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

by Leanne Davis

  “Let’s go before I have to imagine it. And do not touch that door handle.”

  “Because…?” Her eyebrow lifted as she looked at him.

  “Why?” He rubbed his forehead as if he were exhausted with so many explanations. “Because it’s our first date and I intend to open doors for you.”

  “Seriously outdated. It takes you longer to walk around than it does for me to just open it.”

  “Don’t you dare. I gave you the rose. Let me have this moment of chivalry.”

  She rolled her eyes as she leaned casually against the door, waiting. “Does it make you feel like a big, tough man?”

  “No. It makes me feel like I’m a good son, honoring my father’s instructions. He said I should treat ladies that way. Told me how to behave with them when I was thirteen. So let me do what I was taught was right.”

  Standing upright, she nodded. “Well, given that background, please open my door for me.”

  Smiling, he did so and helped her in before jogging to the driver’s side. Together, they grinned at each other. That was when a kaleidoscope of butterflies hit her stomach. His grin melted her heart. It was boyish, sweet and excited. And all because of her.

  Naturally, she valued any chance to be so honest with him. “I got nervous. Like this became real all at once.”

  “Yeah? Me too.”

  She scoffed. “You are not.”

  “You are not like anyone else I’ve ever been around. Nothing ordinary can capture your interest or impress you.”

  “I’m still a woman. So there are many things that do.”

  His gaze traveled over her. “You are that. A great one. But you don’t react like the women I’m accustomed to seeing. So I’m learning something new as well.”

  “Okay. So maybe you have nerves too.”

  “We still have layers of stuff to learn about each other. I can’t wait to start.” Then he stared forward, started the car and pulled away. Kyomi’s heart sang with excitement. She couldn’t wait either.

  And they did just that. They got to know each other. A series of wonderful dates that included dinners at restaurants that were far away, to picnics at local parks, to swimming and horseback riding at Hunter’s own ranch. They talked, laughed and enjoyed each other freely and without any complications. The conversations were flippant, fun and flirtatious. Sometimes they turned serious and theoretical. Some were personal and intimate, discussing the here and now, recalling childhood memories, and lifelong dreams or past thoughts and desires.

  His divorce was final ninety days after he filed for it. Francine signed the papers without any qualms or drama. Hunter went to Seattle to meet with the lawyers and divide what little assets were communal. Almost all of it went to Francine, owing to the prenuptial agreement. He was left with the assets he had before the marriage, but not much more than that. Most were gifts from her family so Francine retained them. Hunter held onto half his earnings, his investments, his pension and retirement and the portfolio he built. Gnashing his teeth now that his ex-wife received the other half, Hunter was perturbed for a short while. But fair was fair.

  He didn’t return to work. And he wasn’t responsible for any alimony, so there was that win.

  Relieved it was officially over, Hunter wished his anger, trust and emotional issues would vanish as swiftly. Asher and Hunter got drunk. Hunter couldn’t walk or talk or remember the evening and for once, he was glad of that. For him it was the perfect sendoff from a time that changed his entire journey of life. It shot him so far off course, that he now lived in ways he never expected or believed he could.

  Hunter was fortunately reacquainted with his values, morals, and friendships he hadn’t cultivated or thought about for years. Francine was the initial reason he was home when his family lost a valued member, and he fully witnessed the devastation that event brought to those around him. A year ago, he’d have been sorry and sad about it, but would have only shown up to attend Kate’s funeral, most likely. Alone too. Without Francine, the woman who refused to be a part of any emotional issues he had to deal with, especially when it involved his family. He feared he lost the connection to his family and childhood home but when he came back? Everything he so fondly remembered managed to energize him and change him in ways he never pictured.

  When the tragic day finally happened, his mother called him to tell him that Kate died. Hunter immediately left Reed Ranch and drove out to see her. They hugged and cried. Landon, Hunter, and their parents were all together in their home. They sat stunned and silent after so many hugs and tears. Just the four of them. They all felt the loss personally and deeply. Intermittently, they recounted their memories, recent and old. They discussed growing up, and the antics of Asher and Hunter that led to Kailynn and Kate often joining forces to discipline them. They grieved for her. Hunter had an epiphany. Francine’s nasty behavior was the reason for his presence but he would have never comprehended its significance at the level he now did. How precious life was. How quick and delicate and fragile too. Long ago, Hunter let his ambition and lust for money, power and material possessions scramble the life lessons that so long ago were drilled into him. Things that now resonated in his conscience. They were the entire purpose of any life. He lost that knowledge for so long, and if he’d stayed on the Francine course, perhaps he could have lost it forever. How could he forget the importance of a close-knit family and human connection? He worried what could have happened if he learned that too late. Could he have become as cold, callous, and lost as he now knew Francine to be?

  He felt sorry for her and almost grateful now that her actions, mistakes, and snubs were what led him ultimately home. The familiar place he never knew he lost, or that he wanted, and now he sincerely intended to stay there and honor it because that was all that mattered.

  Later, he left his parents and went directly to Kyomi’s ranch. She stepped onto the porch when his headlights illuminated the front of her home, alerting her to his presence. He ran to the front door and she immediately opened her arms to greet him, jumping up until they were clinging to each other.

  “Kate died,” he muttered. The words felt like sand coming out of his throat.

  “I know. Daisy called and told me.”

  For some reason, that made him chuckle. He leaned back so he could stare into her eyes, tucking a loose, frizzy curl off her forehead. “Only you would have your ex’s current girlfriend call with news like that.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry for your family.”

  “Me too. Asher—”

  “Yes. Asher will be destroyed.”

  “Daisy will be there. Beside him and supporting him. She’s the only one who can help him right now. Just for now. Can I… please, can I come inside your house? Let me meet your dad. See where you live. Be part of your life. Let me in, Kyomi, for once. And always. You saw mine. All of my warts. All of my terrible decisions and bad choices and the fallout from them. Clearly defined. Now? I want to fully know you. And engage with you. And be with you. I don’t want a superficial relationship like I had with Francine. I want to know you inside out. All of you. And yet, you still reserve pieces of yourself. Let me in. Please…”

  Her heart was glued to his, then she drifted off. She nodded finally and swallowed hard. “My father is a raging alcoholic. He doesn’t have any good days. He is drunk by noon every single day. He suffers from gout and refuses to do anything to improve his health. He’s not the Tom Wade you might remember from a decade ago. I don’t want anyone to see him like that. So I don’t bring anyone inside the house. He doesn’t want to come out anymore even though no one is around. When I moved back home, he long ago stopped taking care of the ranch and himself. The homestead was disintegrating and he paid a neighbor kid to feed the stock so they didn’t die. But nothing was cared for. It was a mess. Far worse than what you saw many months ago.”

  “Could I come in and meet him? See where you live? I’m not Asher, so half of you isn’t enough for me. I want all of you. Including
anything that hurts you, embarrasses you, makes you timid or unsure to share with me. The parts that require you to trust me, I’m going to reach out to you until you trust me.”

  Her heart swelled with both hope and anxiety. No one ever called her out and demanded more from her. She often hid for so many reasons, but mostly, to avoid feeling anything.

  “Okay. But he won’t be awake.”

  He took her hand, squeezed it and nodded. “That’s fine. Whatever factors enter your life, I want to know and see them. Not the pretty or the perfect. Just whatever is.”

  She sucked in air, shutting her eyes and breathing deeply. No one ever asked to see her house. “Okay. What is.”

  “What is.” He repeated as if it were a mantra.

  The interior had low, original, popcorn ceilings. The carpet was gray and threadbare and the light oak furniture was straight from the eighties. A TV sat in the center of the room, with an old, plaid couch that was sagging and lumpy before it. There was a stark emptiness to the place. Like all the little collections and knick-knacks were moved out long ago.

  “My mother took everything but the couch, the TV and the tables. As you can see, he never replaced any of it. I can’t bear to either because I don’t want to make this my home. I don’t want this hovel to be it. But he can’t survive by himself anymore.” She shrugged and gestured around.

  It was ugly, barren, small and cramped. The antithesis of Hunter’s home, including how he lived his life now. He disdained the paucity. But also, he did not care. If it was where Kyomi was, that was where he desired to be.

  “And your dad?”

  “Come.”

  He followed her the few steps to a door. “Dad? Can you come out for a few moments?” she knocked and called out. “I wanted you to meet my—” Her voice abruptly cut off as her gaze shot to Hunter.

  What was he to her? What were they to each other? Definitely not like Asher and her. This was so much more than Asher and her, and yet they called each other boyfriend and girlfriend. Hunter meant at least that much to her. “Boyfriend,” he said simply, clearly, and concisely.

  She nodded and then said, “Meet my boyfriend.”

  After some shuffling, she stepped back and her gaze shot to Hunter’s. Reading the surprise in her eyes, Hunter assumed she didn’t expect her dad to come out. The door opened to an older man in his sixties. He had deeply-set wrinkles, was mostly bald and had prickles of white stubble on his chin and cheeks. He wore plaid pajama bottoms and a filthy, brown t-shirt.

  “What’re ya yellin’ about?” His tone wasn’t gruff or mean, but kind of scratchy and puzzled. He seemed almost surprised that she would ask for him.

  “I just wanted you to meet a friend of mine. This is Hunter Rydell.”

  His gaze sharpened on Hunter, then swung back to Kyomi. “Boyfriend, you said? I didn’t know you had one.”

  She nodded and her dad all but started to laugh. She’d had a boyfriend for the past eight months and her dad never seemed to notice how often Kyomi wasn’t there? See? They were already very different from how she was with Asher. Hunter met the dad and saw her house. He worked at her ranch. He finally stepped inside her house and met her father.

  Hunter put his hand out. The man swung back and stared at his hand before slowly, lifting his arm as if he barely remembered how to shake a man’s hand. Pumping the old man’s hand, he said, “My name is Hunter, Mr. Wade. Kyomi and I met at a friends’ ranch and started dating only recently. I just wanted to meet you, sir.”

  Her dad nodded and his red, glassy eyes glowed as if he were pleased. “Well, that’s a nice change. Usually no one bothers to meet the parents. But they should.” He shot a dissatisfied look at Kyomi. “You don’t tell me enough about your comings and goings.”

  Kyomi rolled her eyes. “You aren’t usually awake.”

  He grunted. “Well, you should still tell me more.” He released Hunter’s hand and stood up a little straighter. As if he didn’t stink of days-old liquor and his hair weren’t half matted to his head.

  She tilted her head. “I honestly didn’t think you cared to know.”

  “I care. I just… well, considering things, I’m not sure how much care I should invest.”

  Huh. Hunter sensed a strange tension that existed between these two. Kyomi shut her eyes to his words. “You don’t usually come out of your room long enough to care.”

  “I… I might have some bad habits. Perhaps I could work on overcoming them.”

  Listening to these two was like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard. Hunter was sure they wanted to be together and do something together. To somehow be a family, but neither knew where to start. Hunter did. “Well, what if we all have dinner tomorrow night? Here? I could make chicken cordon bleu, which is something I’ve been wanting to cook for Kyomi. If that’s all right with you two.”

  Kyomi shot a look at her dad. She was confused and very concerned. Then Tom grunted. “Food is food to me. Don’t know what chicken cordon whatever is, but a big plate of hot food would be thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated.”

  “Kyomi?” he nudged her gently.

  She blinked a few times. “Oh. Yes. Sure. We can plan on dinner tomorrow night. That is, if you really think you’ll be well enough to come to the table.”

  Tom wheezed as he leaned heavily on the doorknob. “Don’t worry; I’ll be there.”

  “Oh. Okay.” She stared at the man with unmasked longing. Wishing. Hoping.

  Distrusting.

  No drunk was trustworthy and Hunter imagined she must have suffered years of disappointments and missed events, big and small. He wasn’t sure why he sprung up between them. Probably it was due to losing Kate. Realizing how short life is. Or maybe the idea of giving someone second, third or twenty chances seemed important and necessary today.

  They nodded awkwardly before Tom turned away to hide in his bedroom.

  Hunter took Kyomi’s arm and pulled her away from the small alcove to the single couch. “Why did you do that?” she asked.

  “I don’t know? Kate’s death? I kept thinking about last chances and death, but before that, I wondered if maybe you should get unlimited chances before you give up? I’m sorry. Did I go too far?”

  She shrugged. “No. I’m surprised he came out. I didn’t expect him to be upright. I never dreamed he’d show any interest in meeting you.”

  Gently, he asked, “So you’re not mad at me?”

  Her eyebrows jutted upwards. “No. Not at all. I’m just surprised. But don’t get your hopes up. He might be face-planted on his bed tomorrow night, out stone cold.”

  “How long has he been doing this? Was he always an alcoholic?”

  “No, not until I was sixteen.”

  “The year you and your mother left him.”

  She stared at the door he was hibernating behind. “Yes. Honestly, it never occurred to me to talk to him very much as he hasn’t acted like he wants to know me. Or come to dinner or ask me a few questions. When I first got back, the house was such a wreck, it took me weeks to get the garbage, laundry and clutter cleared out, cleaned up and sterilized. It was disgusting how he was living. I guess he’s gotten a tiny bit better with me being here, but not so far as to suggest we interact like a normal father and daughter.”

  “Do you think perhaps he is interested in a reconciliation with you but he doesn’t know how to begin?”

  “I honestly can’t give him that credit yet.”

  The pain in her voice made Hunter lean forward and draw her against him. After several long moments, he leaned back and asked, “My binge drinking had to upset you. I had no idea what you lived with.”

  “Not at all. I didn’t care. I wasn’t invested in you. It was none of my business.”

  “Why did you not tell me that? From the start? About your dad, I mean? About being all alone and caring for him? Especially with him in that condition.”

  Her gaze lifted to capture his. Her cheeks went bright with color and heat. “Ask me why. Ask me
why a man who never drank a drop of alcohol until he was fifty-five started drinking and never stopped.”

  “Why? Why, Kyomi?” Hunter’s gaze was glued on her. She couldn’t hold it. He reached out to cup her face gently. “Tell me why you left. Why you came back. Why he’s a drunk, but wasn’t always. Tell me everything.”

  “He couldn’t handle the knowledge that right over there, right in front of the barn, his son, my older brother, was shot in the head. He died on impact right in front of my dad.”

  Startled at the shocking image, Hunter blinked and his mouth fell open with unmasked shock.

  “Ask me who shot him.”

  “Who shot him?” his tone was quiet compared to her heated anger.

  “My other older brother. He shot my brother right in front of my dad. He was never the same. My parents were never the same. I was never the same. Dad started drinking and never stopped. I sometimes wish I could do that.”

  Hunter’s eyes opened wide. “Oh, my God, Kyomi.” There were no other words he could find.

  “I never talk about it. Because it hurts. My own brother is a murderer. My parents fought endlessly after that. Mom moved out eventually, and Dad didn’t know I was alive anymore, he was already drowning in his booze, self-medicating. I left when I was sixteen and didn’t come back until about a year-and-a-half ago. I didn’t see him for eight years. I don’t think he has a clue how long it was. Nor does he care. He didn’t really notice my absence. His entire life and self-awareness were destroyed; and his will to live a decent and worthwhile life ended with that single shot.”

  “And you? What did it do to you?”

  “I can’t trust people. All people. I loved Kyle. Revered him. He shot our brother. I don’t know why. I never knew the reason why.”

  “What happened to him? Where is he now? What…” Hunter rubbed his head. “What can I do?”

  “Nothing. There is nothing to do but live with it. Kyle left in that moment. We haven’t seen him since. I don’t know what became of him. I think my dad’s guilt is why he drinks and my mother is so… vapid. She’s useless. They can’t find solace. Why would their own son murder their other son? How could they begin to understand that? Who could expect them to understand? I can’t. That one failure continues to eat at them… and at me. So I get why they became the people that they are now. I just chose to be honest. I decided to live with a code of ethics that I never waver from. I expect the same from those around me.”