by Elle Linder
“Don’t you tell me what I need or don’t need to do. Where were you, Tori?” he asked in a tight voice.
“At a friend’s house.” She turned around to face him. He had no right questioning her like this or waiting for her in her bedroom. Of course, she’d never tell him so. It would be disrespectful.
“I don’t appreciate your vague answers. When you’re asked a question, it’s expected you answer it properly. What are you hiding? Were you with a man? Who, Tori? Who the hell were you with?” His stern gaze bore into hers as he clenched his jaw.
Her blood boiled at his interrogation. She might have been a wild child, even a spoiled brat from time to time, but not once in her twenty-seven years of living had she broken the law or her parents’ rules. Coming home late wasn’t a big deal. It was the part about who she’d been with that had her father up in arms.
“Dad!” she said, raising her voice, then promptly lowering it when his eyes narrowed. “I know this is difficult for you to understand, but I am an adult. I wasn’t doing anything illegal. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine. So will you please leave?”
His jaw ticked as he stood and placed his hands on his hips. Tori’s room felt much smaller with his massive presence filling the space. Her dad, Conway Hart, never took crap from anyone. He worked hard and managed his employees firmly but fairly. His family had always been his top priority. When her brothers teased her or made her cry, her dad had dealt with them swiftly. She’d thought of him as a gentle giant the way he treated her and her mama. He was her hero.
Her heart ached now, seeing the disappointment in his eyes.
“Victoria Elise Hart, there are two things I demand in my home by all who dwell in it. One, you clean up after yourself because your mama isn’t a maid.” He inhaled, pressing his lips thin.
She cringed, hearing her full birth name. She knew his rules. Everyone did. It gutted her knowing she was breaking the second one.
“Number two is honesty. We don’t lie to our loved ones. These are simple rules. Ones we all adhere to out of respect and love for each other.” He went to her bedroom door. Keeping his back to her, he said, “I expect to hear honest answers to my questions at breakfast.” With those final words, he closed the door behind him as he left.
Tori’s lip quivered. Was this how her brothers felt when they got into trouble? Or had they’d gotten used to getting such a stern talking to? This was her first time.
She quickly stripped out of her clothes and into her sweatpants and T-shirt and crawled into bed. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She hated it. She wasn’t a child, yet she was crying like a baby.
Disappointing her father or disrespecting him broke a little piece of her heart. What was she to do? If she told him she’d been with Rex Knolls, her dad would come unglued. He might even lock her up in the attic until she came to her senses. At least, that had been his threat to her brothers at least a hundred times over the years. Surely he hadn’t meant it, or so she hoped.
She sniffed her pillow and caught a whiff of her dad’s scent: musk, tobacco, and hair gel. Her tears picked up.
What was she to do?
Rex was the first man she’d ever wanted more with. In the last month and a half, and all their short conversations that revolved around Lyla, she could tell Rex was a decent man and a terrific father. He owned a successful equine business, his own home, and was raising a remarkable little girl all by himself. His house was tidy, kitchen spotless. Maybe he had a cleaning service. Either way, she was blown away by him. If he was an excellent cook too, he would be perfect in her eyes. But no one was perfect. She didn’t need more than what Rex had already given her a glimpse of.
Her phone buzzed on her nightstand. She popped up in bed to grab it. Rex didn’t waste any time messaging her now that he had her number. He’d seemed nervous when he asked to exchange numbers. He was adorable.
Rex: I had a great time tonight. Sweet dreams.
A soft smile tugged at her lips, but she couldn’t bring herself to reply. Maybe Rex would think she was already asleep.
Until she knew what to do about her father, it was best to let the flames die down between her and Rex over the weekend. Come Monday, she would be forced to see him, and she didn’t know what she’d say.
No sooner had Tori closed her eyes than they flashed open at the sound of her father’s heavy steps outside her bedroom door. She could tell that it was before five in the morning, as the sun wasn’t awake yet.
Her heart rate increased, wondering what he might do. Would he storm into her room and demand answers? Or maybe he’d tiptoe in and simply kiss her on the forehead like he’d done dozens of times throughout her childhood.
A moment later, she heard him tromp down the stairs without any regard for those who were still sleeping. That meant he was angry… because of her.
Tori never fell back asleep. She tossed and turned, feeling the weight of her father’s anguish as if her own. It crushed her to let him down.
Was there ever a good enough reason to hurt someone she loved? Her own father? Choosing between her daddy and the man she was starting to fall in love with would be impossible. She didn’t want to be forced into making a choice. But she knew it would eventually come down to picking one over the other.
She inhaled a deep breath and then exhaled, wholly disheartened.
Why did she have to fall for Rexford Knolls?
Five
“WATCH YOUR POSTURE, Hadley. That’s it, ease her into the turn.” Rex ran his fingers through his hair, keeping his eye on the nine-year-old riding Tiramisu, a buckskin American Quarter Horse mare. He hated working on Sundays, but Hadley’s parents paid him double to compensate for private two-hour lessons.
Dr. Mitchell was a local dentist, and his wife was his secretary. They worked a lot, being one of only two dentistry offices in Piper Ridge specializing in children. Lyla liked going to Dr. Mitchell’s office. She called him silly and goofy. She loved the play area, which usually had a kid or two there she could play with until it was her turn. The three hundred Rex made on Sundays went straight into Lyla’s college fund.
“Now put her into a trot.” He glanced over at Lyla, who was rearranging the carved pumpkins on the front porch for the sixth time today.
This morning at breakfast, he’d told her they’d carve another pumpkin after his lesson with Hadley. Little things made Lyla happy, like scraping out the seeds and flesh from the inside of a pumpkin. Or putting the Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. Lyla would likely rearrange the ornaments on the lower half of the tree dozens of times before he took it down after the new year. His little girl loved to organize and move things around the house.
Whatever made his sweetpea happy, he’d do. Even carve yet another pumpkin, making it his eleventh this season.
Rex checked his phone, but there was no reply from Tori. Had he pushed her too far last night? He couldn’t help ravaging her or getting turned on. She had the sweetest mouth and kissed him breathless, and her body molded to his perfectly.
Yes, he wanted her naked in his bed. Yes, he wanted to discover every inch of her curvy, lithe body. Yes, he felt like a horny teenager for all the things he couldn’t get out of his head he wanted to do to her.
Had she dialed into his thoughts? If she had, it would explain why she hadn’t replied to either of his texts. He couldn’t blame her for ignoring him. But he felt like a jerk if she thought all he wanted from her was sex, because he wanted so much more.
Rex wanted someone to spend his time with and who also adored Lyla. Tori was just the person he needed in his life. She made his little girl happy, and his heart swelled with hope for the future. He prayed Tori hadn’t written him off. He’d do things differently if given another chance.
“How was that, Mr. Knolls?” Hadley asked as she stopped Tiramisu at the wooden railing Rex was perched on.
“You’re a natural. Every week you improve. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks! Can we try jumping next?
”
Rex chuckled, scratching his beard. “Oh no, sweetheart. First, you need to develop a secure seat in all gaits. We’ve talked about this. Next year we’ll move onto jumping.” Hadley might be a natural, but she’d only started lessons last spring. Though he trained her for two hours, he preferred his students had two separate lessons per week to improve their skills. One day a week riding wasn’t enough in his opinion. Hadley’s parents had expressed interest in entering her into competitions. Rex didn’t doubt she’d be great, but she needed a little more time mastering the skills he’d taught her.
“I know, I know. I just get impatient. I’ll take Tiramisu around again.”
“Good girl. I’ll bring the barrels out.”
“Yay! Let’s go, Tiramisu!”
Hadley’s enthusiasm was what he liked to see in a student. She reminded him of Lyla when she was excited about going to school to see Miss Hart and her friends.
He glanced over his shoulder. Lyla was sitting on a step surrounded by pumpkins. Her mouth moved like she was chatting away, her head bobbing around animatedly, hands dancing through the air.
His breath caught in his throat at the scene. Lyla was alone a lot more than he liked.
Maybe he could invite some of her little preschool friends over. But a house full of four-year-olds intimidated him. He could barely manage Lyla. Well, he’d have to figure it out. His little sweetpea needed friends, because seeing her alone nearly broke his damn heart.
At the end of Hadley’s lesson, Rex turned out Tiramisu into her stall and decided to take Lyla for a ride on his horse, Hans, a chestnut Thoroughbred.
“Lyla,” he called. “Come here, sweetpea. Let’s take Hans for a ride!”
“Okay! I’ll get my hat!”
“All right. Don’t take too long.” He moseyed over to Hans’s stall. “Hey, boy. How about a ride?”
By the time Hans was saddled and Lyla had her pink cowgirl hat on, Rex felt better than he had all morning. An afternoon ride with his trusty steed and best girl was just what he needed.
They went on the east side of the property to admire the mountains and autumn colors. Lyla never talked much when tucked in front of him on Hans. As much as he loved her chatter, he appreciated it more when she was quiet, especially when out riding Hans.
Rex inhaled a deep breath, noticing the hint of woodsmoke in the air. The high was fifty-seven today. Winter was on its way. His dad and brothers would be in Texas around Thanksgiving and probably through December. The one thing Rex hadn’t thought of when he filed for divorce and custody of Lyla was the holidays.
His Aunt Mindy spent the winter season in Florida. PW had mentioned joining her this year on account he hadn’t spent a holiday with his Gram in a few years. Rex understood. Aunt Mindy was seventy-six. She was ten years older than Rex’s dad, Mitchell.
Rex should consider flying out with Lyla to spend what could be Aunt Mindy’s last Thanksgiving with her. Not that she was ill as far as he knew, but life was precious, and he’d always been close to her after his mom left. But he hated leaving his horses for any duration of time…
He exhaled a somber breath as his pleasant mood took a nosedive. It would be only him and Lyla roasting a turkey and putting up the tree. And Christmas morning? He forced himself to not think about Lyla’s excitement and it only being him to share it with her.
Wave after wave of guilt suddenly crashed over his heart. This wasn’t the kind of life he ever imagined having for him and his little girl. She should have a mother who dotes on her, a sibling to play with… a whole family. She should have someone to laugh and giggle with at home, not just at school.
He felt a little foolish for letting Tori command all his thoughts. What was he, sixteen again? No way, no how would Rex fall to his knees for another woman. Even if Tori was the sweetest little thing he’d ever met, with a songbird voice and alluring eyes that sparkled like emeralds, Rex needed to keep his wits about him. He had Lyla to think about. He should be cautious in protecting both their hearts.
Lyla’s sweet voice pulled him out of his thoughts. But he hadn’t heard what she said. “What’s that, sweetpea?”
“Can we have mac and cheese for dinner?”
It was always mac and cheese.
“What else?”
“Nothing else. Just mac and cheese. From a box.”
Rex grimaced. What he wouldn’t do for a homecooked meal from scratch with fresh vegetables and homemade rolls. Maybe a cherry pie for dessert. Hell, any kind of pie would do—just nothing frozen or out of a box or can.
“Ya gotta eat a veggie, Lyla. You know the rules.”
She growled and huffed but said nothing.
“And something other than baby carrots. Something green.”
“I hate green!”
He held back a laugh and turned Hans around to head home. “I know you do, but green tastes better than it looks.”
“Nuh-uh. Green tastes yucky.”
This wasn’t a hill to die on. Whoever invented gummy multivitamins was a genius. He just hoped Lyla would acquire a taste for more foods before she went to college. That was if he let her leave home. He snuggled her closer and tossed out her moving away from home into the autumn air. His heart could only take so much grief in one day.
For Lyla’s sake, he prayed he wasn’t still single, or he might never let his little girl grow up. The last thing he wanted was to be a clingy, pathetic daddy who guilted her into not leaving him.
Rex groaned. Shit, I’ll be fifty-five when Lyla graduates from high school. He’d be old and his hair would probably be all gray. The thought was depressing shit.
Perhaps Tori had considered all of this and changed her mind about him. He couldn’t blame her. She was young and vibrant and would be settling if she got together with him. Not that he wouldn’t have tried his damnedest to make her happy.
“How about french fries? Potato is a veggie, right, Daddy? A root veggie!” she chirped.
Rex rolled his eyes as he slowed Hans when the stables came into view. “Right, sweetpea. Potato is a veggie. I’ll bake some frozen fries to go with your boxed mac and cheese. You’re not a fussy little lady at all…”
Lyla clapped her hands. “Yay!”
“Are you avoiding your father?”
Tori froze with her head in the fridge. It appeared someone had eaten her last cup of yogurt. Probably Dylan. He always ate the special foods she bought for the lunches she took to work.
“No, Mama. I’m not avoiding him.” Tori closed the door and faced her mother. “I’m going to run to Miller’s Market. Need anything?”
Her mother’s penetrating gaze made her shift from one foot to the other. Of course, her mama knew what was going on because her parents didn’t keep secrets. Honesty, she heard her dad say in her head.
“Maybe a bag of chopped walnuts. I think I’ll make a carrot cake for dessert.” Her mom leaned against the counter. “Missed you at breakfast. You feeling okay?”
“I just wanted to sleep in is all.” And hide from Dad.
“Because you got in so late?” Her mom hiked her eyebrow. “Who were you with, Tor?”
She sighed. “Honestly, you too?”
“We’re just concerned about your safety.”
“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”
“And as you can see, that isn’t sufficient for me.” Her mom crossed her arms over her chest. Tori had always been close to her mama and told her almost everything. If she asked her to keep a secret, her mama would keep it. This time though, Tori didn’t think her mother would keep her word because of who else was involved. Just as Tori knew back in college not to breathe a word about what had happened with Grant Bishop.
“I don’t want to talk about it. Can you respect my feelings, please?”
“Of course I can. But it concerns me that you feel the need to hide the fellow you were with. Do you have any idea what message that sends to your father and me? All sorts of ideas are floating through your daddy’s head
. Criminal. Drunkard. Wife beater. Narcissist.”
“Oh geez, he’s such an overreacter.”
“Watch yourself there.” Her mom’s voice took on a warning tone. “He wouldn’t be overreacting if you weren’t hiding the truth.” Her mama wasn’t wrong. If Tori was straight with her parents, her dad wouldn’t be getting worked up over any of this. Well, that wasn’t true. If her dad knew she’d been with Rex, she was afraid to imagine what he’d do.
“Maybe I’ll find I don’t like this person all that much.” Not likely, but it was possible. “So why mention them if I’m not sure?”
“You were out past one in the morning. I’m sorry, honey, but I have to ask. Are you at least being safe?”
“Safe? You mean having safe sex, right?” Again, her blood boiled at the accusations pummeling her. “I’m not Tanner!” she shouted just as the door closed behind her. She watched her mom’s eyes widen. Tori knew who had walked in.
“What’s that supposed to mean, Tor?” The bite in Tanner’s voice told her he’d heard everything she said.
“Tanner,” Bailey whispered.
Crap, Bailey heard too.
She turned around to face her brother. The look of fury in his eyes shot straight down her spine and her body trembled. Nothing she said now would make any of this better. Rather than fumble through a pathetic apology, Tori bolted up to her room to retrieve her purse and keys.
The sound of boots stomping behind her made her heart race as she entered her room. If she locked the door, she feared Tanner would kick it in.
“What the hell was that back there!” He heaved in air through his flared nostrils.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? Bullshit! Since when do you talk smack about me?”
“I wasn’t talking smack. I was just trying to get Mom off my back. I’m sorry, Tan. I really am.” And she was, painfully so.
His furious gaze pinned her in place as he approached her. “Does this have anything to do with catching you sucking face with Rex Knolls?”