Madilyn smiled and Brody chuckled. “Yeah, let’s go,” he said as they headed toward the door and watching protectively as they locked up.
After picking up Sadie, Kaitlyn proceeded to drive home, only realizing she wasn’t as eager about a long weekend as Madilyn had been. Why she wanted to leave early was beyond her. Sitting around the apartment all weekend and moping like she had every night and weekend for the past few months was nothing to get excited about, even with Sadie for company.
Chattering away in her seat, Sadie seemed to have adjusted well enough. For a while, Sadie asked where Riley was, but lately she hadn’t. Had the little girl forgotten him already? If only Kaitlyn could. After parking, she carried Sadie into the apartment then took Sadie’s coat off followed by her own. It was getting colder every day, almost as cold as her heart was feeling. Sadie ran to her bedroom to get her bunny while Kaitlyn started on dinner. It was going to be a very long weekend.
****
Sitting alone in the restaurant, Riley glanced around. The place was packed and he couldn’t help but notice most of them were couples. Silently cursing them, anger made him close his eyes against the thought of Kaitlyn and Sadie being here with him so he could’ve been part of a couple too. She refused to leave her home, and you refused to stay in Clifton. He chided himself as he wondered if it would really have been so hard to stay there. Other than his business, what did he have here in Texas? His business could go wherever he was but his true friends were there. Everyone he grew up with was there. Hell, even his best right-hand man, Gus was going to be in Clifton. Most importantly, the two most important people in his life were there—Kaitlyn and Sadie.
Swearing under his breath, he reached for his beer.
“Who are you swearing at Riley?” a woman’s voice asked from over his shoulder.
Glancing up, he stood when he saw Trixie Bennett standing beside the table, smiling at him. Riley grinned at her. “How are you, Trixie? It’s been a while.”
Running her fingers along his arm, she purred. “A lot longer than what I’d like, Riley. Where have you been? I’ve missed you,” she said pursing her lips.
Riley stared at her but didn’t feel a thing. Oh, she was a beautiful, statuesque, and sexy woman who he used to see on a regular basis but it had only ever been just sex for him. He knew she wanted more, but…she wasn’t Kaitlyn.
“I’ve been busy. I was in Montana for a while and since I’ve been back, I’ve had to get back on track with things in the office.”
“Montana? Isn’t that where you’re originally from?” At his nod, she continued to probe. “Heavens, you’re not thinking about moving back there, are you?”
In response, his immediate reaction was to shake his head but he stopped himself, and wasn’t sure why. “Would you like to sit down?”
Trixie smiled at him and took a seat. “Thank you. I was just about to leave. My date cancelled,” she said sticking her bottom lip out in a pout. Kaitlyn would never be so obvious.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said picking up his beer and taking a long swig, wishing he hadn’t come out tonight.
“I’m not.” The look she gave him told him she wanted to leave with him tonight.
“Look, Trixie…”
“Uh oh, I don’t like the sound of that. It usually means a man has moved on.” Her arched brows furrowed into a crinkle of a frown. “Have you, Riley? Is there someone else?”
Shrugging, Riley stared at her. “It was only sex with you and me, you know that.”
“But it isn’t with this other woman?” Trixie tilted her head.
“No, it isn’t. I’m in love with her.”
“So, where is she?” Trixie glanced around as if looking to see if the woman he was talking about was here in the restaurant.
“She’s in Montana.”
Trixie folded her arms across her ample bosom and leaned back in the chair. “Well, if you love her so much, why isn’t she here…with you? She doesn’t love you?”
Another punch to his gut from yet another friend, Riley ran his hand around his jaw. Yet again, he found himself explaining the situation to her, only with her, he needed to go much deeper and tell him the truth about his childhood. When he finished, she sat there staring at him.
“What?” he asked unable to read her expression of raised eyebrows and flattened lips. Did she understand his side or was she going to blast him too?
“Let me get this straight…you’re letting a dead man keep you from the woman and child you love.” Here it comes. Trixie shook her head as she continued her blast on him. “I’m surprised at you, Riley. I never figured you to back down from anything, especially when it concerned something important—something you want. Maybe your father, rather the man you thought was your father, left you that ranch as rundown as it was because it was the only thing he had left to give you, and it was his way of trying to make up for the way he treated you.” Pushing to her feet, she stood and gazed down at him. “You really need to get your ass back to Montana, and marry that woman before you end up a lonely old man or she marries someone else.” Leaning down, she kissed his cheek and walked away.
Riley was sure his mouth was hanging open as he watched her walk away. She was right. Everyone had been right. As much as his pride tried to deny it, he was allowing Roscoe to keep him from being happy with Kaitlyn. Calling for the check, he quickly paid, and headed toward the door even as he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Brett to tell him to get the jet ready. He was going home. Why it had taken him so long to see what was right for him was beyond him. Everyone had told him the same thing but having Trixie say it, made him realize everyone knew that Clifton was where he belonged—with Kaitlyn and Sadie. His only hope now was that they’d take him back.
****
Madilyn looked up from her work behind the counter when Riley strode into Kaitlyn’s shop, the bell chiming as if happy to see him. When she did a double take, her eyes widening, and her mouth dropping open, he nearly laughed.
“Hi Madilyn, surprised to see me, huh?” Riley smiled.
“Uh…hi Riley, yeah, you could say that. What are you doing here?”
Glancing around and over her shoulder toward the office, he didn’t answer right away. Not seeing Kaitlyn anywhere, he shifted his gaze back to Madilyn. “Where’s Kaitlyn?”
“She’s, uh…she’s at the house.”
“Is she sick or is Sadie?”
“No…she’s out at the house you built.”
Frowning, Riley didn’t understand. “Why?” Even as Madilyn shrugged, he had already turned toward the door. “Never mind, I’ll find her. Thanks.”
Speeding down the road in the SUV he’d rented, he cursed the flashing red and blue lights coming up behind him. Pulling over to the shoulder, he glanced in the side view mirror and recognized the man behind the wheel of the sheriff’s unit. Getting out, he folded his arms across his chest, leaned back against the door, and waited, his eyes narrowing as he watched Sam take his time getting to him.
“What the hell are you doing back in my town, Madison?” Sam growled.
“I came home,” Riley told him locking eyes with him.
Sam came to a halt and cocked his head. “Is that so?”
“Yes, now quit fucking with me, I’ve got someplace to be.”
Twisting his mouth in a manner that suggested Sam was trying not to grin, Riley watched him fold his arms across his broad chest. “Just like that, huh? You think you can just come back after the way you left and think she’s going to be waiting for you?”
“No. I wouldn’t blame her if she never spoke to me again, but I’ll beg her if I have to. I love her, and Sadie, and I want them in my life. Here…in Clifton.”
Sam gave him a terse nod. “Glad you finally came to your senses and realized where you belong. Good to have you back but you hurt her again, and I won’t stop at one punch. We clear?”
“Crystal. I’ll never hurt her again. You have my w
ord on that, Sam.”
Nodding, Sam relaxed and gave a chuckle. “I think I’ll enjoy having you as a brother in-law. But slow the hell down.” With a big grin, he put his fingers to his hat and strolled back to his unit, laughing. “And another one bites the dust.”
Muttering under his breath a few choice words about having Sam for a brother in-law, Riley climbed back behind the wheel, peeling out on the blacktop causing gravel to fly out from behind the back tires. Driving up toward the house, he slammed on the brakes when it came into view. It was gorgeous, better than the pictures showed.
The large chalet style home stared down over the pond and pastures. The entire area was fenced, with another smaller area fenced around the house. Riley had told Gus to put the other fence up to keep small children away from the pond. Behind the house, the Glaciers sat ruggedly looking down and watching over the home, which now stood on a place that had only held memories of hate before. It was magnificent, and now that he saw it in person, he knew he couldn’t sell it. This home belonged to him and Kaitlyn, a place where they could build a happy family for Sadie, a place filled with love—not hate. As he sat there staring at it, flurries began to fly by the windshield. Riley grinned at the sight of the first Montana snow he’d seen in ages. Perfect. Hitting the gas, he drove to the house, and parked beside Kaitlyn’s SUV.
****
Strolling through the house, Kaitlyn held Sadie’s hand while she held on tight to her bunny and jabbered away as they moved from room to room. Kaitlyn loved the house. The black appliances sat nestled between beige marble countertops. The hardwood floors matched the dark mahogany cabinets and each bedroom had its own bath. The master bedroom was a dream space, large with a fireplace, and French doors leading to a wraparound porch. The room contained a huge walk-in closet and another door led to the large bathroom with a standup shower and Jacuzzi tub. As if the room hadn’t been beautiful enough, she’d fallen instantly in love with the large stained-glass window above the tub. The way the sunlight danced through it and made prisms along the wall was a delight. This house needed a real family.
Sadie squealed halting Kaitlyn as she entered the kitchen, her heart nearly exploding in her chest when she saw Riley leaning against the center island with his arms folded across his broad chest, smiling. Blinking her eyes, she expected him to disappear but Sadie knew he was real and broke away from her and ran to him. Squatting down, Riley caught her in his arms, kissed her cheek, and chuckled when she kissed his chin then reached up and squeezed his nose. His eyes met Kaitlyn’s over her daughter’s head and her heart slammed into her ribs. The way Sadie ran to him told her Sadie hadn’t forgotten him, and he knew it too, for there were tears in his eyes.
“God, you look so good.” Moving forward, he shifted Sadie to his hip and stopped directly in front of Kaitlyn.
“What are you doing here?” Her gaze roamed all over him, tears burning the back of her throat and blurring her vision. She’d missed him so much.
“I came home. I’m done running. I want to be with you, and Sadie.” His eyes blinked quickly, and she knew he was feeling everything she was. “I love you both. I want to live here with you. I have a buyer for the house but I’m not selling it. This is our home, Katie.”
“You’re not selling it?” The tears she fought to contain slipped down her cheeks.
“No…unless…I love it. Do you like it? I didn’t think to ask you. If you don’t, I can build another…”
“I love it, Riley, it’s beautiful, but are you sure this is what you want to do? What about the memories—about Roscoe?”
“What about him? I’m through thinking about him. I’ve been talking with my parents every weekend and I’m starting to come to terms with the past being the past. I’m planning to visit them for the holidays, and I want you with me…you and Sadie…as my wife and daughter.” His thumb gently stroked along her cheek, wiping a tear away.
“I’ve missed you so much, Riley but you hurt me when you left. I need to know I can count on you,” she said glancing away.
Riley placed his hand on her cheek and her gaze lifted to meet those beautiful eyes that made her smile. “I know, and I promise I’ll never hurt you again. I love you, Katie. Let me back into your life. I promise that if I ever start letting the past get to me, I’ll let Sam go at me.” Grinning, Riley leaned down and kissed her as she started to laugh.
“Please,” he whispered against her lips.
Nibbling her bottom lip, Kaitlyn didn’t answer right away. Perhaps he needed to suffer a little more. “What are you going to tell the buyer?”
Shrugging, Riley glanced around the beautiful kitchen. “I’ll just tell him I’ve decided not to sell. I haven’t ratified the contract yet.”
“Her,” Kaitlyn said with a sly grin.
“Her what?” Frowning, Riley cocked his head.
“You said you’d tell him. You need to tell her.” Kaitlyn grinned at him, trying not to laugh.
Shaking his head, Riley obviously didn’t get it. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m the buyer.”
“What?” Riley practically shouted making Sadie squeal.
Laughing, Kaitlyn caressed Sadie’s back and smiled up at Riley. “I’m the buyer. I wanted the house so we could stay close to you. This is where you came from, and this is what you built.”
“Oh, Kaitlyn, I do love you…but you’re not buying it. Nope, I’m giving it to you as a wedding present instead.” Leaning in to kiss her again but Sadie blocked him when she grabbed his nose.
“Dada,” Sadie said with a giggle.
Laughing, Riley hugged her to him. “You’re so right, Sadie-bug. I am your dada.”
Feeling as if her world had suddenly become complete, Kaitlyn laughed too, and threw her arms around both of them. “I will marry you, Riley Madison, but prepare yourself because I plan on filling up those other two bedrooms.”
“Yes, ma’am, and I’m more than happy to work with you on that project.” Setting Sadie down, he pulled Kaitlyn into his arms. “I love you, Kaitlyn, and I’m so glad to be home.”
Kaitlyn kissed him. “Welcome home, Riley. Welcome home.”
Epilogue
Checking his watch for what seemed like the hundredth time, Riley glanced out the window again.
“Calm down. She’ll be here. She worked too hard to catch you not to show up,” his soon-to-be brother-in-law teased him making Riley give him a fake chuckle.
“Seriously…what if something happened?” Riley swore then looked out the window toward the parking lot yet again.
“No swearing in the house of the Lord, Riley Madison,” the reverend muttered as he passed by him.
“Don’t piss off the padre.” Sam laughed, slapping Riley on the back.
“That goes for you too, Sam Garrett,” the reverend called out as he entered a back room. Wearing exaggerated grimaces, Sam and Riley looked at each other, and then both burst out laughing.
“Things never really change. Didn’t take long to get on his bad side again, did it?” Riley grinned.
“Were we ever on his good side?”
Shrugging, Riley laughed. “I don’t think so.”
Once more, he moved to the window again and gazed out. “She’s late. Why didn’t you bring her to the church?”
“Mom and Dad are bringing her. Since I’m your best man, I had to make sure you showed up. She’ll be here.”
Growling, Riley started pacing. “What if Sadie got sick or something?”
“Jesus—” Sam began.
“You’d better be praying, Sam Garrett,” the reverend chastised him making Sam flinch. The man of God was standing right behind the town Sheriff shaking his head.
“You seriously need to quit sneaking up on people, Padre,” Sam murmured rolling his eyes.
Riley couldn’t resist chuckling, enjoying watching his old friend being taken to task by the reverend just as they had as kids. Well, he enjoyed it un
til Sam threw him a dirty look.
Suddenly, the front door to the church opened and the father of the woman he loved, stepped inside. When he saw Riley there, Jonathan Garrett narrowed his eyes at him and quickly closed the door behind him blocking it.
“Why are you standing out here? You can’t see the bride before the wedding,” Jonathan scolded Riley. “Go.” Waving an impatient hand, he indicated the door to the room where he was supposed to be waiting. The two men hurried inside, closing the door behind them.
Once inside, Riley glanced at his friends, the best men he knew, standing around the room. Jake, Gabe, Wyatt, Brody, Trick, and Ryder, all grinned at him and he couldn’t help but grin back. These men were his brothers. They may not share blood, but they always had each other’s backs. Having finally come to realize that home was more than a place, it was family, and his real family had always been right here in Clifton and among these people. Now his family was expanding with the addition of his mother and real father but most importantly, he was marrying the love of his life and gaining a beautiful daughter in the process. His hope was to expand it some more by adding some brothers and sisters for Sadie.
****
When Kaitlyn had stepped from the car, the crowd standing outside the church had cheered. It didn’t seem to matter to them it was only thirty degrees and snow flurries swirled around them. Kaitlyn knew she was late and hoped Riley wasn’t worried. Getting a two-year-old settled with a babysitter while trying to get ready for a wedding was not an easy ordeal. Once inside the room where she awaited the signal for things to begin, she reached for a flute of champagne.
“You’re not going to get drunk on me, are you, Katie?” Madilyn scolded, with her hands on her hips.
“Madilyn, I’m already drunk on love,” Kaitlyn told her before taking a sip of the wine.
With a groan, Madilyn rolled her eyes. “Please. You did not just say that.”
The women were giggling when Kaitlyn’s mother stepped into the room with a loud sigh. Grinning at them, she pointed to the flute in Kaitlyn’s hand. “I could use one of those. It’s so cold out. I really don’t miss this weather,” Genevieve Garrett muttered then stopped and placed her hands on hips in reaction to Kaitlyn staring at her. “What? I can’t have champagne?”
RILEY Men of Clifton Montana by Susan Fisher-Davis FINAL (1) Page 18