by Natalie Ann
When she got to the last one, she noticed no return address on the envelope, but it was postmarked New York City again. Her name and address was typed on the front. Maybe it was just advertising disguised as something else.
There was no reason for her heart to start pounding, but it was. She thought about the other piece of mail she’d gotten weeks ago with no return address on it. But that had been forwarded from her old address. This was directly addressed to her business.
It was probably a patient who threw the remittance envelope out and addressed a new one in a hurry. From New York City? Possible.
She was being silly.
She was being ridiculous.
She wasn’t going crazy.
Ripping the envelope open, she pulled the sheet out and opened it, but there was no check inside. Just a sheet of paper with the words “I’m sorry” written on it.
She laid the paper down, took a few deep breaths, closed her eyes, and did it a few more times. Not again. Not here.
When she opened her eyes, she looked at it more closely and realized she recognized the handwriting. The first time she’d been given something with handwriting on it. Jason.
Seriously. He was sending her mail saying he was sorry. Why?
What was he hoping to accomplish? They didn’t want the same things.
He didn’t believe her when she told him she was scared, and now he wants to say he’s sorry?
Wait. Did he send the last envelope to her old address and just forgot to put the piece of paper in it?
That had to be it. It had to be him.
She was filled with more annoyance than fear right now. More aggravation than anxiety.
Did he think this was some kind of a sick joke that he could play off of her emotions? That he could scare her enough to want him back? That he didn’t play her all along, and she’d realize what a mistake she’d made and go running back to him?
Rather than rip the paper up, she shoved it in her purse.
Just in case.
Just because.
Just to be safe.
She was working it out like she told Max. But now she was going to put it behind her, because she was completely overreacting.
***
A few hours later, she met up with Kennedy for lunch. It was the best distraction her mind could use from the loser ex that was still taunting her from hundreds of miles away. He’d never been half the man Trevor was and would never even skim the surface.
“So Trevor made it through the meeting of the parents,” Kennedy said the minute Riley sat down.
“He did. I didn’t realize he told you about that.”
She was wondering now if Trevor hadn’t told her the truth about that day. That he really was uncomfortable but didn’t want her to know. Why else tell his sister? She knew they didn’t talk as often as she’d originally thought.
“He didn’t tell me much,” Kennedy admitted. “Just that he was there and met your parents. He already knew Max and probably half the others in attendance. I’m sure he was relieved, though.”
“Why?”
“It’s not often he even makes it that far in a relationship.”
What was she missing here? They couldn’t be talking about the same person. Part of her wanted to know more, the other part was wondering if it was crossing the line. But Kennedy started this.
“I can’t imagine why,” Riley said. There, that sounded like she was defending Trevor.
“Don’t get me wrong. Trevor is a great guy. The best there is. It’s just he either has horrible taste in women—present company excluded—or he hasn’t found the right one yet.”
“I’d like to think he hasn’t found the right one, but now I’m curious, even though I shouldn’t be saying that to you.”
Kennedy grinned. “Why? Are you afraid you’ve judged him wrong and want to know all his faults?”
“I don’t think I’ve judged him wrong at all and if I were to guess, it wasn’t Trevor’s fault as much as the women’s.”
“You’d be right. It seems he can’t win no matter what he does. First girlfriend—serious girlfriend, his senior year of high school—they were an item. Sweet girl, a little ditsy, but not bad. Anyway, when she found out Trevor enlisted in the army, she was upset. Tried talking him out of it.”
“That obviously didn’t work.” She really shouldn’t be encouraging Kennedy, but couldn’t seem to keep the words from slipping out.
“Nope. He wanted to know why she was upset. Her reasoning. He was all about trying to fix it, but it couldn’t be fixed. Thought maybe she wanted to stay here and he wanted to leave, but it wasn’t that.”
“Let me guess,” Riley said, “she didn’t want to be away from him for so long?”
“Nah. She was going off to college herself. She said that she couldn’t handle it. It was too stressful for her to deal with worrying about him when she was going to school. She had to focus on that, and not on whether he might be hurt somewhere.”
“That’s stupid. I mean, if you really care for someone, aren’t you going to worry whether you’re in a relationship with them or not? Wouldn’t she worry if he was just her friend?”
“Glad to know we think the same way,” Kennedy said. “Trevor was upset, but it only lasted a few weeks, then he left.”
“That was high school. If I count all my failed relationships in high school, we’d be here all day.”
“I don’t think you got around as much as you want me to believe.”
Riley flushed. “I didn’t get around at all. I’m just saying that I didn’t have my priorities straight when picking boyfriends either back then. Non-issue now,” she said, smirking.
“Point taken. But then let’s move on to when Trevor was in the service.”
“Why are you telling me these things?” Riley asked. She wasn’t asking for the information. Sure, she wanted to know, but didn’t feel right knowing, either.
“Because I want you to understand Trevor. The sooner you do, the easier it will be for you to make a decision before things get more serious.”
Too late. “I’m not someone who’s going to take another person’s word in order to make a decision on someone.”
“I like you,” Kennedy said.
“Thanks. I like you too,” Riley said back. The waitress came over and took their orders.
“Now that food is out of the way, back to serious girlfriend number two,” Kennedy said. Guess Riley was going to find things out whether she wanted to or not.
“For the record, I’m not asking,” Riley said, trying one last time.
“Understood. But I’m still going to tell you. I’ve got to protect my big brother.” Kennedy winked, then picked up her water and took a sip. “He’d met someone when he was on leave. A sibling of a guy in his unit. Justine was an army brat. She’d known no other life than the traveling around she’d always done. Her father was pretty highly ranked, and her brothers were following suit.”
“So then she had no problem with Trevor being a Ranger.”
Kennedy lifted an eyebrow. “He told you that?”
“Someone else did, but he acknowledged it.”
“Then you probably know the rest…”
Since Trevor hadn’t really admitted he was a sniper, Riley said, “I’m thinking I do.”
“Okay, good. So Justine had high hopes for Trevor. Big plans.”
“Ah. She wasn’t happy when he left the army.”
“Bingo. Relationship number two down the drain. She had massive plans to travel the world. Trevor realized he missed me so much he had to come home,” Kennedy said, smirking.
“Huh?”
“Just a joke. Though I’m sure that is part of it. I’ve always loved it here. Never had plans to leave like so many other people. Taryn and Trevor wanted out. Taryn always knew what she wanted. Trevor, that surprised me. He is fiercely loyal, and that means to his upbringing and surroundings. Personally, I think he got away and realized it wasn’t what he bargai
ned for. He’d come home a few times looking a little lost. I believe he saw things that upset him and knew the quiet life was what he really wanted. It took him leaving to discover that, though.”
“You know this for sure?” Riley asked. “He told you?”
“No. I know my brother well. There are things he’d never say to anyone, but I could see it. He’s got a soft heart. I think it was harder than he thought. He can handle his job in his sleep here. Nothing like he experienced before. This is home for him. This is his heart.”
“I’m sure I’m not number three,” Riley said. There was no way. A man like Trevor could have anyone he wanted. She needed to hear more now. So far, everything Kennedy was saying made sense. She’d felt that connection with Trevor. That he wanted the life she’d dreamed of. The life she came here for.
“There have been women here and there over the years. Nothing really serious, though. That’s where the meeting of the parents comment comes into play. Something always happens before it gets too serious.”
“The number of hours he works,” Riley said. “The local gossip, fear of his job?”
“So he told you that, too?” Kennedy asked. “Even better. Means he’s being upfront. He’s learned from his mistakes.”
Riley snorted. “I don’t know that they’re mistakes, but yes, we’ve had that conversation.”
“So back to you. I know you witnessed what went down this weekend with Cassie and Jay. How do you feel about it?”
“I don’t feel one way or another.” There was no way she was admitting anything to Kennedy that she had to Max. “It’s his job. It pissed me off to see it, but I know it exists. Trevor clearly can take care of himself.”
“He can. I’m glad you can see that and understand it. This situation was personal for him. Cassie was friends with Trevor’s high school sweetheart. They were cheerleaders back in the day. Heather. That was her name, Heather.”
“I could hear what was being said and it seemed that Trevor knew Cassie. I just figured that it was the small town thing.”
“Yes and no. Heather and Cassie were close. Cassie actually really liked Trevor. Liked him as a friend. She thought Heather was wrong to break up with Trevor. Had all these girlish hopes that Cassie and Jay and she and Trevor would be these besties for life back then.”
“Trevor was friends with Jay?” Things weren’t adding up now.
“No. Not really. They played football together, but that was it. He never cared for Jay, but he could separate the two. Even if Jay was his friend, he’d have done what he did on Sunday regardless.”
Riley believed that one hundred percent. Honor and law above friendship. She’d known that all along with Trevor.
“Okay, tell me something embarrassing about Trevor. Something funny. Nothing serious.” She needed a laugh right now. Between the mail earlier and this conversation, she was ready to order a large slice of chocolate cake.
Kennedy raised her eyebrows. “I can do that. Let’s see. Trevor was a crossdresser.”
Riley spit the water out of her mouth that she’d been drinking. “What?!”
Kennedy burst out laughing. “Just for a day. It was senior swap day in high school. Heather dressed in Trevor’s football uniform and Trevor squeezed into Heather’s skirt and shirt. All the players did it that day. It was hilarious. They all had their abs showing and their butts hanging out. Well, they had shorts on under, but still. It was a riot.”
“Bet Trevor loved that,” Riley said.
“Not so much, but everyone was doing it and he’s always been someone to go with the flow. I’ve got lots of pictures of it. It’s in the yearbook and all.”
“Then it’s not all that embarrassing. I want something no one else knows. Or something he would hope I wouldn’t find out.” She was remembering how he tortured her with tickling. She wanted something to get him back with.
Kennedy’s eyes started to sparkle. “Remember in health class when you had to carry a baby doll around for a day? Or an egg. Something to teach you to care for another human being?”
“Yeah.”
“We had dolls to carry around. They actually cried when they were hungry or needed to be changed. Annoying little things. Even when you weren’t taking the class you had to listen to them in the school for the day.”
“So, Trevor didn’t do so well with caring for his baby? What did he do to it?” Riley asked.
“What did he do? He got a hundred on the project. No one has ever gotten a hundred. No one even knows how or what he did, but he got the highest score in the four years I was there. Trevor was so embarrassed over it. The guys wouldn’t let him live it down. The girls all had hearts floating in their eyes. Trevor just wanted to pretend it never happened.”
Riley sighed. “Aw.”
“Yep, he got a lot of those looks and statements, too.”
“He’s the best,” Riley said.
“Don’t you forget it,” Kennedy said back.
Trust Me
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Quinn asked. “It’s just a few hours.”
“We’re fine,” Riley said. “She’s sleeping anyway. How hard could it be?”
Trevor and Max both snorted behind her.
“I just want to see Lara’s recital and I didn’t want the distraction of Jocelyn if she was fussy. I would have asked Mallory, but they went to Virginia for the week again.”
“I’ve got it covered. Bottles in the fridge. Diapers over there. Piece of cake,” Riley said.
“Let’s go then, Quinn,” Max said. “We need to get Lara there early. Riley says she has it covered, so I’m sure it’s fine. She has our number.”
“I won’t be calling you,” Riley said confidently. “It’s only a few hours. Go enjoy Lara’s dance.”
“Can I stay home with Aunt Riley?” Davy asked. “I don’t want to go to some stupid dance show.”
“You’re going,” Max said. “Always support your sister. You know that. Someday you’ll be happy that she’s in the stands cheering you on during a karate tournament.”
“I guess,” Davy said, following them out the door.
“I didn’t think they’d ever leave,” Riley said. “I want to get my hands on the baby so bad.” She looked over and saw her sleeping peacefully in the playpen.
“Don’t wake her,” Trevor said.
“Why?”
“Trust me, just don’t.”
An hour later, Riley asked, “Why won’t she stop crying?” She was starting to sweat. Literally. There was water dripping down her back from pacing around the living room, bouncing Jocelyn up and down on her shoulder. It was like a cardio workout she’d never had before. Her abs were clenched and her arms were cramping.
“I told you not to wake her,” Trevor said, calmly grinning at her. He didn’t even flinch when Jocelyn let out another scream.
“Maybe she’s hungry,” she said.
“You fed her twenty minutes ago.”
“But she might want more.”
“Not unless you want to wear the second bottle. But that’s your choice. I happen to like the white shirt you’ve got on.”
She looked down at her shirt, knowing it was clinging to her torso now. “I shouldn’t have worn white. I’ll never get that stain on my shoulder out.”
“I told you to put a burp cloth under her after the bottle,” he said smugly.
“How was I supposed to know she’d belch so loud it’d rattle the windows?!” Trevor laughed. Jocelyn’s screams were dropping to whimpers now. “Laugh again, she likes the sound of your voice.”
“More like the anxiety in yours is upsetting her.”
“No way,” Riley said. “She’s too little to know that.”
“Hand her over,” Trevor said, standing up. “I’m going to prove you wrong.”
She reluctantly handed over the fussy baby. It took a minute or so, but Jocelyn started to quiet down and settle onto Trevor’s shoulder.
“Your shoulders are bigger than mine. Mine ar
e too boney, she wasn’t comfortable.”
“Quinn is smaller than you. But nice try.”
“Quinn is her mother. Jocelyn can sense that,” Riley said, crossing her arms.
“I’ll give you that one.” Trevor was slowly walking around the room now.
“I was moving too fast with her. That was the problem.”
“Part of it. It’s not a race. It’s about soothing. Bouncing around and jiggling the food in her belly doesn’t help.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that?” she said.
“You said you knew what you were doing,” he pointed out. His large hand was now resting on the baby’s back, his fingertips massaging little circles.
“Here. Give her back. I can take over now.”
Trevor smiled at her, handed the baby over, only to have Jocelyn start crying before the exchange was even made. Trevor settled her back on his shoulder. “You sure you want lots and lots of babies?” he asked, grinning.
“Not funny. It will be different when it’s my own kid.”
“Sure it will. But you’ve got to learn to relax, Riley.” He turned his head, gazing at Jocelyn as her eyes fluttered shut. “She wants comfort. You can’t give comfort if you aren’t feeling comfortable yourself.”
She dropped her shoulders. “I’m so not good at this.”
“Don’t pout,” he said, quietly. “See, she’s almost out. The key is to keep this up until you know she is sleeping completely, then lay her down. What’s the matter, there’s something out there you can’t excel at?”
“I repeat, not funny.”
“Sure it is,” he said. “You’re just annoyed right now. You’re annoyed that if I wasn’t here to save you, you would have sweated off two pounds then gained them back with that chocolate mousse in the fridge the minute Max and Quinn returned.”
She wanted to growl at him, but unfortunately he was right. Before she could control herself, before she knew what she was about to do, she slipped and said, “Not everyone can ace ‘take your baby to school day’ like you.”
He turned fast. Jocelyn stirred, but he got her relaxed again. “Kennedy,” he said, baring his teeth.
“Yep. And now I know. Of course, I always knew you’d make a great father someday.” She wanted to slap her hands in front of her mouth when that slipped out. That was taking things a little further than she intended.
