Kaitlyn sat in the chair. “Yes. I’m so glad you’re willing to get to know them. They were very happy when we left.” Small talk. She hated small talk.
Riley stared at her and then sat on the couch, placing his forearms on his thighs. He stared over at her. “What is it, Katie?”
It was so hard to look at him when she knew this was going to be the last time she saw him. She forced her eyes to meet his. “I don’t think we should see each other…”
Riley jumped to his feet. “Stop right there.” He held his hand up. “I had a feeling this is where you were going. We’re good together, Kaitlyn. Why mess it up?”
Kaitlyn shot to her feet. “Why mess it up? Are you serious? You’re leaving, Riley. You’ve been leaving since the day you got here, only now you’re leaving and taking our hearts with you.”
Closing the distance between them, he cupped her face in his hands, and she wished she had the willpower to move. “Then come with me.”
“No.” Kaitlyn pulled away from him because he was asking the impossible.
“No? Just like that?”
“Just like that.” She moved away from him because if she stayed too close, she’d throw herself into his arms.
“Katie…I’m in love with you,” he whispered.
Kaitlyn shook her head. “No. Don’t tell me that, please.”
Striding to her, he pulled her into his arms. “Yes. I love you, and I love Sadie. I want us to be a family. Come with me, sweetheart.”
Pushing at his chest, she broke away from him. “No. You don’t get it. I won’t leave here. I love you too, Riley, but this is my home and at one time, it was yours too.”
Riley stood in front of her staring into her eyes but unable to focus on him, she rapidly blinked her eyes. When she turned away from him, he grasped her arm and pulled her back around to face him.
“Come with me, Kaitlyn,” he said softly.
Again, she shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Those two words were more than a question, they were a plea, and it tore at her heart.
“My business is here, Riley. Sam is here, my friends. My life is here. I can’t leave.”
“Can’t or won’t?” Riley growled.
Kaitlyn jerked away from him. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not leaving.”
Moving closer to her again, once more, he pulled her into his arms. “I love you, Kaitlyn. You and Sadie mean the world to me. I want you both with me.” He lightly shook her when she didn’t say anything. “Did you lie then?”
“About what?” She frowned.
“About loving me.”
Kaitlyn gasped. “No, of course not…I do love you. I’ll always love you.” Her heart ached so that she was beginning to think the pain would kill her.
“Then why can’t you come with me to Texas?”
“Because my life is here,” her voice rose.
“So, I’m not your life? Because you’re mine, Kaitlyn—you and Sadie.”
“That’s not what I meant, Riley. I’ve lived here my entire life and everything I’ve worked for is here. I happen to love Clifton and before you say it, yes, I love you too, but I have a business here, which I love. This town is my family.” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t know how to start over in Texas. I’d be alone, and I’d hate it.”
“And me.” Riley swore. “You’d end up hating me too.”
Kaitlyn touched his face. “I could never hate you. I love you so much.” Her voice was ragged. “I don’t understand why you can’t stay here.”
“Christ, you know why,” Riley shouted then lowered his voice. “I’m not sure I can—”
“Let it go, Riley. He’s dead and buried. He carried his hatred to the grave. Be the bigger man. Don’t end up like him. He hated everyone, and you don’t. You’re so different than he was, Riley. I know you are. Don’t take your hatred to the grave like he did. He had problems.”
“Problems? He beat the hell out of me. If he hated me so much then he should’ve let me go with my mother instead of keep me around to use for a punching bag,” Riley shouted.
Kaitlyn put her hand on his arm but he jerked away from her. “Riley. I’m not saying he wasn’t wrong in what he did. He took his hatred out on you, and that was wrong. Roscoe turned into a bitter old man because he found out the woman and son he loved belonged to another man. You were a constant reminder of what he’d lost.”
“So he beat me because I wasn’t his son? Sadie isn’t my daughter, but I love her. I would never allow me, or anyone, not even you to harm her. It doesn’t matter to me what his reasons were,” Riley said through clenched teeth. “I just don’t understand why, if he hated me so much, why keep me from my mother?”
“To punish you both for not belonging to him even though it wasn’t your fault in any way,” Kaitlyn softly told him. “You’re never going to get past this pain if you don’t let it go. You have eleven hundred beautiful acres where you’re building a beautiful home. It could be for us and you won’t even think about it because you’re still pissed off at a dead man,” Kaitlyn’s voice rose.
Riley shook his head. “I love you. Isn’t that enough? I can build us a beautiful home in Texas.”
“I am not going to Texas,” Kaitlyn shouted.
Riley stepped back from her. “Then I guess we have nothing more to discuss.” He turned to leave then stopped, and glanced back. “Goodbye, Kaitlyn.”
Before she could say another word, he strode out the door, closing it quietly behind him.
Falling to her knees on the floor, she sobbed. The love of her life just walked out the door and took her heart with him. Dear God, she loved him but she wasn’t brave enough to go with him. Her heart and soul had gone into her shop, and giving it up just wasn’t going to happen. The very thought of living in Texas, where she knew no one but Riley, terrified her. She didn’t want to be alone. She’d gone through that with Kevin.
Kaitlyn didn’t know how long she sat on the floor but she finally pulled herself up on her feet, exhausted from crying and headed to bed, knowing she wasn’t going to sleep.
The next day, she called Madilyn and told her she wouldn’t be in to work. She just couldn’t face anyone right now so she let her think she was too tired from the trip the day before. When someone knocked at her door, she half-hoped it was Riley. She pushed herself up from the sofa, ran for the door, and pulled it open. Sam stood there. He swore when he saw her red-rimmed eyes.
“Where is he?” Sam growled.
“He’s gone,” Kaitlyn’s voice caught as she gazed up at her brother. “He’s gone.”
“Come here, Katie-bug.” Sam wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head while she sobbed her heart out. “Katie, you’re going to make yourself sick. Please stop.”
Kaitlyn nodded but kept crying. Sam moved her to the couch and sat down with her. He held her until all she had left in her were sniffles.
“I knew damn well this was going to happen. Son of a bitch. I’ll kill him,” Sam muttered.
“No, Sam. Let it go. It’s as much my fault as his. He asked me to go with him but I just can’t.”
“He could stay here, Kaitlyn. There’s no reason he can’t. Yes, I know he says it’s because of the bad memories. I understand what the old man put him through, but there were good times too. People in this town are family and Riley’s part of that family. His bastard of a father never was.” Sam stood.
“Are you leaving?” Kaitlyn stared up at Sam.
“For now. I’ll check back on you later. Right now…” He moved toward the door. “I’m going to look for Riley.”
Kaitlyn jumped up. “No.” She grabbed his arm. “Please, Sam. Let it alone.”
“No. I won’t leave it alone. He needs to see what’s right in front of him.” Sam sneered. “Don’t worry, I won’t kill him.” He opened the door. “Not yet.”
Kaitlyn stared at the closed door. Should she call Riley and
warn him? No. She couldn’t call him, couldn’t bear to hear his voice. Sam wouldn’t really hurt him. At least, she hoped not. The tears started streaming again.
Chapter Eleven
Riley knew he wanted to see some friends and say goodbye before he left this godforsaken town because he had no plans of ever returning. His first stop was Jake Stone’s place. Pulling into the driveway, he parked alongside the gorgeous log home. Stepping out, he walked toward the back door. It opened before he got there. Becca stood there smiling at him with one hand on her hip, the other holding the door.
“Are you lost?” she said with a chuckle.
Riley grinned. “No, ma’am, I’m going to be leaving soon and I wanted to see my friends before I go.”
Frowning at him, she folded her arms across her chest. “Leaving? Why? I thought you and Katie—”
“No…it’s a long story, Becca. Is Jake around?”
“He’s in the arena. Training.” Her eyes narrowed at him.
Riley gave her a terse nod and headed toward the arena. Was he going to go through twenty questions every time he stopped to see someone? Swearing under his breath, he didn’t owe anyone an explanation and he’d make it plain to anyone else who asked. Opening the door to the arena, he stepped inside and the smell of wood shavings and horses assaulted his nose. It was a wonderful smell, and a memory of Clifton he actually missed. Moving to lean on the railing surrounding the training area, he smiled as he watched Jake work a horse through figure eights. No one was better at training reining horses than Jake Stone was. His brother Gabe trained tie-down horses and his youngest brother, Wyatt, trained cutting horses. The brothers were the best across the states.
Riley raised his hand to get Jake’s attention. He saw him smile as he rode the horse over to him.
“Hey, Riley.” Jake dismounted.
“Damn, I miss riding.”
“Come over one day and we’ll all go out.” Jake smiled at him.
Clearing his throat, Riley stroked his hand down the neck of the horse keeping his eyes diverted. “I won’t be doing that, Jake. I’m leaving Clifton and returning to Texas. I’m just stopping in to see everyone before I go.”
“Is Katie going with you?”
“No. She won’t leave here.”
“Then why the hell are you going? Anyone can see you two belong together.” Jake frowned at him.
“It’s a long story Jake—”
“Yeah, I bet it is. If you leave her, and Sadie behind, you’re a fool.”
“Jesus! I just wanted to say goodbye to you and instead, I get a fucking lecture.”
“Oh, you deserve more than a lecture. You deserve your ass kicked. Does Sam know you’re leaving Katie?”
Riley shrugged. “I have no idea.”
Jake laughed. “Well, he must not if you’re still standing.” He shook his head, patting the horse. “I don’t get it, but then it’s none of my business.” He glanced at Riley then mounted his horse. “Goodbye Riley.” With that, he rode him to the center of the arena, and started the horse on maneuvers again.
Shit! Riley knew a dismissal when he heard one. Damned if he was going to put up with this from his friends. Grumbling under his breath, he left the arena, climbed into his truck, and headed toward Gabe’s place and sure as hell hoped he wasn’t in for more lecturing. He pulled into the driveway and drove up to the beautiful white farmhouse. The Stone brothers had grown up in this house and after both parents were gone, Gabe took over the house, while Jake and Wyatt built their own on the land they’d inherited. When he stepped from the truck, the back door opened and Emma, Gabe’s wife, and Riley’s longtime friend, almost knocked him over when she leaped into his arms. Riley spun her around before setting her on her feet and hugging her then leaned back to look down at her. She smiled up at him.
“God, Emma, you are so beautiful. You sure grew up.” Riley laughed when she blushed.
“You want to tell me what the hell you’re doing with my wife, Madison?” Gabe Stone glared at him as he walked toward them.
Grinning, Riley raised his chin in defiance. “I’m hugging her. You have a problem with that?”
Gabe chuckled. “No—as long as that’s all it is.” He wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders and pulled her away from Riley.
“I’d steal her, if I could. I can’t believe how gorgeous she is. I mean, Emma, you were always pretty, but now you are a stunning woman. I thought so last year when I saw you but I didn’t get a chance to talk with you.”
“Married life agrees with me and you took off out of here so fast, we didn’t really get a chance to talk at all.” Emma laughed.
“So you’re happy…with this guy?” Riley hitched his chin in Gabe’s direction.
Gabe chuckled. “Jealous?”
“Hell yes.” Riley laughed.
“You shouldn’t be. You have Katie and she’s gorgeous.” Gabe grunted when Emma elbowed him. He gazed down at his wife. “Though not as gorgeous as you are, darlin’.”
Emma beamed and looked at Riley. “He’s right though. Katie is beautiful…” She narrowed her eyes at him when he glanced at the ground. “What’s wrong?”
“Katie and I…well, we were just dating while I was here. I came to say goodbye. I’m going back to Texas.”
“You’re an idiot,” Emma told him with a huff.
And here we go. “I asked her to go with me. She won’t…actually, she refused.”
“Why would she want to go? Her shop is here. Her family and friends are here. What would she have in Texas, other than you?” Emma put her hands on her slim hips.
Swearing under his breath, Riley glanced away from her then turned back to face her. “Emma, I’m not going to get into this with you or anyone else. It’s between Katie and me. I just wanted to stop and say goodbye.”
“Goodbye.” Emma spun away and marched into the house letting the door slam behind her.
“Thanks a lot. You’ve pissed off my wife and now I’ll hear about this all evening,” Gabe hissed. “Damn it, Riley.” He stuck out his hand and Riley shook it. “I hate to see you leave but you do what you have to do.”
“Thanks Gabe. I…” He shook his head when he had no idea what else to say. “Goodbye. Take care of Emma and your beautiful children. You’re a lucky man.”
Gabe snorted. “Yeah, like you couldn’t be. See ya around.” He walked away without another word.
Sighing, and feeling like he was slowly becoming the bad guy, Riley got into his truck, determined to see Wyatt Stone. Hell, would he hear it there too? Probably. Fuck! They were all his friends and he wanted to see Brody, Ryder, and Trick before he left but it wasn’t worth the crap they would each heap on him, if he had to hear it again, and again. He shook his head. He knew he’d hear it from all of them.
Riley pulled his truck into Wyatt’s driveway and drove up to the side of the large log home, which resembled a chalet with the front boasting tall windows. Heading toward the back door when he heard his name called, he turned to see Wyatt and Olivia walking from the barn leading horses. Riley grinned and walked toward them. He hugged Olivia and shook Wyatt’s hand.
“Am I interrupting a ride?”
Wyatt took the reins of both horses and tied them to the corral fence. “It can wait. Let’s go inside and get out of this heat.”
The house was even more impressive inside with its hewn-rough walls. Wyatt led him toward the living room. The sunlight poured in through the front windows. It wasn’t hard to imagine the stone fireplace with a crackling fire roaring in it in the colder months. Wyatt nodded for him to take a seat so Riley took a seat on the sofa while Wyatt took a seat in a recliner. Olivia came to sit beside Riley and smiled at him.
“So what brings you out this way?” Wyatt asked him.
Riley took a deep breath and blew it out. “I came by to say goodbye. I’m heading back to Texas.” He waited for the blow-up but all Wyatt did was stare at him. However, Olivia s
tood and after glaring at him, left the room. Shit.
“Why?” Leave it to Wyatt to keep the chatter to a minimum.
“I can’t stay here, Wyatt, and before you say anything, I asked Kaitlyn to go with me and she refused.”
“Of course, she refused. What’s wrong with you?” Olivia exclaimed as she came back into the room.
“I thought you’d left,” Riley muttered not looking at her.
Olivia snorted. “I had to walk out or punch you in the throat.”
Glancing over at Wyatt, Riley hoped for understanding from his old friend. “I can’t stay. This town holds too many painful memories.”
“That’s a good one,” Olivia mumbled.
Riley glared at her. “You don’t know a thing about it, Olivia.”
“I know all about you, Riley Madison. I also know you’re a coward. The man is dead and buried yet you still let him scare you,” Olivia’s voice rose. “I didn’t have a good childhood either. I wasn’t beaten but I wasn’t loved either, but when you find the one person who loves you, you stay with them. Katie’s so very special, and if you can’t see that…well then, you’re not only a coward, you’re a blind man.” She stormed from the room again. Riley heard a door slam from down the hallway.
Running his hand over his mouth, he glanced at Wyatt. He hadn’t said a word the entire time his wife ranted. “She doesn’t hold back, does she?”
“She never has and she never will.” Wyatt shrugged. “It’s one reason I love her so much. I almost lost her once, and I can’t imagine what my life would be like now if I had. She’s my soul mate and I never believed in that before, but I do now. I’ll love her in this life and beyond…and she’s right about Katie being special.”
Closing his eyes, Riley shook his head. “I believe it too, but I just can’t stay here. The memories—”
“Make new ones, Riley. Don’t let the love of your life slip through your fingers.” Wyatt stood and put out his hand.
Riley stood too, and shook Wyatt’s hand. “I just wanted to say goodbye.”
Wyatt gave a terse nod. “Goodbye.”
RILEY Men of Clifton Montana by Susan Fisher-Davis FINAL (1) Page 15