Riley's Reverend

by Kirsten Osbourne

He studied her as he took another bite of pizza. “But he’s never going to know, so that’s just fine.”

  “I might just have to tell him. I have blackmail to hold over you now.”

  “So if I don’t accept your marriage proposal, you’ll go to my boss? How rude!”

  “We’ll see. Every girl needs to have something over the man she’s dating to keep him in line.”

  Blake sighed. “I worry about your thought process, Riley.”

  “I don’t know why. I think I’m making lots and lots of sense.” She took another sip of her root beer. “I’m glad you’re going to be at the Quinn family celebration next week. I really am. My mom called me yesterday morning to ask me about dating you. Then my grandmother called. You’d think at least someone in town wouldn’t be part of the gossip track.”

  “I don’t gossip,” he told her. “I try to head it off at the pass. Tell me, though. If it was one of your sisters dating someone, would you be helping with the gossip?”

  “Maybe. It’s hard to tell sometimes.”

  “Now I’m really worried about you!”

  “Don’t be. I’ll be a good girl. Mostly.”

  “A pastor can’t date or marry anyone else.”

  “Maybe I should tell you the worst thing about me now, then. I’ve dated many men in town, and I’ve never had a relationship last over a week. So I’m thinking we’ll be done around Sunday.” Riley tilted her head to one side, looking at him. “So . . . are you appalled at my revelation?”

  Blake shook his head. “No, at least you got out when you realized it wouldn’t work. I think that’s what everyone should do. A week is usually long enough to know if you’ll suit.”

  “You think so?” She knew her sisters had all gotten engaged quickly, but she didn’t see herself as someone who would want to do the same thing. Of course, she was terribly attracted to the man, but she didn’t believe in sex before marriage, and she had a strong feeling he didn’t as well, so she could see it happening. “Well, if you make it through Memorial Day and still want to see me, I’ll need you to be my date for my cousin’s wedding. June tenth. That’s a good date, isn’t it?”

  “June weddings are supposed to be all the rage. I don’t know, though.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know what’s good or not. Whatever happens works for me.”

  “So tell me what you like to do in your spare time.”

  “I binge watch shows sometimes. I like to four-wheel a lot. In the winter, I like to snowmobile. I like to hike. I like to do a lot of things, but none of them are terribly productive.” She looked around and didn’t see anyone she knew, but she lowered her voice anyway. “Other than the poetry.”

  “Why are you so worried that people will find out you write poetry?” Blake asked. “It sounds like a worthwhile hobby to me.”

  “I just don’t want to be teased about it. I love my hobby, but I know other people kind of look down on poets. Most of the girls I know who write poetry write all kinds of angsty stuff. I don’t do that.”

  “What do you write about?” he asked.

  “Mainly nature-type stuff. You know, ‘Ode to a daffodil’ type thing.”

  He laughed. “Who’s your favorite poet?”

  “Robert Frost. Hands down. ‘The Road Not Taken’ is one of the most brilliant poems ever written.”

  “I can agree with that. I like that one, too. I don’t read a lot, but there are some really funny ones by Ogden Nash, if you like him. When I start performing wedding ceremonies, I’m going to quote his poem ‘On Marriage.’”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sure I know it . . .”

  “To keep your marriage brimming, With love in the loving cup, Whenever you’re wrong, admit it; Whenever you’re right, shut up.”

  She laughed. “You cannot quote that during a wedding ceremony! Have you lost your mind?”

  “Oh, just watch me. I can. I really can.”

  “I’m a little worried about your future as a minister, Blake. I guess you know what you’re doing, though.”

  “I do!” After finishing her pizza, she balled up her napkin and put it on her plate, knowing it would keep her from eating more, which she was apt to do with pizza. She loved pizza almost as much as she loved tacos.

  As soon as he was finished, they got up to leave.

  “This place has good pizza,” he said. “I think it’s some of my favorite pizza I’ve ever had. Who would have thought a town like this would have such good pizza?”

  “I could have told you,” she said with a grin. “Of course, I’ve been eating here since I was a little girl.”

  “So what is the nicest restaurant in town? I mean, I love the pub, and the pizza place is good . . . but for getting all dressed up in a monkey suit and taking your girl out. What’s best for that?”

  “There’s a restaurant in the hotel that’s really nice. Most places in town are fast food or like the pub. The pub is a lot more fun, but the restaurant is nicer. Food is equally good in both places.”

  “Do you realize that you only told me about places to eat owned by Quinns?”

  “I’m a Quinn. What can I say? If you need to go to the doctor, I would recommend my cousin Brooke. If you need a midwife—and I sure hope you don’t—you’d go to my cousin Robyn. If you need a chiropractor, we have those, too. You don’t need to see non-Quinns in Quinn Valley. We have it all covered for you.”

  He chuckled. “Of course you do. What if I want to get a cat?”

  “My cousin Joel is a veterinarian, and he frequently has rescue animals to adopt. Keep it in the family.”

  He walked her to her truck. “No one in the family sells cars?”

  “You know what? You’re right! We need to change that!”

  He shook his head, leaning down to kiss her softly, right there in front of God and everyone. “I’ll text you tomorrow. Or I might even call. I don’t want to go a day without seeing you. I’m counting on propinquity to win you over!”

  “Sounds good to me! I’m counting on it to scare you away before you own my entire heart. Hurry up and get scared, would you? I don’t need a heartbreak.”

  “You won’t get one from me.” He waited until she was settled in her truck and shut the door. “Dream of me,” Blake said through the open window.

  “What else could I possibly dream of?” she asked. Then she slowly drove away, wondering how on earth her heart would be able to make it through this heartache. It was going to be so much worse than anything she’d ever experienced.

  When Riley went to the taco truck for lunch the following day, Blake was ahead of her in line. She quickly texted him. Turn around.

  Blake read the text and turned to see Riley smiling at him, and his heart skipped a beat. She was the prettiest girl in town, in his opinion, but she was also sweet, kind, and smart. He wanted to put her in his pocket and keep her forever. He left the line and walked back to stand with her. “Are you getting those bread pillow things again?”

  “Sopapillas? Only if I have someone to share with.”

  “Let’s drive to your little spot again. I’ll drive so I can drop you at the front door of the hotel.”

  “That might be wise. If my dad sees me sprinting through the hotel like that again, I’m going to get a stern talking to. I know because he told me.”

  He chuckled. “All right. We’ll be more careful today.” He looked over at the picnic pavilion just a short distance from them. “We could eat at one of the picnic tables.”

  She sighed. “That place is always packed. I like quiet lunches. Especially if you’re the one eating with me.” She tilted her head to one side. “Why not eat with me in the employee lounge at the hotel? It’s small, and people will definitely see us, but it would give us a few more minutes together.”

  “Sold. Anything that gets me more time with you is good in my book.”

  “I feel the same.” Riley couldn’t believe this man felt the same about her as she did about him. Didn’t he know he should be
getting ready to dump her by now?

  Ciran grinned at Riley. “So chips and queso, sopapillas, and two tacos? Or three?”

  Riley made a face. “I think I want two of your meat and bean burritos today. They just sound good.”

  Ciran nodded and then looked over at Blake. “Pastor Blake, I’d heard you’d taken up with my baby sister here. The gossip precedes you.”

  Blake wrinkled his nose. “Hey, Ciran. I want to add a root beer and a coke to the order, and I would also like three soft tacos. I ate one of Riley’s yesterday, and I have to say, I now want to try every single item on your menu.”

  “Glad to hear it. I like to stay busy, and I will if you’re trying everything.” He pushed a paper menu at the other man. “The secret items I carry are on the menu. You and Riley should decide what you want, and she can let me know early if you’re going to both make a habit of this. I could have it ready when you get here.”

  “Sounds good. Thank you!”

  Ciran named a price that sounded way too low to Blake. “Are you sure? That’s a lot of food.”

  “I’m sure. You’re getting the family discount, since you’re with Riley.”

  “Thank you!” Blake accepted the bag of food and took one drink while Riley took the other. “See you tomorrow.”

  “That’s my favorite thing my customers say to me! Repeat business rules.”

  Riley headed toward the hotel, walking alongside Blake. When they got to the lobby, her father gave her a strange look before walking over to talk to her. “Riley, introduce me to your man here.”

  Sighing, Riley shook her head. “Dad, you already know Pastor Blake.”

  “I do. I want to be introduced to him as your beau, though.”

  “Beau is such an old-fashioned word.”

  Bob nodded. “It is, but I like it.”

  Riley did her best to smile. “Dad, I’d like you to meet Blake. Blake, this is my father, Bob Quinn.”

  “Are you the one who gave Bobling that terrible nickname?” Blake asked, unable to shake hands because of all he was carrying. “I really feel sorry for him.”

  Bob shrugged. “I can’t remember who came up with Bobling, but I think it’s cute. And it shows Bob power. Don’t you think?”

  Blake shook his head. “Not particularly.”

  “Dad, I don’t have all day for lunch, and our tacos are getting cold.”

  “Go eat. I want to see you at the Memorial Day celebrations at my parents’ house, though.”

  Blake nodded. “I’ve already told Riley I’ll be there.”

  “Good. We all need a chance to look you over.”

  Riley hurried away, sure that Blake was smart enough to follow her quickly. There was no telling what her father would say or do. The man was crazy. She ducked into a room that had a “Private” sign on the door, and he followed her. There were several tables and a few people eating.

  They took a table off in one corner of the room, and both of them unwrapped their tacos. “I still need to know who came up with the nickname Bobling. I think it’s evil.”

  “Oh, it truly is. I wish I knew. Maybe Mom will tell us.”

  A voice from a smiling woman came from above them. “What do you want Mom to tell you?”

  Riley sighed. “I can see eating here was a terrible idea. We’ll hide next time.”

  “Riley Bridget Quinn! You will not speak to your mother that way!”

  “Blake, meet my mother, April Lynn Quinn. Mom, meet Pastor Blake.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Quinn,” Blake said after swallowing his bite of taco.

  April Lynn shook her head. “Oh, you can’t call me Mrs. Quinn. There are way too many of us around here, and it would get incredibly confusing. Call me April Lynn.”

  “You use both names?” Blake asked.

  “Oh, yes. Always have. I was named after each grandmother, the only female granddaughter out of either family. So I have always used both names out of respect for my grandmothers.” April Lynn sat down at the table, and she took a chip and dipped it in the queso. “So you two are having a cozy lunch in the lounge, I see.”

  “We are.” Riley took another quick bite. “I was almost late coming back yesterday, so we decided to eat here.” And now we’re plagued with parents.

  April Lynn looked at Blake. “Where is your family from?”

  “I grew up in Missouri, and my twin sister and my mother still live there. We lost my dad to a heart attack a few years ago.”

  She placed her hand on Blake’s. “I’m so sorry for your loss. When we almost lost my husband last year, I realized how short life is. I’m still sad about it.”

  Blake nodded. “Thank you.”

  “How do you like Quinn Valley so far?”

  “I think it’s a lovely place to live. I grew up in mountains, but they were the Ozarks, which are more like giant hills. The mountains here are so much prettier.” He looked over at Riley, who was calmly eating her lunch. “And I happen to be fond of your daughter, so I’m glad I’m here.”

  “It’s hard not to be fond of Riley.” April Lynn lowered her voice and leaned toward Blake. “Tell me, does she have you carrying crystals yet?”

  He grinned sheepishly. “I keep them in my pocket all the time. I don’t know that I believe they’ll really help me be calm, but they are wonderful when I think of who gave them to me.”

  “I’m glad. You should come see me as well. I bet we could fix you right up.”

  “I don’t believe I’m broken, but thank you for the offer.”

  April Lynn threw her head back and laughed boisterously. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She got to her feet and went to the refrigerator. She pulled something out and stuck it into the microwave, pushing a couple of buttons, before returning to sit with them. “I’m having tacos for lunch, of course, but I got Bob some low sodium meals that he’s eating. Well, he’ll eat them if I push them in his face. He’d rather have the taco truck as well. Ciran is perfecting some great tasting, low-sodium tacos for Bob. He’s a good son-in-law.”

  “I think it’s good of you to take care of your husband that way,” Blake said. “We never got that far with my dad. We didn’t know anything was wrong, and he just died one day.”

  “That’s sad. What does your mother do?”

  “Mom was a stay-at-home mom, and Dad was a firefighter. He had enough life insurance that she’s set for the rest of her life, but I think she’s getting bored. I’m trying to talk her into moving here, but I’m not sure she will. My sister is still in Joplin.”

  “Well, you need to get them out here. Once they see Quinn Valley and soak in our hot springs, they’ll never want to leave.”

  Blake nodded at that. “You’re probably right.”

  “I’m always right. Even ask Riley.” With those words, April Lynn took the food out of the microwave and hurried from the room.

  Blake couldn’t help but wonder what had just happened. The short woman was definitely larger than life.

  Five

  “Is she always that way?” Blake asked Riley, referring to her mother. “She’s like a little tornado, coming in here and blasting her way through life.”

  Riley nodded, enjoying the description of her mother. “That’s exactly what she is. She’s amazing.”

  “My mother is this quiet little mousy thing. The only time I’ve ever really seen her show anger was when my sister was being bullied in school. It’s crazy, but Mom is just your example of a meek woman.”

  “Well, in me, you’re getting someone very different from your mother. I hope you realize that.” Riley didn’t want him to think that she had a meek bone in her body, because she didn’t. “I don’t have meekness in me.”

  “I know that, Riley. I think you’re very special, and I’m not looking for someone like my mom. When Dad died, she had no credit. Everything had been in his name. She had to scramble so much to become a person in her own right and not just his wife. I don’t know if she’s really found an identity yet.” />
  “That’s really sad.” She shook her head. “I want to fly to Missouri and give her some crystals for confidence.”

  “I have no idea what my mother would think of that. She’d probably freak out that I was dating someone who thinks that carrying crystals around gives you confidence. She’s not into that type of thing.”

  Riley took another chip and dipped it before digging into the sopapillas. “I can see that. Our town is big into natural healing, though, so it just seemed natural for me to get involved.”

  “That makes sense.” He reached for a sopapilla and doctored it up the way she’d taught him, biting into it before the butter had even melted. “You know . . . you having so many restaurant discounts in town makes you marriage-worthy in my opinion. Maybe we should talk . . .”

  She laughed. “If we’re still dating after you get the full Quinn experience on Monday, then we’ll talk about it then. I’m just not sure we’re going to survive that.” Silently she was sure they wouldn’t, but she pushed those feelings down. There was no need to be so negative about it. She would hope for the best and expect the worst. Nothing else she could possibly do.

  After she finished her sopapilla, she threw their trash away. “Thanks for lunch. It was lovely.”

  He laughed. “Tacos from a taco truck are not what I meant to be getting my girl for lunch in the first week we were dating. I thought I’d do more fancy stuff.”

  “Oh, this girl will eat tacos from a taco truck any day of the week. Why not? I love them.” She grinned at him. “And Ciran and Roxane are going to be making me an auntie soon, so I love him. I can’t wait to just hold that baby!”

  Roxane walked in then, looking very round. She walked over to Riley. “What’s this I hear about you having a date in the hotel for lunchtime?”

  Riley shook her head at her oldest sister. “Really? The hotel grapevine is almost as bad as the Quinn grapevine.”

  “Well, Ciran texted me,” Roxie said with a grin.

  “Let me introduce you then. Roxie, this is Pastor Blake. Blake, this is my eldest sister, Roxane.”

  Blake couldn’t help but notice the woman’s stomach. “You’re the sister Riley was just telling me about. She said that you and Ciran are about to make her an auntie.”