Because he can?
Because he can what?
I’m not going to get any sleep tonight, I just know it.
Chapter Sixteen
I shakily climbed out of the Dodge, slinging my bag over my shoulder, I straightened my jacket and breathed out. Ready for whatever was lurking behind the door of Pine Ridge Realty.
“Good morning, Riley! How are you?” Sara beamed at me from behind her desk. “Lovely weather we’re having this morning, huh?”
I smiled in agreement. “Good morning. Yes, it’s gorgeous out.”
“Your office is ready! Follow me!” Sara got up and walked toward the back of the building. She opened a door, and stepped back so I could walk in.
My new office was empty…but the view—wow. It faced the back of the building, a forest full of trees but you could see through the thick of trees that there was a clearing. The sun filled the space and I wonder what was back there. Probably just a farmer’s field, I think to myself.
“It’s great, thanks, Sara.”
“Feel free to bring whatever you like in here, make it your own! I’ve already compiled a list of companies we use, for signs, brochures and business cards. Feel free to call any of them and get your name out there!”
“Thanks,” I said, looking around, slightly questioning my decision to start working again. It felt slightly overwhelming, but I was confident I knew this was what I want to be doing…just, unsure if it’s what I want to do here.
“Well, good morning Riley! How are you, dear?” Elsa said, standing in the doorway of my new and barren office. “Has Sara given you all the information for today yet?”
Sara smiled. “I was just telling her about where she can get her business items. But, I haven’t got to anything of the other stuff yet…”
“Other stuff?” I asked, my eyes going back and forth between the two of them like a ping pong ball. I didn’t expect to really do anything on my first day.
“There’s a big listing we’re trying to get, we’ve been trying for weeks, actually. West feels them slipping through his hands, so I was thinking maybe you can tag along for this meeting? I know I’m asking a lot, especially since you’ve literally just walked in, but…” Elsa smiled convincingly. “You’ve just got something about you! I’m sure you can charm the sellers into listing with us!”
Charm them?
I almost got defensive, but I remembered she was my boss and it was probably not a good idea to bite her head off on the first day. But, wait…she wants me to go somewhere with her husband?
Oh, Lord…this was going to be painful.
“I take that as a yes?” Elsa grinned, suggestively.
“Yes,” I said, smiling back at her.
“Great!” She snapped her fingers and Sara produced a file folder. Like she already had this up her sleeve…
Sneaky, sneaky Sara.
“Mr. Casey will be here around nine-thirty to pick you up. Here’s the information on the property, so you can get up to speed!” Sara beamed and handed me a second folder.
I took them, and sat down at my empty desk. Looking at my watch, I had exactly seventeen minutes to comb through the files, and slow the elephant running rampant around in my heart.
I took a few minutes out of reading to text Addison, needing her reassurance that I could do this.
Me: Addy, I’m second-guessing here. HELP!
Addison: What’s the matter? Tattoo?
Me: YES! I need to go somewhere w/him.
Addison: Ohh…shit.
Me: I KNOW.
Addison: Well, you’re strong. You can do this. This is only your job.
Riley: I love you, give my baby girl a kiss.
Addison: Will do. Text me when you can. XO
“Already texting on the clock, huh?”
My hands froze and my gaze slowly lifted up to see Weston standing in my office. I didn’t apologize, I just shoved my phone into the pocket of my jacket and got up from chair. “Shall we?” I asked, grabbing my purse.
“We shall.”
Oh, please.
I rolled my eyes when I walked past him.
He followed behind me, and I could feel his eyes on me. The same eyes that lapped my body in my dream, like I was a saltlick.
“Good luck!” Sara called from her desk.
“Thanks, Sara,” Weston said to her. “Be sure to forward any calls to voicemail. We’ll be out of cell range.”
Shit.
We started walking through the parking lot, and Weston turned around. “On second thought, maybe we should take your truck. The sellers might like how country it is. My car wouldn’t exactly do the trick.”
I gaped. “Okay, let’s go.” I pushed the key fob to unlock the doors of the Dodge, and we climbed in. I turned the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot. “What’s the address again?” I asked.
“8409 East Cottonwood Road,” Weston said, reading from the stack of paperwork in the file on his lap. “Don’t bother with the GPS, I’ll just tell you where to go.”
I almost got snarky and asked him why, then I remembered it’s because he can!
Duh.
“So, here we are.”
“Yep,” I said, quietly.
“You know, I almost fell over when I walked into Elsa’s office last week. I never thought I would have seen you sitting there. I thought Riley was a guy’s name.” Weston closed the file and watched me intently as I drove.
“Why did you almost fall over?” I asked, innocently.
“Oh, is this how we’re going to play it? Like we didn’t almost get naked on the floor of Lander’s.”
I gaped, then chewed my lip while praying not to start laughing. “You’re delirious.”
And I wonder momentarily if something about me screams ‘Calling all Dickheads’?
Weston chuckled, low and lasciviously. “I’m many things, but delirious isn’t one of them.”
I don’t speak again. Instead, I cleared my throat and concentrated on driving.
Twenty miles from the office he told me to turn down another dirt road, and finally pull under a huge wooden banner. Just like Blaine’s, this one was sprawled across the sky. We drove up to a gigantic house…I mean, it was gargantuan. Behind the house sat an even bigger barn. Fencing lined the rolling landscape, and I couldn’t believe how beautiful this place was.
This was probably where they took all the pictures for postcards of Wyoming; and if not, they should.
“The owners should be here soon. Do you want to kill some time?” Weston smirked, shifting in his seat.
“I’d love to,” I said, huskily. “I’m going to take a look around.” I curled my lip into a smile, and got out of the truck.
I walked about the vast property; well, realistically only about one or two percent of it. A Jeep pulled in and parked behind the Dodge. An older couple climbed out and moved toward the house.
“Great to see you again, Mr. Reacher. Mrs. Reacher.” Weston extended his hand and they each took turns shaking it. “This is Ms. Harrison, my associate.”
I smiled. “Nice to meet you. This is just…gorgeous.” I held my palms up, marvelling at their property.
The Reacher’s walked on either side of me while they gave me a tour of their now-vacant home. They have retired, and are selling it in hopes to move permanently to Texas where their grandchildren live.
They asked about me, and I was a little surprised when they did. But, I told them what little I think was interesting enough to keep them from nodding off.
Weston trailed behind us, keeping quiet. I loudly mention my children and Alex, and gushed about how much I loved life in Wyoming.
Mrs. Reacher pulled a small book out of her purse and showed me a photo of her most recent grandchild. When I asked to see the rest her face lit up, and she happily flipped through the pages, telling me the name and age of each child.
“Well, the number you promised to get us. That still on the table, Casey?” Mr. Reacher asked when we made
our way back to the vehicles in front of the house.
“It does, and is that still good with you?” Weston held his hands together at his waist.
The Reacher’s smiled at one another and nodded. “List it. But, make sure that Ms. Harrison here, gets a good chunk of the commission.” Mr. Reacher grinned at me.
Weston looked slightly irritated, but quickly pushed it away. “Of course, Ms. Harrison will get exactly what she deserves.” He smiled, and for a second—I was terrified and turned on at exactly what that could entail.
Trying not to let any of them see my cheeks turn pink, I graciously accepted Mrs. Reacher’s outstretched arms and hugged her. “Good luck in Texas.”
“Thank you, dear,” she said before standing back to take one last look at her old home.
I waved as the Reacher’s backed out of the drive way and watched their dust cloud fade to nothing after they had gone.
“Want to see the inside?” Weston asked, snapping me from my calm state.
I should not be alone with this man, let alone inside an empty house in an area with little to no cell reception.
“Sure.” I’m such an idiot.
I walked through the enormous interior of the house, feeling Weston’s glare on me. But, he kept his distance. When I turned into a bedroom, and noticed there was still a bed in it, I hastily retreated and found somewhere else to look. Not even going to chance that one.
I treaded up the staircase, trailing my fingertips along the polished banister. For every step I took, Weston took two. I swore I felt him right behind me, but when I get to the top, I turned around. He wasn’t there anymore.
Okay, Riley…you’re just acting stupid now. He’s probably just downstairs sprawled naked on that bed waiting for you. Oh, that’s a better though, isn’t it?
I could smack myself for thinking so irrationally.
I decided that venturing any further would probably only make me more nervous so I turned around to head back down the stairs. As I stepped down, I pictured myself coming down these steps, in the early morning, wearing pajamas. Then I saw Isaac falling in love with this railing, he would probably slide all the way down on his belly. And, so would Alex, now that I think about it.
I caught myself giggling slightly to myself.
“You have a beautiful smile.”
I looked up and Weston was standing at the bottom of the stairs, his suit jacket slung over his shoulder.
“I’d love to see it looking down at me while I’m on my knees in front of you, unzipping those—“
I held my hand up. “Mr. Casey. Not appropriate. Let’s just forget what you think may or may not have happened in Lander’s.”
“I’m going to go with may have…”
I rolled my eyes and walked past him, out the doors and into the Dodge. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to drive away and leave him stranded, but I think that may potentially have a negative effect on my job.
Then again, do I really want to work for a man that is constantly trying to get in my pants? Alex will shit a brick if he finds out—no, he’ll shit the whole brickyard.
“Can you try and behave on the drive back to the office?” I asked, sharply when Weston opened the door to the truck.
“I make no promises,” he said with a grin.
I found the happy medium between the gas pedal and the clutch, and the Dodge lurched forward a few inches.
Weston’s eyes flared and he bit his bottom lip. “I promise.”
“Good, get in.”
It was silent for a good ten miles, but then he eventually spoke up. “Can I say something?”
“It’s a free world,” I bite out, I’m feeling very brave at this moment.
“Let’s just pretend that I’m not your boss for a minute, and talk about the fact that there’s something building between us. There has been since you drove your shopping cart into mine.”
“I wasn’t paying attention, it was not intentional.”
“Oh? Did I distract you?”
“You’re full of yourself, aren’t you? What gives you such an entitled arrogance? You’re a married man, Mr. Casey.”
“Marriage is simply…signatures on a piece of paper in my home. For show, if you will. Elsa does her thing, and I do mine.”
I turned and regarded him, narrowing my eyes. “Why?”
He shrugged.
“Because you can,” I whispered to myself.
Oh, shit.
“Exactly,” he said, his breath husky and carnal. “Do I need to ask why you said that?”
Please, don’t.
“No,” I said, clearing my throat, and swallowing down my urge to spill about my dream. I couldn’t be more thankful when I turn the corner to see the office building just down the street. It was as if it were temporary safe haven away from Weston. There’s an office in there that I can hide in, shut the door and keep his eyes off me.
“Riley!” I wasn’t even in my office for two minutes before Elsa barged in with her hands thrown up in the air. “You did it! I knew you would, I just knew they’d love you!”
I shrugged. “It was a team effort.”
“Oh, hardly! The Reacher’s called me personally to do nothing but simply gush about you! You’ll be very pleased when you’re cut your first commission check!”
“Thank you, Mrs. Casey. It was a great way to kick off my first day. Let’s just hope it sells fast.”
“Everything okay, Riley?”
“Yes, everything is fine. I think I just need some coffee.”
“I’ve got a stash of energy drinks in my office, if you ever need a pick-me-up!” She smiled and with a swish of her skirt, she was gone.
I plunked down in my leather office chair, and pulled my phone from my jacket pocket. I forgot I had it turned off since I had no reception during the trip out of town.
While it was powering up, Sara knocked on my office door.
“Riley? Can I come in?”
“Of course,” I said, melodically.
“You got a message while you were out. Sorry, I was in the bathroom when you came in, or I would have given it to you sooner.” She handed me a pink sticky note.
“Thanks, Sara.”
She nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
I pulled out my phone and saw that I had missed calls and texts.
Oh, crap.
I called Addison without bothering to check anything else.
“Riley!” She answered without a formal greeting.
“What’s up? Sorry I missed you—”
“Riley, it’s your dad.”
I paled. “What about him?!”
“He’s in the hospital. Your mom called, she couldn’t get a hold of you. They don’t think he’s going to make it, Ry,” Addison said, her voice scratchy, and I could tell she had been crying.
“I’ll be there in five minutes.” I hung up, and stared around the empty office, unsure of what I was even going to do. Staggering down the hall, I knocked on Mrs. Casey’s office.
“Come in!”
“Mrs. Casey,” I said, peeking my head in the door.
“Oh, Riley? Are you okay?”
My eyes were watering and my bottom lip was trembling. “I’m so sorry, I’ve just received a call that my father is in the hospital. They—they don’t expect him to live much longer.”
“Oh, my Lord! Well, take all the time you need! Family is first around here, and please let me know if I can do anything for you while you’re gone.”
“Thank you,” I said, sniffling my nose, feeling very out of place.
“Do you need a ride to the airport?” Mrs. Casey asked, sweetly.
“No, thank you. I have a ride.” I forced a smile, and left her office.
Great first day.
Chapter Seventeen
The earliest flight I could book didn’t leave until after seven this evening. I had to wait an agonizing five more hours until I got to Maine, and then another aching distance until I reached m
y father in the hospital in Augusta.
I laid my head on Addison’s lap, while we sat on her couch. She tenderly ran her hand along my hair, smoothing out the locks and calming me.
Alex paced the floor, impatiently waiting until we could leave for the airport. Every minute or two he looked over at me, frowned, then started his short back and forth trek.
Addison and Blaine were coming too. They will stay at her parents’ house, with their two kids, as well as mine. So Alex can be with me…while I’m with my mom and dad.
The flight took forever, and was crowded too. The attendants were too attentive, and I snapped a few times, asking them to kindly leave me be. For once, I didn’t even feel bad. I didn’t care about much of anything right then.
My mom was sleeping when we quietly stepped into my dad’s hospital room. Her head was laying on her hands, which were holding onto one of his.
I covered my mouth, to muffle my whimpers of seeing my dad in the bed. Tubes in his nose, an IV in his hand, and he looked even smaller than he did when I last saw him. The once tall and towering man, is now just a small and fragile shell of what my dad used to be.
Leaning into Alex’s chest, I cried. He wrapped his arms around me and soothed me, whispering that it was okay and he was there with me. I sobbed, and turned into a complete mess.
“I need to sit down, Alex.”
Alex took me out of the room, and I felt like I could breathe again. I sat down in a chair across the hall from my dad’s room, and put my head between my legs. I don’t know who ever said that helps…it didn’t. I sat up, feeling overwhelmed and completely distraught.
Alex cradled my head in his arms, and I fell asleep on that uncomfortable hospital chair. I wasn’t sure exactly how long I slept for, but when I awoke, it was daylight.
I sat up, stretched my neck from the aches due to my awkward position. Alex smiled down at me. “Morning.”
“Hi,” I said, starting to smile at his handsome face. Then I remembered where I was and why I was there. “Has anything happened?”
“No, and your mom is still sleeping. A nurse just came out of the room and told me.”
I got up and walked over to the door, peering into the window I saw my Mom, leaning back in the chair now, sleeping. My dad looked exactly the same as he did when I first got there.
Breathless (Meadowlarks) Page 20
