Riley's Reverend

by Kirsten Osbourne

  “You’re excited about this, aren’t you?” Blake asked, a little surprised.

  “I warned you how competitive I was. You get to see it first hand now. Aren’t you lucky?” Riley took her plate and his into the kitchen and threw them away. She knew her grandfather would build a bonfire with them soon. He always did.

  The different families started congregating around the card tables that had been set up around the house for them. Grandma had thrown every partial deck of cards she’d ever had into this. Riley had always wondered why she would want a deck of fifty cards. It all made sense now.

  She stepped up to the table with her sisters and their significant others. Looking over her shoulder, she asked, “Aren’t you helping, Mom and Dad?”

  “Not this time. There’s not enough room around the table.”

  For a moment it looked as if Roxane would offer her place, but then her sister shook her head and put her game face on. They were going to win. They just knew it.

  Riley started the card house with two cards, and they all worked to add to it. April Lynn and Bob walked around looking at the other houses, trying to let their children know what they should do if they wanted to compete.

  She heard Uncle Harvey yell out, “Spies!” at one point, and they all laughed. There were always spies in this competition.

  A minute before their two hours were up, she heard a, “Oh, no! What did you do, Joel?” from the table in the kitchen. It was Robyn’s voice, and Riley smiled. It meant they had a sporting chance for a change. Joel had obviously destroyed their castle. Good.

  “Time!” Grandpa called out, and everyone set down their remaining cards and took a giant step away from their tables. They knew the rules in the Quinn household.

  Grandma and Grandpa wandered around to all of the tables. “We’re giving two scores for each table. Size and prettiness. We’ll combine the two scores and the family with the most points wins,” Grandma explained when she reached their table.

  Riley waited to hear their score, but Grandma didn’t tell them. Instead, she just walked on to the next table.

  “Ugh. She doesn’t want us comparing scores with the other families. I hate it when she’s so secretive. There’s a lot at stake here!” Riley grumbled.

  Blake really couldn’t see what was at stake. It was just a silly contest, but he was afraid to say that. He was sure Riley would elbow him in the stomach or something. She really did become fierce in these competitions.

  Finally, after ten minutes of deliberation, the two judges stepped into the middle of the house. “I’m not going to give scores for everyone, because that might humiliate some of my grandchildren, and I won’t have that,” Grandma said. “But the winner of the Memorial Day trophy this year is . . . the Bob Quinn family!”

  Riley started singing softly as she watched her parents walk to get the trophy. Her sisters immediately joined in. It took him a moment, but Blake quickly realized they were singing “We are the Champions.” He shook his head and laughed. He wondered if all the other families would have done the same if they’d been the ones to win.

  Bob held the trophy high above his head as soon as it was in his hands. “I want to thank my parents for bringing me up right. I want to thank my beautiful wife for helping me raise amazing children. But most of all, I want to thank the little people who made this possible!”

  Blake stared in shock for a moment, trying to hide his amusement. There was good-natured applause from everyone and cheers from Bob’s family. When Bob carried the trophy back to his daughters, they all kissed their fingers and then the trophy. He wondered if each family acted so silly when they won.

  Riley went into the kitchen to get her empty salad bowl and returned to Blake’s side. “Time to go,” she said softly.

  “Really? It’s over?”

  Riley nodded. “The only thing any of us care about is who wins the trophy. The trophy has been won, so now we go back to our daily routines.” She handed Blake the bowl and stepped to her grandmother, hugging her close. “Love you, Grandma.” Then she moved to her grandfather and did the same. “Until the next holiday.” She waved as she headed for the door, Blake just a step behind her the whole way.

  Once they were in the car, she looked at him. “What did you think?”

  “I’m not even sure what to think. I can’t believe you guys are so competitive about even building card houses. That’s a level of crazy competition I have never seen.”

  Riley grinned at him. “I warned you.”

  “That you did. I guess I didn’t believe it could be as crazy as you said.”

  “Oh, trust me. There’s no need to exaggerate a Quinn gathering. We’re as crazy as everyone calls us.” She leaned back against the head rest and closed her eyes for a moment. “I’m tired!”

  “I am, too. It was a big day.” He looked over at her. “Do you want to grab supper, or do you just want to go home.”

  She yawned. “I wish we could be alone together, because I want to eat with you, but I’m sleepy. Why don’t we get something quick and then call it a night?”

  “Sounds like a smart plan to me. You work tomorrow, right?”

  She nodded. “I do. And I don’t want to.”

  He laughed. “I was thinking maybe we could bowl after work. I noticed there’s a bowling alley in town, and I’ve heard the food is wonderful.”

  “Oh, it is. Bowling sounds fun. I haven’t been in a few years, but I always enjoyed it when I did. In fact, they did a bowling league for high school students, and I was always part of it. I loved it.”

  “Good. We have our plans for tomorrow, then.” Blake looked over at her. “Tomorrow will be ten days.”

  “Hallelujah! I think we might just be able to make it work after all.” Riley shook her head. She was still nervous that he’d call it off at any moment, but if he’d asked her out after being around an entire houseful of Quinns, he must be sticking. At least for a while.

  They went to Subway for supper and ate sandwiches. The conversation was stilted because they were both so tired after the day at her grandparents’ house. “I’m really glad I got to see you with your whole family around you. I can’t wait to meet Jake.”

  “I can’t wait to see him either. He’s going to be here in early August, and he’s getting the biggest hug ever.”

  “I’m sure he’s already looking forward to it. Sister hugs are wonderful.” He finished his sandwich and wadded up his paper, tossing it toward the trash can. When he missed, he got up and picked up the paper, putting it into the bin.

  Riley wadded hers up and tossed it as well, and it went straight into the trash can. She raised her hands above her head. “Touchdown!”

  He shook his head. “You’re mixing your sports references.”

  “I’m not a huge sports fan, so I don’t care.” She wrinkled her nose at him playfully. “Are you big into sports?”

  “I love the Cubs. Baseball is my favorite, and the Cubs are actually leading their division this year. I’m sure they’re going to go to the World Series this year. And win. They’re going to win.”

  “Cubs, huh? I would have thought the Cardinals. Aren’t the Cardinals the Missouri team?”

  Blake nodded. “They are, but my dad was from Chicago, and he and I watched the Cubs together. We watched it when they won the World Series for the first time in more than a century. Watching the Cubs, I feel my father’s presence. It feels right.”

  “I can understand that. I’m truly not a sports fan, but I can’t watch certain musicals without thinking of my mom. I can’t go four-wheeling without thinking of my dad.”

  “I think that’s great. Your family is obviously very tight knit, even though there’s so much teasing and playful fighting.”

  Riley smiled. “We really are. I consider my sisters my best friends. We did everything together before they all got engaged and married.”

  “Do you ever feel left out? Like you’re the last one standing?”

  “Not really. Bobling
isn’t married yet, and he’s the oldest. I’m the baby.” But she really hoped he would see through her words and realize that she wanted to marry . . . but only him.

  “You mean Jake?” Blake asked with a grin.

  “Absolutely. Jake. Jake, Jake, Jake. But he still feels like a Bobling. I’m not sure I can bring myself to call him Jake when I see him.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get used to it. I can’t imagine he’s going to come home and respond to that ridiculous nickname.” He got to his feet. “I need to get you home before you turn into a pumpkin. You look exhausted.”

  “So do you. Building the perfect card house is hard work.”

  “Harder than I’d ever imagined. And a trophy for card house building is just the icing on the cake. They should make it an Olympic event.”

  Riley laughed. “Grandmother would be annoyed that people stole her idea, so that’s not the kind of thing I’d float around her.”

  Blake pulled up to her house. “I’ll keep my opinions to myself.” They walked together to the front door, and he leaned down to kiss her goodnight. “Tomorrow night bowling still on?” he asked.

  “Of course. I’m already looking forward to seeing you again.”

  “Me too. I can’t wait.” With one more kiss, he was on his way to the car. Riley watched until his tail lights were out of view. She already missed him.

  Nine

  Riley walked into her father’s office at the hotel the following day, finding him sitting behind his desk and talking on the phone. She sank into the chair in front of his desk and waited for his call to be over. She was a little more nervous about the discussion than she’d planned, but she knew it was the absolute right thing for her future.

  When her father finished his call, he put the receiver in the cradle and turned to Riley, giving her his attention. “What’s up, buttercup?”

  She smiled at the greeting he’d always given when she was a little girl. “Well, I’ve been thinking, and I know that’s a little scary, but I have an idea that will help both me and the spa.”

  “Keep going . . .” Bob encouraged.

  “I think I want to go to massage therapy school and become a massage therapist. We are turning massage clients away, and I’m often sitting there twiddling my thumbs and looking for ways to keep myself busy. Then I could take some of the work load off Raina, but I could still do the crystal sessions when people want them.”

  He nodded. “I do think that would be great for both the hotel and for you. When do you want to start?”

  “I’ve been looking up dates, and I could start a class next week in Lewiston. I know it’s a huge change, but I want to be able to be more useful. It’ll take sixteen weeks, so I won’t be available to work again until the end of September.”

  “That’s going to be harder to deal with. Although, you’re right, and there aren’t a lot of crystal therapy clients who come here. We’ll just take that off the spa menu.” He nodded briefly. “Yes, let’s do it. The hotel will, of course, pay for your classes if you agree to keep working here.”

  “Absolutely. That’s why I want to do it. So I can keep working here with my whole family.” Riley was excited he’d offered to pay rather than making her ask for it. Even though he was her father, he was still her boss, and she didn’t want to have to ask.

  “Well, I think it’s a plan, then. Just don’t let it interfere with everything in your life. Do you have money saved for bills until you finish classes?”

  “I do. I just needed help with the cost of the course itself. Other than that, I’ll be just fine.” Riley got to her feet and walked around the desk to kiss Bob’s cheek. “Thanks, Dad.”

  “You’re very welcome. Now go home. It’s past your time to be here, isn’t it?”

  “Actually I have another half hour, but I don’t have a client, so I’m going to head home and change. Blake and I are bowling tonight.”

  “It sounds like you two have gotten very close. I’m glad. I think he’s good for you, and vice versa. He seems to be a serious man, but every time I’ve seen the two of you together, he’s been smiling or laughing. You already mean a lot to him.”

  Riley nodded. “I know. I just worry it’s not enough.”

  “What do you mean?” Bob frowned at his youngest.

  “Well, this is my first relationship to last longer than a week. It’s been ten days.”

  “You’re going to keep it going, Riley. There’s nothing about you that would make a man stop dating you if he had half a brain in his head. Trust me on this.”

  Riley nodded, opening the door to leave. “Thanks, Dad. I needed the pep talk as much as I needed the time off and funds for the class.”

  On her drive home, she wondered if her father was right. She certainly wanted him to be. Blake was the man she wanted to spend her life with. She just hoped he was drawing the same conclusion.

  She changed into jeans and a t-shirt and put her hair in a ponytail before he arrived. No one wanted their hair in their face while they bowled.

  Once they were in the car on their way to the bowling alley, she asked him how much experience he had bowling.

  “We had a bowling alley in the city I grew up in. I was on a league as a kid, and my dad would take the whole family at least one Saturday a month. I like it. I’m not fabulous at it, but it’s enjoyable to me.”

  Once inside, he paid for their lane and chose some food for them. The woman behind the counter told him that it would be brought to their lane.

  Riley made a strike with her first ball, and Blake got to his feet. “I should have guessed you’d be super competitive about bowling as well.”

  “I’m a Quinn,” she said with a shrug.

  “I know you are.” He shook his head, taking his ball and making his approach. He’d downplayed his bowling skills a bit. He’d had two perfect games back in Joplin, and he planned to have a great deal more right there in Quinn Valley.

  When his first ball was a strike as well, Riley narrowed her eyes. He was going to be tough to beat, but she planned to do it. She’d always been the best in her league.

  He turned around and smiled at her, and Riley realized this was a challenge. He was truly trying to show her that he could be competitive, too. She was thrilled to see this side of the good reverend.

  When their food arrived a short while later, he was bowling a perfect game, and she was down by twenty points. She was doing well but not as well as he was.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were this good?” she asked.

  “Would you have still bowled with me?”

  “Probably.” Riley shrugged. “I enjoy bowling, but I would have been mentally prepared to be beaten. Badly.”

  He laughed. “You just can’t stand losing, can you?”

  “Nope. And I’m still not certain that I will.” She sat down and took a sip of her root beer, picking up the burger he’d gotten her. When she saw he’d also ordered fried cheese curds, she ran at him, kissing him madly. He was making her day.

  There was a throat clearing from behind them, and Riley turned to look. It was Kara, the girl from church who’d obviously been interested and angry that Blake had chosen a Quinn. “So this is why the pastor doesn’t look at anyone else. He’s getting everything he needs from Riley.”

  Riley glared, crossing her arms over her chest. “You just saw as much affection and passion as we’ve ever shown one another.” She wanted to add that she didn’t have the kind of loose morals Kara did, but she restrained herself. Sometimes it was hard taking the high road.

  “That’s not how it looked to me.”

  Blake stepped forward. “I’ve kissed Riley and nothing more, not that it’s any of your business. I think a lot of her, and I would never put her in a compromising position. So I would appreciate it if you didn’t gossip about what you just saw. If it gets back to me, I’m certain that I’ll know where it came from.”

  Kara flicked her long blond hair over one shoulder. “I just don’t understand how you t
wo started dating so quickly. You didn’t give any of the rest of us a chance.”

  “We just connected,” Riley said. “If you were dating him and I wasn’t, would it still be a bad thing?”

  “I’m getting back to my friends. You’re the only one who thinks you’re a princess, Riley Quinn.”

  Riley closed her eyes and counted to ten.

  “It sounds like the two of you have a history,” Blake said.

  “Oh, we do. She was my best friend until junior high when she liked a boy who was interested in me. He asked me to the dance, and everyone heard about it. I turned him down because of how Kara felt about him, but she’s never forgiven me. The antics of junior high girls. I wish she’d outgrow them soon.”

  “Do you want to keep bowling?” he asked. “Or do you want to leave?”

  “I’m not letting her interrupt my game. Let’s bowl!” She walked over and picked out her ball, making her approach. “Strike!”

  He grinned, loving her zest for life. No matter what anyone in town said, this was the woman he was going to marry.

  On their way back to her house a couple of hours later, Riley explained her conversation with her father. “It starts next week. I’ll be back in time for the get-together at Robyn’s, though.” She eyed him curiously. “Do you know Ben’s secret?”

  “Well, I’m going there planning to officiate a wedding, so I sure hope I know the secret.” He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers. “I’m going to miss you terribly while you’re in training, but I hope it helps you get where you want to go in life.”

  At that moment, all she wanted was to go into his arms. But how could she say that to him? He was a pastor. “It’s going to be hard for both of us, but it will be worth it in the end. I didn’t even have to ask Dad to pay for it. He volunteered.”

  “Oh, well, that’s great. I’m glad you’re taking this step.” He parked the car in her driveway and looked at her, immediately moved by her. He wanted to kiss her and never stop, and that was probably not the best idea in the world. Reaching for her, Blake pulled her close to him—well, as close as the console would allow—and kissed her a great deal more passionately than he ever had. One of his hands went to her waist and slid a little bit under her shirt, and he was intoxicated by the feel of her soft, smooth skin.