14. Huntley
Chapter Fourteen
HUNTLEY
Three weeks felt like an eternity.
After game night, I hadn’t had much time to breathe, and I didn’t see River at all. Okay, I’d seen her on Facetime, but that wasn’t the same.
First my mom had gotten sick with bronchitis and needed my help. Then a bunch of the guys came down with some stomach bug at work and I was filling in, taking extra shifts.
Many times, while not only missing her, but also finding myself missing the kids, I wondered what it would be like if we lived together, so no matter what was thrown our way, we still got to see each other.
Everyone would think I was jumping the gun for having those thoughts after only being around her for such a short time, even if I met her months ago.
My mother, even after the way her husband treated her, was a romantic at heart. She used to tell me when I found the one I would know, and that no timetable was the same for any couple—the heart wanted what the heart wanted.
I didn’t know if River would ever get to the place I was, but I was sure about how I felt .
And my heart wanted her.
However, I had no perceived notion that I was anywhere near the level of trust I was hoping to obtain with the amazing woman. She may be okay on certain levels, but when it came to intimacy or her fragile heart, that was a totally different story.
Right then, all I wanted to do was lay eyes on her in the flesh. That wish was about to come true. River and the kids agreed to stop in at the get-together at Gemma and Bodie’s place and I’d been invited.
It took a little coaxing to get her to agree to come—she and the kids were still gun shy around so many people—but I had no doubt that with this group of friends, that eventually would change.
I myself was still scaling walls trying to break through her barriers and find a way into her life as well as the kids’.
“You look like you could use a beer,” Bronson said, walking up beside me.
Those of us already there were standing in the big front room shooting the breeze. I’d gotten there a bit early, and Bodie—along with his adorable twins—had given me a grand tour of the place.
Their home was amazing and sitting right on the river was a prime spot, but my mind drifted back to game night when River and I had taken Roxie out to do her business.
The lake house may not have been as big as Body and Gemma’s, but there was something special, something more intimate about it. And it fit River perfectly.
Taking the offered beer from Bronson’s hands, I mumbled, “Thanks.” I was a bit distracted as I stared at the door waiting for the object of my every thought to walk through it.
In a taunting voice, Bronson asked, “You looking for someone in particular or do you just really like that door? ”
“Shut the fuck up,” I replied lightheartedly, thinking it was just he and me standing there.
I should have known that wasn’t the case. Nope, anytime a curse word flew from someone's mouth, the swear jar queen would be waiting.
“That’s a doozy, you owe me big time for that one.”
I turned to see Embry holding out her hand, the other on her hip—a signature stance for her—waiting for me to slap some money into it.
She wasn’t alone either. Stormi stood on one side of her and the twins, Peyton and Piper on the other. Behind her stood Autumn, Noelle, and a couple of the younger girls, Aspen and Serenity.
It looked like class was in session and all the girls were definitely looking up to their teacher as I pulled my wallet from my back pocket and hit Embry with a ten-dollar bill. She eyed it, then looked back at me.
“This will do. Good doing business with you,” she said, a smug smile on her face as she turned to walk away, the whole gang following her like a parade of eager students.
The only one that hesitated was Stormi. “Uncle Huntley, if you don’t be careful, you could go broke.” Her concerned voice made me let out a slight chuckle. She was enamored by Embry, but she was still warning me and worried. It was cute.
I ruffled her hair. “I’ll be okay, sweet girl.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
When she walked away, I looked at Bronson standing next me, who’d watched the whole scene play out. “We are in trouble I’m afraid. One day that mastermind will have all of them with outstretched hands. Including my daughter.”
“Yup, it’s only a matter of time.”
Bronson got damn lucky finding Lake again and getting her back. He got an amazing daughter in the process too, Stormi was adorable. And they had another on the way .
I wanted what he had.
The girl of my dreams, kids, happiness, and someone to share my life with. I’d waited for the right woman to come along.
And she had.
In fact, she’d just walked through the door.
My dream girl .
I watched as Gemma greeted her and the kids. God she was a vision. She was this perfect mix of a cute, little fairy, timid, lovable rabbit, and strong-as-steel warrior. River was everything that appealed to me inside and out.
“Seems to me it wasn’t the door judging by the expression on your face,” Bronson said.
I glanced at him, giving him a mock glare. “Don’t make me lose any more money today.”
He was laughing, but I gave him no mind and looked back toward the entry.
That timid side of River swept across her face. I could see the uncertainty in her and the kid’s. My protective instincts kicked in and I was moving in an instant. I was so elated to see her and I hoped they would have a decent time.
I was making it my mission to help them do that.
“Hey, Warrior, fancy meeting you here.”
Her mouth tipped up a fraction and I considered that a pretty good start. If just one sentence could make her start to smile, I was already on a roll. Then her face pinkened and I wondered if she was thinking about the last time we saw one another. It may have been what one would call a simple kiss to the forehead, but to me that press of my lips to her soft skin felt like everything.
Was she as affected as I was, even all these weeks later?
Again, we had talked on the phone, but it felt so different with her only inches away from me. An energy seemed to buzz between us, something I could tell she was feeling it too. Then I realized she wasn’t the only one when Gemma cleared her throat.
I looked at the owner of the house and she had a grin on her face as her eyes danced between River and me. As soon as she got to the other ladies, the gossip would begin. Let them talk, I didn’t care, I had nothing to hide. As long as it didn’t upset River.
“Everyone is mingling wherever, come say hi,” Gemma told them, breaking the ice.
Before we could move, Bre left Lennon’s side and came to mine, looping her arm through the crook of my elbow. The day I picked them up from school, it was as if a switch had flipped and the girl no longer saw me as a threat but instead an ally.
It still shocked me, and it looked like it had everyone else around us too. She’d come to me when her family was right there. While I may have been stunned, I was also humbled.
“I want to stay with Huntley,” she said softly, clinging to my arm.
Before anyone could respond, Lake was upon us. “Yay, you’re all here.” She went right to River’s side and mimicked what Bre had just done, slipping her arm through her sister’s. Then she glanced at her niece and her eyes widened.
Yup, everyone is in shock.
I didn’t want to bring any attention to Bre that made her nervous or feel like she had done anything wrong because she hadn’t.
Smiling down at the pretty teen, I asked, “What do you say we find something to drink?”
Her blush reminded me of her mother’s a moment ago and my eyes sought out River for a second. Flashing her a grin full of promise that we’d spend time together soon, I focused back on Bre .
Before I moved, I looked at Lennon, nodding toward the kitchen. “Hey, man, come with us.”
“Yeah, sure.”
I pulled Bre along with me, Lennon and the others following behind. When we entered the crazy chaos, Stormi attacked her new cousins with glee. She adored Lennon and Bre. They seemed to feel the same. Having had a bit of time to get used to the idea of having more family than just River, they’d taken Stormi under their wing. I had no doubt Lennon would protect her like he did his sister.
All the kids that were in the room crowded around the older two in wonder. They seemed to think the teens hung the moon. Bre talked and smiled but she hadn’t let go of me yet, but I didn’t mind.
I felt a hundred feet tall right then, knowing she trusted me to keep her safe and that I was someone she felt comfortable with.
I watched as River moved with Lake farther into the massive room that was an open floor plan containing the kitchen, dining room and great room where I’d been waiting for the very three people who’d become very important to me.
All the ladies slowly descended on the newcomer, welcoming River. The chatter began immediately and the room grew louder by the minute. It looked like almost everyone was there, but then Lance and London walked in behind me, mixing into the fray.
Lance had his hand protectively on his pregnant wife’s back. She hadn’t been really showing the last time I’d seen her, but she was a bit now. She was also glowing.
Lake, also being pregnant, was still a little green, meaning I’d had the unpleasant experience of hearing her puking at work. My friend refused to take time off yet, even though Bronson had been begging her to. We were all a protective bunch of men.
I glanced back over to the group of ladies and caught River watching me. Our gazes connected and held.
It was hard not to be protective when we had such special people in our lives.
And River was truly special.