by Elle Linder
Tori hugged her mom, then each one of her brothers. Although her heart ached for the strife she created with her daddy, she was going to take everyone’s advice and go to Rex.
“I love you all so dang much. I’m the luckiest girl in Piper Ridge.”
“Go on, get out of here.” Dawson pushed her along. “That man of yours has got to be beside himself with grief, believing he’s lost you forever. I wouldn’t wish that kind of agonizing grief on any man after living it myself for almost ten years. Put him out of his misery, sweetheart.”
Dawson was right. He’d been utterly devastated when Piper broke up with him. Now that they were back together, all was right in Dawson’s world. He had his person back.
“I’m on it!” She ran out of the stables to the house. She threw some basic items into an overnight bag. Slowly her heart grew lighter and more excited to see Rex again. She only prayed her mama was right, that her daddy would come around… eventually.
Twenty-one
REX LITERALLY HAD to carry Lyla into the house while having a major tantrum because she didn’t want to take a bath before dinner. She also didn’t want to go to the pizzeria, saying she hated pizza, which was not true at all. He sensed her foul mood was because Raquel showed up unexpectedly when Lyla was grieving the loss of Tori.
Rex couldn’t blame his daughter. He didn’t want to see Raquel either, or eat pizza. He’d preferred to sit in a comatose state in the den as he had last night.
“I won’t eat! You can’t make me!” Lyla screeched as he set her on her bed.
“Fine, don’t eat.”
Lyla gaped in surprise and just as quickly, turned on the waterworks. “You’re a mean Daddy!” She tossed herself back and writhed on the bed.
Rex needed a daddy’s timeout. “I’ll go start your bath.” He left the room just as her cries rose to an inhuman level. Maybe she was part alien… from Raquel’s side, of course.
He braced his hands on the bathroom vanity, hung his head, and counted to ten.
One, two, three…
The doorbell rang, but he ignored it and continued counting.
Four, five, six, seven, eight…
It rang again. This time Rex growled. If Raquel had returned, he would for sure lose it on her. His patience was hanging by a thread.
The bell rang and rang and rang.
That did it. Whoever was screwing with his doorbell would have hell to pay. He charged for the front door and unlocked it. “What the hell do you want?” he roared, swinging the door open and promptly choking on his own spit.
“Well, I thought I wanted you, but if you’re going to yell at me like that, I’m changing my mind.”
“Tori… I… I wasn’t expecting you,” he said in a softer voice.
“I sure hope that isn’t the way you’d greet me after not seeing me for two days.”
He studied her face, her red and puffy eyes, slightly blotchy skin—all signs she’d been crying. She was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
“No, I would never greet you like that. I’m sorry. How are you?”
“Horrible. And you?”
“I’m pretty bad off, to be honest.”
“Miss Hart!” Lyla squealed and ran toward Tori. “You’re back! You’re back!” She launched herself into Tori’s open arms. The warm embrace Tori gave Lyla made Rex exceedingly jealous.
“Hi, sweetie. What’s with the wet face?”
“I was crying. I missed you so much. I don’t want to have pizza with Raquel!”
Tori’s eyes went wide as they met Rex’s.
“Will you come in?”
She nodded and carried Lyla inside. Rex was happy Tori was here, but he wondered why.
“Can I stay with you instead, Miss Hart? Pleeease?”
“Lyla, you need to take a bath before we go. I want you to get your clothes, okay?”
Her grip around Tori’s neck tightened.
“Listen, sweetie,” Tori whispered. “Get your things as Daddy said, and I’ll wash your hair, okay?”
Was Tori planning to stay? Rex would leap for joy if it didn’t make him look ridiculous.
“And will you braid it too?”
“Absolutely.” Tori set Lyla on her feet.
“Okay, I’ll get my things.” And just like that, Lyla happily skipped down the hallway. Within minutes, Tori had washed away the doom and gloom for Lyla. Might she do the same for Rex?
They stared at each other for a long second.
“So, Raquel is in town?”
“Her and Finn. They’re staying at Maple Inn just for the night, I think. They arrived unannounced a couple of hours ago.” God, he wanted to tug her into his arms. “I’m so sorry for everything. I’m not the same man who made up lies about your dad. I’ve regretted doing that for the last fifteen years.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t know what to think.
“I know this because the man I’m in love with is kind, loving, and trustworthy. He’s loved me better than I could ever dream of being loved. He’s a good daddy to his little girl, and I hope he hasn’t changed his mind about having more kids with me.”
He stepped toward her and cradled her face in his hands. “Really?” He searched her eyes for any sign that she might be unsure. “You want to be with me after everything?”
“Only if you want to be with me and we promise not to have any more secrets.”
“Done. But, darlin’, I don’t deserve you. You should really think this through.”
“I have. I choose you, Rex. What you did was wrong, terribly wrong. But I know you’re sorry. I’m not going to hold it against you. I just hope my dad will come around sooner than later. It would certainly make things easier.” She smiled softly. “Will you stop staring at me and just kiss me already? I’m dying here.”
His mouth crushed hers. Tori hooked her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as they kissed fervently. The once-deafening silence that had surrounded him turned into a peaceful hum. After a bit more kissing, their soft moans tickled his ears and Rex’s whole world was righted.
“I missed you so much,” he said as he ravaged her. “I never want you to leave me again.”
“I won’t. I’m prepared to move in… today. If you want.”
Rex halted at her declaration. “You want to move in with me?”
“Well, we’d talked about it. Unless you’ve changed your mind.” Worry flashed in her emerald-colored eyes.
“I haven’t changed my mind.” His lips were on hers again.
“I’m ready for my bath!” Lyla announced.
Rex and Tori laughed while hugging and kissing.
“I’m not ready to let go of you,” he said as he inhaled her natural scent and kissed her neck.
“Tonight, you can have me all to yourself in bed.”
“I can’t wait. Does this mean you’ll go to dinner with Lyla and me?”
“Yes, it does. I want to meet your ex-wife and this Finn guy.”
“He’s a suit.”
“That’s not nice.”
“Well, he is and was wearing one. I feel bad for him though. I sure hope he knows what he’s signed up for with Raquel.”
Tori screwed up her pretty face. “Oh. Wearing a suit in the country is weird.”
“Totally weird.” He led Tori to the bathroom, not wanting to let loose of her.
“Did you kiss and make up?” Lyla asked, smiling.
“Excuse me? And what do you know about kissing and making up?” he asked his precocious daughter. The three of them laughed, and it was the most beautiful sound.
JUST WHAT REX wanted after making up with Tori, more tension and dirty looks—from Raquel. Boy, he couldn’t wait to get home, put Lyla to bed, and make love to Tori. Twenty more minutes, he told himself.
“Lyla, honey, won’t you come sit over here with Finn and me? I just want to spend time with you,” Raquel asked in a fake, sugary voic
e.
Lyla shook her head from her spot between Rex and Tori. His arm was stretched behind Tori, needing to keep touching her. Yeah, he was probably pathetic, but after spending two days without her and thinking he might have lost her forever, he’d proudly own up to being a sorry old sap.
“How am I supposed to form a bond with her if she doesn’t give me a chance?” Raquel huffed.
Finn patted her hand in a placating manner. “Bonds take time after they’ve been broken, dear.”
“Well, exactly,” Tori said in agreement. “Maybe you could schedule visits to see Lyla, rather than pop up out of the blue? I’d be happy to look over the calendar and see what’s a good time for us.”
Rex grinned at Tori. She was the most remarkable woman he knew, and she was his.
“That’s awfully bold of you. Since when did Rexford let another woman run his life?”
“Since—”
Tori raised her hand, cutting him off. “I don’t run his life. I share it with him. We’re a team.”
“Yeah, we’re a team!” Lyla chirped.
That got Rex more daggers from Raquel.
“You’re a fortunate little girl,” Finn said, shocking the hell out of Rex. “Someday, I hope you like me as much as you like Tori.”
Lyla put her finger to her lips. “Hmm, maybe.”
Raquel let out an exasperated breath as Finn patted her hand again.
“Perhaps we could come back around Christmas?” Finn asked.
“I thought we were going to Norway for Christmas?” Raquel pouted.
Rex was utterly baffled by what Finn saw in Raquel and how he seemed to have the patience to deal with her.
“Yes, well, I think Miss Lyla is more important than Norway.” He winked at Lyla. “We can go after New Year. Don’t you think, Raquel?” Judging by the tone of Finn’s voice, it didn’t sound like he was giving Raquel much choice. They were a strange couple.
Rex cut his eyes to Tori’s, and he could tell she was likely thinking the same from the way her eyes were wide and her lips were pursed tight as if stifling a laugh.
“Yes, of course,” Raquel finally said. “We’ll plan to come back next month. Just let us know what days are good for you.” She was staring at Tori.
“Rex and I will discuss it and we’ll get back to you,” Tori replied.
“Terrific!” Finn said with a genuine smile. Rex could not make out his intentions, but after the last hour, he found Finn to be an all right guy.
Lyla yawned and cuddled into Tori’s side.
“We should get her home.”
Raquel snorted. “Right. She goes to bed by eight, Finn. Even on the weekends.”
Before Rex could say anything, Finn said, “She’s four, Raquel. What time do you think a child should go to bed?”
That settled it. Finn was okay in Rex’s book. Perhaps he could come without Raquel next month. It would surely be a more relaxed and enjoyable visit.
Twenty-two
DRENCHED IN SWEAT and panting after a monster orgasm was the perfect ending to the emotional roller-coaster day Tori had. She ran her fingers up and down Rex’s stomach, smiling. This was where she belonged, no question in her mind.
“I love you,” he breathed against her head.
“I love you too.”
She was put on her back, his body covering hers, and she felt he was ready for round two. He kissed her, slipping his tongue into her mouth, stirring her up again.
She could never give him up… give this up. She was so grateful to her mama and brothers for talking sense into her. Their support and encouragement was just the kick in the butt she had needed to fight for Rex, the love of her life.
She owed them big. Not that they would ever accept anything more than a hug and a thank-you.
As Rex made love to her once more, she relished every second of it… his gentle touch, decadent kisses, sweet words whispered into her ear, the love shining in his eyes.
This was just the beginning of the rest of her life, one she believed would be beautiful.
AFTER WORK MONDAY afternoon, Tori packed some of her belongings to take over to Rex’s after she tended to Daisy. Moving in with him didn’t mean she wouldn’t see her family. She would daily, while taking care of her horse.
Rex had suggested bringing Daisy to Knolls Equestrian Center, but Tori wasn’t ready to take that step. Until her relationship with her father was no longer strained, Daisy would remain at Hart Ranch. Though her dad was being stubborn, she didn’t want to crush him by moving entirely out of her childhood home and taking Daisy with her.
She loaded the last box into her car and went back into the house, seeking out her mama in the kitchen, where she’d been baking since the time Tori had arrived.
“Got what you needed?” she asked Tori with a smile and flour on her chin.
“Yeah, just some essentials.” Tori leaned against the kitchen island, eyeing the four trays of pumpkin bars: one large rectangular tray and three eight-inch by eight-inch pans.
Mama cleared her throat as she frosted the first square pan with cream cheese frosting. “This one is yours.” She smiled.
Tori felt her face brighten. “You made one for me to take to Rex’s?”
“Mhm. And I made one for Dawson to take to the Lawrences and one for Tanner to take to Bailey. With all my kids moving out, it makes me want to bake.” She made a pouty face.
“Aww, Mama. I love you so much.” She kissed her mother’s cheek. “Rex and Lyla are going to love these.”
“I’m sure they will. Tell me more about Lyla. I’m looking forward to meeting her. If you and Rex end up getting married, she’ll be my first granddaughter.”
Her mother’s words nearly stopped her heart. “You’d claim Lyla as your step-grandchild?”
“No, ma’am.”
Tori instantly deflated.
“No step about it. Lyla would be my granddaughter, plain and simple. You know we don’t distinguish between blood or by marriage in this family. Grandma Peggy never did when your Uncle Wyatt married Missy. Her children were family on the spot, and Grandma Peggy doted on them just as she did the rest of you.”
Tori knew this. Her grandparents, Merle and Peggy, were the finest people she knew. They loved fiercely, and as Mama said, it didn’t matter if the person was blood or not. But hearing her mother reinforce Tori’s grandparents’ attitudes brought her to tears.
“Oh, Mama!” She threw her arms around her mom. “I confess I hoped you’d feel that way, but given everything that has happened in the past with Rex and currently, I’d prepared myself for Lyla to be excluded, along with Rex.”
“For heaven’s sake, if Rex becomes your husband and Lyla your daughter, they are my family too. I do not subscribe to your father’s way of thinking on this topic, honey. You should know that by now. I love Conway with all my heart—I always will—but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t tick me off from time to time.”
Just then, her father cleared his throat upon entering the kitchen. Tori whirled around and when their eyes met, she felt a fresh batch of tears pooling in her eyes.
Conway gave her a short nod and walked right past her. The flood gates blew open as the sting of his rejection pierced her heart.
Mama wrapped Tori in her warm embrace and muttered, “That damn Conway.”
“I should go. No sense sticking around if Daddy won’t be in the same room with me for more than ten seconds.”
“He’s a stubborn old goat, that’s for sure. But, baby, don’t ever feel like you can’t be here.”
“I know…”
Mama quickly finished frosting the pumpkin bars for Tori and kissed her once more on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” she said.
“Yes, Mama. After I take Lyla home. I like driving her so Rex doesn’t have to interrupt his day to pick her up.” Tori shrugged a shoulder. “I feel like I’m doing my part to help him.”
“That’s good, baby. That’s really sweet of you.”
&nbs
p; “I hope Daddy is okay.” He had gone through the kitchen once more without saying anything.
Mama waved her off. “He’s fine. But if he’s not careful, karma just might bite him in the patootie.”
Tori laughed. “I doubt that would change anything.”
“You’re probably right… stubborn old goat.”
Twenty-three
REX WAS THANKFUL TORI WAS driving Lyla home from school that afternoon because Kirk Denton was forty minutes late for his appointment at one o’clock. Not that Rex wouldn’t have dropped everything to pick Lyla up if need be, but now he had Tori helping raise his little girl. By not having to interrupt his day to retrieve Lyla after school, Rex felt comfortable enough scheduling clients after twelve now. Ironically, the first to get the new Thursday slot was late.
“Figures,” Rex muttered.
Finally, ten minutes later, Rex spotted a truck turn onto the property from the frontage road. It better be Kirk. He was supposed to bring his mare who suddenly started biting him.
The truck stopped by the fence and Kirk jumped out and trotted over.
“Rex, I am so sorry I’m late! Asia fought me tooth and nail, getting her into the trailer.” Kirk pulled off his cowboy hat and scratched the top of his head. “Do you think you’ll be able to figure out what’s wrong with her? I’d hate to get rid of her. My daughter would have a fit.”
“All I can say is I’ll try.” Just then, his phone rang. Seeing it was Tori, he held up a hand toward Kirk. “Hey, darlin’,” he answered.
“Hi, I wanted to let you know Lyla and I are going to run into Miller’s Market for a few groceries after school. Need anything?”
Rex smiled, figuring it was recess judging by the sound of yelling, squealing children. “Baby, we just made a Costco run on Sunday. My freezer and pantry have never been so full.”
Tori giggled. “I know! But Lyla said she’d try spaghetti squash, so I needed to get one. We can’t pass up an opportunity like this.”
“Wow, no we can’t. Buy two, just in case.” He chuckled and walked out to Kirk’s truck. “You’re a miracle worker, baby.”
The sweet sound of her giggles warmed his insides. “Flatterer. So can you think of anything we might need while I’m here?”
