CHAPTER THIRTEEN
R iley looked around at her tiny kitchen. It wasn’t the most practical place to cook, but it would have to do. Ever since Wade had asked her to create a menu for him, she’d been so excited to start.
Today was the day. She had the whole day off and no plans.
After a trip to the local supermarket, Farm and Fresh, this morning, her trailer was brimming with ingredients.
As the Evans ranch raised cattle, there was plenty of access to beef and dairy, so that seemed like a good place to start.
The first recipe she wanted to test out was beef and goats cheese croquettes with a red pepper coulis to go with it.
After chopping her onions, she pulled out her mixing bowl and began combining shredded beef, goats’ cheese and garlic.
She let out a blissful sigh as she mixed. It had been too long since she’d done this. The kitchen was her happy place. Her escape.
Talking of which, her phone was vibrating again. Her mom was losing her shit. Ever since Wade had spoken to her, her calls had turned hourly.
This time, she let it ring. Her mom would just have to wait.
Nothing was going to spoil her day. Or her week.
Life was good. For once. Amazing sex. An actual boyfriend who looks like he’s just stepped out of a Wranglers commercial.
And an opportunity to do what she loves and create a whole menu from scratch.
It’s about time I had some good damn luck.
Riley went from creating croquettes to beef carpaccio. But when it came time to take a crack at her short rib ravioli, her trailer door rattled from a hard knock.
Who the hell is that?
For a brief and very disturbing second, she had visions of her mother tracking her down to tell her off for ignoring her calls.
No. Can’t be.
Slowly walking toward the banging, she hoped she wasn’t right. A minute later, she swung open the door to find out.
“Hi!” Rachel’s voice squeaked. “I hope you don’t mind me stop...oh my gosh, what’s that amazing smell? Are you cooking?”
Riley couldn’t hide her delight from the compliment and ushered Rachel inside. “I’m working on a menu for the ranch restaurant,” she explained. “Do you want to try what I’ve made so far?”
“Uh, is the grass green?”
“What?”
“Yes, sugar.” Rachel’s smile softened. “I want to try what you’ve made.”
Riley led her through to the kitchen and right into the wooden stool beside her tiny table. She then began filling a plate for her new friend.
Once she’d set down the food, she pulled up a chair opposite and anxiously awaited Rachel’s reaction.
“You’re staring,” Rachel said politely.
“I am.”
“Can we maybe, possibly, dial it back a bit, sugar? I think my boobs are sweating from the pressure.”
That was graphically honest. And a reminder that she needed to work on social boundaries. Or lack of them. To be fair to herself, she was still getting used to this whole talking to people thing.
“S-sorry,” she stuttered. “I don’t usually...I’m not used to...” she trailed off as Rachel gently reached out and covered her hand over Riley’s.
“Hey,” she said softly, “you’re good. There’s no need to be nervous. I don’t bite, I promise...unless of course you look as delicious as one of these croquettes!” A dazzling smile took over Rachel’s pretty face.
Why was she being so nice? All of the women had been. Bella, Cat and Rachel. Riley had no doubt Libby was just as kind. That didn’t mean it wasn’t odd though. It wasn’t often she felt welcome anywhere, let alone in the company of others.
Proving Riley’s point, Rachel didn’t rush her to answer, or even acknowledge her words. Instead, she started eating. Satisfying noises filling her tiny trailer seconds later.
“Wow,” Rachel exclaimed through a mouthful of beef and potato. “These are freaking incredible.”
That felt good. She’d only ever really cooked for her parents before. So really, she had no idea if her food was palatable. Because parents lie.
Wade liked your fajitas.
He did. But they’d also spent three hours working up an appetite beforehand. So again, he could have just been happy to have sustenance.
“Thank you,” she replied. “Here, try the carpaccio.” She pushed another plate in front of Rachel and may have been staring again.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” Rachel giggled before helping herself to a large forkful of the paper-thin slices.
More contented hums filled the kitchen. And more compliments came. The compliments didn’t make her uncomfortable like they normally would though. These made her proud.
So proud, Riley decided she deserved to tuck in too and take a break.
Her mind raced as she took bite after bite. As tasty as these dishes were, they erred on the side of fancy. Which meant they were more for guests. She realized then that her next dish needed to be something heartier, to keep the ranch hand’s energy up. Short-rib ravioli would have to wait.
“What do you think of beef and cheddar beer chilli with cornbread croutons?”
“I say yes please !” Rachel squealed. “And where is it?”
“I think I’m going to make it now,” Riley said as she pushed up off the chair. “Wanna help?”
Rachel excitedly jumped up and rolled up the sleeves to her sweater. “Where do you want me?”
Riley couldn’t believe her luck. Not only did she have yet another new friend, but she had one she could cook with.
Yep. Life was good.
***
I t didn’t take long for Riley to remember why she hadn’t been excited for today’s lunch with her parents. Or why she’d purposely spent the week trying not to think about it.
Within only a minute of arriving, Wade’s grilling started. Her dad was firing question after question at him, and they’d yet to even sit down at the table.
Poor Wade.
I bet he’s wishing he was working right now.
It was a Saturday, so they’d both had to take the afternoon off. And after spending the whole week apart, Riley could think of so many other ways they could be spending their time.
“Dad.” She sighed. Utterly mortified at her father’s latest question.
Really, what she should have said was ‘I think Wade’s intentions right now are to sit down before you ask him any more ridiculous questions.’ But she didn’t. Because the same thing happened every time she was around her parents; she felt smaller. Her voice even quieter than normal.
A therapist would have a field day with you!
Wade turned to her then and took her hand, an easy-going smile softening his square jawline.
“It’s okay, petal. It’s only natural for a father to be curious about his daughter’s boyfriend.
” Curious my ass. He’s trying to scare you off.
Returning his attention to her dad, Wade continued to blow her mind.
“As you know, Riley’s a very special woman.
I knew that very early on. And like any man who wanders upon something special.
..they’d be considered rather dumb if they were to let it go. ”
While she struggled to get her breathing under control, Wade and her father’s silence was deafening.
She watched on as they eyed each other. Each exchanging hard and unreadable expressions.
Was this some sort of super-secret macho communication?
If so, she didn’t like it. And she really didn’t like the feel of her belly flipping as the silence dragged on.
“Let’s take a seat, shall we?” her mother chimed, breaking the stalemate and directing the men toward their modest pine dining table. “We don’t want the food to get cold.”
No, we wouldn’t want that, Riley thought as she rolled her eyes. A part of her was worried she’d miss her parents once she’d moved, after all, she’d never known anything else, but how wrong she was. Being back at her childhood home was already making every breath heavier.
Maybe I’m allergic to my mother’s hideous paisley wallpaper?
Whatever it was, air was still struggling to flow from her lungs to her throat as she took her seat at the table.
Next to Wade. His hand sliding straight to her thigh, where his palm lightly brushed over her in a soothing motion.
Just that small gesture managed to ease some of the tension that had been enough to snap her spine straight.
The awkward silence lingered well into their lunch. It was only after Riley had finished her mashed potatoes that her dad spoke again.
“So, Wade, have you ever been married?”
What kind of question was that?
“No, sir.” Wade didn’t look the slightest bit bothered as he continued to pile chicken fried steak onto his fork.
“Any kids?”
Seriously?
“No, sir.” Again, Wade shrugged off the question.
Her dad hummed to himself before adding, “And why is that do you think? I mean, you must be, what, mid-thirties, right? Most men your age are married by now, starting families.”
Oh my God. I can’t believe this is happening.
She didn’t know what had come over her father. She’d never seen him act so rudely. Or spoken to anyone the way he was speaking to Wade. Not that she’d ever brought a man home before for him to interrogate. Or anyone for that matter.
“I guess I just hadn’t met the right woman yet, sir.” Wade twisted to look at Riley, dimples making it impossible for her not to return his sweet smile. “I certainly hadn’t paid Silver Valley a visit.”
Riley’s chest squeezed. A week without seeing him had given her plenty of time to overthink their relationship.
And second guess if he really had been too busy with work to make time to see her.
Really, she had no reason to doubt him, especially as she stared into aqua eyes and saw nothing but sincerity staring back at her.
“So, you think my daughter’s the one for you, is that it?” her dad haughtily replied.
That was enough. No more. She found her voice.
“Stop,” the command was as forceful as she could manage. “Leave him alone.” Deep breaths, you can do this. “I didn’t bring Wade here to be spoken to like this.”
“Why did you bring him here?” Her mother was the one to respond to her shaky outburst.
Oh, I don’t know, maybe because normal parents want to get to know their daughter’s boyfriend. Are happy that their child is happy. And maybe, just maybe, don’t treat new people with visible disdain.
Of course she didn’t say that. She didn’t say anything. As quickly as her confidence had come, it disappeared just as fast at the sight of her mom’s narrowed gaze.
Wade didn’t leave her hanging though. His hand on her thigh squeezed.
“I wanted to meet you,” he announced. “I know it’s not been long since Riley and I met, but I care a great deal about her.
” Her attention went to his perfectly chiselled jaw as he spoke.
Goddamn he was fine. And he wanted her .
Was going head-to-head with her parents for her after only four dates.
How? Why? “I only expect my feelings for her to grow.” Sweet mother of maple syrup.
“Which means it’s only right I meet her parents. ”
She had no doubt her parents were frowning.
Eying Wade with open hostility. But she didn’t care.
Everything they’d thrown at him. All the damn questions.
The lack of basic manners. Wade hadn’t even flinched.
Not only that, but every answer he’d calmly given only made her fall for him harder.
It was that reason that she did what she did next.
Bringing her hand up, she let her knuckles drag over his stubble until he turned to face her. Slowly lifting her butt from the velour seat, she lay a soft kiss on his lips. It was short and sweet. Before pulling back, she whispered, “Thank you.”
His gaze remained locked on her as the room around them blurred.
And when his chin dipped and callused fingers skimmed her cheek, she knew she no longer cared about her parent’s approval.
When their lips met again, the kiss he gave her was claiming.
Firm and fierce. And more than enough to make her pulse pound.
Her eyes were still glazed as Wade drew back. Faintly she heard her father grumble, but it wasn’t enough to garner her attention. Not when the man next to her was looking at her with fire in his eyes.
It was time to go. No matter how much time they stayed, her parents had already proved they didn’t care to get to know Wade. Or welcome him into their home.
Managing to find her voice for the second time today, she rose from her seat. Standing tall as she flicked her head in the direction of her mother and father who were now gawking at her.
“Mom, Dad, thank you for lunch. We’re going to get going now. It’s a long drive back to Woodvalley and we have dinner plans that we really can’t miss.”
It wasn’t that long a drive. They would be back in two hours tops. But that wasn’t the point. The point was, she was done. She’d moved out. And she didn’t have to deal with any of this anymore.
Wade stood next, taking her hand in his as he too turned toward her parents. “Mr Clark.” He nodded. “Mrs Clark.” Another nod. “It was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for such a lovely lunch.”
Before they had a chance to reply, Wade was whisking Riley away, through the door and down the hallway. It seemed she wasn’t the only one in a hurry to leave.