River from the City: A Small Town Contemporary Romance (Rydell River Ranch Series Book 6)

by Leanne Davis

  Hunter blinked at her logical assessment. Her honesty. Her brave articulation of the facts that others would try to avoid or gloss over. Instead, she stared right into his eyes. “We kissed though.”

  “We did. We had our moment. I don’t deny being attracted to you. You have grown to appreciate me. You were stressed in a situation that you were desperate to feel better about. I was what made you feel better. And then we were having fun… But we were in that room and maybe the huge relief of laughing in that moment, in that place, got to you. And to me. It was wrong. Considering I have a relationship with Asher. But it was not as wrong as what Francine did. Asher and I have never discussed exclusivity. While I think we both practice it, it’s not a mutual agreement. I have some wiggle room, though it isn’t right, nor does it make me particularly comfortable. I need to address that. But us? This moment? Was just that. A moment. It isn’t a factor when you determine what to do about your life and marriage.”

  His brain tried to file through all the wise things she said. “You thought a lot on this?”

  “While I was sitting against your car, I had some time to think things out.”

  “Are you sure? Your conclusions, I mean?”

  She gave him a small smile. “For now? Yes. Completely. One hundred percent.”

  “You probably don’t want to see me then?”

  “Why not? Because we shared a kiss?” She scoffed and waved her hand around. “Nothing. Poof. It’s forgotten. We are friends and we will continue to be. But… just friends.”

  “I thought you’d hate me. Never want to see me again. Or want—”

  “No. I don’t want anything like that. I especially don’t want to be your rebound. That is something I can never be to you.”

  “But you don’t mind being Asher’s rebound?” He almost bit his tongue off. Why? Why would he go there? Was he accusing her? Of what? Not even that was clear. But something was brewing. The surly anger in his tone was childish and uncalled for. In contrast, she was being so mature, forgiving and totally right.

  “Hunter Rydell!” her tone reminded him of his mother when she was scolding him. “That is private! And none of your business. But for the record, I was never his rebound. He’d been all alone for years… get that, years before we hooked up. He voiced his thoughts and feelings very well. Unlike your messed-up-dumpster-fire life.”

  “Okay. Okay. But I’m just pointing out—”

  “You kissed your cousin’s girlfriend. You’re on zero moral high ground. So stop. Okay?”

  Slightly ashamed, he stared forward. He was nodding. Then quiet. Then he got huffy.

  She started to laugh out loud. “Are you… pouting?”

  “I’m just catching up on all your well thought-out, logical decisions about kissing a guy who isn’t your boyfriend inside his wife’s bedroom. Glad to see nothing like doubts or feelings get in your way.”

  “Oh, my God. You are pouting. Do you need more drama? A tantrum maybe? Do you want me to have a fit? Be heartbroken and hurt? Shall I throw something at you? Would that make you feel better? Does it bruise your ego to see that I can kiss you and still think logically? I can still decide what I want to do about it from here on? I will not fall at your feet in want and need, waiting for your big, manly arms to make little, old me feel safe and loved and completely—”

  He finally smiled. There was no other response to her teasing. Ribbing him as always. She even poked a finger in the side of his arm. “Okay. I was overreacting to you and me. And what it means. I was just wondering what you think you should do about it and therefore, Asher. I see that now.”

  “Good.”

  He started the car and drove out of the parking garage.

  Waiting a few moments, she added, “You’re not overreacting to the crap that constitutes your life and marriage. But we will never be anything but friends while you’re working that out. Not ever again. Okay?”

  “Of course. You’re right.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest, facing forward. “Always. You really need to grasp that.”

  How could he be smiling? Where was the mirth after this day’s horrendous turn of events? Despite his issues, he was fully aware that Kyomi Wade had the unique gift of making him feel better. More than anyone else. Faster than anyone else. She could make the worst day, the worst hour, the worst moment, or the worst second instantly better. Her humor, her zest, her logic, her honesty, and her way of calling a situation what it was made him admire her unconditionally. No punches. No games. Hunter liked that about her.

  Francine never approached him or life in general like that. Hunter never realized how much he appreciated it. Now he wanted it. He found it more comforting and far more desirable than a pair of long legs and a perfect face.

  “What now?”

  “You call your parents and tell them what’s going on. Quit hiding and procrastinating about that. Start making some serious decisions. Start there.”

  “I actually meant, at this moment. Where do we go now? It’s too late to drive all the way back to Reed Ranch. And I’m not welcome at my own place, deservedly so this time, but—”

  “Let’s get two motel rooms. Then drive home.”

  “Right. Two. Okay.”

  She hugged him and turned to watch the city go by. “Sometimes you ignore the obvious and make things harder than they should be. Think about that.”

  He gave her a look. She was right. Hunter never realized that before.

  “But I guess we should look at it this way: we had one success.”

  “Really? What could that possibly be?”

  “Underwear. You can finally wear your own underwear.”

  Astonished by her answer, he turned to look at her as they waited for a red light to change. She met his stare, smiling fully and freely. It was wonderful. Full of her familiar teasing and mirth. And hope. That was important right now. He let out a laugh that was genuine and true, made possible only because of her.

  The motel was a few miles from the downtown area.

  At dinner, she asked, “So after the epic venting session and the emergence of the new, nasty Hunter, was anything decided? Did she beg for your forgiveness? I feel invested now so I need a few answers. What was her reaction to me?”

  “One of her first questions was who you are.”

  “And what did you tell her?”

  “You are a friend. She wasn’t allowed to question me about you.”

  “Which must have fried her ass. Considering how plain and poor I am, from her viewpoint, that is.” She raised a hand up when Hunter opened his mouth to kindly voice his argument to her self-recrimination. “From her viewpoint. Not mine. I view her as an overdone, plastic giant who leads a ridiculous life and I want to insult her. Seeing you without a hot and amazing woman would totally kill her. She must feel insulted to see that you went from her to me.”

  “Except I didn’t.” He gave her a small smile and added, “Yet.”

  Rolling her eyes, she waved her hand around. “Focus. She was insulted that you downgraded. I guarantee it. Words hurt, but I’m a much better insult.” She all but clapped her hands. “I’m glad I was there now. After seeing her and what she did to you? Yeah, the ultimate insult.”

  He tilted his head. “Really? I mean, I’m not following. What about all the insults I screamed in my rage?”

  “I’m sure she expected those. Unless you married a total sociopath. Did you?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Then she knew you had plenty to say, which included some derogatory names. But my guess is she wouldn’t expect you to be having sex with someone else, and certainly not in that bedroom. But we just messed around enough to suggest it was otherwise. Plus, you were obviously distracted and acting oddly while I was flustered and looking confused and longingly at you. I guarantee she picked up those undertones. She doesn’t know we only had a single kiss, or that it was our very first. I mean, you only brought me along to move things out of your bedroom. She proba
bly totally thought we were doing the deed in her bed. Yep, that hit home, I guarantee it. Awesome, right?” Kyomi set her fist out.

  He stared down at it as if she were offering him a slimy toad. Then a slow smile softened his face. “You are so crazy. Strange.” He shook his head and finally touched his fist on hers as he grinned, saying, “And I hope you’re completely right. That she’s thinking we were in that filthy bed and she’s eating her heart out over that.”

  “Banging. Go ahead and say it. She thinks we were about to bang. Most likely, to what… Rechristen the room after the incestuous transgression that she invited there? She thinks you did it for revenge. You get that, right? And then you picked me? Her eyes fully examined my outfit. She’s petty and detail-oriented, isn’t she?”

  “Yeah. How did you know that?”

  “I saw her gaze sharpening on me, then she looked at you and stared at the hem of your pants. She could not figure out why your hems were so dirty. Imagine her wondering what caused it. What if she thinks you dug me up out of the damn ground!? Yep, she noticed everything about me, and you successfully puzzled, confused, shocked and totally flabbergasted her. She probably assumed you’d just yell and argue with her, but having revenge-sex in the very same bedroom? No. No way. Not your usual MO, is it?” She tilted her head, waiting for his response.

  “No. Of course not. Before this, I used to act like a grown-up.”

  “Well, this is better since she’s not. Plus, this way, she thinks you’re all mean and badass to seek such a devious vengeance. I could tell by the gleam in her eyes that you shocked her, and it definitely grabbed her attention.”

  “You think that’s a good thing?”

  “I think it’s awesome. Let her stew and suffer, like you did. Why not?” She held her drink out, waiting for him to toast her with his. Finally, he lifted his water since he wasn’t drinking alcohol. They tapped glasses.

  “What are we toasting to?”

  She bit her lip until she found the perfect thing. “To the underwear that led you home and gave you the accidental opportunity to obtain the perfect vengeance on your cheating whore of a wife.” Her mouth opened into a monstrous wide grin. “The stepbrother-fucker.”

  His eyebrows shot upwards. “I thought you didn’t approve of that crude nickname.”

  “This one time, I do. So, here’s to sticking it to the stepbrother-fucker.”

  He nodded. “Okay, to sticking it to the stepbrother-fucker.”

  They both sipped, grinning wildly at each other as they each gulped down their beverages. Then their meals came and they ate their respective dinners. The silence was wonderful and amiable for a while. Kyomi sipped her drink and washed down all the food. “So what did we decide to do about the stepbrother-fucker?”

  “We?”

  “I told you I was invested. Come on? I’m the other woman, the rebound. So… what? We forgive her? Do nothing. Seek counseling? What?”

  “We divorce her,” he calmly replied, his gaze skittering downwards as his voice turned serious after all the joking.

  “Oh? Are you sure? I mean—”

  “She is in love with her stepbrother,” he added quietly. “She was using me to conceal their affair.”

  “Maybe she regrets it now.”

  “I think she does. I think it horrifies her as much as anyone decent. Who has sex with her stepbrother? But she can’t stop. That’s the gist of what she told me.”

  “After all the yelling?”

  “Yes. After. I finally said all the words I had to say and my voice went hoarse. We had a conversation. She apologized. She begged me to come home. To talk and work things out, one way or the other. But I have to tell you, Kyomi, no matter what? I could never do that. The cheating is the deal-killer, with anyone. Hard line for me to cross. So the solution is divorce. It is divorce. Perhaps too cut-and-dried for some, but I could never get past it.”

  She nodded, completely understanding. “I’d be like that as well. I mean, you take your vows, so you should stay true.”

  His gaze found hers and they both nodded their understanding and no words were needed to heighten the moment. They fully got it. He smiled, and so did she. He nodded as he said, “It’s nice to have someone who clearly gets it without any defensive explanations. In fact, from the start to the finish, you’ve been that person.”

  “I’m a great friend.” Smiling cheekily, she waved off his compliment as if it were a fly.

  But he shook his head. “No, really. You are. You might be the best friend I’ve ever had. It used to be Asher, but I’ve become closer to you. So whatever becomes of all this, you are the silver lining, the thing I need to be grateful for, the gift I’ve earned from karma to make up for all the negative shit I put out.”

  Her eyes bugged and she drank her water more liberally. She kept her head tilted and hoped it would hide the furious blushing. She never expected him to say that was how he saw her. Or the entire situation.

  She’d never been anyone’s best friend before.

  Or been called a silver lining.

  Damn, Hunter Rydell could make you feel like the center of his attention and that of the whole world and that was the best place to be. But he was not her best friend or a silver lining. He was messed up. Suffering. Confused. And it extended into all walks of his life. He was like a stick of dynamite to her tranquility. She was the soothing fountain of water, extinguishing the dumpster fire that tormented him. Clearly, she had to keep that in her viewpoint at all times.

  Chapter 11

  THEY HAD DINNER AND retired to their separate beds and rooms. The rest of the evening, they engaged in mild, innocent conversation and instead of being exhausted and forlorn after the terrible day, they drove home with the same easy, casual conversation and pleasant company. After all the near drama, how could Kyomi still be the easiest person he’d ever been around? He was as comfortable with her as he was alone, a phenomenon that never happened before.

  They pulled into her ranch and she jumped out. He opened the door and called out to her over the rooftop. “Hey… Kyomi?”

  Glancing back, she raised an eyebrow. “What? Need a kiss goodbye?”

  See? He loved her humor. She could make most—hell, she could make every situation palatable, no matter how intolerable it might seem. Kyomi always made things better.

  Ignoring her comment, he said, “No. I’ve been thinking about something.”

  She rolled her eyes and motioned with her hand towards him. “Well? What?”

  “This place…” He glanced past her to the background of crumbling buildings behind her.

  “Yes, it’s not pretty but quite functional. We’ve already commented on that.”

  “No. I mean, yes, I know you can handle the chores. I mean, you’re the foreman here. But there is obviously cleanup work, repair work, and other things that come up, which you have to tackle and quite frankly, need to keep working on. I could do that. I could help you with the heavy lifting and demolition and rebuilds. I mean, you’re still the foreman. I’ll just be your muscle. But I could do that. For you. With you.”

  “You?” Her eyes bugged with unmasked surprise. Instantly offended, he scowled at her.

  “Me. Quit it. I grew up breathing this shit. I know what goes on at a ranch. I’ve taken care of farm animals. I just didn’t like doing it. But I can. I can also swing a hammer and lift heavy things. I may be a pencil pusher but I always worked out.”

  “You paid the gym to lift easy stuff. Nothing like this kind of work.”

  “Right. But I can still do it.”

  Her head shook. “Okay, but why? Why would you want to?”

  “As we drove back here, getting farther from the city, all I felt was relief. Utter and pure relief. You were right about everything you said last night. I am fucked up. No decisions I make now should be trusted, especially anything emotional. Or regarding my career. But I can’t make the commitment to go back—not yet anyway. I absolutely cannot just keep drinking either. When I tel
l you it was worrying me, that’s an understatement. I desire alcohol from the first moment I wake up. I think about the taste and how it helps me forget and I can’t wait until the designated time. I’ve made two o’clock the official cocktail hour… and I keep telling myself it’s just a drink. But I don’t want to risk the chance of it becoming more than just a drink.”

  Her gaze scoured his with curious interest. “You’re really serious?”

  “Yes. I can’t do those things. So I need something to do. I could offer it up to Asher. But he’d laugh at me and not believe me or trust me. He’s a control freak and thinks I’m a wuss who can’t hold my own on a ranch.”

  “Honestly? Can you? Is he wrong?”

  “He’s totally wrong. I had no reason to change his mind so I chose not to. Now I choose to help you. Here. You don’t have to pay me. I won’t tell you what to do. I’ll just…”

  Her pretty mouth slipped into a grin. “Be my bitch?”

  “No. I’ll be your helper.”

  “Helper. Wow, I didn’t expect that. But I understand what you’re saying. And if you’re sure this is what you want to do…” She waved her hand behind her to indicate most of it.

  “It is.”

  “I can’t say no to free help. And I sure could use the man power. It’s the only time I hate being a girl.”

  “Really?” He raised his eyebrows when he saw her teeth flash. “The need for a man to do the work?”

  “Ugh. Any more talk like that, city-boy, and you won’t survive a day with me, and it won’t be by accident. It’s how limited I am when it comes to lifting. That’s all the help I ever need. And I can always hire someone so don’t get too cocky.”

  He threw his head back to laugh at her comment, doing his best to hide his relief. She said yes. Finally, he had something to do tomorrow. Somewhere to go. A place that didn’t remind him of his chaotic life. No worries about a substance that could become addictive and ruin his life more than it currently had. Maybe sheer physical exhaustion could finally derail the loop that circled repeatedly through his brain almost every day and the main reason he drank.