Chapter 25
For Lucas, the days until Carson and Olivia returned from their honeymoon flew by. Working at the inn became so much better now that he and Riley were together again. Simultaneously, working at the inn also became so much harder. Every time he saw Riley, he got distracted. Every time he thought about her, he got distracted because he knew she was somewhere close by. He could just go find her and talk to her whenever he wanted.
And he often did.
He resolved to kiss her only when he was off the clock, but even then, he ended up breaking that rule occasionally.
Okay, a lot.
Fortunately, the employees were understanding. He got grins and approving looks from them. He also got questionable advice from Glen about how to keep a woman happy. He ignored those comments.
He was doing just fine keeping Riley happy on his own.
As for Carson’s earlier pronouncement that Riley would be able to wrap him around her little finger, well, that was probably true. But his brother had known this fact and made Lucas the manager anyway, so caveat emptor, buyer beware.
It wouldn’t really be such a bad thing if Lucas paid her assistant manager’s wages when she was doing outdoor activities next summer. The inn’s guests deserved the best, after all.
When Olivia and Carson returned to Lark Springs to open their presents and pack them in their Ranger, Lucas and Riley went over to his parents’ house before they left to see them off.
Olivia and Carson were both happy and tan, still radiant from their honeymoon. Olivia gave Lucas and Riley short hugs in greeting, then pulled Riley out of the room to give her a souvenir she’d brought back.
Lucas and Carson stood alone in the front room.
“How was the Caribbean?” Lucas asked.
Carson grinned. “Amazing. Wonderful. And the beach was nice too.”
Lucas laughed. “I’m glad you were able to see it in passing.”
“I highly recommend married life.”
“Good.” Lucas had been thinking about the benefits of marriage himself lately.
“I had a surprise when I got home, though.” Carson’s expression turned more serious.
“Oh?” Lucas asked. Carson’s expression said he wasn’t entirely pleased by the surprise. Had he heard about the drama Mr. Travers caused?
Carson glanced at the door to make sure they were still alone. “Some unexpected romance happened at the reception. I’m not sure how to feel about it.”
That’s what had his brother frowning? Lucas hadn’t told Carson that he and Riley got back together. He hadn’t talked to his brother on his honeymoon at all. But apparently Riley had told Olivia, and Carson wasn’t happy about the news. He probably worried about the two of them goofing off at work.
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t think you have to worry. And it wasn’t entirely unexpected.”
Carson’s eyebrows rose. “I thought it was unexpected. I didn’t see it coming at all.”
Carson was the one who told Lucas that he was still carrying a torch for Riley. He shouldn’t have been all that surprised. And Lucas had expected his brother to be happy for him. “There were definite signs,” Lucas said.
“I’m already worried about a breakup. Because if that happens, I’ll be in the middle of it, and whose side am I going to take?”
Lucas had assumed his brother would take his side, but maybe that would cause trouble between him and Olivia since she was bound to take Riley’s side.
Lucas shifted his weight and folded his arms. “I don’t think you have to worry about a breakup. Cross that bridge when you come to it. Or better yet, never cross that bridge. That bridge is lonely and bad and better off without any foot traffic.” He wasn’t going to let himself even consider the possibility of another breakup with Riley. He’d lived without her long enough and would move heaven and earth to keep it from happening again.
“You have a point, but still, it feels weird to have people you love dating each other.”
He loved Riley? Um, great. It was nice that Carson had accepted her so quickly and thoroughly.
Carson ran his tongue over his teeth, still mulling over the situation. “You think it’s a good thing?”
Obviously. “A very good thing.”
Carson pressed his lips together, still uncertain. “If he hurts her, I may have to kill him. There’s that to consider.”
Okay, that was an unexpectedly violent reaction. And why had Carson started talking about him in the third person?
“On the other hand,” Carson went on, “I love the guy like a brother.”
Lucas cocked his head. “Like a brother? I am your brother.”
Carson cocked his head as well. “Yeah, I know you’re my brother. Why are you bringing that up now?”
Olivia and Riley swept back into the room. Both were all smiles. Olivia’s gaze went to Lucas, and her voice was high and excited. “I’m so happy that you and Riley are back together again. Isn’t it the best news, Carson?”
Lucas huffed. “He’s not quite as happy as you are. He’s already considering killing me if I hurt Riley.”
“Ahh,” Riley cooed and put her hand to her chest. “Carson just became my favorite Clark brother.”
Carson’s eyes were wide. “You and Riley are together?”
“Yes,” Lucas said, “that’s what we were just talking about.” But Carson’s evident confusion said otherwise. “At least that’s what I was talking about. What were you talking about?”
“Kye and Elsie,” Carson said. “They’re dating now.”
His little sister and Carson’s best friend were a couple? “Oh. Nope, I didn’t see that one coming at all.”
“Yeah,” Carson said. “She had a crush on him when she was a kid, but I thought that ended when she was about twelve.”
Riley walked over to Lucas and slid her hand around his waist. He put his arm around her shoulder. He loved that he could do that again, hold her to him.
“I think they make a great couple,” Riley said. Her attention turned to Carson. “And you should still kill Lucas if he hurts me. It will be a good deterrent.”
Lucas dropped a kiss on her head. “An unnecessary deterrent. And speaking of Carson, I had better be your favorite Clark brother.”
“You are my favorite Clark,” she said. “I meant he was my favorite brother of yours.”
“Okay,” Lucas said. “I’ll let Jace know he has to work harder.” Lucas pulled her into a hug. He somehow couldn’t help himself. And when she lifted her face to his, smiling and bright, trusting again, he couldn’t help but kiss her too.
Olivia sighed. “Look at them. They’re so sweet.”
Carson sighed as well, but his sigh sounded more resigned. “Yep, look at them. They’re so… not going to make running my inn their first priority anymore.”
“That’s fine,” Olivia murmured.
It was more than fine. It was perfect.
Everything was perfect.