The Hometown Groom

by Jennifer Youngblood

  He gave her a perceptive look. “Let me guess, it falls on deaf ears,” he said dryly.

  “Yes,” she admitted. She lifted her chin. “They can’t dictate how I live my life. I’m an adult.”

  “Yet you live with them.”

  Her face fell. “Only because of my daddy’s illness. Now that he’s better, I’m planning to look for another place soon.”

  He rubbed a hand across his jaw. “Why did you pretend to be someone else?”

  “I race under the name Starr Andrews. When you and I met, you assumed that was my real name.” She scrambled for the right words. “At first, we were just having fun. There wasn’t any need to tell you the full story. Then, when things got more serious … so quickly.” She bit her lower lip. “Well, I wasn’t sure how to tell you. I saw how furious you got because Marley tricked you, and I got scared.”

  His eyes widened. “My relationship with Marley has nothing to do with us. This is different.”

  “Yes, I see that now, but I wasn’t sure. I was planning on telling you the night we had dinner at your place.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “I lost my nerve,” she admitted. “I decided that the best way to tell you the truth was to come to the auction and bid on you.”

  He looked surprised. “You were planning on bidding on me all along?”

  A smile ruffled her lips. “Yes, I figured if I won a date with you, then you’d have to, at least, hear me out. Plus, it would send a clear message to my parents and Finley Landers that I have no intention of marrying him.”

  He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m not sure if I should be impressed or insulted by that comment.”

  Irritation crawled up her neck. “What do you mean?”

  “Are you using me to get back at your parents?”

  A startled laugh rose in her throat as she placed her hand over his. “No. I’m with you because I’m falling for you.” She held his eyes, hoping he would realize the truth of her words. She’d never felt this way before. The more time she spent with Riker, the more she realized that she’d never get enough of him. It was early in their relationship, but she was starting to suspect she was falling in love with him.

  A tender smile came over his lips. “That’s good, because I’m falling for you too.” He chuckled. “You certainly picked an expensive way to get your point across. I still can’t believe you paid 295K for a date.” He frowned like he’d just thought of something. “You didn’t use your daddy’s money, did you?”

  She was a little insulted that he would even ask that. “Heck no! I have my own money.” She wrinkled her nose. “Well, it’s sort of my daddy’s in a roundabout way … or at least it used to be. It’s my inheritance,” she explained when she saw his confused expression. “My daddy wanted my brother and me to be able to have access to our money while he and my mama are still alive.”

  “Tell me more about the barrel racing. Why do you use an assumed name?”

  It was uncanny how quickly he was getting to the heart of the matter. “Because my parents would flip out if they knew.” She cringed as his jaw hardened. “What?” She touched his arm.

  “It’s concerning that you feel like you have to sneak behind your parents’ backs to live your life.”

  She jerked like she’d been slapped. “You don’t understand.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “All right. Then explain it to me.”

  She bit down on her lower lip. “My brother Graham just put his name in the ring for senator.” She thought that would explain why she had to toe the line, but she could tell he was waiting for more. “I don’t want to do anything to shed a negative light on the family,” she added. “It wouldn’t be fair to Graham.”

  He gave her an incredulous look. “And you think barrel racing would do that?”

  “No … I mean …” She brought her hands to her lap, wringing them. “You can’t begin to understand what it’s like to grow up with so many expectations hanging over your head.”

  He looked at her, his eyes glittering with hard amusement. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously.” She sat up straight. “The friend I told you about? The one who taught me how to barrel race?”

  “Yeah?”

  “She was an employee on my parents’ ranch. When my mama learned that Lisa had taught me how to race, she fired her.” She snapped her fingers, the guilt rushing back. “Just like that.” Her voice caught. “I realized then that the easiest way to navigate Mama was to keep things on the down-low. It took a lot less energy than outright fighting her all the time.”

  His eyes were dark pools of blue, more fathomless than the deepest part of the ocean. “I’m sorry, but I don’t agree. Your parents will never learn to respect you unless you stand up to them—face them head on.” His voice grew intense. “You have to have the courage to be who you are. The girl I met at the rodeo had no inhibitions. She punched me in the gut, raced with fire in her eyes, letting nothing get in her way.”

  Moisture rose in her eyes. “You’re right,” she said simply. She looked at him, silently pleading for his understanding. “I can assure you that I’m trying. Tonight was the first step. Our relationship will be wide open now—every newspaper in Texas blasting it from the rooftops.” A tear slipped from the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek. She hated herself for her weakness. Hated that part of her really did care about her parents’ expectations. Still, she should’ve never allowed them to wield so much control over her. That her daddy would even think for one second that he could tangle up her life in some business deal was absurd.

  Tenderly, Riker wiped away her tear. His hand moved to her hair. “What will you do if your parents try to keep us apart?”

  She squared her jaw. “I’ll fight them—tooth and nail. You have my word.” She touched his cheek, the warmth of his skin seeping into hers. “No one will keep us apart. I promise.” Her eyes trailed over his face as she memorized every detail. In this moment, she had the uncanny feeling that he was part of her. She leaned in and gave him a long, hard kiss, hoping she could somehow draw in some of his strength. When she pulled back, her mouth was still burning with fire. She searched his face. “Are we good now?”

  A smile moved across his lips, his eyes taking on a new light as he leaned his forehead against hers. “We’re good.” Lightly, he trailed his fingertips over the flesh of her arm. He pulled back, assessing her. “So,” he drawled, “when do I get to meet them?”

  She gulped. “My parents?”

  “Yep. No sense in putting off the inevitable.”

  The idea of Riker and her parents meeting filled her with dread, but he was right, they had to move forward. “I’ve got the rodeo tomorrow night.” She tipped her head. “You’re coming, aren’t you?”

  “Of course.” His eyes grew soft. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m your biggest fan.”

  Something about one of the country’s most notable quarterbacks telling her he was her biggest fan struck her as funny. She couldn’t hold back the laughter that bubbled in her chest.

  “What?”

  “Never mind.”

  “When do I get to meet them?” he pressed.

  She pursed her lips. “How about Tuesday?”

  “Why not Monday?”

  “Because we’re going to Marley’s birthday party on Monday.”

  His eyes narrowed. “No, we’re not.”

  She lifted her chin. “Oh, yes we are.”

  He choked out a laugh. “Wild horses couldn’t drag me.”

  No doubt he was as stubborn as a mule, but she wasn’t backing down. “I paid 295K for a date with you. Lady’s choice. I choose to go to Marley’s birthday party.”

  “You can’t be serious,” he muttered, rubbing a hand across his forehead. He shot her an irate look. “You’re pinning me in a corner here, and I don’t appreciate it,” he said darkly.

  “Just like you’re pinning me in a corner about meeting my parents,” she countered.

 
; “Touché,” he grumbled.

  She held out her hand. “Do we have a deal? We’ll go to Marley’s party on Monday and you can meet my parents on Tuesday.”

  A slight smile touched his lips. “You think you’re smart, don’t you?”

  She laughed. “A genius.”

  He took hold of her hand, pulling her closer, his eyes moving over her in a leisurely way that caused a legion of butterflies to thrum in her stomach. “Deal,” he whispered, his lips claiming hers.

  18

  “What’s on your agenda today, sweetheart?”

  Emerson looked across the breakfast table at her daddy who was eating a plate of eggs and bacon. In the old days, he would’ve also had pancakes—his favorite—but due to the diabetes he’d had to cut down on his carbs. An unexpected feeling of love flowed over her when she saw the tenderness in his eyes. She and Daddy had always been so close, but lately, things had been strained between them because of the merger and Finley. She wished they could go back to the way they were before.

  “Oh, not too much,” she said casually, taking a swig of orange juice. “I thought I might do some shopping, meet Dede for lunch.” She stirred the spoon through her cereal. Go to the rodeo, do a little barrel racing, go out with Riker, maybe go back to his dad’s house and hang out on the terrace watching the stars and kissing. Lots of kissing!

  “What’s going on in that pretty little head? You’ve got a smile a mile wide.”

  “Nothing, Daddy.” She glanced out the window. “It’s a pretty day outside, isn’t it?”

  Ethan looked out the window. “Yep, sure is. Another sunny day in Texas. Who would’ve thought?”

  She laughed at his sarcasm. Nine out of ten days in Texas were sunny. “I’m just happy today.”

  “I’m glad.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin and leaned back in his chair. “I take it the auction went well last night?”

  She shrugged. “It went okay.”

  “Did you buy yourself a player?”

  A grin curved her lips. “You know I’m not one to buy and tell, Daddy.”

  “What did you do?” Caroline hissed as she rushed into the room and slammed a newspaper down beside Emerson’s bowl.

  Emerson didn’t even look at her mama but placed a spoonful of cereal in her mouth. Chew and swallow, she commanded herself. She’d been expecting this all morning. Then when it didn’t happen right away, she breathed a sigh of relief. Sadly, her breakfast with Daddy had been the calm before the storm.

  “Answer me,” Caroline yelled, pounding the table.

  Emerson flinched.

  “What’s going on?” Ethan asked, looking back and forth between Emerson and Caroline.

  Caroline put a hand to her forehead, pacing back and forth. She spun around, her eyes shooting lighting. “You’ve done it now!”

  “Done what?” Ethan clenched his fist. “Tell me what’s going on, Caroline?” he demanded.

  “This!” Caroline put her finger on the paper and slid it over to Ethan.

  Emerson’s heart thudded dully as she watched Daddy’s expression change from confusion to horror. He swore. The stricken look on his face made Emerson wish she could crawl under the table. “You bid on a football player and then kissed him?” He shook his head in disbelief. “In front of who knows how many reporters?” He rubbed a hand over his mouth.

  “You’ve ruined everything!” Caroline screamed. “You ungrateful wretch!”

  Ethan picked up the paper again and looked at it, his hands shaking.

  Emerson could handle her mama’s wrath, had been prepared for it. The sight of her daddy coming unhinged was different. Tears welled in her eyes.

  Her daddy gave her a long, searching look.“Why did you do this?”

  She clutched her napkin. “I have a right to my own life.” Her voice sounded small and insignificant in her own ears. Last night, she’d been so sure of everything. She wished Riker was here by her side. She needed his strength right now.

  “But some football player?” Ethan’s voice quivered. “It makes no sense.”

  Caroline began pacing again. “I’ll tell you why she did it. She’s cruel and selfish!”

  The hair on the back of Emerson’s neck rose. “Really? You’re accusing me of those things? All I’m trying to do is live my life the way I see fit.” Her eyes narrowed, her anger giving her courage. “For your information, Riker’s not just some football player. He’s my boyfriend, and I’m falling in love with him.”

  The oxygen got sucked out of the room as Ethan and Caroline gawked at each other.

  Emerson shot them both condemning looks. “You had no right to involve me in your merger with Kenton Landers.”

  “What about Finley?” Ethan began. “He’ll be crushed when he hears this.”

  A hard laugh scratched through Emerson’s throat. “I don’t care what Finley thinks! Did you not hear what I just said? I’m falling in love with another man who happens to be a multi-millionaire football celebrity. That should make the two of you ecstatic.” She stood.

  “Sit back down, young lady. We’re not done talking to you,” Caroline ordered.

  She was about to tell her mama off when her daddy caught her eye. “Please, kitten, sit down.”

  She complied, folding her arms tightly over her chest. “Nothing you can say will change anything.”

  Ethan held up a hand.

  She clamped her lips shut.

  Caroline shook her head, disgust heavy in her voice. “I don’t understand you.”

  As she looked at her parents, something inside her shifted. “You know what? I’ve come to the conclusion that you may never understand me, and I’m okay with that. I don’t understand the two of you either. You should be happy for me.” Her voice broke. “You know those situations where you’d give anything to be able to do things differently? Like the time I was in high school.”

  Caroline threw her hands in the air. “What’re you even talking about?”

  “Hear her out,” Ethan commanded, his voice carrying surprising authority. He nodded for Emerson to continue.

  “I was walking down the hall and saw a group of my friends picking on Kelly Peabody. Her eyes met mine as she silently pled for my help.” A lump formed in her throat. She swallowed it down, continuing. “Kelly needed my help—was begging for it—but I walked on past because I didn’t have the courage to stand up for her.” She let out a self-deprecating laugh, tears gathering in her eyes. “Here I am years later, the girl’s being picked on. She’s being forced to live a life that’s not for her, and I’ve been walking right past her, trying to avoid eye contact. The only difference is that girl’s me.” A sob broke through her throat, her hand going to her mouth. She gulped in a breath, straightening her shoulders. “This time, I won’t stand by and let it happen. I deserve a chance to live my own life. To choose my own love,” she finished softly. She looked at her daddy, surprised to see tears in his eyes.

  “Do you really care that much about this football player?” he asked.

  She laughed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes, Daddy, I do. I’m falling in love with him. He’s a great guy. I want to bring him here to meet you. Once you do, you’ll love him too.”

  Caroline let out a scornful laugh as she looked at Ethan. “You’re falling for this drivel?”

  “It’s not drivel,” Emerson said quietly. “It’s the truth.” Time seemed to stand still as she locked eyes with her daddy.

  He mopped his eyes, letting out a long sigh. “All right, cupcake. I think you should be with the person you love.”

  For a second, Emerson didn’t think she’d heard him correctly. Then the joy took hold. She glanced at her mama who looked like she might have an out-of-body experience. “What about the merger?” Did she dare hope that things were working out?

  Ethan gave her a tender smile, the one he used to give when he tucked her in at night after reading her a bedtime story. “Don’t you worry, honey, I’ll work that out with Kenton.”

/>   “This is ludicrous,” Caroline muttered.

  Joy bubbled in Emerson’s chest as she giggled. “Thank you, Daddy.” She rushed around the table and hugged his neck. “Thank you so much,” she exclaimed. “You don’t know how happy you’ve made me. You’re gonna love Riker. Promise.” She looked at Mama and felt a twinge of compassion for her. “You’ll love him too. Riker wants to come over Tuesday evening to meet you both. Is that okay?”

  “That would be fine,” Ethan said.

  Emerson brought her hands together. It was all she could do to contain her excitement. “All right then, I guess I’ll be going. I’ll see you two later.”

  She practically danced out of the room.

  After Emerson left, Caroline sat down at the table and arched an eyebrow. “You’ll work things out with Kenton?” She tried to hold Ethan’s gaze, but he looked away.

  He stroked his chin, looking thoughtful. “You know, as crazy as it sounds, I’m proud of Emerson. It took some guts to stand up to us.”

  “Don’t confuse sass with courage,” she snapped.

  Ethan looked at her. “Didn’t we want the same thing at her age? A chance to forge our own path?”

  Caroline felt her blood pressure rising. “Are you willing to sit back and let us lose everything because our spoiled, headstrong daughter has a crush on some flash-in-the-pan football player? This is serious, Ethan.”

  He raised his hands in the air. “When I agreed to the marriage condition, I thought Emerson loved Finley, that I was doing her a favor.”

  “You are. Finley’s a great match. Emerson will have a secure future with a handsome, charming man who adores her. What more can a woman ask for?”

  “Love.”

  He spoke the word so quietly, that for a second she thought she hadn’t heard him. Then it registered what he’d said. She let out a humorless laugh. “Love won’t pay the bills or feed empty stomachs.”

  “We’re hardly paupers, Caroline.”

  She lifted her chin “We’re giving her the same opportunity our parents gave us. She’ll come to realize it’s for her own good,” she said dryly. “Don’t be self-indulgent,” she added when she saw his glum expression. “You know what has to be done.” For all his bravado, Ethan was weak. When the chips were down, she was the one who had to make the hard calls. She was the glue that held everything together.