Chapter Twenty Five
Riley glanced up from making bread to see Tara bounce into the kitchen.
“What’s got you excited?” she asked, smiling at the change in her sister since she found a friend.
“Kara asked me over for a sleepover. Before you say no, will you listen?” she begged.
“No sleepovers,” Riley said firmly. “You know the rules.”
“Awww, come on. You didn’t hear me out. It’s her birthday, and she’s asking a couple of people for tomorrow night. Rebecca and Julio will be there until Megan’s bedtime,” Tara gushed.
Riley sighed, hating to always be the bad guy. Why didn’t her father sober up and be the parent for once? Thinking about her time with the women, she imagined how Tara must feel. She gained three new friends, and Tara got one. What could one party hurt?
“Let me speak with Rebecca and Amy. I’m not promising anything, but I’ll think about it,” she said cautiously.
Tara squealed, making Riley cover her ears. “All right, all right, go do your homework.”
“Thanks, Riley. I promise I’ll do whatever you want. Please let me go,” she pleaded.
“I’ll let you know before dinner. Will you stop pestering me?” she said, laughing.
“Yes,” Tara said, hugging her. “Maybe I’ll meet new friends. Oh, what will I wear?” she said as she went into her bedroom.
Riley shook her head and went back to making her bread and setting it to rise. Garrett walked in and glanced toward Tara’s room.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure she’s on the phone texting with Kara. She got invited to a sleepover,” Riley told him as he bent to kiss her.
“Oh, no. What will we do with a night all to ourselves?” he murmured as he nipped her ear, sending shivers down her body.
Riley grinned, thinking about how to put her new friends’ advice to good use. “I want to talk to Rebecca about it. Tara mentioned Julio and she planned on going.”
Garrett thought for a moment. “If it’s a sleepover, they don’t live far from the ranch.
It’ll be almost evening, and we can have Tara lie in the backseat if anyone’s watching.
I’ll ask Jared, Kara’s father, if I can pull into the garage.
He won’t have any issues with it,” he suggested, solving almost all her problems. If the bikers didn’t see her leave and enter Kara’s home, what could possibly go wrong?
“I need to speak with Rebecca before I give her my decision. If her squealing when I say I’ll think about it is any indication of how tickled she’ll be, you might want to head to the barn,” she warned him.
Garrett chuckled. “She seems happier. I can’t believe almost two months have passed since you two started bunking with me. I no longer like sleeping on the couch. If you let her go, I’m sleeping with you,” he said, adding his incentive.
“I get the hint. How’s Storm? Can we take her and Brutus out again?” she asked as he went over to the stove and removed the lid. “Damn, it smells good. What is it?”
“My mom’s spinach and cheese ravioli with homemade garlic bread,” Riley informed him. “We haven’t eaten it in ages.”
“Tonight, we’ll have a feast,” he said, hanging his hat. “We spent the day wrangling cows. I’m starved.”
“Oh, I miss wrangling. Next time, can I go with?” she asked, rising from the table and checking her sauce.
“When do you have a doctor’s appointment for your cast?” he asked. “It’s gotta be coming up soon.”
Riley hesitated. She didn’t want to lie to him about it. “I haven’t made it yet. I’ll add it to my list.”
“Why do I feel you have intentionally held off? Does this have anything to do with the money?” he asked.
Riley shrugged. “I forgot. It’s not a big deal. It doesn’t ache anymore, and I’m getting around fine.”
“I have a sneaking suspicion you didn’t plan on returning to the doctor. If you don’t make the appointment, I’ll take you myself,” he said darkly.
“Fine. I’ll call Rebecca now. I told Tara I’d let her know before dinner. Can you call Jared?”
“I’ll do it right now,” he said, assuring her.
Riley dialed Rebecca’s number.
“Hi, Riley,” Rebecca greeted her. ‘What’s up?”
“I want to discuss Kara’s birthday party. Tara said you’re going?” she asked.
“Yeah. We’re happy to take Tara with us,” Rebecca offered. “Jared will be there all night, and Julio assigned two hands to hang around the house. We knew this might be concerning for you, and I’m sure Tara’s dying to go.”
“She’s chomping at the bit,” Riley confirmed. “I want to say yes. She deserves to make new friends.”
“Oh, and it’ll give you and Garrett time alone,” Rebecca determined. “Do you want to come over? I’m sure Rachel has new nighties she hasn’t used. She loves to shop. I’m sure she’ll give you one until we go shopping.”
“I can’t now. What about tomorrow?” Riley said quietly into the phone.
“I’ll call Rachel and give her a heads up. The woman will be overjoyed to dress you like a doll. Do you mind if Delaney comes, too? It’s always nice to have a tie-breaker when you’re trying on outfits,” Rebecca suggested.
“Why not?” Riley checked to see where Garrett had gone before whispering, “She helped teach me all about blow jobs, why not see me in my undies?”
“Trust me, you won’t be wearing any panties if Rachel has anything to say about it,” Rebecca teased. “See you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Rebecca,” Riley said, feeling good about her new friendship.
“You’re welcome. Have a good night,” Rebecca said, hanging up.
Riley smiled to herself. It seemed her sister would get her wish, and she planned to surprise Garrett. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.