Ryder Men of Clifton, Montana Book 5

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  “Wait. What was that about Thanksgiving?” she asked.

  Ryder sighed. “Since I’m not going home for it, they’re taking a cruise.”

  “You can’t go home because of me. Oh Ryder, I’m sorry. You should go. I can stay here. My parents are going to Canada.”

  “No. It’s fine. I think they’d rather go on the cruise. I could hear the excitement in his voice.”

  “Should I cook a turkey for us? What about the men?”

  “The men all have homes to go to. I’ll call Emma. Every year she invites me, but some years I go home. Sometimes, I’m just too busy to go home and I go eat with Emma and Gabe. The other Stones and their wives will be there too.”

  “They don’t have family?”

  “They’re the only family they have. Emma’s parents are still alive but they usually go to Colorado for skiing.”

  Kelsey glanced away from him and bit back a smile. “What about Sam?”

  “What about Sam?” Ryder asked pulling back, a frown darkening his face.

  “I was just wondering if he’ll be there.”

  “No. He’ll be having dinner with his parents and sister and probably the woman he’s been seeing.”

  Kelsey pushed out her lower lip and when she heard Ryder growl low in his throat, she burst out laughing. “I’m teasing you. I told you before none of them have anything on you, although if I had to choose someone other than you, I’d have a tough time choosing between Sam, Wyatt, and Trick. Sam’s blue eyes are simply gorgeous.” She wondered if he was truly jealous. She found herself hoping so.

  “I sure as hell hope you never see Riley then.”

  “Ooh, so Riley’s hot too?”

  “He must be. He has no trouble getting a woman, although he doesn’t seem to keep ’em long.”

  “I seriously doubt any of you would, Ryder. And maybe he’s just got fear of commitment issues…like you.”

  He frowned down at her. “No comment.”

  She leaned toward him. “Just shut up and kiss me,” she whispered against his lips.

  Kelsey felt him grin against her lips before pressing his to hers and sliding his tongue between hers. He hadn’t denied his fears, but he also hadn’t let guilt over what Frank would think of what they were doing stop him. That one small victory satisfied her as he picked her up and carried her away to the bedroom.

  “I know a great way to spend the afternoon.”

  “Don’t you have work to do?” She pressed her lips to his neck, making him falter a bit in his pace.

  “I’m the boss. I’m taking the rest of the day off,” Ryder told her as he entered the bedroom and kicked the door closed.

  Chapter Seven

  Thanksgiving morning was cold, blustery, and snow was starting to fall. Ryder and Kelsey were getting ready to leave for Emma and Gabe’s house.

  “I’ll start the truck so it’s warm. They only live a few miles from me, but it will still be cold.”

  “All right. I can’t wait to see them all again. I really enjoy Becca, Emma, and Olivia.”

  “They’re great women. Liv tends to have a potty mouth, so prepare yourself for it.” Ryder laughed and then went outside.

  Kelsey got her coat from the mudroom and while she waited for him to come back inside, she stepped to the back door and peered out. She watched as he cleaned the truck off and couldn’t help but notice the snow was getting heavier. He bounded up the steps and entered the kitchen.

  “It should be warm enough now,” he told her, knocking snow off his hat.

  “You’re sure it’s okay to go out in the snow?”

  “This isn’t much really. My truck can handle this and more. Trust me.” Ryder took her coat from her hands. “Of course, if you’re worried, we can stay home.”

  She glanced up at him. If he were so confident, she wouldn’t question his ability to drive safely in the snow. She shook her head, and smiled. “Let me get the cake.”

  She had made a chocolate cake although Emma told her it wasn’t necessary for her to bring anything. Ryder helped her put her coat on, and then she picked up the cake from the counter and they headed out into the snow and to the Stone home.

  When Kelsey and Ryder arrived at the Stone ranch, the snow had really begun to collect on the ground but the roads were still clear. As they entered the kitchen, the delicious scents of Thanksgiving filled their noses, and all eyes turned to greet them.

  “What? Is my blouse buttoned wrong?” Kelsey asked feeling suddenly self-conscious.

  Everyone laughed. Ryder took her coat and his to the mudroom to hang them up.

  “I seem to remember another couple who’s been late for Thanksgiving dinner.” Becca and Emma looked at Wyatt.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Wyatt grinned at them.

  Kelsey was happy she’d made the cake since Becca brought pumpkin and apple pies, and Olivia brought Jell-O, the only thing she could make. It seemed the family, especially Wyatt, knew she couldn’t cook worth a damn, but they all loved her anyway.

  She glanced around the big kitchen. Gabe and Emma had a gorgeous home. Ryder had told her it was the original farmhouse where Gabe's parents had lived. When they passed away, Gabe took the house along with eleven hundred acres. He’d remodeled the kitchen with new black appliances.

  “Let me show you our home, Kelsey.” Emma took her arm and led her from the kitchen. They walked down a hallway to the front foyer. The entry door was wood with leaded glass, and sidelights on each side of it. The floors were dark cherry hardwood. Emma guided Kelsey to the left and they entered the living room. Dark green carpeting covered the floor. The fireplace had a dark cherry wood mantel, and there was a fire blazing in it. There were windows on each side of the mantel.

  “We had this room carpeted after the baby was born. She plays in here a lot, so it was more cushion for her if she falls.” Emma led her across the foyer to the dining room. A large mahogany table sat in the center with place settings. A large window on the sidewall, with a window seat, and a china cupboard on another wall, a long buffet ran along the other wall. A doorway led back to the kitchen. They went back through the foyer and up the carpeted stairs. Emma showed her the rest of the home. Kelsey fell in love with it. All of the bedrooms had working fireplaces in them.

  “I envy you, Emma. It’s a beautiful home and one that’s obviously filled with love.”

  Emma smiled at her. “Thanks. I love it too.”

  They headed back downstairs. The men had gathered in the living room to watch football and the women were in the kitchen. Sophie, Emma and Gabe’s daughter, was playing in the living room. The kitchen was buzzing with the women talking and laughing. Olivia hugged Kelsey when she joined them.

  “I’m so glad you came. You’ll love having Thanksgiving here.”

  “I’m sure I will. I’m glad my parents decided to go on a vacation, and Frank and Grace went on a cruise.”

  “I invite Ryder to join us every year. I’m never sure if he can take the time to go home to see Frank and Grace. He’s been coming here a few years.” Emma smiled at her.

  The women worked together to finish getting the food ready and had just pulled the turkey out of the roaster when Wyatt entered the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around Olivia from behind and kissed her neck. She leaned back into him, putting her hands over his. He reached around her to grab a piece of turkey.

  Becca smacked his hand away and glared at him. “That’s why you came out here…to steal some food.”

  “Not the only reason.” Wyatt grinned and kissed Olivia again, and then he left the room.

  Olivia sighed. When she looked at the other three women, she grinned. They all burst out laughing. Emma was shaking her head.

  “You two amaze me. It’s like you’re not even married. Don’t get me wrong. Gabe and I love each other immensely, but with Sophie, we don’t get much privacy. You two have been married for five months now, is the honeymoon ever going to end?”

  Olivia laughe
d. “Are you serious? With that man…no, it’s never going to end. It took me a long time to get him and I plan to make him happy every day.”

  Becca groaned. “Good Lord, Olivia. Does he ever get any rest at all?”

  Olivia smiled. “Not if I can help it.” Making them all laugh again.

  Kelsey was having so much fun. She was quickly coming to love these women.

  ****

  “What’s so funny out there?” Gabe obviously wanted to know, cocking his head in the direction of the kitchen to try to hear the conversation.

  “I’m not asking. You get Emma, Becca, and Olivia together and there’s no telling.” Jake raised his hands and glanced at Ryder. “Now they’ve included Kelsey in the mix.” He shook his head. “Not good, Ryder, not good at all.”

  The men laughed. Ryder stood to get another beer. Jake, Gabe, and Wyatt begged him to bring them each one too.

  “Jesus, how many hands do you think I have?” Ryder stared at them.

  Wyatt got up. “I’ll go too. I need to see what Olivia’s up to anyway.”

  When the men walked into the kitchen, the women quit laughing and drew quiet. Wyatt and Ryder looked at each other then back to the women. Becca reacted first.

  “You're just in time. Can one of you carry the turkey to the table?”

  Wyatt grinned, picked up the platter, and carried it to the dining room. Each of the women picked up something and carried it to the table too. When Kelsey came back into the kitchen, Ryder was still standing there, waiting for her. When she smiled at him, he stepped forward, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her. He felt her hands slide along his waist.

  Ryder raised his head, and grinned when Becca, Emma, and Olivia walked back into the kitchen. “Sorry, but I needed that.”

  He kissed Kelsey again quickly, and then left the room carrying bottles of beer.

  After returning to the living room, he handed each of the men a beer and told them the food was ready. Ryder followed the others into the dining room and took a seat beside Kelsey. He watched as Gabe carved the turkey. Ryder chuckled when he heard Kelsey’s stomach growl.

  “I’m starving and it all smells so good,” she whispered rubbing her belly.

  “Don’t worry. Emma’s one hell of a cook. She used to cook at the Clifton B and B until she got pregnant.”

  “Their daughter is just beautiful.” Kelsey turned to Becca. “How old is your son? He’s such a handsome little fella.”

  “Of course, he’s handsome, he’s a Stone,” Olivia said, acting the proud aunt.

  “Can’t argue with you there.” Kelsey glanced at Ryder and grinned when he groaned at yet more adulation for the Stone brothers’ good looks.

  “Will is six months old,” Becca said and laughed when Will slapped his hands on the highchair tray. When Sophie saw him doing it, she did the same thing.

  “Remember when Thanksgiving dinners were quiet?” Jake said above the noise.

  “Quiet? How about the year, we had the food fight?” Gabe laughed.

  “I missed that one,” Wyatt said narrowing his eyes at Olivia who glared back at him.

  “Oh, yes. I remember it very well,” Olivia remarked.

  Wyatt grinned at her. “I really pissed you off that day, didn’t I, sweetheart?”

  “I’m still mad about it.” She huffed. Wyatt put his arm around her and whispered in her ear, making her blush and laugh.

  “What did he do to you, Liv?” Kelsey asked.

  “He didn’t show up at all. It broke my heart.”

  “There was nothing going on between us then, darlin’, so how could I break your heart?”

  “I know, but it did hurt. I was so looking forward to having you there that evening.”

  Wyatt kissed Olivia’s temple. “We have years of Thanksgiving dinners ahead of us to look forward to.”

  Olivia smiled, and threw her arms around his neck.

  “Holy shit. She honestly fell for that line?” Gabe said.

  “Daddy?” Gabe gave his daughter his full attention. “What’s holy shit?”

  “Something you are never to say again, Sophie Ann Stone,” Emma said, and then she looked at Gabe with a frown. “Gabriel Stone, you know better.”

  Gabe looked embarrassed. Jake burst out laughing, and everyone joined in, including Emma and Gabe.

  Kelsey stood. “I need a refill on my drink. Anyone else?”

  Everyone wanted refills, so the women headed to the kitchen to fill drink orders.

  ****

  Once they were in the kitchen, Olivia spun around, hands on hips, and narrowed her eyes at Kelsey.

  “What?” Kelsey asked, feeling everyone’s eyes on her.

  “Seriously? You’re going to ask me what? You and Ryder. That’s what,” Olivia exclaimed.

  Kelsey smiled. “What can I say? We like each other.”

  Emma burst out laughing. “Like? Looked like more than just like to me.”

  Kelsey shrugged. She wasn’t sure how Ryder would feel having all his friends know his business.

  “How long has this been going on?” Becca wanted to know.

  “A few weeks now. One night, we got into it hot and heavy and the next thing I knew he was pulling away from me, telling me Frank wouldn’t like it. I was so mad at him that night.”

  “I would have been too. So, did you do the nasty?”

  “Olivia Rene Roberts Stone,” Becca scolded.

  “Oh please. You want to know too.”

  Becca laughed. “Of course I do.”

  Kelsey laughed. “Well, eventually we did but only because I challenged him. I called him a pussy.”

  Olivia burst out laughing. “I love this woman.”

  “We’d better get back. They’ll start wondering what we’re up to,” Emma said.

  “We’re already wondering what you’re up to,” Gabe said as he stepped into the kitchen.

  The women jerked in surprise, and then laughed. Emma walked over to him and stood on her toes to kiss his lips. He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her neck. He stepped back, and grinned.

  “We should get back to dinner,” he told them. Kelsey thought she saw a blush rise on his manly cheeks but perhaps it was the lighting. As a group, they nodded and Gabe helped them carry the drinks to the dining room.

  An hour later, everyone sat in the living room, groaning. Olivia was lying on the floor in front of the recliner Wyatt was sitting in.

  “Why did you all let me eat so much?” she groaned, rubbing her tummy.

  Wyatt stood, leaned down reaching for her. She put her hand up to his, and he clasped his large hand around her arm. When he pulled her up, he tossed her over his shoulder making her squeal.

  “I’m sure we can work those calories off in some constructive way, sweetheart. Later everyone,” Wyatt exclaimed as he carried his wife out of the living room. Olivia laughed, raised her hand, and waved at everyone.

  “I think we’ll head out too,” Jake announced, and Becca nodded in agreement. She stood, gave everyone a hug, and went to get Will into his coat.

  “Are you ready to go?” Ryder asked Kelsey.

  “Shouldn’t I help Emma clean up?”

  “No. Go home. Gabe will help me,” Emma told her with a bold grin as she hugged her husband around the waist.

  “I will?” Gabe’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

  “Yes you will, Gabriel, or you won’t be working any calories off.”

  “Well hell. Sorry Ryder, uh…Kelsey, you both have to go.”

  Ryder and Kelsey laughed as they headed into the kitchen to retrieve their coats. After hugging Emma and Gabe, Kelsey took Ryder’s hand, and together they ventured out into the snowy Thanksgiving evening.

  They drove home in silence since Ryder had to concentrate on the slippery roads. Ice had mixed with the snow and Kelsey could hear it pinging on the roof and bouncing off the windshield. It made her nervous. She grabbed the handle above the door when the truck fishtailed sli
ghtly on the slippery road. She glanced over to Ryder.

  “We’re all right,” he told her without looking at her.

  “Okay,” she whispered while saying a silent prayer. She’d experienced icy roads back home in Georgia, but not out in the middle of nowhere with several inches of snow in attendance too.

  She blew out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding when he finally steered the truck into the driveway, not bothering with closing the gate, and parked it by the back door. Once the engine was off, Ryder opened his door and stepped out into the cold. Kelsey didn’t wait for him, but threw open the door and stepped out. The icy snow stung her face, and she wanted to get inside where it was warm. As Kelsey moved toward the front of the truck, she hit a patch of ice and fell, landing on her butt. Ryder was by her side in an instant.

  “You okay?”

  She gazed up at him, her pride stinging her. “My butt hurts.”

  Ryder put his head down and she knew it was to hide his grin, but then he gazed at her. “I suppose I could massage it for you.”

  Kelsey frowned. “I don’t know. Are you certified to give butt massages?”

  Ryder laughed and helped her up. She rubbed her butt as she entered the house. He helped her remove her coat and after hanging them up, he pulled her to him and kissed her lips.

  “I really don’t mind massaging your butt for you. I do like your ass.”

  “I’ll think about it.” She gave a little huff.

  Ryder frowned at her. “Spoilsport.”

  He took her hand and led her to the living room. After starting a fire, he pulled her down onto the couch next to him. The fire crackled and snapped as the flames reached up toward the flue. Kelsey snuggled against him and felt him rest his cheek on the top of her head.

  “Are you asleep, Ryder?” she whispered.

  “Not yet. I could be any time though. It was a long day and big meal.”

  Kelsey stood and put her hand out to him. He looked up at her, and she smiled. He took her hand and pulled himself to his feet. They walked to his bedroom where he immediately took a seat on the edge of the bed and started to lift his T-shirt over his head but he was so tired, he was having trouble. Kelsey pushed his hands away and lifted it off over his head. She pushed him back onto the bed, pulled off his boots and socks, unbuckled and opened his jeans before pulling them off, quickly followed by his boxer briefs. He lay there looking so magnificent her mouth was watering. His eyes closed. She pushed his legs up onto the bed, and then covered him with a comforter. After kissing his forehead, she then left him there to take a hot bath in the Jacuzzi tub.