“Family photos.” Leigh beamed. “I love looking at old photo albums.”
“Here you go.” Dani handed her an old, red book marked Wedding Album. “Start here. It’s one of our early books.”
Parker retrieved a bottle of apple juice out of the fridge. “My mother has been obsessive about capturing the Carson family moments. We have slides and video cassettes around here somewhere too.”
“Yes, excuse me for wanting to chronicle the most important people in my life.” Dani put on the glasses on a chain around her neck and opened another album. “Your father always looked good in a cowboy hat.”
“Mr. Carson was a very handsome man.” Leigh leaned in to get a closer look at one of the photos.
“Honey that was when a man was a man. They didn’t manscape and preen in the mirror. They showered, put on a clean pair of underwear, and were out of the door.” Dani laughed.
Sam shook her head. “And used deodorant if we were lucky.”
“No need for deodorant.” Parker raised a finger. “Daddy said if you didn’t come home stinking, you didn’t put in a hard day’s work.”
“I was OK with that sentiment until Deke and Solomon started emitting that manly musk they call hormones and stunk up the house with their marginal grooming habits.” Dani sighed.
“Boys will be boys. Soon Sam will be chasing after the boys with a stick of deodorant, begging them to use it.” Parker laughed.
“Yeah, they get a kick out of how sweaty and stinky their uncles get.” Sam sighed. “What I wouldn’t give for a polite, sweet-smelling little girl around the house.”
The ladies looked at her. It was the first time Sam had lamented about wanting a girl.
“Does that mean you’re thinking about giving it another go for a girl?” Leigh asked playfully.
Sam shook her head. “When I want to feel all cute and frilly I go spend time with Mackenzie. When she’s not socking someone in the eye at school for calling her Red, she throws a mean tea party.”
The ladies all laughed.
“She basically gave Avery her requirements for being a flower girl,” Parker replied. “She’s one little girl who knows what she wants and doesn’t take any crap.”
“She’s smart and feisty.” Dani glanced at her. “How are Wyatt and Avery? Did they set up a gift registry yet? I want to give them an engagement present.”
“It should have been listed on the invitation I sent you.”
“You know our mother is a skimmer. A weird quality for an attorney.” Sam took a photo out of the album for closer inspection.
“She never skimmed when she was reviewing our report cards,” Parker said.
“True,” Sam agreed. “I saw a really nice photo frame. I was thinking of doing a collage for them from the time they met until now. If there were ever two people who were suited for each other. The Blake men almost flipped a collective lid when Wyatt set his sights on Avery. It was obvious he was smitten the day he laid eyes on her.” Sam got up and retrieved mugs from the cupboard. “Sort of like you and Riley when you first met.”
Leigh smiled. “I’ve never heard the Parker-Riley origin story. Do tell.”
“Riley and I met while he was chasing Avery,” Parker said.
“Excuse me?” Leigh said.
“Riley had a thing for Avery. He was trying his best to woo her, but her heart belonged to Wyatt.”
“Let me add some details because Parker’s leaving everything out.” Sam turned off the whistling kettle. “Riley was a bad boy in every sense of the word at that time and thought it would be an excellent idea to poke the bear and date Seth’s niece to piss him off.”
“Ah, the old she’s off limits taboo,” Leigh said. “My brother Chance doesn’t date a woman unless at least three people are going to be pissed off about it.”
Sam nodded. “Riley’s even said that once he checked his libido, he knew it wasn’t about Avery. It was about having something good in his life like Seth.”
Parker’s ears perked up. She’d never heard that from Riley. “When did he tell you that?”
“Riley and I talk all the time.” Sam poured the hot water into the mugs.
“Oh really?” Parker put the sugar dish, spoons and cream on the table…maybe with a little more force than was absolutely necessary.
Dani snapped her fingers. “He told me that was the most honest he’d ever been with himself. I have that photo that photographer took of them for the team’s newsletter the day they met. I put it in their photo album.”
“Wait? What? Why are you two talking to Riley?”
“Look!” Sam honed in on a page her mom had turned to while talking. “Look at you, Half-Pint. Remember that rag doll you used to tote around everywhere? It’s like Deacon and that stuffed lion he loves.”
“And was fiercely protective of it. Wouldn’t let anyone go near it,” her mother chimed in.
“Yeah, sort of like how she jumped in front of Riley when she thought the guys were going to do something to him.”
“I did not.” Parker bit her lip.
“You were in your ready-to-kick-ass stance. I don’t know if you knew it, but you were going to do battle over your boyfriend.”
Parker took a look at her younger self in the picture. She had a death grip on that doll. She remembered she never went anywhere without it. It was a comfortable friend and her security blanket. She didn’t want anyone to take it away. It was sort of how she felt about Riley. She was scared someone was always out to hurt him, and it drove her nuts. Why couldn’t she keep everything she loved locked away so it wouldn’t be harmed? Because that would be the end of Riley’s career. Like it or not, he was a public figure, and he handled it well. She was the one who was afraid to step into the spotlight for many reasons that seemed to be rearing their ugly heads lately.
Fear of losing him. Bouts of insecurity about all of the women who wanted him. He was gorgeous and sought after. Part of her Regency duties was scrutinizing the incoming Tomcats fan mail to flag potential threats. Most of the correspondence was for Riley, and for every veiled threat, there was also some suggestive note for him. Women sent him their photos, emailed videos, posted inappropriate messages on his social media pages, and found other creative ways to try to get his attention.
Every once in a while, she’d think about what it would be like to be married. Sure, they were together and lived in close proximity, but she knew marriage was a much stronger commitment. There were married couples all around her. Her best friend was getting married. It was a delicate dance of compromise, respect, compassion, and trust. She and Riley had all those things, but how could they put that to practical use and move forward? How could she entertain daydreaming about a future with him when there were a million scenarios in which she could lose him?
The startling part was how all of this emotion made her think of her dad. There was still a part of her that was raw from losing her father, and somehow being with Riley had exposed an emotional nerve that desperately needed healing.
She didn’t want to talk about it, so she opened an album and started flipping through it, then stopped on a picture of Sam. “Look. Here’s a picture of Sam. I think she was born a diva.”
Leigh touched her hand. “I think I know how that feels. You finally found the person who makes you aware that there’s something to lose.”
“Ah. Like the lyrics in your song ‘Tender Heart.’” Sam smiled.
“How did you hear that?”
“Rafe plays your music in his office,” Sam replied.
Leigh got teary-eyed. “He’s been so great, wonderful in fact. He’s my biggest fan.”
“I want plenty of photos of you and Rafe for your photo album,” her mother said.
Leigh gave her a quizzical look. “Our photo album?”
“Mom started a book for Rafe when he became part of the family.” Sam smiled.
“And it’s about time my boy started filling it. I want plenty of photos of your upcoming trip to Cali
fornia when you visit your record label.” Dani gave Leigh’s cheek a good squeeze. “I can’t wait until those babies start coming.”
Rafe was part of their family. When he and Sam partnered at Regency, it was a natural fit in her professional life, but it also spilled over and blossomed into her personal one. From the first time Sam had brought him home for dinner, Parker remembered her mother saying that they weren’t potential romantic partners but she felt like she’d gotten another son. They were having such a lovely chat about Rafe coming into the family fold that she almost forgot about how her mom and sister had been talking to Riley without her knowing about it. Sam was a no-brainer; they saw each other often. But her mom?
Parker interrupted the conversation. “Mom, when did you talk to Riley?”
“Which time?”
This was getting worse. “What do you mean ‘which time’?”
“Well, we’ve had lunch at the stadium a couple of times. We went shopping together to get you that crystal snow globe last Christmas that you loved. Then there was that time we went out to dinner when you went out of town to track down leads for that embezzlement case.”
Riley had said he’d had an uneventful week when she’d gone out of town. She hadn’t really believed him but thought she was being overly suspicious. Little did she know, he was going out on dates with her mom.
“I like Riley.” Dani stirred her tea. “He’s charming and funny. Not to mention real easy on the eyes. And before you ask, I wanted to get to know the man who’d stolen my baby daughter’s heart. You’ve always been dismissive about men. I knew this time it was different.”
“Hence their first meeting being pure fireworks despite Riley thinking he liked Avery,” Sam chimed in. “Riley, in his heart, knew he needed some feisty to give him a challenge. Avery being off limits was just a confirmation of what he really needed in a relationship.”
“Exactly.” Dani pointed at Sam. “I think it’s funny how you and Sam claim to be nothing alike, but you both chose the same type of man. Athletic, assertive and successful.”
“You’re right mom.” Sam laughed.
“Uh huh,” Parker said.
“OK, ladies.” Dani went over to the menus. “We need to decide on what we’re going to eat. I have snacks for the little boys, but I think they’re going to tire of fruit salad real quick.”
“Italian, Mexican, or Chinese, but barbecue is the old standby,” Parker added. Her taste buds were all over the place, much like her emotions. She’d underestimated how closely everyone in her life had been observing her and Riley’s relationship. It was a little unnerving.
“Let’s order a little bit of everything,” Sam said.
“Sounds like a great idea,” Leigh replied.
The doorbell rang.
“Who could that be?” her mom said.
“I forgot to mention I invited Hunter over.” Sam stood. “I wasn’t sure if he’d come. He’s kind of a loner, and I thought he’d like to mingle out of the office.”
“What’s his deal?” Parker asked.
“As far as I know he’s single, no kids. He’s nice, but he keeps everything close to the vest,” Sam replied as scampered out of the kitchen.
“Sounds like he’s had his heart broken bad,” Dani replied. “He just needs to get back on the dating horse. A few of the women on my bowling team have single daughters.”
“Well, let’s get him in here and find out the dirt before the men come back and whisk him into hard labor,” Leigh replied.
“Don’t any of you ever get tired of matchmaking?” Parker huffed. “Maybe Hunter likes being single.”
“Nonsense, P.J.” Her mother patted her cheek. “I think everyone deserves to be happy like you and Riley. Now go make sure the boys haven’t opened every box and made a fort.”
Leigh and her mom pored over the menus, writing things down on a notepad while Parker headed into the storage room to see what the boys were up to. It was never a good thing when they got too quiet. When she turned the corner and continued down the hall, she could see the door was closed.
“OK, Trio of Trouble, what are you doing in there?” She put her hand on the knob.
“Nothing!”
She opened the door prepared for anything. If it was too bad, she could threaten to punish, but that was always laughable. They all knew their Aunt Parker was a soft touch. The boys at least hesitated when Riley gave them a command while trying to suppress a smile. The kids adored him. It took all the energy he could muster to be stern. He’d totally be the disciplinarian out of the two of them but in a playful way. Would she be a good parent? Sam told her once that she was terrified that she wouldn’t be a good mom before the kids came, which was ludicrous. She was awesome. She’d just followed the instincts that kicked in where the kids were concerned. She and J.J. were great partners and shared the responsibility of parenting equally. Parker admired them. Not that she’d admit it to Sam anytime soon.
Parker opened the door and, low and behold, the boys had emptied the boxes and made a fort. “Yikes. Boys where are you?”
She heard giggles coming from behind a stack of boxes in the corner.
“Too bad I can’t find you. I’ll never know what you want for lunch. We’re ordering out.”
The kids burst through the boxes and came forward yelling their food preferences. She knew that would get their attention. They were exhausting most of the time, but it was always wonderful to be with them. She loved being Aunt Parker. She marched them out of the room and toward the kitchen.
Raising kids would take teamwork, but she was sure she and Riley would nail it. Just like they did with anything they undertook. They were great wingmen to each other. Maybe having a kid together wouldn’t be so bad…
Chapter Four
Parker opened the door to the old-fashioned air popcorn machine Riley had gotten her for Valentine’s Day and emptied the contents into a huge bowl. Tonight was the airing of the Ultimate Champion episode, and she’d been a bundle of nerves all day. When she woke that morning, it dawned on her that the world, or at least the Ultimate Champion viewership which was millions, would see her on television. The feeling of being vulnerable that came with media exposure always left her feeling uneasy. Riley had to do it. His career demanded it to some extent. But all she could think about were all the nuts out there who thought about doing harm to public figures.
It had been a while since that lunatic from Riley’s childhood had stalked him, but sometimes she had nightmares about it. In the end, they got the bad guy, but knowing someone was out there looking to hurt Riley had rattled her. Now she was in the public spotlight too.
“Parker, get that popcorn out here!” Avery called out. “The show is about to start!”
“I’m coming. I’m coming.”
“Don’t forget the cheddar seasoning and the wine!” Bridgette said.
“Grape juice for you, missy,” Parker yelled back.
She made her way into the other room carrying the popcorn and drinks. It was good to have Avery home.
“What did I miss?” She passed out the beverages, then plopped down on the couch between Avery and Riley.
“Nothing. Just previews of the night’s show lineup on this channel,” Avery responded.
“Did you text everyone in the family?” Wyatt asked.
“Yes. Let’s just that group text took a while. I got hand cramps twice before I finished.”
Parker shook her head. Sam and J.J. were having a viewing party at their house. She’d received a lot of motivational replies, but the photo reply Mackenzie sent on Morgan’s phone got to her. The kids had made a banner saying Go Parker Go! and were all holding it up in a group photo.
Aubrey came running into the living room. “Did I miss anything?”
“Almost. Another call to Theo could have waited until the show was over,” Riley huffed.
Aubrey shot him a dirty look. “I was talking to my friends. I wanted everyone tuned in to watch Parker.”
“Thanks, Aubrey.” Parker gently nudged him in the ribs.
As soon as the campy music came on and show’s logo popped up on the screen, Riley put his arm around her. “OK. Here we go.”
Parker nestled closer to Riley. She didn’t know if it was his calm demeanor or how comfortable she felt with him, but being near him always did the trick.
Everyone cheered when they saw a picture of her in the photo montage as the show opened. She watched as each contestant took their turn on the obstacles, and she noted the different techniques they used to get through them. Like she’d figured, the novices charged into it, while the more experienced athletes gauged each obstacle before tackling it. But for the most part, they seemed like people just like her with regular jobs who’d decided to give the show a go.
She honed in when Damon, the contestant the show’s staff had helped backstage, took a tumble but recovered quickly. She remembered him.
“Ooh, that was amateurish,” Wyatt said. “This guy has competed before.”
“No.” Parker leaned forward to get a better look. “There was something wrong with the obstacle. He finished, but he was hurt. Someone on the production crew was screaming their ass off in the contestant waiting area to take a look at the obstacle. They stopped taping for five minutes.”
Funny, that break didn’t seem like a malfunction. The step seemed to give way when he put his foot on it. They watched and chatted as another grueling forty minutes of performance and commentary went by. She was about to go to the bathroom when her face appeared on the screen.
“Next up is the beautiful and charming Texas native, Parker Carson.”
Riley held her hands when she tried to cover her eyes. Parker wanted to cringe when her bio segment came on. It was strange to hear her own voice, let alone see her image on the screen. Did she really talk like that?
She swallowed hard. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Maybe I should hold the popcorn.” Wyatt laughed and took the bowl away from her.
Hot Pursuit Page 8
