Chapter Fifteen
Garrett moved closer to Riley, noticing her flushed cheeks and how her eyes raked down his body.
His hand wanted to adjust his jeans, but he didn’t want to give her a bad impression of him.
He felt like a freaking teenager with his first raging hard-on when she stared at his dick like she wanted to devour it.
Reminding himself, she drank a bit too much sangria, he held out his hand to help her up. As if mesmerized by him, Riley gave him her hand without grumbling about him picking her up or how she could do it herself. He lifted her onto Gus and led them out of the barn, shutting it behind him.
He fixed her dress over her legs and draped a blanket over her arms and down her body, paying attention to her sore leg. It wasn’t perfect, but it did the job for the short time he planned to take her out. He mounted Gus and took the reins, turning him toward the fields.
Riley seemed to come to life as she saw the cattle grazing. The cowboys rustled the horses into the barn as dusk settled around them. The sun appeared in the west, painting the sky with colors of orange, red, and golden hues.
“Oh, wow. I can’t remember the last time I felt like this. If I owned this land, I’d have goats right over there,” she pointed, close to the cabin. “Then I’d have a barn where I can store all the butter and milk in a walk-in fridge. I saw one on TV once, and it always seemed like something grand.”
Garrett didn’t say anything as he envisioned her suggestion. He pictured Riley and Tara milking the animals and greeting him when he returned home from work. The image appeared so vividly in his mind, he wished it would come true.
“Over there,” she pointed. “I’d plant the biggest garden and can fresh vegetables as they came into season.
There’s a spot behind the cabin where you could grow a few apple, peach, and pear trees.
Maybe a few pomegranates and figs. Near your porch, you could add a few lemon and lime trees.
Don’t put them too close or they’ll take over your deck area,” she advised him.
“Near the garden, you can plant blackberries, maybe raspberries, in a planter, and blueberries might do well here. There’s nothing like Mom’s triple berry jam for breakfast. The sheep would love the eastern area.
It’s grassy, and the knoll gives them shelter from the wind.
If you added a second mid-sized barn, you’d have enough to give you a good amount of wool. ”
“You sound like you miss ranching,” he murmured close to her ear. Garrett saw the goosebumps form on her arm, and she trembled slightly at his words, making his pants grow tighter. If he didn’t stop thinking about her staring at his cock, she’d soon feel it pressed up against her.
“I love it. My mom used to say, ‘Behind every successful rancher is a wife who works in town.’”
“Did she work?”
Riley laughed. “She made the cheese, butters, and soaps. We sold them at the roadside every weekend. It’s one of my favorite memories of her.”
“Don’t answer if you feel I’m getting too personal. How did she die?” he asked quietly, not wanting to break the spell between them.
“The hands returned with a load of corn to put in the grain bin. Tara always stood at the top and watched it fill up. When we filled them all, we threw a party to celebrate the harvest. My sister always reported how full each bin got with every shipment. One day, one of the hands cut himself on some wire, and Mom left Tara’s side to grab the first aid kit.
My sister leaned too far over the side and fell in.
When my mom heard her scream, she bolted up the stairs and dove inside, while one of the hands turned off the auger.
They raced to save them, but my mom went under, holding Tara above her.
By the time they got them out, my mom…suffocated.
Tara never meant to fall inside, but my dad railed at her, calling her careless.
He never looked at her the same ever again.
Every time he sees Tara, it feels like he relives the day all over again,” she confided softly, sniffing at the memory.
“I’m sorry, Riley. I didn’t mean to upset you. Your sister must know it’s not her fault,” he said, disbelieving any man would place the weight of his wife’s death on a young, curious child.
Riley turned slightly to see his face. “My mom emphasized the importance of family, yet it’s the first thing we lost after her death. It’s hard enough to accept she’s gone, but to know she took all the love with her makes it hurt all over again.”
He brushed back the hair from her face, holding it in place, keeping the wind from covering her bright blue eyes. “She didn’t take it with her. Your mom passed it to you and Tara. She loves you like you’re her mom.”
“I don’t want to replace her. Dad forced me into this role, and I intend to see it through. Sometimes, it feels… lonely,” she confessed as her gaze met his.
His eyes drifted to her plump pink lips as Riley’s tongue swiped along the edge. Garrett’s hand moved to the side of her head, cradling it as he kissed her gently.
Her body relaxed against him as her mouth opened and her tongue explored his mouth. The kiss felt sweet, and he backed off, not wanting to scare her. Garrett didn’t want Riley to think he planned to take advantage of her because she stayed at the cabin.
“We’d better head back, it’s getting dark,” he said, huskily.
Riley faced forward, and Garrett adjusted the blanket, ensuring his rock-hard cock didn’t make contact with her. He nearly groaned as her body bumped against him with the movement of the horse.
When they arrived at the barn, he swiftly jumped down and led them inside.
She avoided his gaze as he helped her off and sat her on the bale of hay while he tended to Gus.
He latched the gate and glanced at her flushed cheeks.
The dress did nothing for her body, but he caught glimpses of her ample breasts, and her hips were the kind he liked to grab onto as he brought them both to pleasure.
He carried her to the truck for the short ride home. The darkness outside seemed to capture her attention, and he worried he might’ve taken things too far.
“The beans will be finished by the time we get back. I can fry up the pork chops if you can sit at the table and mix up the cornbread. I’ll preheat the cast-iron skillet,” he offered as he helped her inside.
“It’s a deal,” she said, breathlessly, seeming relieved he broke the silence.
Garrett went to work, flouring and seasoning the meat. He turned on the oven, handed her a mixing bowl, cornmeal, and flour, then turned away.
“I need the buttermilk,” she said when she finished with her dry ingredients. “I put some diced jalapenos in the fridge.”
“Don’t you use water?” he asked, bringing her the items she requested.
“Not if I want to eat it. Do you like it spicy?” she asked, peering up at him. Her blue eyes blinked, waiting for him to answer. His mind already raced with his idea of spicy, and it didn’t involve cornbread.
“Ugh, yeah. I love a little spice,” he said, moving away from her.
“I’m ready,” she said, while he gritted his teeth. “Did you swirl a bit of cornmeal to the bottom with the heated oil?” she asked innocently.
“Oh, shit,” he said, taking out the smoking pan. “I forgot to add it,” he said while waving the towel in the air to clear his vision.
“It’s all right. Let it cool for a sec and then add a bit in. Don’t let it cool down too much, it likes the heat.”
Garrett nodded as he performed his tasks, wondering if Riley liked the heat, too. “The chops will be done in another minute or two. Do you want me to prop your leg on a chair, or do you want to sit on the couch?”
“Let’s sit in the living room. There’s a comedy on tonight, and I wanted to watch it. Do you mind?” she asked, using her crutches to go into the living room.
“No, not at all. Why don’t you turn to the channel you want? I’ll bring our plates and drinks over.”
“You got it,” she said, turning on the television and flipping to the channel. “It has good reviews.”
Taking their meals into the living room, he set placemats on the coffee table and the hot plates. “What do you want to drink?”
“Tea, please,” she said, glancing at the clock. “Do you think they’re done eating?”
“Stop worrying about Tara. Matthew and Rachel will bring her home,” he assured her. “Plus, I wanted to ask you a few questions about the bikers who nabbed you.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Did they say why they took you?” he asked, watching her.
“They said Tara scratched the motorcycle. I gave them all the money I saved, except for the emergency fund. They asked where you kept the money, and I told them which bank. They didn’t appear smart enough to pull off a robbery, and I told them.
They didn’t like my answer, but I don’t think it mattered much what I said.
They planned to keep both of us there. I knew I needed to get Tara out of there. They threatened to…” Riley sniffled.
“You did a great job. She’s a tough cookie and drove that old beater here with the gang members following her,” Garrett said, reminding her how she raised a strong sister.
Riley shuddered. “I’d die if something happened to her because of me,” she whispered.
“It doesn’t sound like you’ll have to worry about her. She takes after her big sister,” he praised her. “Let’s eat and watch the show.”
Halfway through, Tara entered the cabin. “Riley, I have a new friend,” she announced, bouncing into the living room. “They invited me to their farm on Saturday to spend the day. Please say I can go,” she pleaded.
Riley shook her head. “I don’t feel comfortable with you off the ranch. We don’t know if the bikers are still searching for us.”
“But Riley, come on. She’s the first friend I’ve met in like forever,” Tara begged. “It’s bad enough I can’t go to a real school, and I’m stuck home all day with you.”
Riley sucked in her breath and counted to ten, recalling her teen years. “Saying hurtful things out of anger can’t be undone. Choose your words carefully. You never know who you’ll hurt or how deeply.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it.
It’s nice to have someone my age to talk to, and she knows how to put on makeup without it appearing gaudy.
Rachel taught her. We made friendship bracelets and Matthew said we can visit anytime and take the horses for a ride.
I haven’t ridden since forever,” Tara said. “Will you at least consider it?”
Riley’s mouth firmed. “Number one, we have no phones. Two, I’ve only met her mom once. Three, we don’t have money to spend on makeup and stuff. Four—”
“She’ll think about it,” Garrett interrupted, winking at Tara. “What your sister means to say is we need to work out the details. If we can put our heads together, we might be able to solve all those issues.”
Riley shot him with a heated glare. “I’m not risking her—”
“She’s not risking you not having your homework done tonight after spending time with your friend. Maybe you need to review the notes for your test again,” he suggested, sending Tara a head jerk toward her room.
“Yeah, I guess reviewing it one more time won’t hurt,” she said, before turning toward the bedroom. “Please consider it. She’s told me all about it, and I want to see it in person.”
Riley waited until the door closed before sending him a scathing look. “You have no right to promise her things.”
“You’re right. Do you remember what it’s like at her age? Did you want to hang around your parental figures?” Garrett asked.
“It still doesn’t solve the other—” Garrett put a finger to her lips, stopping her in her tracks.
“You can’t keep her in a bubble. Why don’t we work on solving the problems instead of listing them?”
Riley crossed her arms and glared at him.
“I know I overstepped. You’ve sacrificed a lot for her, and you’ve remained a team the whole time. Something tells me you’ve given up your life for her. Do you think your mom wanted you to stick together until you’re two little old ladies?”
“No,” she grudgingly admitted.
“Let’s work this out one step at a time,” he said.
“Number one, we can get you a couple of burner cells you can prepay the minutes on. They’re cheap, and when you’re done, you can throw them away.
Two, we can send someone to watch over her as a compromise.
At the first sign of trouble, we’ll return home.
I’ll ask Matthew or Julio if they can share their numbers with you.
Did you get Rebecca or Rachel’s cell numbers? ”
“I don’t have a phone. Why bother?” she said, lying back against the couch and yawning.
“We already solved this issue. Tomorrow, I’ll pick up the phones and ask them to text you,” he replied. “Rachel gave each of the girls a small makeup bag, and I heard her telling Amy she gave them lip gloss, mascara, and blush. Tara’s excited about it. Don’t take it away from her.”
“I can keep Amy company on Saturday, I guess,” she said, mulling it over.
“No. You’re attending the horse sale in Hondo. I need help picking out a new horse and a couple for the ranch,” he insisted.
Riley brightened and then slumped. “I can’t leave her alone.”
“If I can arrange for her to remain safe, will you think about it?”
Riley bit her lip and nodded.
“It’s settled. Let me take our plates to the kitchen, and we can finish the show,” Garrett said, picking up their dirty dishes and returning to the kitchen.
When he didn’t hear her click the TV off pause, he saw her pick up the pen from her little makeshift tray.
She took a piece of paper from her pocket and wrote something before slipping it back inside her dress.
What did Riley hide? Hoping he didn’t overstep, Garrett wanted Riley to have a life as much as she fought for Tara to have one.