“You’re welcome.”
Dane and I laid there, on the same grass he planted over eleven years ago, talking about mundane things and staring at the night sky. If my dad were looking down on me at this very moment, he’d probably find way to make it rain.
I woke to the birds chirping, and the blazing morning sun in my face. I was on the porch, on the outdoor wicker sofa. I lifted my head and pulled out the black make-shift pillow. Dane’s jacket. I laid my head back down, groaned, and hugged it.
I loved to hate that man.
I was the first to wake, and I sleepily walked into the house and made some coffee. I’m going to try this no cream or sugar thing one more time. I set a mug of steaming coffee down on the stand beside the chaise my mother was sleeping in.
“Mom,” I said, softly. “I made coffee.”
I should let her sleep, but if we were going to leave for Wyoming today, she would need time to prepare herself to leave the house and collect some items to bring with her.
“How did you sleep?” I asked her, handing her the mug once she was sitting up.
“Actually,” she said, stretching. “Good. For the first time, in a long time. I know I should be sobbing, but I feel peaceful, Riley. It probably sounds silly, but I know we’ll be okay. Dad and I talked so much about what would happen after he was…gone. He said I would feel this way. I said he was crazy.”
I smiled, and leaned in to her embrace. “Are you ready?”
“I am, let’s pack.”
***
It was Saturday, and I let Sara know that I was able to return to work on Monday. She asked if I was sure, I said yes. I wasn’t sure if I really am sure, but I can’t just sit around the house all day, or I’ll go stir-crazy.
Sunday was Chase and Blaine’s dual birthday party. I told Addison that I wanted to make the cake, and she happily accepted my offer since she has some much on her plate already. My mom and I whipped up the batter, baked two tiers, and were sitting at the kitchen table in my house, icing our masterpiece.
“I like it here,” she said. “It’s so quiet, and peaceful.”
I smiled. “Yeah, it’s different than what we’re used to, that’s for sure.”
“I could stay, you know.”
I blinked at my mother. “Really?”
“Well, I don’t want to intrude, so I would probably get my own place in town.”
“Mom, no. You don’t have to do that. You can stay here for as long as you want!”
“I’m not sure if I want to sell the house, though. It has so many memories. Maybe we could just keep it…for a vacation spot.”
Around ten the next morning, we packed up the truck and headed over to Addison and Blaine’s house. Balloons were tied with ribbon to the posts at the end of their driveway, and other than a few more random balloons strung around, it wasn’t overkill. Maria and Kelsey would be pouting when they saw it, I bet.
“Looks good, love.” I hugged Addison when I walked into her kitchen and set down the cake.
“No, THAT looks good! It’s beautiful, you guys!” Addison gushed over the birthday cake. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you. Now, where’s is the little birthday boy?”
“Blaine took the boys to the grocery store to pick up a few last minute things. He should be back soon.”
“Awe, that’s so sweet.”
“Chase started walking last night,” Addison said, her eyes welling with tears. “It was amazing, we both cried.”
“I would have, too.”
Blaine’s truck pulled into the driveway, and Alex went outside to help him bring in the boys and whatever else he had. Blaine stepped through the door and had Chase in his arms, Alex carried Seth and a few grocery bags.
“I think I got it all,” Blaine said, kissing Addison’s cheek. “Alex, there’s beer in the back of the truck.”
Alex handed me Seth and went back outside.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart!” I said to Chase, kissing his little hand. “Happy Birthday, Blaine.”
“Thanks, Ry,” Blaine said, looking at Chase. “Well, are you ready to party, buddy?”
Chase started to clap his hands together, bouncing in Blaine’s arms he began to jabber about something.
My mom walked over to see the boys. “Well, aren’t you just a handsome little guy!” She said to Chase.
He leaned into Blaine’s chest, hiding his face from my mom, but peeking back at her through his long dark lashes and smiling.
Oh, he’s gonna be a heart-breaker for sure. Both he and Seth are. Look out, ladies of Sheridan: Blaine and Jeremiah version 2.0.
We sang happy birthday, cut and ate the cake, and sat back while Blaine sat with Chase on his lap and let him tear open his presents. Addison gave Seth the wrapping paper, so he didn’t feel left out. Which was fine by him, he crumpled and threw balls of giftwrap at Alex playfully. Alex, tossed them right back.
That was exactly what I needed after such an emotionally draining week. Sitting there with my family, laughing and smiling, playing and just having a good day. Celebrating the birth of Chase, and seeing how much he was treasured.
Back at home, I helped my mother finish settling into a bedroom. That made four out of the six that were currently occupied. I just couldn’t bring myself to change Jeremiah’s bedroom. His bed was still partially un-made, from where he had slept and then pushed the blanket back when he woke up on his last day of life. There were still work clothes hung over the top of the closet door, and a few pair of clean socks balled into the other on top of the dresser.
I stood in the doorway of Jer’s bedroom, looking around in the dark. I inhaled, and stepped in. Flipping on the light I walked over to his bed and straightened the sheets. I made his bed.
“Wish you could have been here today, Jer. He looks just like you,” I whispered, smiling around at the bedroom and everything in it. I flipped off the light, closed the door and exhaled.
“Hi, babe.” Alex was sitting on our bed, with his legs crossed, reading something on my e-reader. “This is some pretty hot stuff you’ve got here.”
I smirked, and held out my hand. “Give me that back! You’re not supposed to know what I read about.”
“Not exactly your mother’s romance novels, huh?” He grinned and put the device behind his back, hiding it from me.
“Give it to me, now,” I commanded with a salaciously raised eyebrow.
“Oh, I’ll give it to you all right. Just tell me where you want it. I know you like it here,” he said, placing his fingertip on my lips. “And here,” again, placing his fingers between my legs. “And what about here…”
He reached to grab my behind but I shoved him back on to the bed. “You’re just a horny little bastard, aren’t you?”
“I can’t help myself.” Alex shrugged, chuckling to himself.
“My mother is sleeping right across the hall, it’s not gonna happen right now, buddy!”
Alex pouted. “I can be quiet.”
“I can’t!”
“True,” he said. “Well, what if I put something in your mouth to make you quiet?” He stuck out his tongue.
I gaped.
“Oh, good! You’re all ready for me…”
“Alex! You perv.” I rolled my eyes and fell on top of him. “I love you, do you know that?”
“I think I’ve heard you tell me once or twice.”
“Go to sleep.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
***
“Holy shit,” I whispered, staring at the paperwork stating my commission on the Reacher property. The ranch sold within a few days of being listed. I could put a hefty down payment on car with this much money. Maybe I should, I think to myself. That way I won’t always have to drive around in the Dodge.
“Riley?” Elsa popped her head into the door. “How are you, darling? Are you sure you’re ready to be back?”
I smiled. “Yes, I’m good. Thank you, for everything, Mrs. Casey.”
“Elsa. Pl
ease,” she said sweetly. “I might have to ask another favour of you, give me a minute or two to finalize a few things then I’ll come and speak with you.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
Please don’t ask me to go somewhere with your sex-fiend of a husband again.
About an hour later, Elsa knocked on my office door again. She came in and sat in the chair across from me. “Well, how do you feel about taking a little trip with me? There is a home show in Cheyenne that we go to every year. I usually take Glen, one of the other agents, but he’s been sick for a week with the flu…”
“You want me to go with you? How long will we be gone?”
“Well, only two days. I know it’s asking a lot since you’re just back to work after such a loss…but I really think this could benefit your career here. Plus, it could be fun!” Elsa said, fluttering her eyes, trying to look a little youthful.
“When would we be going?”
“This Thursday. We’ll be back by Friday night. What do you say?”
“Okay, let’s do it.” I smiled, hoping that Alex wouldn’t mind, and my mom would be okay while I was gone.
“Wonderful! Sara will make all the arrangements and I’ll get her to give you all the info by the end of the day!” Elsa stood and opened the door to leave. “So happy to have you here, Riley.”
“I’m happy to be here, Mrs. Casey—err, Elsa.”
Sara had the details on Cheyenne on my desk by two o’clock. “You’ll be staying the Windspur Resort, it’s gorgeous! I got to go last year, I didn’t want to leave,” Sara surged about the upcoming trip. “My boyfriend has taken me there twice since.”
“Sounds lovely, maybe it’s just what I need.”
Sara winked, and left.
I tilted my head, looking at her quizzically while she walked out, closing the door behind her. I haven’t seen or heard from Weston since I got back to work. It’s been really nice, actually. No added stress. And I was looking forward to going away without him too, it would just be way too awkward if I had to travel with him—and only him. A little ding alerted me to an interoffice message on my computer. I clicked and opened it:
Sara Sutherland:
Riley, we use a local photographer
For our business cards.
Her name is Laura, I’ve set
up the session for tomorrow morning.
Sara
Well, that was awesome! No need for face-to-face talking when I wasn’t really feeling like being chatty today. I responded:
Riley Harrison:
Thanks, Sara. I look forward to it!
I sat back in my chair, and decided what I was going to have for lunch. Staring out the window, I looked into the clearing just beyond the trees again, it looked like a meadow, and it was beckoning me to run through it. Or, maybe sit down and have a picnic. It just looks so peaceful.
Riley Harrison:
Sara, what are you doing for lunch today?
Sara Sutherland:
Fabulous cucumber sandwich
Riley Harrison:
How about lunch with me? Know anywhere close?
Sara Sutherland:
Love to! How about The Wolfbarrow.
It’s just around the corner.
They’ve got great wings.
I swore that was the same place Addison said that crazy bitch Gwen used to work, but I heard she moved, so I might as well go. Not like I even knew what she looked like, anyway.
Riley Harrison:
Let’s go. In about an hour?
Sara Sutherland:
Okay!
I called around and set up an appointment to meet with a potential client. A single man who just moved into town is looking for a small house for himself. He came into the office on Friday, but no agents were available at the time. Sara told him that someone would contact him—fresh meat gets first dibs, I guess.
“Mr. Wilson? My name is Riley Harrison, I’m calling from Pine Ridge Realty. How are you today?”
Mr. Wilson told me he was well, and happy to hear from me. He was looking for a small house, nothing that would need a lot of attention or upkeep. He agreed to come into the office and meet with me later today, then perhaps tomorrow afternoon we would take a look at some prospective properties.
An hour flew by, and Sara knocked on the door. “Ready for lunch? I’m freaking starving!”
Grabbing my purse I followed her out the door. “Me too.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Rob. Then Mr. Casey said he wanted to come too.”
Rob was another agent, a younger guy; like, younger than Alex. Fresh from the farm, he was very sweet and always looks like he was blushing.
“I don’t mind…” If Rob comes.
I hated that Weston invited himself. I thought I was going to make it at least one day without seeing him.
The Wolfbarrow was dark, but somehow cozy. A jukebox in the room played softly, and a good-looking man was behind the bar pouring drinks for two older men.
A bouncy and pretty woman with short black hair came to our table and handed us menus. Sara and I had arrived early, and so far Rob and Weston weren’t there.
Maybe he won’t come.
The waitress said something, then looked down at her hands. She started to blush, and I knew exactly why.
Weston Casey had just walked through the door.
He was wearing jeans, a grey V-neck t-shirt and a black suit jacket. Why, oh why must people dress like that!? He was wearing glasses too; Ray Bans. He looked like the sexiest nerd on the planet, and as much as I tried not to, I clenched my thighs when he walked past me and his scent flowed off his body and into me. Tingling me to my core and making me want to do really bad things.
I was thankful when Rob sat beside me.
“Hi, Rob! How are you?”
“Oh, I’m good Ms. Harrison. Thank you.” Rob smiled and shied away. He was such a sweetheart, I just wanted to pinch his cheeks.
“Please, call me Riley.”
“Riley,” he said, smiling at his hands.
Sara began talking about the home show in Cheyenne, and I tried to keep my eyes planted on her during the entire conversation. Weston didn’t say much, he simply sipped the beer he ordered when he sat down.
Rob leaned into look at pictures of the resort that Sara pulled up on her tablet. I found myself looking somewhere else.
Weston’s eyes.
He was watching me. He sipped his beer, and licked his bottom lip when a little drop tried to escape that flawless mouth of his. He raised the bottle again, along with an eyebrow and sipped again. Still keeping his eyes locked on mine.
A second later, off comes his jacket. And I’m faced with the tattoo. I had no idea why I was so drawn to that damn thing. People are tattooed everywhere in the world, and I’ve seen thousands in my lifetime. But there’s something so sensual about where his is placed, and now that I’ve learned what it said, it made me crazy.
Because I can…
It could mean so much, really. And even though I hated his arrogance and confidence, it made him so excruciatingly delicious.
“I’m actually not feeling that hungry, I’m going to head back to the office.” I sat up to leave and Weston got up too.
“I’ll walk you.”
“No, it’s okay. You stay here, finish your beer.”
“I’m done.”
I frowned, and let out an irritated sigh.
Sara said she would see me later, as did Rob.
“Keep up,” I hissed at Weston, once we were outside. “And put your damn jacket back on.”
“What? Why?” He asked, laughing and jogging to catch up to me.
“Because! You know why.”
“I fucking love that it makes you so hot.” He steps ahead of me and stands, stopping me in my tracks. “I dreamed of you kissing me there…and other places, of course.”
I gawked. “You were right before; you’re not delirious. You’re insane!” I pushed past him, continuing my pave
ment pounding.
Weston didn’t walk beside me; I wasn’t sure where he went, actually. Probably back to The Wolfbarrow, trying to pick up the waitress for all I knew.
I called my mother when I got back to my office, and smiled when she answered the phone with her voice sounding happy. She was having a good day, which eased my mind and my heart. After I hung up, I texted Alex.
Me: Hi, babe.
Alex: Hey you. How’s work?
Me: Blah. I miss you.
Alex: Me too. Want me to come and cheer you up?
Me: Mmm, wish you could. Love you.
Alex: Love U.
I put my phone away, and stared out the window at the emptiness beyond the trees. About half an hour later a knock on my door snapped me from my daydream, and I turned around in my chair. “Come in.”
Alex peeked in through the partially open door.
“Alex! What are you doing here?” I asked, thrilled that he was actually standing there.
“I said I would come and cheer you up. So, here I am.” He sauntered in to my office and closed the door behind him.
I licked my lip, and raised an eyebrow. “Just exactly how were you planning on cheering me up?”
“Well,” he said, strolling over to my desk. He sat on the edge, wearing his rugged and dirty work clothes. He had dirt on his knees, and a small tear in the breast of his t-shirt. “Have you had lunch yet?”
“I already had my lunch,” I lied. I’m not in the mood to eat. “Did you?”
Alex shook his head, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, can you take a break anyway?”
“Yeah, I guess so. What do you have in mind?”
He slipped his hand in mine and pulled me toward the door. Before he opened it, he leaned in and tenderly kissed me, his tongue ran along my lip and my knees almost buckled. “You’ll see,” he growled softly.
We passed Sara’s desk, and I turned to tell her I would be back shortly. I smiled, and she drops her jaw.
“Wow!” Her mouth said quietly, and she winked at me.
Alex led me out to the Dodge, and opened the passenger door for me.
“Wait,” I asked before getting in. “How did you get here?”
Breathless (Meadowlarks) Page 22
