Rough Riders: Gone Country Part 28

"Last night?" Rory supplied. "Fine. Sierra was my designated driver. And since I don't have a curfew, I wasn't ready to leave at midnight. Her lateness is my fault." But she wouldn't apologize for it. "However, during my chat with your daughter, I found out a few things that concerned me more than her missing curfew."

"Such as?"

"Such as why you're basically keeping her a prisoner out here. You've lived here almost three months? And you haven't taken her to the Golden Boot? Or to Ziggy's? Or to the Twin Pines? The only reason she went into Dewey's was to sell raffle tickets with Marin. Those are the hangout spots for everyone in this town, even teenagers."

Gavin studied Sierra but she was picking her fingernails.

"You don't know what high school is like in a small town. I do. Most kids in her cla.s.s have been in the same cla.s.s since kindergarten. They won't welcome her with open arms because she's new. But any time she brings it up-asking when she'll finally get to drive-you shut her down. I don't know if you're dangling her car as some sort of reward, or not letting her drive as some sort of punishment, but the truth is she's being ostracized...because of you.

"She goes to school and she comes home. That's it. She's been to three football games. She's not in any school clubs. You don't belong to a church. How are the kids supposed to get to know her when the only time they see her is at school? And you scheduled a family party on the one night of cheerleading tryouts so she couldn't even do that."

Gavin wasn't glaring at Rory; his sole focus was on Sierra. He crossed the room. "Sierra. Sweetheart? Can you look at me please?"

Sierra raised her head.

"Is what Rory's saying true?"

"Yes."

Gavin looked baffled. "Why didn't you say anything to me before now?"

"I did! Last week and every every week. But you never listen to me. You think every time I bring it up it's only about me driving and it's not. Since we moved here we hardly ever do anything. We cook here. We watch movies and TV here. We don't go out to eat and we used to go out all the time in Arizona. We used to go out and do things. You don't even let me go grocery shopping with you anymore. You work from here. It's like you've become a hermit and you expect me to be one too. It's not fair." week. But you never listen to me. You think every time I bring it up it's only about me driving and it's not. Since we moved here we hardly ever do anything. We cook here. We watch movies and TV here. We don't go out to eat and we used to go out all the time in Arizona. We used to go out and do things. You don't even let me go grocery shopping with you anymore. You work from here. It's like you've become a hermit and you expect me to be one too. It's not fair."

"You're right. It's not. Get your coat. We'll go into town for a late breakfast and we'll talk about this."

"Now?"

"Right now."

"Can I drive?"

"Why is that always the first question out of your mouth?"

"See! This is exactly what I'm talking about."

They argued all the way down the stairs.

After they were gone, Rory returned downstairs and whistled for her dog. Jingle trotted over. She patted Jingle's head. "You ready to hit the road, mutt?"

Jingle barked.

Sadie loped over to see what the barking was about.

"So you're really leaving?" her mom asked.

"After all that's gone on, it's probably best." She looked up at her mother, leaning against the wall in the dining room. "This isn't me throwing a tantrum. Or punis.h.i.+ng you. I have some stuff to work through."

"I get that. But why did you come home this weekend? Is there something else going on you wanted to talk to me about?"

She shrugged. "It'll keep."

"You sure?"

"Yes. I probably shouldn't have come anyway. If I get back in time, I can pick up a s.h.i.+ft at the bar and I can always use the extra cash." She regretted the words right after they left her mouth.

"Sweetheart, if you need money-"

"I don't." Rory slipped her coat on and zipped it. She patted her pockets to make sure she had her gloves. "I'll text you when I get to Laramie."

Her mom hugged her tightly. "I love you."

Rory closed her eyes. Her mother was so tough and strong and proud. And yet fragile. Sometimes she came off brusque, but Rory knew it was only because every day of Rielle Wetzler's life had been filled with purpose. Work to accomplish. But beneath that life-toughened demeanor was a tender heart. She hid it well, masking that vulnerability with grit. Rory's gut clenched with fear that her mom would show those soft parts of herself to Gavin and he wouldn't appreciate them. Or worse, that he'd somehow destroy them and destroy part of her mom in the process. "I love you too."

"Drive safe."

"I will."

She pulled back and really scrutinized her mother. It sucked that little snot Sierra was right. Her mom did look happy. Very happy.

"What? Do I have woodchips on my face or something?"

"No." Rory fingered the short ends of her mom's hair and smiled. "So is Ainsley gloating?"

"About what?"

"She told you if you cut your hair, you'd hook yourself a man. It appears she was right."

Chapter Twenty-One

"No offense, but there's nothing in these boxes that I can use for my report," Sierra complained.

"You did call Vi and thank her, right?" Then a thought occurred to him. "You didn't tell her this information is worthless, did you?"

"G.o.d, Dad, way to think so highly of me. I'm not a completely thankless brat."

Speaking of brat... Gavin held his tongue and waited for his daughter to continue.

"When I called Vi to say thanks, after like the millionth time you reminded me, she asked if she could pick me up at the bus stop tomorrow and take me to Spearfish."

"Why?"

"Because Amelia's birthday is coming up and she wants me to help her shop for presents. She needs my advice, since she hasn't ever really shopped for girls."

Gavin wasn't surprised that Vi had asked, but that Sierra wanted to go. "You sure? She didn't pressure you into it?"

That comment earned him an eye roll. "Seriously? When have I ever ever turned down a chance to go shopping?" turned down a chance to go shopping?"

"Point taken."

"Besides, I like Vi. She's super sweet and her texts are really funny."

"Wait. You text with Vi?"

"Uh, yeah yeah. How else am I supposed to stay in touch with her? It's been two weeks since we had 'the talk' and I still still don't get to drive anywhere." don't get to drive anywhere."

Point out the weather has been s.h.i.+tty. But anything he said would increase her combative att.i.tude today. "Fine. Go. Have fun." But anything he said would increase her combative att.i.tude today. "Fine. Go. Have fun."

"Cool. I'll call her."

When she left the dining room table, Gavin said, "Forgetting something?"

"G.o.d. I can't do anything anything right today." She backtracked and picked up her empty pie plate and stomped to the kitchen. right today." She backtracked and picked up her empty pie plate and stomped to the kitchen.

Gavin yelled, "Put it in the dishwasher, and don't leave it in the sink."

That earned him a cupboard door slam.

So naturally he yelled, "And clean up your d.a.m.n room."

Rielle exited the swinging kitchen door, holding a plate. "Is it safe to come out?"

"Much safer now that the teen terror is headed to her dungeon." He eyed the plate. "What're you having?"

"A hot guy I know made this delicious peach pie. But I'm willing to share."

He scooted his chair back and patted his thighs. "Sit on my lap."

"Why?"

"Because I want a taste of you and the pie."

She straddled him. "You just want me to feed you."

His d.i.c.k stirred the instant that delectable body was close to his. "Maybe. Take a bite."

Rielle sliced off a chunk, popped it into her mouth and chewed. "Not bad, tyc.o.o.n. You are getting much better at this pie baking stuff. I liked the cherry better. Maybe we should go into business together." She cut another bite and held the fork to his mouth.

After Gavin swallowed, he took the plate from her. "I'll feed you. Open wide."

"You just like saying that."

"Yep. It's too bad you didn't add whipped cream. Because you know how much I like seeing white stuff on your lips."

She blushed. And smacked him on the shoulder. "Gavin Daniels, you have such a dirty mouth."

"Mmm-hmm. It goes well with my dirty mind." He latched onto her b.u.t.t, pulling her pelvis closer. He traced her full bottom lip with his tongue, then he gently sucked the succulent flesh, tasting the tang of peaches and the sweetness of Rielle. "I want you," he whispered against her lips.

"I can tell." She rocked forward into his erection.

"Your room," he said huskily. "I'll eat the pie off you and then I'll eat you."

"You make me crazy when you put those images in my brain."

"Good. But I'm still not hearing yes." Gavin dragged openmouthed kisses down her neck.

"OmiG.o.d, seriously?" Sierra complained.

Gavin tried to discreetly remove his hands from Rielle's a.s.s.

But Sierra wasn't done stating her opinion. "You guys have two two rooms you could be doing that in, not here, where I have to eat." rooms you could be doing that in, not here, where I have to eat."

"Watch your tone and think very carefully about the next thing that comes out of your mouth," he warned.

"How is this my fault? I just came back down to get my stupid notebook so I can finish my stupid homework and find you two like... What. Ever." She s.n.a.t.c.hed her notebook and stomped off.

Rielle scooted back onto his knees. "Well, that was fun."

"You'd rather we were still sneaking around?"

"No." She traced the edges of his goatee. "We have to remember to restrict our displays to the bedroom when your daughter is home. But G.o.d, when you touch me the flame just ignites."

"Let's turn it down to simmer for now." He kissed her once more and helped her off his lap. "If you hadn't noticed, getting busted playing grab-a.s.s made my d.i.c.k deflate. I probably won't be able to get it up at all tonight."

"Poor baby. I can give you a hand with that. Later." Rielle pulled him to his feet. "Let's go upstairs and watch TV so Sierra doesn't think we're going at it in my bedroom."

"I think there's a college-"

"No sports."

"Why not?"

"Because that's all you watch. And you yell at the TV. Like you yelling at the players or the coaches or the referees will make a difference."

The woman had no concept of the responsibilities of a sports fan. Loud indignation about lousy calls and s.h.i.+tty plays were his right.

Hopefully she'd fall asleep, like she always did, during one of her blasted cooking shows and he could catch the day's highlights on ESPN.

He offered her a charming smile. "Whatever you want."