RILEY
A Men of Clifton Montana Novel
Book 6
Susan Fisher-Davis
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Erotic Romance
Riley Men of Clifton, Montana Book 6
Copyright © 2016 Susan Fisher-Davis
First E-book Publication: April 2016
Cover design by Amy Valentini
Edited by Amy Valentini/Romancing Editorially
All cover art copyright © 2016 by Susan Davis
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER: Blue Whiskey Publishing
Dedication
To my beta readers: Toby, Kelly, Dedee, & Kelli
I appreciate everything you do for me.
To Amy Valentini, my editor and friend. Without you, I wouldn’t be here.
To my husband who knows to leave me alone when I’m in the cave.
To Orestis Papapetrou for being Riley.
To my readers for your constant support.
Chapter One
Riley Madison gripped the steering wheel of the rented Silverado pick-up with both hands, and swore as he tore down Main Street in Clifton, Montana. It was the last place he wanted to be. Coming home was something he'd put off for years but now the old man was dead, and he had left Riley the ranch. What the hell? Why would the son of a bitch leave the ranch to the son he’d hated since the day he was born? No, that was wrong. His father hadn’t actually hated him until the day he made Riley’s mother leave. However, he was the son the old man had beaten the hell out of every chance he got after making her leave.
Shaking his head, Riley realized nothing about it made sense. The old man had forced Riley’s mother to leave home when Riley was only six years old. Riley snorted at the thought. She had gotten away from Roscoe Madison but left her child behind to deal with the anger the old man felt over her leaving—even though the old man had forced her to go.
Riley’s hands twisted around the steering wheel until they ached, his anger still with him even after all this time. Who knew, when he was here for Ryder’s wedding last year, he’d be returning so soon. He had come here the day before the wedding and left immediately after because he didn’t want to spend any more time in this town than he had to. Now he was back.
The town itself hadn't changed much in the ten years he'd been gone. The same old brick buildings lined both sides of the street, but now so many more people filled the sidewalks. Where had they all come from? It was early June, and damn hot out, but the sheer number of people wandering around was puzzling. When a little girl suddenly ran into the street in front of him, Riley’s guts lurched into his throat as he slammed on the brakes. She fell to the ground in front of the truck and his heart nearly stopped. Riley threw the gear into Park and quickly jumped out. He ran to her, and bent down to check that she was all right. An adorable little cherub smiled up at him showing him her little teeth. Her blue eyes sparkled. Riley couldn't help but smile back. He scooped her into his arms.
“You almost hit her,” a woman shouted from behind him.
Holding the little girl, Riley straightened up and turned toward the woman when all of a sudden, he couldn't get enough oxygen into his lungs. She was beautiful. Her long, dark brown, almost black hair, swirled around slender shoulders and thick lush lashes surrounded baby blue eyes. There might be a sprinkling of freckles across her nose, but he couldn’t tear his attention away from her mouth. A cupid's bow, he believed they called it. A bowed upper lip and full lower lip that he wanted to take between his teeth. He mentally shook his head when he remembered she’d yelled at him.
“Well, I almost hit her because she ran out in front of me. You should’ve been watching her better.” Riley clenched his jaw, pushing down the anger roiling in him since his arrival in town.
The woman gasped. “Do not try to tell me how to take care of my child.”
“Obviously, someone needs to,” Riley shouted back. He scanned the crowd behind her. “Where’s your husband? He's as careless as you are.”
The woman stepped closer to him and he saw her clench her jaw. “He’s dead. Now, give me my daughter.” She reached for the little girl, who had been watching the shouting match like a tennis game, her innocent gaze traveling back and forth between the two adults.
Her reaction might as well have been a slap across his face. “I’m sorry.” His voice a low whisper then he looked at the little girl who was staring at him. Suddenly, she squeezed his nose between her tiny fingers.
Unable to resist her, Riley smiled. “You’re a little beauty and a flirt, aren't you?” He laughed when the little girl giggled and clapped her hands.
Still grinning, his gaze shifted to the woman who was glaring at him with her arms outstretched. “My daughter—please.”
Nodding, Riley handed the woman her daughter, and then he put his fingers to his straw cowboy hat, turned, and climbed into his truck. After one more glance at them, he continued driving down the street again. Much slower this time.
Who was she? He sure didn't remember her being here ten years ago. There was something familiar about her though. The town looked as if it were booming with business. When had that happened, and how? No one had mentioned anything about this at Ryder’s wedding. Of course, all of his old buddies were too interested in seeing Ryder get married to talk about anything else.
As a teenager, Riley had hated this place and wanted out as soon as possible. He was twenty-three before he was able to leave. Taking care of the ranch had always been his first priority. Then the night came when the old man was drinking and started in on him again. Telling him, he was no good just like his mother. He hit Riley across the back with a rake handle, knocking him to the ground. When he raised the rake to hit him again, Riley jumped up and took it from him. It had taken every ounce of his willpower not to strike him with it. Riley threw it across the stall, but his dad came at him swinging. Riley had had enough and punched the old man in the face. He’d fallen to the ground with blood pouring from a busted lip. It was then he told Riley to leave and never come back. Riley had stood over him, glaring down at him. His dad had yelled for him to go so he did, and never looked back. For ten years, he never looked back or talked to his father again. Now the angry old man was dead, and had left h
is ranch to Riley.
His foot got a little heavier on the gas when he reached the edge of town. He released a string of curse words when he saw the red and blue lights flashing in his rearview mirror. What else could happen today? Riley pulled the truck over along the side of the road and stopped. Probably some young rookie looking to make an impression. This oughta be good. He put his window down and had his driver's license, proof of insurance, and registration ready.
“You in a big hurry?” a deep voice asked taking the items from his hand.
Riley whipped his head toward the window. It wasn’t some cocky rookie standing there at all. He pursed his lips. This day was just getting better by the minute. “I might have been. Why? What's it to you?”
The sheriff turned his head away, but not before Riley saw the man start to grin.
“Step out of the truck, please,” the sheriff requested in an authoritative tone, but one that hinted of a stifled chuckle.
Sighing, Riley opened the truck door, and stepped out. He leaned back against the truck with his arms folded across his chest. He eyed the sheriff standing in front of him.
“Why are you out stopping speeders? Don’t you have deputies for that?”
“So you admit you were speeding. I do this once in a while…you know, keep a presence and all.” They stared at each other.
All of a sudden, Riley laughed softly and held out his hand. “How the hell are you, Sam?”
Sam Garrett and Riley Madison had been the best of friends growing up. Riley spent more time at Sam’s place than his own, and Sam knew all about Riley’s father. Hell, everyone knew about Riley’s father.
Chuckling, Sam shook Riley’s hand. “I’m good. It's good to see you again, Riley. Sorry about your dad.”
Riley cleared his throat. “Why? I'm not. I'm glad the son of a bitch is dead.” He stared off into the distance.
“I suppose you would be,” Sam murmured. “Are you heading for the ranch?”
Riley nodded. “I can't believe he left it to me. He hated me as much as I hated him.”
“What are you going to do with it?” Sam leaned against the truck beside him.
“Fix it up and sell it. I have no reason to stay in Clifton. Flipping houses is what I’m good at now. I've made a lot of money doing it. Texas has been good to me.”
“Yeah, I know.” Nodding, Sam handed Riley his documents back. “Slow down or next time, I'll drag your ass in.”
Riley chuckled. “You can try, Sam.”
Laughing, Sam tapped the Glock G17 in its holster. “I don't have to try. I can do it.”
“You cheat, Sam.” Laughing, Riley climbed back into his truck.
“It’s good to see you, Sheriff. Hope to see you around.” He gave his old friend a quick nod as he started the engine before peeling out, throwing gravel everywhere. When he glanced to the rearview mirror, he chuckled seeing Sam staring after him, shaking his head.
****
Kaitlyn Parker held her daughter, Sadie, in her arms and stared after the truck as it roared down the street. Riley Madison. She lifted the collar of her T-shirt and blew down her shirt. The day was hot enough, but that man had her burning up. Riley had always been the sexiest of men she'd ever seen, and she’d seen some sexy men living in these parts. Only Riley, he was sexier than most with the blackest hair, and a faint shadow covering his lower face, neck, and jaw. His straw cowboy hat had sat low on his forehead and his beautiful eyes were the color of fine aged whiskey. His white muscle shirt had stretched tight over his chest and flat stomach, and he’d towered over her by at least seven inches. Kaitlyn stood five foot nine in her bare feet and even though she was wearing wedge sandals today, she’d had to look up and when she did, her heart had slammed into her chest. The man was so damn good-looking with the sexiest eyes no man had a right to have. She groaned because she knew this was a complication she did not need. Yeah sure, she wanted to fall in love again and have a good man in her life, especially after the disaster of her failed marriage, but Riley Madison was not the man to fall for. Although, if she had to admit it if only to herself, she’d secretly dreamed about him for years. She wanted…no, she needed a man to love her, to worship her, and desire no other woman other than her. Unlike her ex-husband, who’d kept a mistress. Shaking the thoughts from her head, she knew the next man in her life could never be Riley Madison.
Sadie wiggled to get down, returning Kaitlyn’s thoughts to the present. Kaitlyn crouched and lowered Sadie to the ground. “Don’t go running off again, Sadie. That was very bad,” she scolded, but then smiled when Sadie grabbed her nose.
It was her almost two-year-old daughter’s newest thing. She did it to everyone who held her. Riley had smiled when Sadie had squeezed his nose. Kaitlyn would love to squeeze his…no. Do. Not. Go. There. So he was hot, so what?
Holding tight to Sadie's hand, they maneuvered through the crowd on the sidewalk. Most of the people were tourists, thanks to the Clifton Bed and Breakfast. People came from across the states and Canada to stay at the B and B, and the adjoining cabins to enjoy horseback riding, trail rides, camping, riding lessons, and shopping sprees in the quaint little town. Kaitlyn owned a flower shop and greenhouse, which now flourished during the months of April through early October when the B and B was open. Kaitlyn thanked Becca Stone almost daily for opening it. The entire town boomed with business during those months.
“Hi Katie,” a woman spoke from behind her. Kaitlyn spun around and smiled at Olivia Stone. It seemed no matter how old or successful she became, the people of Clifton would always call her Katie.
“Hi Liv…how are you?” Kaitlyn smiled. She genuinely liked Olivia and was glad she’d become a member of the large Clifton family.
“Just great.” The beautiful violet-eyed woman gazed around Kaitlyn and smiled at Sadie. “Hi Sadie.”
Sadie giggled and put her arms up for Olivia to pick her up, which she did of course. No one seemed immune to Sadie’s adorable charms. Olivia balanced her on one hip. Sadie squeezed Olivia's nose, and then played with her long black hair.
“Are you heading for your shop?” Olivia asked, tickling Sadie’s belly making her giggle.
“I am. We just finished lunch and I need to get back. I hate leaving Madilyn there alone when there are so many people in town.” Kaitlyn laughed at her daughter’s playful demeanor.
“Business is good, huh?”
“Yes. It's amazing how well the town does during the summer, and it's all thanks to the B and B.” Kaitlyn reached for Sadie when she suddenly started fussing. “Sorry, Liv…she’s getting another tooth.”
“Just wait until she hits two in a few more months.” Olivia smiled.
Kaitlyn groaned at the thought, but knew it was coming. “I think she's practicing for the terrible twos already. She ran out in front of a truck a little while ago. Thankfully, the man stopped in time.”
“Who was it?” Olivia gave her a concerned look. Being a small town, everyone knew each other.
“Riley Madison.” Then she grinned and lowered her voice. “Sinfully hot.”
Olivia laughed. “Oh yeah…I met him at Ryder’s wedding. He is hot. Whew.”
Laughing with her, Kaitlyn knew Olivia might flirt with other men but she was very much in love with her husband, Wyatt Stone, who was one of many incredibly sexy men in the small Montana town.
“I hate that I missed Ryder and Kelsey’s wedding, but Sadie was so sick and I didn’t want to leave her. I haven’t seen Riley since I was fourteen.” Kaitlyn shrugged. “I doubt if I’ll ever see him again either.”
“But you wouldn't mind, would you?” Olivia teased.
Smiling, Kaitlyn nodded. “I used to have a huge crush on him. He’s really something.” She glanced behind Olivia. “Speaking of something, here comes that sexy husband of yours.”
First glancing behind her, Olivia turned back with a sly smile. “He is sexy, isn't he?”
Grinning, Kaitlyn appreciated O
livia’s sigh as her husband came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her neck. Oh yeah, Wyatt Stone was one sexy man. He had that brooding cowboy persona and women swooned over him, but his heart belonged to Olivia. He stood six four with black hair and black eyes. He’d make any woman’s panties melt.
“Hey, Katie…how are you?” Wyatt grinned at her over Olivia’s shoulder.
“I’m good. Just trying to get back to my shop…I should've been back fifteen minutes ago.” Feigning a cringe, she grinned. “Enjoy your day, you two. Wave bye-bye, Sadie.”
Wyatt and Olivia waved to the little girl and then disappeared into the crowd. Kaitlyn rushed into her shop. There were at least ten people inside milling around and waiting to be served. She smiled and apologized to them as she entered through the door. First placing Sadie in her playpen situated by the front counter, she set about helping her employee, Madilyn Morgan wait on the customers.
Kaitlyn loved her little flower shop. She felt a sense of pride looking around the space. There were rows of silk flowers in displays sitting on shelves to the right of the entrance doors. The scent of real flowers filled the large room from vases located on a table in the center. A glass freezer sat behind the counter filled with every color of rose available as well as a variety of other hothouse flowers. To the right of the counter were the doors that led to the greenhouse, where every type of houseplant known to man could be found.
Kaitlyn had worked at the flower shop for a few years before the owner put it up for sale. She was able to buy it when her husband died leaving her a huge insurance policy. Probably to make up for the way he treated me. Kaitlyn snorted in contempt. Seriously doubting that but she couldn’t think of any other reason why Kevin would have her as his beneficiary, when he also had a mistress.
Shaking the morbid thoughts from her head, she smiled at the customers and got to work.
RILEY Men of Clifton Montana by Susan Fisher-Davis FINAL (1) Page 1
