“Oh, Riley.”
She rose to her feet and went to Derek who was still reveling in his new surroundings. “Come on, big boy, let’s get you changed.”
Drawing his own conclusions, Riley said, “So if you and Thad didn’t spend much time in bed, what did you do?”
“We went to art exhibits, walked through Greenwich Village, went to the museums.”
“No wonder you broke up,” Riley said.
As soon as he said it, he knew he shouldn’t have. Brenna gave him one of those I-don’t-believe-you-said-that looks and left his bedroom.
Riley should have kept his mouth shut, or better yet, he should have just kept kissing her. Then he wouldn’t have stuck his very big foot into his very big mouth.
Chapter Seven
The next day Riley came home to a house he didn’t even know.
Katie Paladin and Brenna sat on the floor in the middle of the living room, sketches and photographs and magazine layouts spread across the braided rug. There were different types of flower arrangements on his coffee table and colored ribbons spread across one chair. A book of fabric swatches lay open on one side of Brenna and vases of different varieties and shapes stood in line to one side of Katie. To top it all off, Brenna’s mom was pushing Derek around the room in his stroller. She looked as if she belonged there, as did the other two women. Brenna’s mom having such a comfortable time in his home made him not only uneasy but resentful.
“Riley!” Brenna looked up at him as if he were the last person she expected to see, and that didn’t make him feel any better than the rest of it. “I thought we’d be finished by the time you came home. What time is it?”
“It’s five-thirty,” he said gruffly, dropping his duffel by the door. “What’s going on?”
The three women exchanged looks as if they were sending each other secret messages. He always hated that feeling when he walked into a group of women. Guys didn’t do that, did they?
Katie explained easily, “This is about the sale at McDougall’s. Brenna and I are coordinating our best ideas. I’m doing flowers for the whole store. Isn’t that great? It will give Blooms so much more exposure. Maybe then townsfolk will realize we don’t just arrange birthday bouquets or wedding treatments. We can do anything.”
Riley knew Blooms’s business was down like many other businesses. That’s why Katie had been able to buy it. He was glad this would help her make a success of her new life here.
Brenna’s mom wheeled Derek over to Riley. “I knew Brenna was helping her dad figure this all out, so I asked if she’d like me to come along to babysit. It’s been great fun for all of us.”
“I can see that.” It had been a real women’s day out, from the looks of it. That didn’t make him feel any better about having Brenna’s mom in his home.
Carol lifted Derek from the stroller. “Do you want to say hello to your daddy?”
Riley brushed his large hand over his son’s hair, but he felt grimy and didn’t know if he should hold Derek. “I’ve been out on the trail and feeling pretty dusty. I better get cleaned up first.”
Carol looked up at him as if trying to see what his real intention in backing away was. He wasn’t sure. He just felt totally unsettled and didn’t like the prickly dissatisfaction that crawled up his spine. When he looked at Brenna, she looked almost happy. Why wouldn’t she be? She had her work, her son and her mother close by. He just felt out of place in his own home and he didn’t like it.
“I’m going to get a shower,” he said, motioning to the master suite.
Katie was already scrambling to organize the photographs and pictures. “We’ll probably be out of your hair before you come out of the shower. I’m filling in tonight at the shop.”
Still holding Derek, rocking him as she walked, Carol commented, “Miriam will have dinner on the table at seven. I need to get changed and be ready for that.”
Brenna gracefully rose to her feet and took Derek from her mom.
“If you’re not here when I come out, have a good evening,” Riley said politely before he went down the hall to the master suite and left the feminine chaos behind.
* * *
“He doesn’t like me,” Brenna’s mom said to her as she gathered together her purse and sweater lying across a side table.
“That’s not true,” Brenna protested automatically.
“Oh, yes it is, and I don’t understand why after all these years, he can’t let it go.”
Katie had always been a friend to Brenna and now was no time to leave her out of the conversation. She and Katie would be working closely and might have to deal with all of this together.
Brenna kept her voice low so Riley couldn’t hear. “Do you and Dad realize what Dad did to the O’Rourkes so many years ago?”
Her mom swished the sweater around her shoulders. “I don’t interfere in your father’s business.”
“This wasn’t just business. This was a family’s life that was ruined.”
“I don’t think I should be discussing this with you.” She looked at Katie. “And not in front of anyone else.”
But Brenna wouldn’t be detoured. “We have to discuss this because the two families will be running into each other because of Derek.”
“No one made Liam O’Rourke drink.”
“No, but Dad pushing him out of his business caused enough stress to cause discord. It probably started with a few drinks as it always does, but then when his wife left, when the boys had to fend for themselves, when Liam fell deeper into depression and that bottle, their lives were never the same. I don’t think you and Dad truly understand that. Sure, Dad had his reputation ruined, but it wasn’t the same as what the O’Rourkes had to endure.”
Her mother didn’t seem pleased with Brenna’s perspective as she asked, “Just how long are you staying with Riley?”
Brenna had planned on a month, but maybe she could swing six weeks.
Suddenly Riley was back in the room, his shirt unbuttoned.
“I left my duffel at the door,” he said tersely, crossing to get it. As he did, silence filled the room. All three women watched him walk back to the bedroom.
After a sigh and a frown, Brenna’s mother assured her, “Whenever you need me, call me. I’ll be delighted to babysit. Any time I get to spend with my grandson is precious time.”
“And don’t feel you have to do everything alone,” Katie added. “I have staff at the shop who can help, too. When are the dresses coming in?”
“In a few days. Grand opening date for the whole store for the bridal extravaganza is a week and a half away. I’m just hoping I can get the more comprehensive registries set up by then. They will help sales all around, I’m sure of it. I also made arrangements to bring Fulton Jewelry in so we have fine jewelry in addition to costume jewelry.”
Her mom said, “It’s about time we all band together and support each other’s businesses. This was a wonderful idea, Brenna. And whether your father says it or not, I’m sure he’s grateful.”
“It would be nice to see Dad grateful rather than disapproving.”
“Do you care if he disapproves?” her mother asked.
“I shouldn’t, but I do. Don’t daughters always care if their dad approves or disapproves?”
Katie looked away as if that concept bothered her dearly. Brenna hadn’t had much time to talk with her alone, but they’d eased into their old friendship and she liked the feeling of that.
It didn’t take long for Katie to gather her props and notes, telling Brenna, “You can keep the flowers. I don’t know if Riley will care if they’re here, but you can enjoy them.”
Brenna gave Katie a hug. “It will be great working with you on this. I’m glad we’re reconnecting.”
Katie gave her an extra squeeze, then leaned away, smil
ed and nodded. “I am, too, and your baby is absolutely adorable. You are so lucky.”
“Do you want one of your own?”
“I do, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I’m not ready for another marriage.”
Katie had married her high school sweetheart, a football star. She’d followed Ross to wherever his career had taken him. But then his career had ended and he’d later been killed in a sailing accident. The sadness in Katie’s eyes told Brenna she wasn’t over all of it yet. She’d only been back in Miners Bluff about a year, putting her life back together.
Brenna’s mom said, “I’ll help you carry some of these things to your car, then you’ll only have to make one trip.” She gave Derek a baby hug, then Brenna a tight mother-daughter hug. “Somehow everything will work out, honey. It always does.”
“But not always the way we want it to,” Brenna insisted.
When her mother gave her an odd, but knowing look, Brenna knew what it was for. She had to decide exactly what she wanted, what she could compromise on as well as what was best for all of them.
Derek was in his swing and Brenna was still straightening up a bit when Riley returned to the living room and remarked, “Everybody’s gone.”
“They would have been gone sooner if I’d been mindful of the time.”
“It was jolting to come home to all this,” he admitted.
Something had to be said to Riley about her mother, and now was as good a time as any. “Is that why you were so cold to my mom, because you felt jolted?”
She knew she should have picked her words more carefully when Riley’s body stance stiffened and he looked ready for a confrontation. “I was polite.”
“You were cold. That’s not the way to win Mom over.”
“Maybe I’m not trying to win her over. Maybe she either likes me or she doesn’t. Let’s face it, Brenna, your parents never liked me.”
“They never knew you. You’re a man now, Riley, who served his country and has a job he’s proud of. What’s not to like?” she teased.
But her teasing didn’t help. “This isn’t easy.”
“No, I know it isn’t. But do you realize I finally got Isaac Fulton to take part in the sale with Dad? My father’s invited him in on sales promotions before, but Mr. Fulton has always said no, mainly because he believed your father’s rumors from years ago.”
“They weren’t rumors. Your father was greedy and ruthless.”
Brenna sighed. “My point is, Mr. Fulton came around. It’s time we all did. I think if you gave my mom half a chance, she’d give you one.”
“I’ll try to remember that,” Riley said, tongue in cheek. “Were you and Katie hitting it off again?” He obviously wanted to change the subject.
“Yes. We got along great in high school. It’s a shame what happened to Ross. I’d heard he’d settled into coaching and they had a good life.”
“You never know. Plans can be disrupted in a day. Or in a night.” Riley’s gaze made a precise point as he crossed to the sofa, closer to her, then looked down at the coffee table at a photograph of a gown. “I don’t know a thing about wedding gowns, but this is pretty.”
“Only a man would call that gown pretty.” It was a frothy, princess-style ballroom gown that most brides would love to wear. It was hanging in her showroom in New York and she was thinking about flying it in. It would be the centerpiece of all of her gowns.
He looked thoughtfully at the dress and then back up at her. “Do you dream about wearing one of these sometime?”
“I don’t need marriage. I know fairy tales don’t come true.”
“Are you against the institution of marriage, or committing to one man for a lifetime?”
“I don’t have any problems with the institution, obviously. I make a living from it. I also don’t have any problems with commitment. But I think the honesty, loyalty and faithfulness required for it are rare.”
His arm was brushing hers. He smelled like soap and his hair was still slightly damp. If she ran her fingers through it now, they’d kiss. And if they kissed...
He must have been thinking the same thing, because he cleared his throat and stepped away. “I was going to take Derek to visit Dad tonight.”
“I can go along.”
Riley’s raised brow asked his question for him.
“Just as I’d like you to get to know my mom, I’d like to get to know your dad. That’s the only way we’ll be able to put the feud to rest.”
“I don’t think it will happen,” Riley said. “My father’s too stubborn and your dad’s too proud.”
“But if he gets to know me, and finds himself attached to Derek, that could start changing things.”
“And you think your dad and I will eventually see eye to eye?”
“We’ll work on it,” she said with more optimism than she felt. This had to work, or not only would their families stay divided, so would she and Riley.
She was beginning to realize she didn’t want that at all.
* * *
Brenna was in her bedroom much later, studying sales reports her manager had sent her when she heard the noise. At first it sounded as if someone were beating against the metal shed in the back where Riley kept his tools. But then she thought she heard noises on the porch—clanging, rustling, something falling over with a bang. She was on her feet and standing protectively beside Derek’s crib.
She looked out the window but, of course, couldn’t see anything at midnight. So she went to the door and opened it.
Riley was coming out of his room, dressed in jeans but shirtless. “Stay put,” he told her. “I’m going to check this out.”
“That’s not a good idea.”
“I left gear on the back porch that I shouldn’t have. Maybe it still smells like fish. It’s probably just a little critter.”
“Or a big critter. Black bears sometimes come down to the lower elevations.”
“Did anyone ever tell you you worry too much?”
“Did anyone ever tell you you’re reckless?”
He didn’t seem to like that comment at all, but he didn’t take time to stand there and argue with her. She heard his bare feet on the wood floor, heard him go out to the kitchen. He wouldn’t go outside without any shoes, would he?
From her window at the side of the house, she could see light come on. That was the light outside at the sliding glass doors. She heard a clink, heard Riley open the glass doors and prayed he’d taken some kind of weapon with him.
Glancing at her sleeping son, she wished she could sleep so soundly.
A few minutes later Riley was back, standing at her doorway again. “It was a mule deer. No harm done. I should know better. It knocked over the poker from the outdoor fireplace and one of the chairs.”
“I’d forgotten about the wildlife here,” she said. “That takes some getting used to. I don’t expect to hear things go bump in the night.”
“Oh no, not many bumps at all, just sirens and garbage trucks and horns blaring. How do you ever sleep there?”
“And how do you ever sleep here with the silence?”
They were taking their corners again and she didn’t want to do that. “We’ve got to stop comparing. One isn’t better than the other.”
“But you prefer the city noises now.”
“That’s my life, Riley, just as yours is trekking into the wilderness with Clay or tourists or whoever needs a guide.”
He shifted from one foot to the other. The unsnapped waistband of his jeans slid a little left, then slid a little right. Her gaze went to the whorl of hair around his navel that she explicitly remembered touching.
Riley didn’t leave but rather said, “I’ve been thinking about McDougall’s sale and your part in it.”
“It’s important
for me to help my dad.”
“I realize that. Whether I like it or not, it’s something you have to do. I do get that. So...I’ll cover for you with Derek while you work on the sale. I want you to be able to depend on me...to learn to trust me.”
“Are you offering so I’ll agree to joint custody? Because one doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the other.”
“We need to think about Derek first and what’s best for him. I think that would be joint custody.”
When she began to protest, he held up his hand to stop her. “But I also know I don’t want to tear you away from Derek, or Derek away from you. It would have to be a gradual process. So how about starting with leaving Derek with me tomorrow while you go in to the store?”
“Leave him with you all day?”
“Do you want me to be insulted?”
“You can probably do it, but do you want to?”
“I do. I’m not going to take him horseback riding or kayaking or fly fishing. We’ll just have a guys-day here, though I might take him out on the porch.”
He was making all of her fears sound silly, but they didn’t feel silly. Yet if she didn’t do this, what would that say about her ability to compromise, to try to rebuild trust between them.
“All right,” she decided, knowing she had to take this leap of faith.
Riley’s face broke into a grin, “You made the right call.”
“I’ll know if I did or not tomorrow. I might be calling you every half hour.”
“Call whenever you’d like. You might want to make a schedule for me. I know my sister likes to be consistent with Jakie.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“I have a lot of them,” he said with a wiggle of his brow.
She pushed on his chest lightly so he wasn’t standing quite as close. Temptation was more easily eluded when it was farther away. However, as she touched him, his skin was hot under her fingers and she couldn’t seem to pull her hand back, couldn’t seem to do anything but stand there and stare at his black chest hair.
He folded his hand over hers. “We’re hot together, Brenna, always have been and always will be.”
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