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Riley Madison gripped the steering wheel of the rented Silverado pick-up with both hands, and swore as he tore down Main Street in Clifton, Montana. It was the last place he wanted to be. Coming home was something he'd put off for years but now the old man was dead, and he had left Riley the ranch. What the hell? Why would the son of a bitch leave the ranch to the son he’d hated since the day he was born? No, that was wrong. His father hadn’t actually hated him until the day he made Riley’s mother leave. However, he was the son the old man had beaten the hell out of every chance he got after making her leave.
Shaking his head, Riley realized nothing about it made sense. The old man had forced Riley’s mother to leave home when Riley was only six years old. Riley snorted at the thought. She had gotten away from Roscoe Madison but left her child behind to deal with the anger the old man felt over her leaving—even though the old man had forced her to go.
Riley’s hands twisted around the steering wheel until they ached, his anger still with him even after all this time. Who knew, when he was here for Ryder’s wedding last year, he’d be returning so soon. He had come here the day before the wedding and left immediately after because he didn’t want to spend any more time in this town than he had to. Now he was back.
The town itself hadn't changed much in the ten years he'd been gone. The same old brick buildings lined both sides of the street, but now so many more people filled the sidewalks. Where had they all come from? It was early June, and damn hot out, but the sheer number of people wandering around was puzzling. When a little girl suddenly ran into the street in front of him, Riley’s guts lurched into his throat as he slammed on the brakes. She fell to the ground in front of the truck and his heart nearly stopped. Riley threw the gear into Park and quickly jumped out. He ran to her, and bent down to check that she was all right. An adorable little cherub smiled up at him showing him her little teeth. Her blue eyes sparkled. Riley couldn't help but smile back. He scooped her into his arms.
“You almost hit her,” a woman shouted from behind him.
Holding the little girl, Riley straightened up and turned toward the woman when all of a sudden, he couldn't get enough oxygen into his lungs. She was beautiful. Her long, dark brown, almost black hair, swirled around slender shoulders and thick lush lashes surrounded baby blue eyes. There might be a sprinkling of freckles across her nose, but he couldn’t tear his attention away from her mouth. A cupid's bow, he believed they called it. A bowed upper lip and full lower lip that he wanted to take between his teeth. He mentally shook his head when he remembered she’d yelled at him.
“Well, I almost hit her because she ran out in front of me. You should’ve been watching her better.” Riley clenched his jaw, pushing down the anger roiling in him since his arrival in town.
The woman gasped. “Do not try to tell me how to take care of my child.”
“Obviously, someone needs to,” Riley shouted back. He scanned the crowd behind her. “Where’s your husband? He's as careless as you are.”
The woman stepped closer to him and he saw her clench her jaw. “He’s dead. Now, give me my daughter.” She reached for the little girl, who had been watching the shouting match like a tennis game, her innocent gaze traveling back and forth between the two adults.
Her reaction might as well have been a slap across his face. “I’m sorry.” His voice a low whisper then he looked at the little girl who was staring at him. Suddenly, she squeezed his nose between her tiny fingers.
Unable to resist her, Riley smiled. “You’re a little beauty and a flirt, aren't you?” He laughed when the little girl giggled and clapped her hands.
Still grinning, his gaze shifted to the woman who was glaring at him with her arms outstretched. “My daughter—please.”
Nodding, Riley handed the woman her daughter, and then he put his fingers to his straw cowboy hat, turned, and climbed into his truck. After one more glance at them, he continued driving down the street again. Much slower this time.
Who was she? He sure didn't remember her being here ten years ago. There was something familiar about her though. The town looked as if it were booming with business. When had that happened, and how? No one had mentioned anything about this at Ryder’s wedding. Of course, all of his old buddies were too interested in seeing Ryder get married to talk about anything else.
As a teenager, Riley had hated this place and wanted out as soon as possible. He was twenty-three before he was able to leave. Taking care of the ranch had always been his first priority. Then the night came when the old man was drinking and started in on him again. Telling him, he was no good just like his mother. He hit Riley across the back with a rake handle, knocking him to the ground. When he raised the rake to hit him again, Riley jumped up and took it from him. It had taken every ounce of his willpower not to strike him with it. Riley threw it across the stall, but his dad came at him swinging. Riley had had enough and punched the old man in the face. He’d fallen to the ground with blood pouring from a busted lip. It was then he told Riley to leave and never come back. Riley had stood over him, glaring down at him. His dad had yelled for him to go so he did, and never looked back. For ten years, he never looked back or talked to his father again. Now the angry old man was dead, and had left his ranch to Riley.
His foot got a little heavier on the gas when he reached the edge of town. He released a string of curse words when he saw the red and blue lights flashing in his rearview mirror. What else could happen today? Riley pulled the truck over along the side of the road and stopped. Probably some young rookie looking to make an impression. This oughta be good. He put his window down and had his driver's license, proof of insurance, and registration ready.
“You in a big hurry?” a deep voice asked taking the items from his hand.
Riley whipped his head toward the window. It wasn’t some cocky rookie standing there at all. He pursed his lips. This day was just getting better by the minute. “I might have been. Why? What's it to you?”
The sheriff turned his head away, but not before Riley saw the man start to grin.
“Step out of the truck, please,” the sheriff requested in an authoritative tone, but one that hinted of a stifled chuckle.
Sighing, Riley opened the truck door, and stepped out. He leaned back against the truck with his arms folded across his chest. He eyed the sheriff standing in front of him.
“Why are you out stopping speeders? Don’t you have deputies for that?”
“So you admit you were speeding. I do this once in a while...you know, keep a presence and all.” They stared at each other.
All of a sudden, Riley laughed softly and held out his hand. “How the hell are you, Sam?”
Sam Garrett and Riley Madison had been the best of friends growing up. Riley spent more time at Sam’s place than his own, and Sam knew all about Riley’s father. Hell, everyone knew about Riley’s father.
Chuckling, Sam shook Riley’s hand. “I’m good. It's good to see you again, Riley. Sorry about your dad.”
Riley cleared his throat. “Why? I'm not. I'm glad the son of a bitch is dead.” He stared off into the distance.
“I suppose you would be,” Sam murmured. “Are you heading for the ranch?”
Riley nodded. “I can't believe he left it to me. He hated me as much as I hated him.”
“What are you going to do with it?” Sam leaned against the truck beside him.
“Fix it up and sell it. I have no reason to stay in Clifton. Flipping houses is what I’m good at now. I've made a lot of money doing it. Texas has been good to me.”
“Yeah, I know.” Nodding, Sam handed Riley his documents back. “Slow down or next time, I'll drag your ass in.”
Riley chuckled. “You can try, Sam.”
Laughing, Sam tapped the Glock G17 in its holster. “I don't have to try. I can do it.”
“You cheat, Sam.” Laughing, Riley climbed back into his truck.
“It’s good to see you, Sheriff. Hope to see you around.” He gave his old friend a quick nod as he started the engine before peeling out, throwing gravel everywhere. When he glanced to the rearview mirror, he chuckled seeing Sam staring after him, shaking his head.
****
Kaitlyn Parker held her daughter, Sadie, in her arms and stared after the truck as it roared down the street. Riley Madison. She lifted the collar of her T-shirt and blew down her shirt. The day was hot enough, but that man had her burning up. Riley had always been the sexiest of men she'd ever seen, and she’d seen some sexy men living in these parts. Only Riley, he was sexier than most with the blackest hair, and a faint shadow covering his lower face, neck, and jaw. His straw cowboy hat had sat low on his forehead and his beautiful eyes were the color of fine aged whiskey. His white muscle shirt had stretched tight over his chest and flat stomach, and he’d towered over her by at least seven inches. Kaitlyn stood five foot nine in her bare feet and even though she was wearing wedge sandals today, she’d had to look up and when she did, her heart had slammed into her chest. The man was so damn good-looking with the sexiest eyes no man had a right to have. She groaned because she knew this was a complication she did not need. Yeah sure, she wanted to fall in love again and have a good man in her life, especially after the disaster of her failed marriage, but Riley Madison was not the man to fall for. Although, if she had to admit it if only to herself, she’d secretly dreamed about him for years. She wanted...no, she needed a man to love her, to worship her, and desire no other woman other than her. Unlike her ex-husband, who’d kept a mistress. Shaking the thoughts from her head, she knew the next man in her life could never be Riley Madison.
Sadie wiggled to get down, returning Kaitlyn’s thoughts to the present. Kaitlyn crouched and lowered Sadie to the ground. “Don’t go running off again, Sadie. That was very bad,” she scolded, but then smiled when Sadie grabbed her nose.
It was her almost two-year-old daughter’s newest thing. She did it to everyone who held her. Riley had smiled when Sadie had squeezed his nose. Kaitlyn would love to squeeze his...no. Do. Not. Go. There. So he was hot, so what?
Holding tight to Sadie's hand, they maneuvered through the crowd on the sidewalk. Most of the people were tourists, thanks to the Clifton Bed and Breakfast. People came from across the states and Canada to stay at the B and B, and the adjoining cabins to enjoy horseback riding, trail rides, camping, riding lessons, and shopping sprees in the quaint little town. Kaitlyn owned a flower shop and greenhouse, which now flourished during the months of April through early October when the B and B was open. Kaitlyn thanked Becca Stone almost daily for opening it. The entire town boomed with business during those months.
“Hi Katie,” a woman spoke from behind her. Kaitlyn spun around and smiled at Olivia Stone. It seemed no matter how old or successful she became, the people of Clifton would always call her Katie.
“Hi Liv...how are you?” Kaitlyn smiled. She genuinely liked Olivia and was glad she’d become a member of the large Clifton family.
“Just great.” The beautiful violet-eyed woman gazed around Kaitlyn and smiled at Sadie. “Hi Sadie.”
Sadie giggled and put her arms up for Olivia to pick her up, which she did of course. No one seemed immune to Sadie’s adorable charms. Olivia balanced her on one hip. Sadie squeezed Olivia's nose, and then played with her long black hair.
“Are you heading for your shop?” Olivia asked, tickling Sadie’s belly making her giggle.
“I am. We just finished lunch and I need to get back. I hate leaving Madilyn there alone when there are so many people in town.” Kaitlyn laughed at her daughter’s playful demeanor.
“Business is good, huh?”
“Yes. It's amazing how well the town does during the summer, and it's all thanks to the B and B.” Kaitlyn reached for Sadie when she suddenly started fussing. “Sorry, Liv...she’s getting another tooth.”
“Just wait until she hits two in a few more months.” Olivia smiled.
Kaitlyn groaned at the thought, but knew it was coming. “I think she's practicing for the terrible twos already. She ran out in front of a truck a little while ago. Thankfully, the man stopped in time.”
“Who was it?” Olivia gave her a concerned look. Being a small town, everyone knew each other.
“Riley Madison.” Then she grinned and lowered her voice. “Sinfully hot.”
Olivia laughed. “Oh yeah...I met him at Ryder’s wedding. He is hot. Whew.”
Laughing with her, Kaitlyn knew Olivia might flirt with other men but she was very much in love with her husband, Wyatt Stone, who was one of many incredibly sexy men in the small Montana town.
“I hate that I missed Ryder and Kelsey’s wedding, but Sadie was so sick and I didn’t want to leave her. I haven’t seen Riley since I was fourteen.” Kaitlyn shrugged. “I doubt if I’ll ever see him again either.”
“But you wouldn't mind, would you?” Olivia teased.
Smiling, Kaitlyn nodded. “I used to have a huge crush on him. He’s really something.” She glanced behind Olivia. “Speaking of something, here comes that sexy husband of yours.”
First glancing behind her, Olivia turned back with a sly smile. “He is sexy, isn't he?”
Grinning, Kaitlyn appreciated Olivia’s sigh as her husband came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her neck. Oh yeah, Wyatt Stone was one sexy man. He had that brooding cowboy persona and women swooned over him, but his heart belonged to Olivia. He stood six four with black hair and black eyes. He’d make any woman’s panties melt.
“Hey, Katie...how are you?” Wyatt grinned at her over Olivia’s shoulder.
“I’m good. Just trying to get back to my shop...I should've been back fifteen minutes ago.” Feigning a cringe, she grinned. “Enjoy your day, you two. Wave bye-bye, Sadie.”
Wyatt and Olivia waved to the little girl and then disappeared into the crowd. Kaitlyn rushed into her shop. There were at least ten people inside milling around and waiting to be served. She smiled and apologized to them as she entered through the door. First placing Sadie in her playpen situated by the front counter, she set about helping her employee, Madilyn Morgan wait on the customers.
Kaitlyn loved her little flower shop. She felt a sense of pride looking around the space. There were rows of silk flowers in displays sitting on shelves to the right of the entrance doors. The scent of real flowers filled the large room from vases located on a table in the center. A glass freezer sat behind the counter filled with every color of rose available as well as a variety of other hothouse flowers. To the right of the counter were the doors that led to the greenhouse, where every type of houseplant known to man could be found.
Kaitlyn had worked at the flower shop for a few years before the owner put it up for sale. She was able to buy it when her husband died leaving her a huge insurance policy. Probably to make up for the way he treated me. Kaitlyn snorted in contempt. Seriously doubting that but she couldn’t think of any other reason why Kevin would have her as his beneficiary, when he also had a mistress.
Shaking the morbid thoughts from her head, she smiled at the customers and got to work.
****
Riley sat in the truck staring at the house where he'd grown up—a large colonial, two-story home with black shutters. The dark windows seemed to taunt him. Glancing around the yard, he swore in disgust. The barn needed paint and the corral fences were in desperate need of repair. Weeds grew tall in the front yard. Riley put his window down, hooked his arm on the door, and gazed around. The place was a mess.
Blowing out a breath of disgust, he knew it would take a good bit of money to fix it. Not that he couldn't afford it, he just wasn’t sure he wanted to bother with it. The land alone was worth a good bit though. Riley swore again as he opened the door, and stepped out of the truck, then slammed it shut letting his anger grab hold again. Walking toward the dilapidated porch, he tripped over a rock. It seemed to be the last straw. Picking it up, he chucked it at the house and heard it shatter a window. Placing his hands on his hips, he hung his head. Son of a bitch! Sighing with frustration, he strode up the steps and tried to open the door. Who would have locked the door?
Looking under the mat, Riley found the key—of course. How cliché...leave it to the old man to be so obvious. He put the key in the lock and pushed the door open, but he couldn’t step across the threshold. All the bad memories came rushing at him like a strong cold wind blowing across the plains. Taking a deep breath for reinforcement, he stepped into the house reaching for a light switch but when he flipped it, nothing happened. The electricity was off. Riley tightened his jaw as he gazed around the house. A stale, aged and musty smell assaulted his nose. His father only died two weeks ago. Had he really lived in this mess all these years?
The living room furniture sat covered in dust. Cobwebs hung in the corners of the windows and walls. Sunlight poured through the windows on each side of the fireplace and dust particles floated heavy through the beams. Riley strode to the fireplace and crouched down. He looked up the flue and swore again, when he saw it was open. There could be bats nesting up there. He closed the flue then walked to the kitchen, leaned against the doorjamb, and folded his arms across his chest as he shook his head. It was bad. The appliances would need replacing and the black and white tile floor had pieces missing. The countertops needed refinishing or replaced. Damn, the only decent thing about the kitchen was the cherry cabinets. Riley supposed he could remove them and sell them if he decided to level the house.
Taking a deep breath, he took his hat off, and ran his fingers through his thick hair. He should just burn the damn place down. It was just too bad it wouldn’t take the bad memories with it, if he did. He strolled out the backdoor and headed for the barn. Once inside, he checked the stalls. The barn was in much better shape than the house. Glancing toward the back, he refused to go into the back office yet. Bales of hay sat stacked against the back wall. Riley inhaled the sweet scent as his gaze swept the barn. There had been good memories here when he was out here alone but when the old man was with him, he could do no right. The son of a bitch would go off over anything. One day, Riley had accidently dropped a bale of hay he was stacking and it burst apart. It was one of the worst beatings of his life. He’d been thirteen.
“You bastard,” Riley shouted. The anger poured over him and he punched the wall with his fist. “Fuck,” he swore as he looked at his bloody knuckles, and then shook his hand trying to ease the pain.
Not wanting to be here another minute, Riley headed for his truck but stopped when he saw a sheriff's marked SUV coming up the drive. Riley halted and waited, watching as Sam stepped out.
“You miss me, Sam?” Sneering, his anger was still riding high so now he inadvertently directed it at his old friend.
Cocking his head, Sam raised an eyebrow. “Someone reported a truck here. I was just checking to make sure it was you.” Shrugging, he glanced around. “With the place being empty, it's become a hangout for kids.”
All of sudden feeling like a complete ass, Riley glanced at his boots. Sam was a good person, an old friend, and the closest thing to a brother he’d ever had. “Sorry, Sam...I understand you're just doing your job.”
Sam leaned against the fender of his vehicle, folded his arms, and stared at Riley. “Are you going to be staying here while you fix it up?”
Riley flattened his lips. “I thought about it but after being here, I'm not sure I can.”
Sam didn't say anything. He probably didn’t know what to say. Riley strode over to him and leaned against the fender beside him. They both stared at the house.
“I hated that son of a bitch,” Riley said quietly.
He heard Sam sigh. “I know. He was a real bastard. No one went to his funeral.”
A humorous laugh erupted from Riley. “Why would they? He was an asshole to everyone he ever met.” He glanced around. “I have to wonder if he was ever a good person.”
Sam shook his head. “I had to come out here last winter to check on him. Betty Lou Harper, my dispatcher, told me his electric had been shut-off, and it was damn cold.” He glanced away and then back to Riley. “He was sleeping in the barn.”
Riley raised his eyebrows. “In the barn? Why?”
“He said it was warmer than the house.” Sam shrugged. “He said he'd been living in the barn for years. There's a wood burning stove in the back room and that's where he stayed.”
“There’s a fireplace in the house,” Riley exclaimed.
Sam nodded. “I know, but I don't think he wanted to be in the house alone.”
Kicking a rock on the ground, Riley scoffed. “It never bothered him before. He wanted so much to be alone that he ran his wife and son off.” Neither spoke for a few minutes. Riley glanced at him. “What’s with all the people in town?”
Chuckling, Sam smiled at him. “Most of them are from the Clifton Bed and Breakfast.”
“What bed and breakfast?” Riley raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Becca Stone owns it. You remember Hattie Daniels?” Riley nodded. “She passed away a while back and left her ranch to Becca, her granddaughter. Becca turned it into a bed and breakfast. She added fifteen cabins to the property too. It's a goldmine. The townspeople love it since it brings people into town and the local stores.”
“I’m sorry to hear about Hattie. No one mentioned anything about any of this at Ryder’s wedding.”
Shrugging his broad shoulders, Sam grinned. “I guess it never came up.”
“True.” Riley agreed, nodding in that non-committed way when it doesn’t require more reaction.
“Of course, you didn’t stick around after the wedding. I remember you tore out of here like a bat out of hell.”
“The sooner I got out of here, the better. Same with now.”
“I know how you feel about being here in Clifton, but it wasn’t the town that made you run off when you were twenty-three.”
Taking in a deep breath, Riley exhaled fully. “I know. I just didn’t think I’d ever come back here. The only reason I came back for Ryder’s wedding, was because I actually happened to be home in Texas at the time, so I knew about it. I was out of town on business when the news came for Jake and Wyatt’s weddings...so I missed theirs. It was good to see everyone though.” He saw Sam grin. “What?”
“Kaylee’s pregnant.”
“That’s great...really great. I need to get out there to see her and Trick.”
“I think Trick is over the moon. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy. Except maybe the day they got married.”
Nodding, Riley grinned. “He is crazy about her. Always has been.”
Sam nodded in agreement. “Yeah. They’re very much in love. I’m happy for them.”
“Trick fell hard for her.” Riley smiled. “I will definitely get out to see them before I leave.”
“You should.”
“What about you? Are you still seeing Lydia?”
“No. Not any longer.” Sam’s response was brusque.
Surprised, Riley tilted his head in question. “Why not?”
“It wasn’t going anywhere.”
“Not for you maybe, but anyone could see she’s in love with you.”
Sam shrugged. “I didn’t to want to hurt her, but I can’t make myself fall in love with someone. She’s a great person, but I don’t love her. She went back to Louisiana. It’s better that way.”
“Yeah, it was probably for the best. Maybe one day, you’ll find the right woman.” Riley grinned.
Slapping him on the shoulder, Riley noted the man still had some strength. “Glad to see you back.”
Realizing how quick Sam had changed the subject, Riley grinned with understanding. He was in no hurry to settle down either...if ever.
“I’m not sticking around, Sam. There's nothing to keep me here.”
Sam pushed off the fender turning away from him, headed around to the driver’s side door of his unit, stopped then glanced over the hood at Riley as he opened it. “There’s nothing to keep you away anymore either.”
Giving him a salute, Sam got into his vehicle and backed out the way he came. He honked as he drove off.