of command. Too many good men have died because of his stupidity." Slamming his fist into the railing he turned to his friend. "You know it and I know it."
"But what can we do about it?" The feeling in his gut told him this wasn't over.
"I still rank higher than he does and I plan on heading to the head of the command as soon as we lay Sloan to rest. He'll be at the funeral." With determination he knew what had to be done. This wasn't a trend he wanted to see. Looking back toward the house he thought of Mallory. She sat inside waiting on him to return to her side.
"Ridge, go back to her. Let her help you through this and don't let your stubborn pride mess up what I see in the look between you both. Move forward, don't start the trail backwards." He reached out and put his hand on his shoulder. "Sloan made the choice to be where he was and both of us were there not long ago. Let it go."
"Thanks for coming out to tell me about Sloan." He closed his heart and shook Josh's hand. "I'll see you at the funeral. It's late and I need to get Mallory home." Turning he walked back into the house. Joshua walked to his car knowing his friend was headed into a tailspin. Hopefully Mallory could bring him out of it.
His father came up beside him as he entered the house. "Son, I'm sorry about your friend. I also understand the feeling that's taking over your heart right now, but there's a woman in that room that needs you and you need her. Don't let it take over, it's not healthy."
"Dad I'll be alright." He walked into the den and Mallory stood up. "Come on, I need to get you home."
She said her goodbyes to the others and followed him to the truck. It was evident in the way he held himself as they strode down the path he was struggling. This is where her psych classes hopefully would come into play.
He opened her door, but before she climbed into the truck she turned to him, placing her hand on his arm. "Ridge, don't slip away from me, not after we've finally found one another. Let me in, please."
The look he turned on her made her flinch, but she didn't back down. She straightened her spine for the words that followed the look. "You don't understand this and until it's solved I'm no good to you or anyone. Get in the truck so I can take you home."
Determined to be as stubborn as he was she put her hands on his chest and slowly ran them up and around his neck. Pulling herself up on her toes she placed a light kiss on his lips and at first she didn't think he'd respond.
His heart started to hammer in his chest. Trying desperately not to respond because he wanted to keep his anger close by. Then suddenly his heart overrode his brain, reaching out he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his embrace. The kiss deepened to a heightened level as he let out his frustration in the kiss. As the kiss continued, he felt a slight healing of his anger, but it was still there in the corner of his mind.
A truck pulled up beside them, but neither noticed until someone started clapping behind them. They reluctantly pulled apart to see who their audience was. Just beyond them stood Chase with a huge grin.
"Now that's what I'm talking about." He walked up to them. "Hey man, I'm sorry about Sloan. I met Josh in the drive."
Ridge's eyes glazed over as the mention of Sloan's name brought some of the edge back. "Thanks Chase." He released Mallory and helped her into the truck.
Chase turned and winked at Mallory before he walked down the path to his cottage that was beside the house. He shared the cottage with Oakley. The war in his brother's eyes worried him, but the kiss he'd witnessed might actually melt his icy heart.
Mallory sat in the silent truck watching the road in front of them. Ridge had slipped back into his anger again. She knew that with some work he'd be alright. Focusing on that she hoped to help him as best she could.
When they reached her front door he looked down at her. Reaching out he gently stroked her cheek. "I know this night didn't end as you'd hoped or even I'd hoped, but I want to thank you for no
t running away when my anger emerged."
She looked up into his eyes, those gorgeous deep blue eyes full of pain and memories. In that instant she knew what she had to do. "The night hasn't ended yet." Reaching up she pulled him close. "The night ends when you get into your truck." With that said she kissed him quickly.
Then she pulled back. "Now the night has ended better. All things can be made better with a little help." She smiled at him and pulled her key out. "Go home and get some sleep. We've got a big day tomorrow."
For a moment he wondered if he'd forgotten something, then he saw the grin on her face. "What's the plan for tomorrow?"
"Just pick me up at eight in the morning." She turned the key in the lock and walked in. "Goodnight Ridge." With that she closed the door.
He stood looking at the closed door in shock. Then shaking his head in amazement he walked to his truck. She wasn't letting him get caught up in his anger and the fact that she wanted to help made him feel warm all over. For the first time in a long time he felt hope, but the fear that he'd slip back into the dark place stayed close by.