All of a sudden, Kaitlyn thrust Sadie at him, and then went back around the other side and lifted out a large basket from the backseat.
Riley glanced at Sadie in his arms. “Hey, squirt.”
“I brought you lunch. Sandwiches,” Kaitlyn told him carrying the basket around the front of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Sadie giggled and started babbling at Riley. Occasionally, he understood a word but she mostly made no sense as she waved her arms around. Then she squeezed his nose making him laugh. Riley squeezed hers making her squeal.
“Okay if I put her down?”
“As long as I can see her…yes. She has a habit of running off—” Kaitlyn grinned.
Riley laughed. “Yeah, I remember.”
As soon as he set Sadie down on her feet, she took off running. Riley raised his eyebrows and then ran after her. He heard Kaitlyn laughing.
“I warned you,” she yelled.
When Riley caught up to the little girl, he lifted her up and tossed her into the air. She squealed with laughter. Then he put his mouth to her belly and made growling noises. Her little hands clutched his hair. Riley lifted her above his head to get her to let go of his hair. Sadie wouldn’t let go.
“Katie. Help me.” Riley laughed. Kaitlyn ran over to him and took Sadie from him.
“Let go, Sadie-bug,” Kaitlyn scolded, and Sadie finally did.
Taking hold of her little hands, he examined them. “I want to see how much she pulled out.”
Kaitlyn burst out laughing. “None. You’re not bald yet.”
Riley rubbed his head. “Christ, it feels like I should have bald patches.”
“Come get a sandwich.” Kaitlyn carried Sadie to the blanket she had spread out on the grass under a large oak tree. The only shaded area in the yard. A picnic basket sat on it. He doubted this place had ever seen anything so normal and happy. After a slight hesitation, Riley followed them.
****
Kaitlyn sat down with Sadie on her lap and reached into the basket to get out the sandwiches. Riley sat down across from her. His shirt was sticking to him from the heat of the day, and she supposed, from his working hard before she arrived. Kaitlyn tried to keep her eyes off him but it was proving hard to do. She sighed even as her mouth watered at the thought of his hard body beneath her hands and lips. Her gaze skimmed across his chest, lifting it to find him staring at her.
Somewhat embarrassed at being caught ogling him, Kaitlyn dropped her eyes to the sandwich in her hand then handed it to him. Riley took it, pausing as he did to rub his thumb across her wrist.
“Do you…can you…?” Swallowing hard, she felt nervous all of sudden.
“Do I or can I, what?” Riley murmured.
Feeling the heat of a blush rise on her cheeks, Kaitlyn cleared her throat. “I was just wondering when you could come over again?”
Riley leaned across the basket and kissed her. Sadie reached up and put a hand on each of their cheeks making them both chuckle. Sadie crawled off Kaitlyn’s lap and stood. She kissed Riley on the cheek and giggled when he pulled her into his lap and kissed her nose. Kaitlyn nibbled on her bottom lip. Perhaps their coming out here today wasn’t such a good idea. As glad as she was that her daughter was happy, this wasn’t a good thing happening. Sadie was going to fall in love with him too. Too? Oh, dear God, Kaitlyn had fallen in love with him the rest of the way. After last night, how could she not? Her cheeks burned with the memory.
“What’s wrong?” Riley asked over Sadie’s head.
“Nothing. I was…just…nothing,” she murmured, turning her attention to a sandwich unwrapping it.
“Can I see you tonight?”
“Yes. Sure, but I have to get up early.”
Riley chuckled. “I had to get up early this morning.”
Shrugging, Kaitlyn smiled then gazed around, wanting desperately to change the subject. “This land is gorgeous. It’s too bad about the house.”
“I’d bulldoze it down even if it were in perfect condition,” Riley muttered.
“I’d build a beautiful log home…like Olivia and Wyatt live in.”
“I’ve never seen it. I remember the big farm house the Stones grew up in,” Riley said. “I was only in town long enough for Ryder’s wedding last year.”
“Gabe and Emma are living in the house they all grew up in. Jake and Wyatt built beautiful log homes on the land they inherited. I didn’t make it to Ryder’s wedding, since Sadie was sick.” She noticed how he glanced away as if the subject of having a home in Clifton bothered him.
“I’m hoping to get around to seeing everyone before I leave.”
Kaitlyn’s heart hit her stomach, and the piece of sandwich in her mouth seemed to be choking her. Nothing was going to keep him here—especially not a woman with a child. Even though he seemed to enjoy being with Sadie. What was she doing? Setting not only herself up but also her daughter for possible heartache was what. Riley was going to leave as soon as he got the ranch cleaned up and nothing would stop him.
“You’re going to put this place up for sale? Just the land?”
“I might have a house built. Your idea sounds good, a log home maybe,” he said glancing around at the scenery. “Maybe up there on the hill and put a pond in front of it.” Riley pointed over to a wooded area. “What do you think?”
“I think it would be beautiful,” she whispered. Tears were forming and she couldn’t let them fall so Kaitlyn made a pretense of looking through the basket for a bottle of water. Riley reached over and took her hand in his.
“Are you all right?” There was concern in his voice but not for the reason she’d like.
“Yes, of course.”
“I want to kiss you, Katie.” Riley leaned toward her.
Kaitlyn leaned toward him allowing their lips to meet and they both sighed into each other’s mouths. Placing her palm on his lightly whiskered cheek, she drew back. “Riley, I’d love to have you come over tonight.”
“Do you want me to bring a pizza? Can the squirt eat that?”
“Yes. I just have to keep an eye on her with it.” Kaitlyn smiled. “You could come over after she goes to sleep if you’d like.”
“No, I’ll come early. I like spending time with her. She’s adorable.” A smile graced his lips when he glanced to where Sadie now stood staring at a butterfly on a nearby bush. Looking back to Kaitlyn, his eyes darkened. “Just like her mama.”
Kaitlyn blushed. “You didn’t think so before.”
Riley laughed. “You have to admit, you looked nothing like you do now.” He touched her hair. “This was so frizzy. I often wondered if you’d stuck your finger in a light socket.” He leaned away when she swatted at him then he grabbed her wrist and jerked her to him. “I need a kiss, Kaitlyn.”
Hearing her real name on his lips surprised her. “You usually call me Katie.”
Grinning, he winked at her. “Last night I called you Kaitlyn quite a few times.” Chuckling when she felt another blush heat her cheeks, he pressed his lips to hers. Their breaths mingled right before he took her lips in a deep kiss.
“Mama,” Sadie spoke. Kaitlyn pulled back from Riley to look at her daughter.
“Yes, baby?”
Sadie giggled and bounced. “Kiss Riley.”
Her excitement made Riley and Kaitlyn laugh. Then Sadie let out a squeal and ran off. Kaitlyn sighed as she got to her feet to run after her. Just wondering how long it was going to take to corral Sadie, she saw her daughter take a tumble. Her heart almost stopped. Sadie hit the ground hard and just lay there. Riley flew past and was to her in no time. Squatting down beside her, he gently placed his hand on her back.
“Sadie?” Riley whispered genuine concern filling his deep voice. Sadie rolled over and smiled up at him. Kaitlyn heard him sigh as if it was the greatest relief.
“Sadie? Are you all right, baby?” Kaitlyn hovered close by doing a quick check for blood anywhere.
Holding out he
r hand, Sadie showed them a ladybug on her finger. Wanting to laugh and cry at the same time, Kaitlyn pulled her into her arms and ran her hands over her little girl checking for any injuries.
“She’s fine, Katie. Not a scratch,” Riley said with a grin.
Kaitlyn leaned back on her heels. “She’s fascinated by bugs otherwise I’m sure she’d be crying.” Kaitlyn picked Sadie up. “It’s probably time we got going. It’ll be nap time soon.” Her eyes went to Riley. “Will I see you later?”
“Definitely. I’ll be over around six.” When his eyes lingered on her lips, she blushed wishing for more than a picnic on that blanket under the tree.
After Riley helped her clean up the picnic, she and Sadie left. As she drove down the driveway, she glanced in the rearview mirror to see Riley standing there with his hands on his hips watching her go. You’re in so much trouble, Kaitlyn Garrett Parker.
****
Riley watched until Kaitlyn’s car disappeared down the road then decided to return to work. Pulling his shirt off, he tossed it into the truck before walking back inside the house. The only remaining things left on the lower level of the house were some old newspapers. Taking a deep breath, he gazed up the stairs to the top landing, dread filling him at the thought of going up there. Grow some balls, Madison! He egged himself on as he slowly climbed the steps.
Reaching the top, Riley turned and strode right past his old room. All he could remember about that room was cowering in it when he was a child. After he grew up, he stayed out of it most of the time. In the summer months, he’d sleep in the hayloft. A lot of the time during the winter months, he’d sleep on the couch and get up before the old man did.
Riley shook his head, a grin finding his lips as he thought about Kaitlyn, still finding it hard to believe that she was little Katie. Chuckling softly, he thought about how much trouble he would’ve been in, had he known then, what he knows now. She was so young then, he never really noticed her except for the frizzy hair and braces. It seemed like that was all she’d been except she already had those long legs. Kaitlyn was tall, possibly close to five ten. It was only logical since Riley knew Sam was six five and both their parents were tall. Closing his eyes, he remembered how those long legs had wrapped around him and knew he was hoping tonight, they would be again. Taking a deep breath, he squared himself and headed toward the old man’s room.
Riley stood outside the threshold and glanced around inside the room. Everything neatly in its place, the room would have looked normal except for the layer of dust everywhere. He was shocked to see the bed made. Apparently, his father hadn’t been in the room for a long time.
Stepping into the room, Riley took a mental accounting of everything. The mahogany furniture was still in great condition so he thought he’d check around to see if anyone wanted it. Burning it seemed a terrible waste of fine woodwork. Leaning against a bedpost, he folded his arms.
“Why the hell is this room so nice? Didn’t you ever sleep in here?” He knew he was talking to an empty room and didn’t expect any answers but somehow, he felt a need to voice the questions. “When was the last time you slept here? The night before you threw my mother out?”
Pushing away from the bedpost, he strolled toward the closet. Opening it, he gasped, staring in shock at the clothing in there. These things had belonged to his mother. Her dresses hung there as if awaiting her return and her shoes were in a rack on the floor. What the fuck was it all doing here? The memories of that day were hazy. Had the son of a bitch thrown her out with just the clothes on her back? Riley wouldn’t put it past him to have done just that.
The dresses and blouses hung in a neat row, color coordinated. Riley moved his hand over them. Pulling out a dress, the memories came crashing down on him. He remembered his mother wearing the white sundress with spaghetti straps and a tight bodice. The skirt had stopped at her knees and he remembered the white sandals she always wore with it. His eyes went to the shoe rack and they were there. White T-straps. There were shoeboxes sitting on the floor, some of which looked as if they’d never been opened. Hanging the dress up, he backed away from the closet and quickly closed the door.
Taking a deep breath, Riley turned away from the closet. His eyes landed on the jewelry box on top of the dresser. Hesitantly, he moved toward it. Pulling a drawer open, he saw earrings, bracelets, and rings. Riley remembered his mother wearing jewelry to match her outfits. He’d only been six when she left but he could still see her in his mind, and he remembered her crying when the old man pushed her into her car and told her to get the hell away from him. She’d gazed at Riley and yelled she loved him. Riley grunted. If she’d loved him, why hadn’t she taken him with her instead of leaving him with a brutal, cruel man and why had his father kept all of this stuff? Riley’s mother left twenty-seven years ago yet his old man had kept all her clothes and shoes right where they were when he’d thrown her out. For twenty-seven years? It was incomprehensible.
What should he do with her things? He supposed he could pack them up and donate them. Everything. He didn’t want any of it. Taking out his cell phone, he called Sam.
“Hey, Sam, I have a question. Where can I donate clothes and jewelry?” Riley asked when Sam answered.
“Jewelry? I’m not real sure about that but clothes can be taken to the thrift store. What kind of jewelry? Real or fake?”
“Shit, I don’t know. My…mother’s jewelry box is here. It’s full of all kinds of things. Do you know anyone who would know if it’s real or not?”
“Take it to Kline’s on Main Street,” Sam suggested.
“Yeah, all right. Thanks, Sam,” Riley told him.
“Hey, you want to get together for dinner tonight?”
Shit! “I can’t tonight. What about tomorrow night?”
“Sure. Just call me. Take it easy.” Sam hung up.
Running his hand over his face, Riley blew out a breath. If Sam knew Riley had blown him off for Kaitlyn, he’d be there in a heartbeat to kick his ass. This was so wrong. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Katie and he knew he would in the end. It wasn’t hard to see she wanted him to stick around, but he couldn’t do it. Being here made him physically ill.
Stepping from the room, he practically ran to his truck where he clambered inside, fired it up, and tore out of the yard, his tires flinging gravel everywhere. All he could see in the rearview mirror was dust.
Not realizing he was heading there, Riley steered his truck toward the cemetery when he saw the entrance, and drove up the long gravel road. Slamming on the brakes, he sat in the truck staring in the direction of his father’s grave. His hands tightened around the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. Throwing open the door, he trudged through the tall grass and stood over the gravesite.
“You really were a bastard, weren’t you?” Riley sneered. “You threw her out with nothing but the clothes on her back, and without me.” He kicked a rock and sent it soaring. “I wish you were here right now so I could tell you to your face what I think of you.” His fists clenched at his sides, wanting to roar but he kept it inside. “Why? How am I ever going to know why you did what you did? Where’s my mother? Why hasn’t she ever contacted me?” He kneeled down. “Why did you make her leave?” Tears began to burn his eyes and blur his vision. “I’m not crying over you, you selfish bastard. I’ll never cry over you.” Hearing the sound of a vehicle on the gravel road, he glanced behind him. Recognizing his friend, he waited for Sam to get to him.
“How did you know I was here?” Riley asked, wiping his arm across his face.
“I saw you pull in here. I gave you a few minutes alone.” Sam shrugged.
“I don’t need time alone,” Riley growled, turning away.
“I think you do,” Sam said in a quiet voice.
Riley snapped his head around. “Why would I?”
“You need to bury your feelings with him. Your hatred is going to tear you apart, Riley. He’s dead and gone. Let it go.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Sam. I let it go a long time ago.”
Sam snorted. “Okay, if you say so.”
Riley marched to him and halted in front of him, his fists clenching at his sides. “I do say so, Sam. You have a problem with that?”
Sam stepped closer. “You really want to go there?” he murmured.
Riley clenched his jaw and then blew out a breath. Getting into a fight with his best friend wouldn’t change anything. “No. I just…” He glanced away. “I hated him and now since I found my mother’s clothes and jewelry, I’m wondering what the hell happened that he would make her leave with nothing, without any of her clothes, shoes, or jewelry—or me.” Riley shook his head. “I had to get out of that house but I need to go back now, and go through the bedroom again.”
“You want some help?” Sam asked him, his hand on Riley’s shoulder with the earlier near confrontation already forgotten.
Riley shook his head. “I have to do this by myself. Thanks though.”
Sam gave him a brief nod. “I’ll see you tomorrow night for dinner.” Giving Riley a mild slap on the back, he strode away.
Riley squatted down and stared at the marker. The old man didn’t even have a headstone. He probably never considered needing one. Roscoe Madison had thought he was invincible. Riley had begun to think he was too, for a long time. It seemed like the bastard kept going no matter what. No matter how falling down drunk he was, he always got back up and God help anyone who got in his way. Riley exhaled, stood, and headed back to his truck. He never wanted to come back here again.
Chapter Six
Kaitlyn ran her hands down the front of her sundress. It was a pretty blue and matched her eyes almost exactly. Matching wedge sandals were on her feet. They added a few more inches in her height, bringing her to a full six feet. She smiled thinking about kissing Riley and not worrying about standing on her tiptoes. Giggles, interspersed with an occasional squeal, interrupted her musings.
Watching Sadie run around the kitchen with her stuffed bunny made Kaitlyn laugh aloud. The thing had seen better days but Sadie wouldn’t part with it. When the doorbell rang, her daughter just about jumped out of her skin.
RILEY Men of Clifton Montana by Susan Fisher-Davis FINAL (1) Page 7
