“Sorry.” Sierra lightly brushed Rielle’s entire eye area and she tried not to wiggle because it tickled.
“You said that you knew what it was like when people made generalizations. What did you mean?”
“I had a baby at sixteen. So people around here assumed I was a slut. Or that I was on food stamps and all sorts of government assistance because I was the daughter of pot-growing hippies.”
“Wow. Really? People said shit like that to you?”
“All the time.”
Sierra touched the apples of Rielle’s cheeks with a soft brush. “People are assholes. You’re not any of those things. They should follow you around one day and see how hard you work.”
Again, she was reminded Sierra was a lot more observant than she’d given her credit for.
“Okay. Open your eyes.”
She did.
Sierra grinned at her. “Looking good, Ree. Time for mascara. I can’t stand when someone else puts it on me, so I’ll let you put it on yourself, just as long as you can do it without the mirror so you don’t ruin the big reveal.”
The big reveal. Funny girl. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
Sierra slapped a blue and neon pink tube in Rielle’s hand. “Start at the lash line. Sweep up twice. Then only touch the very tips of your lashes. That really makes them pop.”
“I’ll be lucky if I don’t pop out my eyeball doing this without a mirror.”
“Ha ha. You’re funny and not nearly as cranky as you like to think you are.”
That caught Rielle’s attention. “Cranky?”
“You. Thinking you’re old. Acting like such a hardass. Like you’ve got no time for anyone. But I see you with my dad. You smile a lot. So does he.”
This intuitive kid reminded her so much of Rory at age sixteen she ached, missed her insightful, stubborn and sweet daughter. She finished with the mascara. “Now can I look?”
“Nope. Last thing. Lipstick.”
Rielle groaned.
“Oh, don’t be such a baby. It’s not like I’m painting your lips with goopy stuff. Now pucker up. Hold it.” She outlined Rielle’s mouth with a thick pink-colored pencil. “You have the most perfect lips. My mom pays a fortune to have full lips like these.” She sighed. “You need to play them up. Even if you just put on hydrating shimmer gloss.”
“Uh, Sierra, no offense, but I don’t even know what the hell that is.”
“Ree. Stop talking, you’re smudging it. I’m almost done.”
Guess finishing her drink was out of the question.
“There.” Sierra peered at her like she was a science experiment. “Okay, I lied. There is one other thing I want to do.”
“What?”
“Where’s your hair spray?”
“Under the sink.”
“Close your eyes again. And umm…tell me if I pull too hard.”
Jesus.
Sierra fogged the bathroom with hairspray and Rielle bit back a cough. The kid did pull and twist her hair harder than she was used to. Well, with the exception of Sunday morning when Gavin had become that sexy hair-pulling beast who drove her insane with lust.
Probably not something she should be thinking about with the man’s daughter right in front of her.
“All right. You’re done with this phase.”
This phase?
Sierra pulled her to her feet.
“No peeking until I tell you.” She spun her forward and to the right. “Open your eyes.”
Rielle mentally practiced her wow face, hoping it reflected in the mirror before her what the fuck? face. She slowly opened her eyes.
And her wow face was real.
Sierra hadn’t caked on makeup, or given her a look that was too old, too young, or too sophisticated. The effect was very natural. Like Rielle always looked, but better. More polished.
“So? What do you think?”
Rielle met Sierra’s gaze in the mirror. “You were right. This really makes my eyes pop. And I love the lip color.”
“You have the prettiest eyes. Kind of like all the green things you grow are reflected in them.”
She squeezed Sierra’s hand. “Thank you. You are a miracle worker.”
Sierra squeezed her hand back a little harder than Rielle expected. “Stop saying shit like that. Now. What do you think of the hair?”
With her hair spiked every which way it sort of looked like she’d stuck her finger in an electric socket. But it worked. Conveyed a hip, edgy vibe without it seeming like she was trying too hard to be hip and edgy.
“It’s kind of funky, but you need to have a different way to fix yourself up, for when you go out.”
“I do like it.” She touched the top. “It’s easy?”
“Just as easy as what you do now. And when you’re feeling really daring? I’ll show you how to curl it so you look like an angel.”
Now that she’d pay to see. “I’ll take you up on that.”
Sierra’s hands landed on her shoulders. “Don’t get defensive on the next phase. Bear with me.” Then she steered Rielle toward her closet door.
“Oh hell no. You are not rifling through my closet, Sierra.”
“True. You are.”
When Rielle tried to spin around, Sierra held her in place in front of the full length mirror. “We are doing this. First, pick ten or fifteen pieces of clothing you love. Mix it up between jeans, pants, skirts, tops, shorts, dresses and sweaters.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
“Second, pick as many accessories as you want. Belts, scarves, leggings, shawls, jewelry.”
That’d be easy since Rielle had few of those items. “Is that it?”
“Yep. I’ve gotta check something and I’ll be right back.”
She was overcome with guilt opening the closet door because she’d packed so much shit in here after relocating from the upstairs master bedroom. Most of it she didn’t wear, but couldn’t part with because it was so damn ingrained in her not to be wasteful.
Then she felt resentful she was letting a sixteen-year-old fashionista boss her around.
But she’s hit the mark with the makeover so far. Admit you’re having fun. What else would you be doing? Working? Moping because you miss Gavin?
That put Rielle into the spirit of the moment and she tracked down her favorite pieces.
Sierra returned with a half-full garbage bag. The girl didn’t actually believe Rielle would throw away her clothes like on those TV shows?
“Show me whatcha got.”
Sierra nodded approvingly at the pieces Rielle had chosen. “When you’re done in the garden, or taking bread into town, or selling your stuff at market, what do you wear?”
Work clothes. Sometimes the same jeans or shorts she’d worn picking fruit or veggies. She’d wash her hands and put on the first clean T-shirt she could find. She flopped back on the bed. “You’re telling me to stop dressing like a bum?”
“Maybe. You’re hiding behind grungy clothes.” Sierra leaned over her. “Let me help you change that. It’s what I’m good at. And you won’t have to buy anything new unless you want to. We’ll work with what you already have. So what do you say?”
“I say, amen, sister, it’s way past time,” echoed from the doorway.
Rielle sat up and her mouth dropped open. “Rory?”
“In the flesh. But I have to admit when I decided to come home and surprise you, the last thing I expected was to see you getting a fashion makeover.”
She hurled herself off the bed and hugged her daughter. “What a great surprise! I was just thinking about you and here you are. So how long are you staying?”
“All weekend.” Rory hugged her back, but her focus shifted. “Hey. You must be Sierra. I’m Rory.”
“Hi. Wow. You look exactly like your mom. And she, uh, talks about you all the time.”
Rielle noticed Sierra acted nervous, twisting her fingers in the plastic garbage bag handles.
“Look, I’m sure you guys have stuff to talk a
bout so I’ll go.”
But Rory stepped in front of her and shook her head. “No way. You’re staying. After I snuck into the house, I listened in the hallway and I have to admit I’m impressed that you’ve accomplished something I’ve been trying to do for years.” She mock whispered, “You’ll be my hero if you can get rid of all the tie-dyed clothing.”
Rielle flapped her hand at Rory, but she and Sierra were too busy laughing to notice.
“So the makeup and hair is your doing?” Rory asked Sierra.
“Uh-huh. Ree is gonna teach me to knit and I wanted to teach her something useful. This is the only thing I can do that can be considered a skill.”
“You’re what? Sixteen? Plenty of time to develop other skills.” Rory settled cross-legged on the bed. “Pretend I’m not here and finish what you started.”
Since she so rarely got to see Rory, Rielle wanted to blow off the fashion show. But she wasn’t surprised her thoughtful daughter wouldn’t let Sierra feel left out.
“Okay. Here goes.” Sierra used the pieces Rielle had chosen and put together a dozen different outfits. All casual and unique without being weird. She changed an outfit from professional to funky just by mixing and matching accessories.
With the back and forth between Rory and Sierra, Rielle started to feel like a third wheel, even when she was amused by their fashion banter.
Finally, Rory asked, “What’s in the bag?”
“Stuff I had in my closet I never wear,” Sierra said. “I wasn’t sure if she’d like any of it, or if she’d think it was—”
“Too young for her,” they finished at the same time.
Was she really that predictable?
Rory’s gaze zipped over Sierra. “It’d probably fit me better than her anyway. How tall are you?”
“Five ten.” Sierra fished out a few items at a time, trying each piece with each outfit to see if it’d add impact. A slim fit white rayon blouse went into the keep pile along with a tweed jacket and a butter-yellow-colored turtleneck.
“You sure you want to get rid of this stuff?” Rory asked, fingering an orange sequined tank top.
“Take it if you want it. A hand-me-down is recycling—the responsible, green thing to do.”
Rielle grinned. “Ooh, Rory, she totally has your number.”
“Which is awesome, because I’m gonna be the belle of Laramie in this tank top on New Year’s Eve.” She pawed through the bag. “What else do you have that’s too young for my mom?”
Rory ended up with more clothes from the bag than Rielle did. Her thoughts drifted and she wondered what Gavin would think if he was here, seeing how well their daughters were getting along. She missed him, more than she imagined she would and she didn’t know how to feel about that. She had a sense of unease that Gavin hadn’t thought about her at all since she hadn’t heard from him, but she knew he’d kept in contact with Sierra.
“…with a strap-on.”
Her gaze flew to her daughter’s and both Rory and Sierra laughed.
“You weren’t listening to us at all,” Rory complained.
“Sorry. What?”
Sierra’s gesture encompassed the bed. Then she shook her finger at Rielle. “I’d better not see you heading to town in your gardening clothes. You aren’t a bag lady. You are an entrepreneur. You have several chic outfits to choose from. And you need to own the fact you’re still young and hot.”
Rory laughed. “Yeah, Mom, she’s got your number too.”
“My work here is done for tonight.” Sierra bowed and slipped out of the room.
Rielle hugged Rory again. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Let’s have a drink and you can tell me all about Gavin Daniels.”
She stiffened. How had Rory known she’d gotten involved with Gavin? “What?”
“Gavin and Sierra. They’ve been living here months. Are you ready to move into my cabin yet?”
Not even close. In that moment, Rielle decided not to tell Rory about her relationship with Gavin. Luckily, her daughter was easily distracted. “You’ll never guess who I ran into at the hardware store last week.”
“Who?”
“Remember Connor? The cute guy who installed the replacement electrical line in the barn?”
“Oh yeah. Definitely some electricity there.”
“Funny you should say that, because he asked about you.”
“Really?” Rory went off on a tangent and Rielle had a reprieve.
Chapter Nineteen
After four days attending to business in Phoenix, Gavin was damn glad to hit the wide open spaces of Wyoming. He called Charlie, letting him know he’d fetch Sierra from the bus stop. He’d missed his daughter, but her random texts amused him.
He’d missed Rielle too. It was a new feeling, missing a romantic partner. Missing the whole of her, the way she smiled at him, their conversations, the way they’d end up twined together. He hadn’t texted or called her. Would she be annoyed with him?
Maybe you oughta ask Sierra for advice since you’re acting like a teenaged girl.
Gavin waved at the assorted McKays, huddled in big pickups at the bus stop as they waited for their kiddos.
Sierra hustled to the car, fighting the fierce Wyoming wind. He remembered when his little girl threw herself at him, assuring him she’d missed him. In recent years he’d considered himself lucky if she even acknowledged him in public.
“I didn’t think you got back until later tonight.”
“I switched to an earlier flight.”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
He smoothed a wisp of her dark hair from her cheek. “Me too, sweetheart.”
“Can I drive?” she asked hopefully.
“In this wind? No.”
“Damn.”
Gavin laughed and pulled onto the highway. “I imagine Charlie let you drive?”
“Every day. I practiced parallel parking, which he says I rock at. Then we had hot chocolate and pie at the diner before we drove home on the back roads. He’s so sweet and funny.”
“So it’s not awkward?”
Sierra frowned at him. “What? Spending time with Charlie?”
“Yeah.”
“No. At least he wants to spend time with me.”
Gavin shot her a sharp look. “Was that a dig at me?”
She rolled her eyes. “God, Dad, paranoid much? I just meant if it wasn’t for the McKays, I’d never get to see anyone or do anything. It sucks being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way to get around.”
Never failed—she found a way to poke at him about the fact she still wasn’t driving on her own. He knew better than to take the bait. “How was school this week?”
“Crappy. I got a hundred percent on my math quiz and blew the curve for the rest of the class so my classmates are pissed at me. Which is probably why I’m spending another Friday night alone. Yay.”
“Never feel guilty for using your brain, Sierra. I’m proud of you for getting the top grade.”
“Did you see anyone I know when you were home?” she asked.
“Just the people in the office.”
“I wouldn’t even mind listening to Manny complain about the heat and everything else.” She sighed. “Can I go with you next time?”
“I don’t know when that’ll be.” He glanced at her again, seeing that brooding look settle on her face. “Back up. Why don’t you have plans for this weekend? Is there something going on?”
“Besides the fact I don’t have any friends except Marin and she’s busy all the time? Besides the fact the weather always sucks so I can’t drive? No. Besides that, everything is awesome.”
And…there was the sarcasm. He counted to ten. “But didn’t you just say if not for the McKays—”
“Read between the lines, Dad,” she snapped. “As much as I try to convince myself everything is fine, it’s not. When you’re gone it just reminds me that I want to go home. I hate it here.”
She hated it today. Didn’t
mean she’d hate it tomorrow. Or next week. She changed her mind as often as her nail polish color.
Gavin parked in front of the house to unload his luggage, which included a token he’d picked up for his daughter. Surly girl would probably throw it at him, so he’d save it.
“So what? You’re not talking to me now?” she demanded.
“It’s pointless to argue with you, when you’ll pick apart anything I say.”
“That’s because you know I’m right. Not that you ever listen to me.” She scrambled out of the car and…yep. Slammed the door hard enough to rock the entire frame.
Welcome fucking home.
Screw that. He wouldn’t let her shitty attitude sour the fact he was glad to be home.
Gavin left his suitcase in the entryway and hung up his coat. He loosened his tie on his way to the kitchen, searching for Rielle.
He pushed open the swinging door and there she was.
His damn heart skipped a beat. His stomach performed a happy flip. His cock stirred. He needed to wrap himself in her warmth, softness and light.
“Goddamn, Ree, you’re looking mighty tasty today.”
She flashed him an unsure smile. “I thought you’d be here later.”
“I couldn’t wait to get back.” He stalked her until her back connected with the refrigerator.
Rielle’s eyes softened. “Really?”
“Really.” He pressed his body to hers, curling one hand around her face and the other around her hip. He whispered, “I missed you,” against her lips.
“Gavin. Wait.”
“I can’t.” Then he took her mouth. Kissing her with pent up need, proving his desire for her with every hot and hard stroke of his tongue. Losing himself in the rush of her lithe body arching against his. Filling his senses with her taste, her scent. Swallowing her sexy little I-want-you-now moans that drove him fucking insane.
“Bed. Now.”
“But—”
She needed convincing? Fine. He’d convince the hell out of her. He growled, cranking up the intensity of the next kiss. Sliding his hand into her hair and pulling slightly, angling her head, to dive deeper into the soft draws of her mouth.
The sound of a loud, pointed throat clearing came from behind him.
Gavin froze. Then he lifted his mouth and his gaze collided with hers.
Gone Country: Rough Riders, Book 14 Page 16