Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Marta Perry

  “Where’s Ryder?” Lily asked.

  Before Eden could answer, the twins ran into the kitchen. “Mommy, Mommy!” They attached themselves like barnacles around her legs, and she laughed. “There you are. My sweethearts.”

  “You came! Did you miss us?” Ivy hopped up and down, her face flushed with joy.

  “Of course, I missed you!” She hugged them one by one. “That’s why I’m here.”

  “We made you presents!” Ivy dragged her by the hand in the direction of the sunroom. Harper took Lily’s other hand.

  Even Lily’s laugh seemed to be brighter than the average person’s. “You did? Aw, thank you.”

  As the three of them left the kitchen, Mandy looked torn on if she should follow her boss or stay put.

  “Would you like to sit down?” Eden belatedly remembered her manners. “We were just getting ready to have a snack. I’ll put on a pot of coffee. Mom, where are the muffins you brought?”

  “I’d love a muffin and coffee, thanks.” Mandy visibly relaxed, setting the tote bag in the hallway before taking a seat on a stool at the island. “I didn’t realize the drive from the airport would take so long.”

  “The mountains and two-lane roads add on extra time.” Mom lifted the lid off a plastic container filled with blueberry muffins. “Here, take one. Or two. We’re not shy here.”

  Mandy selected one as Eden filled the coffeepot. The twins’ chipper voices could be heard, along with Lily’s voice, from the other room. As Mom made small talk with Mandy, the coffee maker rumbled softly.

  Harper yelled something. Then Ivy shouted back. And Eden wondered if she should check on them to intervene.

  “Go get your nanny,” Lily said loudly. Dead silence weighed oppressively in the air.

  Eden excused herself. “I’ll see how they’re doing.”

  She went to the sunroom, where Lily spotted her right away. “You did all these crafts with the girls?”

  “Yes. They’re for you.” Eden peeked at Ivy, who seemed subdued, and then Harper, who scooted closer to Ivy and took her hand in hers. “The girls wanted to make you presents. They are so thoughtful.”

  The sight of those two darling children holding hands, supporting each other, tore at her heart. Eden would do anything to make this visit go well for them, and they both looked like they were struggling at the moment.

  “Ivy took extra care with the necklace. She dyed the noodles hot pink and picked the best noodles for it. She thought you’d like pink the best.” Eden smiled at Ivy. “And Harper spent hours making the mosaic butterfly out of gem stickers. She’s drawn to nature. They’re very talented.”

  “I see that,” Lily said softly.

  Eden hoped so. God, please let Lily see how much her daughters need her.

  “Oh, girls, why don’t you go get your books?” Eden asked brightly. “You can show them to your mom.”

  “You can show them to me later,” Lily said to the twins. “I need to talk to your father first.” She addressed Eden. “When do you expect him back?”

  “Um, it depends. Between five and six, I guess.”

  Lily swiped her phone and typed into it. When she finished, she smiled broadly. “There. He’s on his way.”

  * * *

  Ryder about dropped his phone when he read Lily’s text. She was here? Now? So much for arriving tomorrow evening. He clenched his jaw and turned to Bill. They’d finished taking care of the horses and were reviewing Ryder’s to-do list in his ranch office.

  “Looks like I’ve got to wrap this up. Lily’s here.”

  “Oh?” Bill took off his cowboy hat and wiped his forehead, then put it back on. “I thought she was coming tomorrow.”

  “So did I.” He wasn’t prepared to deal with her yet. His muscles tensed as he realized his ex-wife was at the house now saying who knew what to Eden and her mom.

  His stomach clenched. Lily had a knack for being nice to people and playing the perfect mommy role. But she could keep it up for only a limited period before she cracked. He didn’t want the girls to be on the brunt end of her dismissal—not on day one, at least.

  “I really appreciate you spending the day with me, Bill.” Ryder led the way outside where the sunshine made the grass a little greener and the sky a little bluer. “I wish you were around more often. I could use a master rancher like you teaching me.”

  Bill guffawed. “Master? I don’t know about that. Just years and years of experience. The place grows on you, and it takes time. But if we lived around here, I’d take you up on it. I miss riding out and checking cattle. I even miss checking fence, and I never thought I’d say those words.”

  “Anytime you’re in town, come over. You’re always welcome. In fact, you’re more than welcome.”

  “I appreciate it, Ryder.” His voice was gravelly. “You’re doing a good job here.”

  “That’s kind of you to say.” The praise lifted his spirits, but he was well aware of all the ways he didn’t measure up.

  “I wasn’t saying it just to say it.” Bill gave him a shrewd sideways glance. “You’ve got good instincts, and the improvements you’re considering will bring in extra revenue in the long run. Ranching isn’t only about knowing cattle—it’s a business, son, and you’ve got the head for it.”

  A sudden rush of emotion hit him, but he’d tuck the words aside to enjoy later. The side door to the house was a few feet away, and he had his ex-wife to contend with.

  He opened the door for Bill, and they took turns washing up before entering the kitchen.

  Ryder took in the scene like a snapshot. Lily sat on a stool at the island with Ivy and Harper on either side, their stools as close to hers as they could possibly get them. Mandy was making small talk with Eden as Eden poured coffee. Joanna was watching Lily and the girls with a puzzled expression on her face.

  Lily’s phone rang, and she stood and raised her finger to the girls, her face aglow. “Sam? Yes…” She left the room, her heels clicking across the hardwood floor.

  The twins noticed him then. “Daddy! Mommy came early and she loves her presents…”

  “What a good surprise, huh?” He kept his tone upbeat for their sake. Personally, he wished she had arrived when she’d said she would.

  “We’ll get out of here.” Joanna crossed over and gave Ryder a hug. “I’m sure you want some family time.”

  Eden startled. “Oh, yes, I’m leaving, too. It was nice to meet you, Mandy.”

  “Yes, nice to meet you. Delicious muffins, Joanna.” Mandy hitched her thumb toward where Lily had disappeared. “I’ll just get some air…”

  Normally, Ryder would ask them all to stay, but this visit would be best done alone. The girls deserved uninterrupted time with their mother.

  He followed them all to the door and held it open for them to leave. The twins stood in front of him, waving and saying their goodbyes. He sensed Lily come up behind him, and she called out goodbye, too. He tried to meet Eden’s eyes, but her glance back lasted only a split second.

  A large black SUV with tinted windows was parked outside. Lily’s security detail, most likely.

  With the Pages gone, he closed the door and straightened his spine. “Hello, Lily.”

  “Ryder.” She tilted her head as her features transformed to her wide-eyed, I-have-bad-news-but-am-totally-not-to-blame expression. He’d seen it many times. His temples started to throb. She smiled. “You look good.”

  “You, too.” He willed himself not to clench his jaw. “A little surprised to see you. Thought you were arriving tomorrow night.”

  “There was an unexpected break in my schedule.”

  The twins were watching them in silence.

  “Where’s Mandy?” he asked.

  “She needed to make some calls. She’s hanging out with Andre.” Lily pointed to the door. He figured Andre was in the SUV.<
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  “She’s welcome to stay inside.”

  “That’s okay.”

  “Well, why don’t we go to the living room.” He extended his arm. The girls skipped ahead and sat on the couch, patting it for Lily to sit with them, which she did. He eased his aching joints into the chair across from them. “We’re glad you could come.”

  A calculated look flitted through her eyes. If he didn’t know her better, he’d convince himself he was imagining it. But he did know her.

  It was another sign that unpleasant news was pending.

  He wanted to sigh and run his fingers through his hair, but he needed to keep up a strong front for the girls. Whatever bad news Lily was about to share would be best heard alone.

  “Harper, Ivy, can you give your mother and me a few minutes to talk? Why don’t you play with the kittens in one of your rooms for a little bit?”

  “But Daddy…” Ivy whined.

  “I know,” he said. “You’ll see lots of Mommy, don’t worry. Just for a bit, okay?”

  “Yes, Daddy.” They slid off the couch and meekly trudged upstairs.

  “What’s going on?” he asked when the coast was clear.

  “What do you mean?” She crossed one leg over the other. The red stilettos reminded him of sharp, bloody weapons.

  Usually this would be the time he goaded her into an argument about arriving early without warning him, but he could tell something was off. And a sense of calm permeated his body as he studied the stunning woman he’d once loved.

  He didn’t feel an ounce of anything for her anymore.

  Not anger. Not love. Not guilt.

  The silence stretched until her chin rose. “I do have some news, actually.”

  “Oh?” He prepared himself for the announcement of a three-movie deal with extensive worldwide travel. Or she’d landed a series and would be working sixteen-hour days all summer. Maybe she was moving to France. Who knew? He was used to it, and for the first time it evoked no reaction from him.

  “Sam and I…” She averted her eyes, her thumb and index finger rubbing together in a nervous tic. “This isn’t… I don’t know why this is so hard…”

  Uncertainty pooled in his gut. Who was Sam?

  “We’re getting married.”

  A strange sensation spread through his body. She was getting married. To Sam. But he didn’t know a Sam. She’d moved in with Derrick when she left him.

  “Who’s Sam?” He was surprised his voice sounded so normal.

  “Sam Pendleton. The producer of Shimmy Lies.” She made it sound as if everyone knew Sam Pendleton. Everyone in Hollywood probably did. He’d stopped caring about that scene long ago.

  So she was getting married. He supposed he should be upset, but he wasn’t. He didn’t know what he felt. Maybe nothing at all.

  “Okay.” He leaned back in his chair.

  Two tiny wrinkles appeared above the bridge of her nose. “That’s all you’re going to say? Okay?”

  “Congratulations?” What did she want from him?

  Her tongue worked over her teeth under her tightly closed lips. “We haven’t set a date yet, and naturally, we’ll be keeping it a tight secret for security reasons. The twins will be flower girls.”

  The twins. His heart dropped. While the idea of her getting remarried didn’t bother him, it would definitely bother the girls.

  “After you tell them—” she’d adopted her sweet, innocent persona, the one he’d fallen in love with way back when “—I’ll send my stylist out here with dress samples and to have them fitted.”

  Now he understood the previous glint in her eye. It wasn’t because she’d worried about his reaction to her news.

  She didn’t want to tell the girls she was getting remarried.

  She wanted him to do it.

  She expected him to do her dirty work.

  “The stylist is fine with me.” He shrugged, keeping his cool. “But you have to tell the girls yourself. They need to hear it from you.”

  “Me?” She stood, fanning herself, and began to pace. “But Ryder, you’re with them all the time. They’ll take it better from you.”

  “Lily, they’ve been bouncing off the walls all week they’ve been so excited to see you. I can’t be everything for them.”

  “Everything?” She gave him a look that said get real. “Don’t be dramatic. You’re out all day living out some cowboy fantasy. Nanny Eden is spending all the time with them.”

  “It’s not Nanny Eden,” he said through clenched teeth. “It’s Auntie Eden, and she isn’t the nanny. She’s a good friend of mine who is doing me—doing us—a favor.”

  “Well, if she’s such a good friend, maybe the girls would take the news better from her.”

  His jaw dropped. Had she really just suggested that Eden tell the girls about her upcoming nuptials?

  Selfish. She’s unbelievably selfish. What did I ever see in her?

  The familiar anger and resentment started building steam within him. He curled his fingers into his palms. Let it go. Don’t get worked up. She’s not worth it.

  He took a deep breath. “Lily, they need to hear it from you.”

  “Why? What’s the big deal?” She tossed her hair. The motion was all bravado. Her eyes revealed her fear. “They’ll adore Sam. He has three kids, too.”

  Three kids? Ugh. The girls would have stepsiblings. And who knew how they were being raised. Would Lily start wanting to have regular visitations? Would she expect the girls to be best friends with their new stepbrothers and stepsisters?

  “His kids are older, of course.” Lily flicked her fingernails. “His youngest is in college.”

  He wasn’t entirely sure why he was so relieved to hear it.

  “This all happened quickly. Sam wanted to put a ring on it.” She pointed to the gigantic engagement ring Ryder hadn’t noticed until now. Then she sat again, letting her forehead drop into her hands. “Of course I had to say yes, but I didn’t realize how hard all this would be.”

  Of course she had to say yes? What an odd phrase. And that was when it hit him. She was already looking for a way out of the engagement. Just like she’d gotten out of their marriage and how she continually shirked her duty to the girls.

  He saw her clearly, maybe for the first time.

  Lily hadn’t left him because of something he did or who he was.

  She’d left him because she couldn’t handle commitment.

  Pity for her swept through him. To the outside world, Lily had it all. But he knew the truth—she rejected what really mattered. She was missing out on the most important things in life.

  He went over and sat beside her.

  “You don’t have to marry him, Lily, but I don’t think this is about him.”

  “You don’t?” She glanced up at him.

  “Do you love him?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Then give him a chance. Be honest with him. Don’t walk away from him the way you did me.”

  As his words sank in, her face fell.

  “If you need moral support telling Harper and Ivy about getting remarried, I’ll be right there with you. Do you want to tell them now? Or do you want to wait until next week before you leave?”

  “About that…” She had the grace to flush.

  He didn’t even get irritated. He knew her well enough to know she’d never planned on staying an entire week. It had sounded good. Something a caring mother would do. And for Lily, words were more important than actions.

  “I’m heading out tomorrow night.” She flashed him a quick look. “I have rehearsals…”

  Instead of railing at her or giving her the silent treatment or even pleading with her to change her mind, he simply nodded. “Then I guess we’d better make the most of your visit. I’ll get the girls. You might as well tell them now.�
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  He stood and turned in the direction of the stairs. Tonight was going to be rough on the twins. But his heart grew lighter with each step.

  He finally had peace about his marriage and divorce.

  Lily couldn’t handle being perceived as anything but America’s sweetheart. Telling him one thing and doing another was her way of convincing herself good intentions were enough.

  He’d married her thinking he didn’t deserve her. But now he understood the truth—she didn’t deserve him.

  Ryder paused in the doorway of Ivy’s room, where the girls sat on the floor whispering.

  “Why don’t you two come downstairs?” He smiled at them. “Your mother has something to tell you.”

  Gone was their joyful exuberance. Gone was their excitement about seeing their mother. They both stood. Ivy reached for his left hand, and Harper reached for his right. Together, they walked down to the living room.

  Please, Lord God, help me comfort them when Lily breaks it to them.

  He wished Eden was here. She’d know how to soothe them. She’d know what to say.

  God, I need her. I need Eden. Not just for the summer. Not just for the girls.

  When Lily’s visit was over, he was going to figure out how to tell Eden the truth.

  He needed her. Forever.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “I was surprised at how often Lily checked her phone,” Eden’s mother said as she poked her fork into the mound of mashed potatoes and gravy on her plate. Dad sat next to her, attacking his order of meat loaf with gusto. Eden and her parents had driven to Riverview Lounge after leaving Ryder’s place.

  “I’m sure she’s busy.” Eden hadn’t really noticed. She’d been lost in her own little world—a world that had seemed to shrink the instant Lily appeared in her fabulous red shoes, stylish outfit and perfect hair.

  The fantasy was officially over.

  “I didn’t like how she referred to you as the nanny, and she wasn’t there five minutes before she took a phone call. Didn’t she notice how excited the girls were to see her?” Mom patted her lips with her napkin and shook her head. “All that work you put into those gifts and books—and she said the right things, but it was like her heart wasn’t in it.”