The Neighbor #4 (The Neighbor Romance Series - Book #4) by Claire Adams Read Free Book Online Page A

the doctor today. He is finding out the status of his cancer
after his rigorous course of chemo and he told me not to come. He wants to do
this alone, which I happen to think is bullshit. I was talking to a woman at
the golf tournament and she says that a couple proves their strength through
times of adversity. I feel like this is pretty damn adverse and we’re ready to
face it together.”
    “What if his cancer has progressed? I know, and you
do to, how sneaky cancer can be. Are you ready to stand by him as I did for
your father? It takes every bit of energy one can muster. It’s a backbreaking,
24-hour commitment. You have hospital visits to coordinate, vomit to clean up,
and you may have to shepherd him through death. Ryder appears to be a strong
man, Jenna, but you have to prepare for the worst. Standing by your man is easy
when the sun shines but it doesn’t always shine darling.”
    “So, you’re throwing the decision back at me?”
    “That’s what I’m doing. I do have one additional
thing to tell you. In all the craziness that went on here when you shattered the
window, I noticed one thing. Ryder looked at you in a way I rarely see. I have
personally only had a man view me that way twice. The first time was with your
father. Unbelievably, before he got sick he was a romantic. The second time was
with Claude. I have been a mess for five years. You have raised me, Jenna. I ’m back on my feet now and I give you permission to grow
up. Go after Ryder, if that’s your choice.”
    I gave my mom a big hug and ran up to change.
    “Thanks, Mom. You have fun with Claude. I’m going to
stand by my man, whether he likes it or not,” I said as I raced up the stairs.
    I pulled on my skinny Jeans. Ryder’s favorite color
was yellow so I grabbed a yellow cashmere sweater with a plunging neckline. I
had high leather boots, which I rarely wore but they made me look long and
lean. Ryder would love them.
    I had read his pill bottles and I recognized the
name of the doctor. He was in the same group as my father’s oncologist. I
Googled the directions and jumped in my car. I drove like a racecar driver. I
was determined to meet Ryder in time. I couldn’t believe I had hesitated to be
with the man I loved. I was sure I was making the right decision.
    I knew the brick building well from going to visits
with my father. It didn’t hold the best memories, but I was determined to
change that. I parked my car next to Ryder’s Lexus. I ran up the steel stairs,
which were difficult to manage with my boots.
    I noticed the woman at the reception desk.
    “Hello, I recognize you.” The woman remembered who I
was and knew my father had died. “Jenna Walsh—correct?”
    “Yes, I’m not here about my father—obviously. I ’m here regarding Ryder Curran. I believe he has an
appointment with Dr. Borski.”
    “Are you related to him?”
    Think fast.
    “I’m his wife.”
    “Well, congratulations! Yes, Ryder has already
checked in. He is waiting in Suite 208. One floor up.”
    “Thanks.”
    I didn’t take the elevator. I bounded up the steps
two at a time and nearly broke my neck. I entered the office to find Ryder
sitting among six other patients. Who knew what type of cancer each of them
had, but they all looked afraid. Ryder was stunned to see me. I received looks
from all the others.
    “Ryder.”
    “Jenna, what are you doing here?”
    Ryder acted calm. What he wanted to scream out in a
raised voice was probably— Jenna, what the
fuck are you doing here?
    Ryder stood up and approached me. All eyes were upon
us and he spoke in hushed tones.
    “I told you I would tell you the results after my
appointment.”
    “We can face this together, Ryder. I will find out
eventually.”
    “This isn’t an appropriate place to have this
argument.” He looked uncomfortable.
    “Too bad, and I don’t care if all of these people
are beginning to wonder what we’re doing whispering in the middle of the
doctor’s office,” I