Chapter 20
Riley
The guy that was rushing from campus accommodation parking lot a few weeks back is staring at me. I’m sure it’s him. In his hand, an old key. “Spence said you wanted to start moving in over the weekend.”
I blink.
It’s him, right?
“Um, yeah, thanks. I have a paper due, so I was going to work while Ivy sleeps and move when she’s not.”
“How’s Ivy doing?” Brady adjusts the cowboy hat on his head as he smiles.
“She’s fine. Does the cottage have its own electrical bill and other utilities?”
The ranch is twenty minutes from the penthouse. With a location pin drop, I came out after my first class, arriving in time to catch Brady before him and Spence carpool their way to Leduc.
The tiny house is a stark contrast to where we’ve been living, to be frank. But I grew up with humble roots, and I can make anything a home. It’s Spencer who will have to adjust.
The ranch is on the smaller side, but from what I can see, there’s a small herd, probably stud cattle, and fields that look set out for hay and cropping.
My body relaxed the second I turned onto the graveled driveway.
This is closer to home for me than the city or the apartment.
Ivy is with Mrs. Henderson for an hour. I can’t stay but I ask, “Can I have a look inside?”
“Oh sure. Head on in.” Brady tips his hat. “I have to keep moving, but it’s all yours. And Spence’s.”
He winks at me like an eejit, and I shake my head, pushing through the front door. It sticks halfway, and I make a mental note to fix that.
A small kitchen greets me to the left. A living room to the right. A hallway, ending in a flimsy and broken back screen door, separates the rest of the house, and I follow it to find two bedrooms.
And one bathroom.
It’s one old, outdated cottage.
But the rent is ridiculously cheap. Buddy benefits, apparently.
The best part is it’s not Lockwood owned, so one step closer to Spencer taking back his life. I can’t imagine not having choice over the big things in life like this.
That all changes now.
He’s a free man.
The first bedroom is pretty big by comparison to the rest of the spaces. I cross the hall to find another, the mirror image of the first.
Okay . . . so either we have to share a bed, or Ivy shares with someone. I guess I could take the sofa. It’s only for another five and a half months or so.
“Riles?” Spencer’s voice echoes through the small house.
I make my way back toward him.
“Holy shit, what the hell was I thinking?” He’s running a hand through his hair, his cowboy hat in his hands. He must be here a little early to see Brady before they leave?
No, that doesn’t make sense.
“Hey, thought you weren’t coming out till Monday?”
A cheeky grin splits his gorgeous face, blue eyes lighting up. “Couldn’t resist taking a peek at our first place together, O’Malley.”
I roll my eyes at him as he walks down the hallway.
“I saw that, Riles.” He pokes his head into the first room.
The hell? How? He was literally looking the other way.
“Geez, maybe we should ask Mrs. Henderson to take us in. Out of pity, you know.” He’s smiling, and I can’t tell if it’s mirth or covering for worry.
“It’s perfectly fine.”
“It’s third world. How does Brades let people live here?”
“Your rich boy is showing, Lockwood. Fix that.”
He pulls a face, and I can’t help but scrunch my own face to prevent the smile that so desperately wants out from forming.
“Well, Ives is going to need her own room. So that means you and I will have to bunk together.” He closes the distance between us.
I look up, narrowing my eyes. “I’ll take the sofa, you eejit.”
“Nope, no way.”
“It’s your house, Spencer. I’ll take the sofa.”
All amusement drains from his face. “Right.”
His throat bobs.
Wandering to the kitchen, I stand in the center, taking in the small cottage. I can make it a home. A sliver of excitement winds through my veins. This little old place has so much potential.
I haul in a breath. “I will make this Ivy’s first house and make it feel like a home.”
Spencer’s standing behind me, and when I glance back, I have to look up. His cowboy hat hangs between his fingers by his side, his warmth is at my back, and this feels like something it shouldn’t.
“Riles . . .” His hands curl around my biceps, his breath sinking into my hair.
I suck in a lungful of air.
I—
“It is your home, too,” he says softly.
For a moment, a sliver of a second, I let myself entertain the idea of creating a home here. With Ivy.
I mean, Spencer’s alright, too, I guess.
Guilt tumbles in instantly when I remember that would mean leaving my own flesh and blood.
I can’t do it.
I can’t do it to my brothers, or the twins.
I can’t do it to Chlo.
I spin around, and Spencer’s hold drops away. “No, Spence. I’ll take the sofa, but that’s it.”
His jawline tenses as he nods, forcing a smile that never reaches those intense blue eyes of his.
I need some air.
I stalk out into the sunshine and cross the grassy area between the cottage and the main homestead. Brady is sitting on an old, weathered porch swing that was once painted white.
I ascend the few steps on his porch, and he stands.
“Everything to your liking then?” he asks.
“It’s Spencer who needs to be okay with it, Brady.” His gaze hits the floor. “But it will be fine. Thank you, for Ivy’s sake.”
“But not for Spencer’s, hey?” His dark eyes are homed in on mine now.
“I didn’t—”
He shakes his head. “It’s okay, Riley. I get it.”
His expression is a tangle of knowing and sadness. It makes me wonder who is keeping him at arm’s length.
Ives and me are home alone, and it’s bliss. It took all of half a day to move my few possessions and Spencer’s couple of boxes into the cottage, and I spent the next few hours doing my best to make this place a home for him and Ivy.
The crib is still dismantled and the TV is leaning against the living room wall, but I’ve put together the beds and moved in the rest of the furniture pieces. Our clothes and smaller items are still packed. But I’ll be working on my papers that are due before I attempt any more unpacking.
Honestly, I’m looking forward to the cottage project. It’s been a long time since I’ve had something to plan and execute by myself that didn’t include five siblings or a whole ton of logistics.
I’m grateful Spencer left the house setup and decisions to me.
A little tired but content, I make myself a tea while Ivy sleeps on her play mat, and I tap Chlo’s number. We’ve both been busy with life. This is the first time we’ve video called in weeks.
God, I miss her.
She picks up on the third ring.
“Riles!” Her room skips upward as she drops onto her bed. The wall moves in a similar fashion as she lies down, her pretty dark hair hitting the pillow. Her dark eyes, like mine, are lit up as they scan the screen.
“Hey Chlo, how you doing?”
“Urgh, Declan is a pain in my ass over this science exam I have next week. Otherwise, things are fine. When are you coming home?”
She asks that first up every time I call.
It’s sweet.
And it makes my chest tight. Every single time.
“A little under six months. I’ll be back for Christmas, remember?”
“Ah yes. Aye, I remember the multitude of gifts you promised to bring me from the wildlands of the Canadian folk.” She giggles.
I roll my eyes at her but can’t help the smile the consumes my face.
“Hey,” she sits up, the room around her moving as she does so. “Where are you? That’s not the penthouse.”
“No, it’s not.”
“What happened? Did that eejit cowboy kick you out?”
I chuckle and shake my head.
“We both got kicked out. Family business and all, but I think this new place is nice. And you know I love making a house a home almost as much as the animals that surround it.” I dash to the window and turn the phone around so Chlo can see the cattle in the distant field.
“Oh my god. You’re on a ranch?”
“Aye. And it’s really cool. Haymaking, stud cattle, and a bunch of horses. You’d love it.”
“It sounds more like something you’d love, Riles. How did it happen?”
She’s leaning forward, face barely off the screen, like if she only looks hard and close enough, she’ll see the ranch in question through the video call.
“Spencer’s friend owns it. We’re lodging in the cottage that doesn’t get used. For pennies, I might add.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, well. I won’t keep you, babe. Just wanted to check in.”
“Sure. I should study anyway or Declan’s going to have a proper coronary.”
I chuckle.
I was a little worried my brothers would drop the ball on things while I’m away. It seems they are doing just fine. Bar Chlo’s love life, that is, but I refuse to bring that up at this hour. Declan is right, her school is important. So I say my goodbyes and tap the hang-up button.
I lean back on the sofa and cradle the mug of tea in my hands.
“Just you and me, kiddo,” I mutter to Ives, knowing full well she won’t hear a word I say.
After sipping the steaming tea for a minute, I rise and wander around the cottage, making mental notes of where I’d place a lamp, or a new rug. Or maybe some plants . . . An occasional chair there. A side table by the sofa.
When I reach the end of the hallway, I remember that none of the dreamy little plans I conjure up for this cottage matter, since I won’t be around to live in them. Or enjoy them. Only Ivy and Spencer will.
A wobbly sigh puffs past my lips. My eyes burn at the thought of leaving them. As much as they do with the idea of staying here and being away from my family.
The taut pull between two worlds has never been so acute.
It’s hard to take care of someone night and day and not get attached.
As for Spencer, he’s been the friend I never expected.
We had a rocky start. But he listened. He cared when he didn’t have to.
I think he sells himself short in the emotions department, because despite insinuating that he doesn’t understand close relationships, he’s made two without even trying.
I do the rounds of the little cottage and lock the front and back doors. Ives and I are sleeping in Spencer’s bed tonight. I don’t want to leave her in her room without the crib, and the sofa isn’t safe for her if we’re both on it.
Scooping her up, I pad down the hall, wandering into the biggest room in the small cottage.
Despite the basic layout, the bedroom has a large window with a seat under it, an old antique wardrobe, and an old rustic metal trunk.
It’s homely. Much more so than the penthouse ever was.
I tuck Ives into the bed, and her pacifier slips from her mouth.
She rolls over with a little sigh.
My cue to slip out for a quick shower.
Rummaging through my single box of clothes, I find my sleep tank and shorts. I waste no time getting washed off. I towel dry between the clawfoot tub and the pedestal vanity that is so small, I’m glad this bathroom will only ever be expected to service Spence and Ivy.
I do one last round of the cabin, tidying up and shoving some boxes into the corner of the kitchen. Satisfied that we are safe, I return to the bedroom and slip under the covers on the other side of the bed from Ivy.
Spencer’s scent is everywhere, despite the sheets and pillowcases being clean. I turn out the lamp and roll to face Ives. I wonder if she realizes how incredibly lucky she is.
How different her life could have turned out if she’d never been left on the man’s front doorstep.
My last breath lodges in my airway.
I haul in a lungful, only to be hit with the masculine scent that has my body humming to life and my chest tightening with his absence.
Fecking hell, Riley.