by MISSY HARPER
“What the hell’s goin on with you two?” Tanner asked as if it was tearing him up inside. “Did you get drunk and sleep with the guy, Ry? You gotta help me out here. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing, Rylee. Am I supposed to beat his ass? Am I supposed to get my shot gun and drag him in front of a preacher? What, Rylee? Tell me, what the heck I’m supposed to do here?”
“Please, Tanner!” Rylee exclaimed, throwing the clothes in her hand roughly back into the suitcase and rounding on her brother. “I’m a big girl, I know what I’m doing. Just please stay out of it and let me handle it. There’s nothing you could or should do other than stay out of it. It’s between me and Ethan. You can’t fix this! You can’t make it better. All you can do is stay out of it… please.”
Tanner thought about it as he watched her pained eyes. She’d always been so damn independent! Everything in him wanted to protect his baby sister, but he also saw what his parents must have already seen. Rylee needed to do this on her own. She’d loved Ethan all her life, and it was time for her to deal with what that meant. Unfortunately, dealing with her feelings for Ethan was something no one could help her do, and obviously it was gonna be painful.
“He’s not right for you, Ry.”
“Please, Tanner…”
“Okay, I’ll try to back off, but you’ve got to remember, your my little sister, Ry. I can only stand by and watch you hurt for so long.” He said, gently gripping her shoulder in his massive hand.
“I’m afraid you’re in for a rough ride then, big brother.” She warned as his eyes narrowed on her, and the old protective Tanner resurfaced. He may not be able to help her deal with what she needed to deal with, but he could damn sure make certain his best friend didn’t make it anymore difficult than it had to be!
“Three days, Rylee! I’ll stay out of it for three days, then one of you is gonna tell me what the hell’s goin on… even if I have to beat it out of you!”
Chapter 20
Welcome Home, Son
“Hey, Pop.” Ethan tested, as he always did when he entered his father’s room at the nursing home. He never knew what to expect anymore. Sometimes his father thought he was a doctor, sometimes he thought he was someone hired to help him out, but very seldom did he realize Ethan was his own son.
“Ethan!” His father exclaimed, and a huge smile split the older mans face. A big lump formed in Ethan throat when he saw the recognition in his father’s eyes. “When did you get in?” His father asked as Ethan took a seat next to his father’s chair.
“Not too long ago. How you feelin, Pop?” Ethan asked, trying to soak up and memorize every detail of this precious time with his father.
“Oh, I’m fine, son.” James answered as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “That was one hell of a ride last night!”
“Yeah…” Ethan started to answer but his father’s words stopped him.
“I was watchin you, son. You did real good, made me right proud of you.” His father smiled at him, and it showed every bit of pride the man had for his son. Ethan held a smile on his face, but his heart was splintering. His father recognized him now, but his mind was still so mixed up that he continued to mistake Rory for his own son. Oh well, at least he knew who he was now.
“Congratulation, Son. What’s that, six championships now?” Knowing that the time he might have with his father could be limited, he went with it. He needed this time with him. There was so much he wanted to tell him and needed to talk to him about.
“Yeah. Thanks, Pop, but I’ve got even better news.” Ethan smiled at his father and found that old familiar twinkle in his father’s eyes. It brought a knot to his throat. How he had missed that twinkle! He mentally kicked himself for all the years he’d wasted on loose women and that damn rodeo! He could have spent that time with his family, with Rylee.
“What could be better than winnin a World Championship?” James asked his son with a proud smile.
“Rylee came to watch the competition… and uh, well Pop, we got married last night.” Ethan admitted with a smile.
“It’s about damn time!” His father yelled, shaking his fist in the air. “It’s also time you quit chasin them buckle bunny’s and realize what a gem that little lady is. Damn, I’m happy for you, son!” His father said, turning and placing a firm hand on his son’s shoulder. “Just when I didn’t think I could get more proud of you, boy.” His father admitted with a chuckle.
“Thanks, Pop.” Ethan said around the emotion gathering in his throat. He knew then that if his father never recognized him again it would be okay, because he’d been given the opportunity to tell his dad about he and Rylee, the most important and precious thing in his life. He had made his father more proud than he ever imagined he could. That was something this awful disease could never take from him.
“Where is that pretty little thing, anyway?” James asked, looking past Ethan, expecting her to walk in at any moment.
“She was tired from the trip, so she stayed at home. She’s gotta work in the morning.” Ethan answered. It was all the truth, and he only felt slightly guilty for stretching it, but no way was he gonna pour water on this fire!
“Wore her out, did you?” His father teased him with a chuckle and a devious twinkle in his eyes. “That’s good, son. You’ve got yourself a real fine lady in that one. You best treat her as such, too!” He turned stern eyes on his son. “They’ll be waitin in line behind ya for a gem like Rylee. Best not stub your toe, boy.” James warned him.
“Wild horses couldn’t drag me away from her, Pop.” Ethan admitted, and realized, he was still telling the truth.
“You know, she reminds me so much of your mother. Pretty as a picture on the outside, tough as nails, feisty and spirited, yet sweet as a peach fresh off the tree on the inside. Don’t you let anything mess this up for ya, son. There ain’t nothing like the love of a good woman.”
His father’s words were serious and his advice worth taking. Hearing his father compare Rylee to his mother also helped him understand why his dad often mistook Rylee for his mother. It made sense now. It also made it a little easier to accept now that he understood he was making the mistake because of the person Rylee was on the inside, not because of some sick attraction to her.
“I always thought that was crazy talk or men just trying to convince themselves being stuck with one woman for the rest of their lives wasn’t really so bad. Now… that I’ve held my little Runt… I know that anything other than her would be second best, and a shameful waste of time, Pop.” Ethan admitted to his father with a big smile on his face.
“Well I’ll be damned, my boy’s finally grown up!” James said with an approving smile. His attention was cut short when the broadcaster on the television announced the next bull rider was Rory Van der Brook. His father turned back to the television with intense interest.
“Here it is! I taped it last night so I could watch it again.” He said, looking back at his son and then returning his attention to the television. “There’s Rylee!” He said, pointing to the screen. Ethan looked at his father hoping he would notice that his son was sitting right beside her with his arm around her and not the cowboy on the back of the bull in the arena. Rylee had been terrified the entire time Rory had been on Ball Buster. Truth be told, so had he.
Rory’s seems to be having a little trouble settlin on Ball Buster’s back. Alright, I think he may have it… looks like he’s got his rope… yeah, his hand’s coming up, we’re just waiting for him to nod… and here we go! He’s out of the gate and spinning hard to the right! Looks like he’s gonna give Rory a run for the money! Look at Rory holdin on to that bull! Folks, I don’t know, but it looks like Rory Van der Brook just might have Ball Buster’s number! He must have gotten some good advice from last years champion. He’s takin everything that bull throws at him and then diggin in his spurs as if he’s asking Ball Buster if that’s all he’s got! Look at him! He’s dominating out there! Whew! That’s eight, folks! Rory Van der Brook has done
the unthinkable… Ho-ly Cow! The buzzer rang and Rory’s still holding on! He’s not caught up either! He’s out there showin Ball Buster who’s boss! Look at that man ride!
“That damn announcer!” James thundered as he slammed his fist down on the arm of his chair. “You’d think at this level of competition they’d at least have announcers that could get the names right!” He pointed to the television and looked over at Ethan.
“That’s my boy ridin that bull! Damn near killed him two years ago, but Ethan showed him who’s boss this time. That excuse for an announcer keeps callin him by the wrong name.” James shook his head as he turned back to the screen.
Ethan looked at his father and knew he was gone again. He’d become a stranger again, here only to offer his father a bit of company. But that was okay tonight, because for a few moments he got to be with his Pop, and he got to share the most important thing in his life with him.
“I love ya, Pop.” Ethan smiled as he continued to watch and listen to his father go on and on about his son, and how proud he was of the boy. Sometimes Pop being out of his head cut like a knife, but sometimes it was a true blessing. The only thing that could have made this night any better was if Rylee had been here to experience it with him.
Chapter 21
Moonlight Confessions
Rylee’s cell phone lit up as it vibrated across the night stand next to her bed. Reaching over, expecting to see the nursing home’s number on the caller ID, she picked it up and was surprised to find Ethan’s number there instead. She considered not answering, but knowing that he’d gone to see his dad, she worried something might be wrong and changed her mind.
She’d changed into sweat pants and a sweat shirt after he left, crawled into bed and cried herself to sleep. She’d come to the conclusion that she could not live a lie and allow herself to stay in a marriage with a man that was only married to her because he got drunk, took her virginity and now felt guilted into responsibility. Now she just needed to find the courage to turn down all she’d ever wanted and file for the annulment.
“Hello.” She sounded sleepy, and the thought of her all warm and snuggled in her bed made him smile. The memory of how he’d held her the night before flooded his senses, and he suddenly missed her more than he’d ever thought possible. He wished he could just come home to her, crawl into their bed with her, snuggle up and tell her everything. Then he could show her what she meant to him by making sweet love to her all night long.
“Hey, baby. Did I wake you?” Ethan’s deep, silky voice caressed her ear when he spoke, and she felt a tight pinch in her heart. Not to mention those traitorous girl parts!
“It’s okay. What’s up? Is your dad alright?”
“He’s better than alright?” She could hear the relief and excitement in his voice and knew what had happened. Sitting up in bed, she turned on the lamp beside her as she pushed her hair out of her face.
“He recognized you!”
“He sure did, baby!” She could hear the pride and excitement in his voice. “I’m out by the fence. I just saw your light come on. Put on some boots and a coat and come celebrate with me.” When she paused, and he heard nothing but silence on the other end of the line, he refused to give up. “It’s beautiful out here, Rylee. It’s a clear, cold Montana night. Surprisingly, there’s no wind, and it’s not snowing. This night was made for a moonlight ride. Come on, baby.”
She knew she should say no and cry herself back to sleep, but something in his voice wouldn’t allow her to do what she knew she should. She tossed the covers back and headed for her closet, her stupid girl parts cheering her on the whole way!
“I’ll be down in five. Get my horse ready.”
“Already taken care of, Runt.” She heard the smile in his voice and told herself this evening was for him. It was only right that she celebrate this with him. He was still her husband. It had been weeks since his father had recognized him. It would be wrong of her not to go under the circumstances. It was the right thing to do, even if she knew she should be turning off her light and crawling back into her bed, alone.
“Where’s Oscar?” Rylee asked when she reached the fence and saw Ethan atop his horse.
“Cornbread’s enough horse for both of us.” He said, extending his booted foot and his hand for her to mount his horse in front of him.
“Was that a dig at my horse?” Rylee narrowed her eyes at him.
“It’s a moonlight ride, baby. That means we ride together.” He offered her his sexy grin, and she was powerless to avoid falling for it.
“I guess ya think you’re pretty smart, don’t cha?” She stood on his foot as he pulled her onto his horse in front of him, then wrapped a thick wool blanket around them and planted a kiss on her cheek.
“Thanks for comin out.”
“Your welcome.” She giggled and wiggled a little closer to him, excited to hear his story, but absolutely enthrawled being in his arms again. “Now, tell me everything!” She said, turning her head to look into his eyes, her own eyes alight with the same excitement she found in his. When he was done sharing all that had happened and how it made him feel, he pulled her back closer to him and began to nuzzle her neck.
“Sure is pretty out here tonight, isn’t it?” She nervously observed in an effort to distract him. Ethan chuckled against her neck and playfully bit into her earlobe. Her nervousness to his touch spoke to her innocence and thrilled a very primal part of him.
“Gorgeous. But, I think it could get a lot prettier.” He teased as he began to unzip her coat. Rylee quickly grabbed his hand to stop him.
“Tell me a secret, Ethan.” Her question stopping him yet again. He smiled, her apprehension was absolutely adorable. It just made her all the more precious. He couldn’t help but humor her. Hell, he’d do just about anything as long as he was doing it with his little Runt. There was a time when he would have considered this a sad day. Now, he just considered himself the luckiest bastard alive.
“What kind of secret?” He asked, still nibbling on her neck while humoring his little Runt.
“The kind that would shock people.” She demanded with a giggle and a halfhearted elbow to his ribs. Ethan rearranged her in his arms a bit and settled his chin on the top of her head, still holding her close, as his horse plodded slowly along.
“Hmm, something that would shock people.” He thought for a minute as he shamelessly dragged out his time with her. “I’m assuming you mean other than the fact that I got married.” Rylee elbowed him in the ribs, hard this time, and glared back a him. “Okay.” Ethan willingly cried Uncle. “One night, after a ride, I just wanted to go back to my room and not be bothered with anybody.”
“Yep, that’ll shock em alright.” Rylee interrupted.
“Be nice, Runt.” Ethan warned, nipping at her neck and soothing it with a sweet kiss. “You want to hear my story?”
“Okay, I’ll behave.” Rylee giggled as she leaned into him a little more.
“Alright, so I stretched out on the bed and started flippin through the channels. Guess what I found?” Ethan asked, grinning at her.
“You discovered a really great porno?” She asked, giggling a little. He kissed the top of her head, loving the way she felt in his arms and sounded when she giggled.
“No, smart ass. There was nothin on.” He kissed her head one more time. Her giggle always got to him, even as a kid. “So, I ended up watching that movie with Dolly Parton…”
“I knew there was going to be boobs involved with this story.” She teased and he tickled her ribs while bitting her earlobe as punishment.
“…and Julia Roberts! You know, the one where she’s gettin married, and her daddy’s out back shootin a gun up into the trees to scare off some birds?”
“Steele Magnolia’s. The movie about a girl that dies, leaving behind a small child, and all you remember is the guy with the gun. What’s gonna shock anybody about that?” She teased him. Ethan tickled her ribs and bit into her ear again, loving the way she giggle
d and rubbed against him.
“Maybe the fact that I cried my little eyes out during that funeral scene, smart ass.” He joked back with her.
“You mean the one where they referred to her mother’s hair as a brown football helmet?” She continued to tease him.
“That’s the one, now your turn!” He smacked a kiss on her cheek as she giggled at him.
“I still think Dolly’s boobs had something to do with it.” She razzed him some more.
“Your turn, or would you rather play a different game, because I’d much rather have something to do with your boobs than Dolly’s.” He inquired as his hands began to roam. She batted his hands away from her own breast and smiled back over her shoulder at him.
“It’s a secret and a confession all in one!” Ethan grinned at her and brought his hands back to a respectful position.
“Ooh, I can’t wait to hear this one.” He teased and nibbled on her neck. “Maybe I can use it to blackmail you into coming home with me. I’ve been dreaming about that shower sex all day! And now, I can add a fantasy about you in that get up Miss Dolly wore in Nine to Five! Hmm…”
“Ethan!” Rylee giggled as she reached back to playfully slap his thigh. “Do you want to hear this story or not?”
“I’m all ears, Baby.”
“No, you’re all hands.”
“Don’t forget about my lips.” He taunted, nipping at her neck. “Go ahead, baby. You have my undivided attention.”
“I bet.” She giggled and couldn’t help leaning into his touch. “Do you remember that Pentecostal preacher that tried to start a church up here when we were kids?”
“Yeah, had a bunch of daughters.” Ethan laughed when she elbowed him a little harder. “What about him?”