Love Came Home (4 Oaks)

by Gayle Eden

  “That’s okay.” She took the keys. “I’ve been cooped up a long time. Wallowing, as Carter would put it.” She nodded. “Thanks again, Kane.”

  “You’re welcome Kelly.”

  Leaning on the counter now, second cup half way downed, Kane mentally muttered a curse watching her leave the kitchen.

  He had checked out her ass.

  It was a nice one.

  Grunting, he took his coffee and went in search of his boots.

  He really needed a night out.

  * * * *

  Late that afternoon, Rio loaded not only his truck bed, but also a U-Haul with Willow’s things. He sweated buckets in fifty-two degree weather after hauling down a dismantled bed and mattresses, two wardrobes, and a computer desk. He grunted at the kind of packing up Willow did, stuffing baskets and duffels—boxes full of haphazard, and unlabeled stuff. Four trunks with stickers all over them—full of CD’s and at least that many movies.

  He leaned against the truck, taking a break with a water, eyes on the modest ranch house—and very relieved Delany and her husband had made some excuse to leave a while ago. He was friends—after a fashion—with Delany. Meaning he respected her marriage and her. He had enough sense to know that her husband wasn’t thrilled to be in the same room with the both of them. Though polite and endeavoring to handle everything with tact.

  Seeing the door open, and his daughter toss out another load of clothing, unboxed—and miss the laundry basket she was apparently aiming for—he swallowed cold water and cussed.

  This shit was going to be a trip.

  He had always watched over Willow, even when she was a little thing in elementary school. He knew that his grandfather caught her T-ball games, and knew when she made something mentionable in school.

  This fifteen-year-old woman/girl, was a whole other story.

  She came out again. He eyed the baggy sweat pants she had on and hooded sweatshirt, with some college team logo on it. She wore bright neon high tops. Her hair was black, a lot of streaks of color on top, short in back, uneven in the bangs. She had a dozen earrings around her ear. She had Delany’s sherry eyes and her full figured build, her mother’s full lips. There was a silver stud in her nostril. She was around five four.

  Definitely—different.

  “That’s it.” She came toward him, grinning. “Anything left, mom can send over.”

  He tossed the water bottle into the truck and pushed away, heading to the pile. “These will get dirty loose. Find some trash bags or something.”

  She passed him and returned with lawn bags. He held one open and told her, “Put them in here.”

  She stuffed her clothing in them, and filled about six that he lugged back to the U-Haul. At some point they were done. She locked up, and then they were in the truck, headed for the ranch.

  Glancing at her while they traversed the still muddy and wet roads, he noticed she had her sleeves pulled down over her hands. Her nails were red and yellow stripes.

  “Want the heater on?”

  “Yeah.” She glanced at him. “It’s cold.”

  He cranked it up but cracked his side window. He was thinking that she had half school days. Her mother said her car, a used one her step dad just bought, was in the shop until next week. She had made her learners, would be sixteen in a week. He had to remember to take her to pick it up. She had meds to be maintained, allergy—and a birth control he didn’t even want to know about.

  “You can drive my truck to school until your car is fixed.”

  “Cool.” She craned her neck to watch as a guy on a Harley went round them. He turned off at the Vaughn place.

  “Hot.” She laughed.

  He grunted. “That’s Rayne. He’s my age.”

  “I know who he is—the town bad boy. Age is nothing to do with a guy being hot.”

  Rio looked at her again. She was smiling, her strong white teeth showing. There was glint in her eye.

  “If you say so.”

  “You’re a bad boy to some. You were to my Mom.”

  “I doubt that. But People think what they like.”

  She said, “Step dad hates my boyfriend.”

  “Your step dad seemed like a nice guy to me.”

  “He is. He just doesn’t like Eric.”

  Rio probably wouldn’t either. However, he watched the road and asked, “What are you taking—after high school?”

  “Criminology. Other stuff. I’m going to be a PI.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

  “I did pretty good finding out about you. I kind of knew though, because you were around…watching me.”

  He absorbed that a moment. “I didn’t want to interfere in your Mom’s life. It seemed like Frank was giving you more than I could.”

  “He did. He’s nice. But you made me. Besides that, there’s your…mysterious character.”

  Resisting rolling his eyes, Rio muttered, “Everyone for miles around knows what they need to know about me. I’m sure you’ve heard it. I’m not into making excuses.”

  “Touch-eee,” she muttered. “Sounds like a crappy childhood from what I heard. Mom wouldn’t give me answers about you and her shacking up either. Even though she’s older than you are. I mean, you were my age.”

  “She’s a good person, your mom.”

  “I didn’t say she wasn’t. But what a scandal it must have been…”

  “She married your step Dad when you were three. But it’s none of anyone’s business—the rest of it.”

  “I agree. Except that I was pissed for a long time, not really understanding why you were around but never spoke to me. Okay, so you didn’t want to mess things up with Mom. But you’d never have spoken to me, if I hadn’t called you.”

  He thought before he answered, and when he did, his voice was gruff, “I’m sorry for that. I don’t know if I would have or not.”

  They were at the ranch and parked out front, the engine off. He observed her profile as she rolled down the window to the crisp air and eyed the house.

  “I’m not sure what kind of father I can be to you, Willow. You’re nearly grown.”

  She sat back, fingers fiddling with the cuffs of her sweatshirt. She studied him in return. “Me either. It might turn out we can’t stand each other. Before I left for college, I had to find out. I knew if mom moved to Dallas, it might be years before I settled that question in my mind.” Her sherry eyes turned back to look at the house. “I forced this. It sucks, you know—that I had to.”

  “Yes it does,” Rio agreed. “I can keep saying I’m sorry, and for whatever hurt feelings you have, I am. I wasn’t settled. I lived in an old camper here. Even being here, I wasn’t in any place to step in and claim you. I’m still not much different. But I’m willing to give this a shot.”

  “We can get to know each other.”

  He looked at her, meeting her eyes. She had turned to regard him. Rio nodded and felt an unfamiliar emotion wash over him. He smiled a bit, though neither of their eyes were anything but serious. “You’re a smart, tough girl, Willow.”

  “I take after my Dad.”

  He reached up to tug that blue streak in her bangs. “I hope not.” Rio dropped his hand, and said, “Let’s go in, meet everyone. Then you can pick your room so I can unload this big-ass haul.”

  “Great.” She opened the door.

  As he was going up the steps, walking beside his daughter, Rio swore he heard his grandfather’s rusty laugh. He shook his head and took Willow’s hand, feeling her squeeze it. He still had it when he led her in the parlor where his brothers and Kelly waited.

  * * * *

  Three weeks later.

  Carter was exhausted from driving all over hell and rushing to tie up loose ends—so when the chaos of moving into the ranch house—both his things and Kelly’s, was over, he fell onto the bed after a shower, and slept nearly ten hours.

  It was an afternoon when he awoke, and after teeth brushing, shaving, another shower, he pulled on jeans a
nd a T-shirt, and went in search of coffee.

  In the kitchens, while he brewed it, he looked out the window at the fall colors. His head still felt foggy. His stomach growled. But coffee was needed foremost.

  After pouring a huge mug, he ambled through the house then out onto the porch. Mild with a weak sun, the earthy scents mingled with the coffee he sipped. Leaning a shoulder against the brace, standing on the west side, he could see Kelly in a sweater, jeans, boots— and Willow, out in the hay field. It looked like they were walking with some of the dogs Rio had on the place. A couple of cats were jumping on the bailed hay and romping around.

  A sound behind him made him look over his shoulder.

  Kane came out the front door, his hair still damp and in clean jeans and boots, a denim shirt. He had shaved his beard close. Carrying coffee that he’d helped himself to, he spotted Carter, and said, “I’ll be back late.”

  Carter arched his brow, grinning.

  His brother simply said, “I’ll pick up candy. Tomorrow is Halloween. We get kids by the truck load.”

  “Picking up for something sweet for yourself?”

  “I hope so.” Kane took a long sip and ambled over. He watched the females too and commented, “Willow is a case, ain't she.”

  “She speaks her mind. You have to admit, watching Rio with her is amusing as hell.”

  “Watching Rio when her boyfriend, Eric is here—is even better.” Kane told him, “You haven’t seen that yet, but he grinds his teeth every time the boy opens his mouth.”

  Laughing, Carter murmured, “What’s he like. The boyfriend?”

  “Not someone you’d think she’d like,” Kane admitted. “Older. He works at the coffee shop. And he knows—evvvveeerything.”

  “Oh. Shit.”

  “Yeah. Anyway…” Kane turned and finished his coffee, setting the cup on a little side table. “Hold down the fort. Rio is off somewhere with the vet. Something about a fire in the next county and some injured animals. You’ll have to do the evening feeding.”

  “Will do.”

  When he had gone, having taken his black pick up, Carter sat down and called Skye. He’d been calling her routinely, but she was often busy during the days, tired at night. He kept things brief and friendly, but was always thinking she would want to cool things before they got started. He wasn’t stupid. He could tell she was being cautious, even if she did react to the physical attraction.

  “Hello, Carter.”

  “Skye.” He grinned, watching a bird land on one of the fodder shocks and pick at it. “I just woke up. I slept ten hours.”

  “No wonder. Sounded to me like you were driving all over hell, before you got here.”

  “I was. I had to go sign some papers, drop some contracts. I still have two but it’s probably all I can manage now anyway. How was your week?”

  “Crazy. I’ve been out today, getting candy. Rayne is coming to spend the weekend.”

  “The month both dragged and flew by.”

  “Know what you mean.”

  He fished for a cigarette, lit it and leaned back in the rocker, asking, “When can I see you?”

  “Come over tonight?”

  “Can’t. Doing the evening feeding.”

  “Okay. Um—”

  He asked, “Have you met Willow yet?”

  “Yeah. She was driving out to school and Rayne and I were riding our bikes. She stopped and talked a bit. I liked her.” Skye laughed. “She asked Rayne if he’d take her for a ride. He said if she asked Rio. I think he didn’t expect she would, but she showed up last time he was here. She has a mild crush.”

  He chuckled. “Well, if you can— you and Rayne, could come by here—around ten?”

  “I’ll ask him.”

  “I want to see you.” He added, “And you can meet Kelly. Kane’s gone out tonight. Rio’s somewhere…”

  She was quiet a moment then offered, “I’ll bring some of Jess, and Juda’s spiced coffee.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Okay. I have to go. I’m cooking.”

  “I missed you.”

  “You too.”

  She clicked off and Carter set the cell down. He sat awhile before going up to change. While he was out feeding, Willow and Kelly went out to get food and buy stuff to make candy and cookies. Kelly couldn’t cook, but Willow could. Apparently, they were going to bake and make sweets.

  He and Kelly had talked often during the weeks they were getting ready to move. She had gone on a trip to Florida, and spent a week with her Dad and his mom. Carter realized the experience, as bad as it was, had matured her in a worldly way. He also realized, she would be okay. She was introverted, not fragile. No one who had dealt with a mother’s illness and death could be that.

  He was glad she had decided to stay at the ranch awhile.

  * * * *

  “You can go see him. I’ll be fine here hanging out.” Rayne set the ladle aside, having served up their soup while listening to her conversation.

  “I want you to go with me.” Skye took their bowls to the small table and poured them soda over ice. “I’m meeting his step sister, Kelly.”

  He sauntered over, pulling out a chair and seating himself. He wore a black T-shirt with a band logo and hip jeans, his usual black boots. “It’s cool if you like him, Skye.”

  “I like him,” she said softly. Tearing bread while she eyed Rayne’s tightly pulled back hair in its usual tail, Skye was glad he was spending a couple of days with her. She had noticed the few times they had met up that he was more brooding than usual. “I’ve never met a guy like him. He’s very—honest. But he excites me.”

  Having chewed a bite, Rayne paused with quirk to his lips. “You’re old enough.”

  “Yeah. I am. But you’re my only family.”

  “Some people would say you’re better off without me.”

  “Some people have no clue what a great guy you are. Besides that, they don’t know what we survived together.”

  She ate a bit, then asked, “Has something been going down with you lately? I noticed you’re…I don’t know.”

  “Brice has been calling.” He set his spoon aside, took a drink, then grunted, and sat back, his silver eyes with their violet tint were light between those dark lashes. “He’s left messages for me to come and meet him.”

  She sat back too. “What do you think he wants?”

  “Hell if I know. I’m not really interested.”

  “He probably is your dad. You look like him.”

  Rayne shrugged. “He could have done something when we were kids. We don’t need him now.”

  She took a drink of soda, and then offered, “He was there, you know, when you were busted. He had something to do with your getting a lighter sentence.”

  Rayne’s chair scrapped back. He stood and went over to the window. Hand on the top of it, muscles tense, he uttered, “I don’t need him now. I don’t fucking care what he wants.”

  Skye had figured a long time ago that they had different fathers. They looked nothing alike. Rayne did look like the lawyer/rancher, though Salinas had distinguished black and silvering hair. He was a big, broad shouldered man. She did not blame Rayne for the resentment.

  She said, as she cleared the table, “He’s been calling for a while. Hasn’t he?”

  “Yeah. Couple of years.” Rayne rubbed the back of his neck. “He tried to see me before I left, right after I got out. I refused.”

  After putting everything away, she got him to walk outside with her. They sat on the picnic table under the maple. Hands in her jacket pockets, she watched him light a cigarette, feeling the tension, not blaming him, but always wishing Rayne could ease his restlessness and find a way through the bitterness.

  She had her own. She dealt with it when life got frustrating. She felt it every time she went into town or O’Malley’s—when she thought of a relationship with Carter, somewhat afraid to hope too much it would last.

  “Maybe it’s one of those things that
sooner or later you have to face.” She looked away and up toward Juda and Jesse’s. “Mom was wild and reckless. Even though he would have been older, we know how she was. Before the worst, she was beautiful. Used to getting what she wanted. It’s not all one sided.”

  “It’s not an excuse, Skye.” he bit out, “Not for letting your kid… It’s not, and there’s nothing he can say that changes it. He’s got nothing I want. I don’t owe him anything.”

  “All right.” She looked at him. Taking his hand, Skye squeezed it and said, “You live your life too dark. I worry about you.”

  “Don’t.” He laughed. “I’m cool. This stuff don’t get to me.”

  After a silence, Skye coaxed, “Please come to the ranch with me tonight? I think you and Carter have decent conversation. You’re number one fan is there too, Willow.”

  He snorted, but told her, “She’s a smart girl. Not shy though. She asked me about the bust. Told me how she uncovered that Rio was her dad. Said she was going to be a PI.”

  “She’s Rio’s daughter, out of wedlock. I doubt she judges people like most. And from what I observed, she has a wicked sense of humor. You should be flattered that she’s not intimidated by you.”

  “Definitely not.” He blew a stream of smoke. “She flirted like a thirty year old.”

  Skye laughed. “That’s better than giggles and blushing.”

  “Makes me damn nervous. Rio’s quiet, but not someone to mess with.”

  “No. I’m sure he’s got her number by now though.”

  They talked of over things afterwards, the club, the wedding business, and sports teams they liked. After they went in, he watched TV. She sketched, and before it was time to go to the ranch, she bathed and changed into jeans, a sweater and boots, taking her suede jacket down when she met up with Rayne, who had taken a ride up to Juda’s, and spent an hour, hanging out with him.

  Had Rayne lived closer they might have been hanging-out buddies. She knew Juda went to the club on occasion, and he had dropped by Rayne’s apartment when he was down that way.