––––––––
With Sadie sitting in her car seat babbling away, Kaitlyn drove home from work later that afternoon. In her purse on the passenger seat were the letters Riley had given her. She’d been tempted to open them the minute she got back to her shop but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Now, she wasn’t so sure about reading them. How could she read them and not want to tell Riley what was in them? Whether it was good or bad, how could she keep it from him? He trusted her to read them and know what might be important.
Kaitlyn huffed, and then laughed when Sadie imitated her. Pulling up to her apartment complex, she parked. After getting Sadie out, the two of them went inside. Setting her purse on the hall table, she dropped her keys into the ceramic bowl. The letters could wait.
Sadie let out a scream as she ran around the living room. Kaitlyn watched with amusement as her daughter ran around the back of the sofa, and then around the two overstuffed chairs. When she ran straight toward Kaitlyn with her arms outstretched, Kaitlyn reached down, and picked her up giving her a hug.
“Riley, Mama?” Sadie asked.
“Riley is busy, baby,” Kaitlyn told her.
Sadie laid her head on Kaitlyn’s shoulder, and Kaitlyn felt a tremendous wave of emotion descend on her. How could a woman leave her child? She knew she never could. The thought of never seeing her daughter again made her heart break. Why had Riley’s mother left him behind? What possible reason could she have had to leave her little boy? Glancing over to her purse, she shook her head—dinner first. Carrying Sadie to the kitchen, she set her at the table while Kaitlyn fixed dinner. In all the time since her husband’s death, she hadn’t felt lonely but she missed Riley. She found herself wanting to call him and request he come over to spend the night with her. Hold her all night. He’d been so emotional after finding the letters that she wished he needed her—as much as she was beginning to need him.
Three hours later, Kaitlyn sat on her bed staring at the pile of letters. Dinner was over and Sadie was asleep. The stack of envelopes lay on the bed staring back at her. Taking a deep breath, she reached for them and untied the ribbon. Where to start? Kaitlyn picked the oldest one from the pile and slowly opened it. She wasn’t sure what she thought was going to happen when she did, but she tensed up as she pulled the letter out, unfolded it, and began reading.
Roscoe,
It is well past time that you let me see Riley. I miss my baby. I want him to know me. You’re not being fair about this. I know you hate me but keeping my child from me is beyond that. You’re going to rot in hell one day, Roscoe and I look forward to that. Let me see my son! You know where I am.
Barbara
Kaitlyn sucked in a deep breath then blew it out. What had his mother done? Putting the letter back in its envelope, she picked up another one. This one had a date from ten years ago.
Roscoe,
I can’t believe you didn’t tell me Riley left! How could you do this to me? Where did he go? Where is my son? I had to find out from a friend that he left. I need to see him and explain why I haven’t been around. That’s your fault and not mine. Where did he go? I can’t afford to hire a private detective. Tell me where he is, Roscoe. Let this die between us. Tell me!
Barbara
Kaitlyn felt a tear roll down her face. As a mother, she couldn’t imagine the torment Barbara Madison went through separated from her son. How painful it must be for her never to see him. A son, she obviously loved. Kaitlyn couldn’t imagine never seeing Sadie again. The thought made her heart ache.
Moving the letters aside, Kaitlyn strolled to the kitchen to get a drink. It was late but she wasn’t tired and the thought, of not reading more letters, never entered her mind. Going back to the bedroom, she sat in the center of the bed and picked up another one. Two hours later, Kaitlyn sat staring at the pile of letters. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. Barbara Madison had wanted her son. Kaitlyn knew she had to tell Riley.
Glancing at the clock, she saw it was well past midnight but this couldn’t wait. Picking up her cell phone, she swallowed a sob of sadness and called him.
“Hello?” His sexy voice sounded raspy, making her wish he were here instead of on the other end of the phone.
“It’s Kaitlyn. Did I wake you?”
Riley grunted. “No. I can’t sleep. What are you still doing up?”
“I-I...read them all.” Her voice choked as another sob threatened to bubble up from her chest.
“All of them?” Riley sounded astonished.
“I couldn’t put them down. There were fifty-five of them. I just couldn’t stop once I started,” Kaitlyn said in a quiet voice. “She loved you, Riley.”
“I find that hard to believe, Katie.”
Taking a deep breath, she wiped away more tears. “Come over tomorrow and we’ll go through them. You told me to let you know if there was anything you should know, and I think you should read these, Riley. It’s there...in her words.”
His sigh came through the phone. “All right...I’ll be over after you get off work. Say, around six.”
“Sounds good. Goodnight, Riley.” Hanging up, she lay back on the bed, falling asleep amidst the letters.
****
Riley lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. The thoughts going through his head wouldn’t let him sleep. His brain had whirled with everything happening in his life right now. He’d thought about meeting up with Sam for dinner as they’d planned, but he wasn’t in the mood for a lecture from his friend about Kaitlyn. Wanting more than anything to talk to his old friend about the letters, he knew that wouldn’t happen because Sam would only have one thing on his mind so he’d called, and cancelled. Promising Sam that he wasn’t seeing his sister tonight, but that clearing out the house was taking a toll. Now Kaitlyn thought he should read the letters. As if his life wasn’t getting complicated enough but really, did he want to, what good could possibly come from it? Mentally, he shook his head feeling exhausted from it all.
Rolling to his side, he stared at the digital clock, watching as the numbers changed. His eyes felt as if someone had filled them with sand. Riley rubbed his eyes then closed them. Morning would be here soon enough, he thought as he drifted off.
The next morning, Riley continued cleaning out the house. However, he didn’t come across any more letters. Reaching for his phone, he called the thrift store to find out about donating the clothing and furniture, as he wanted none of it. His gaze fell on the rocking chair in the corner of the master bedroom. Should he keep it? Riley shook his head. No. He’d donate it too, unless Kaitlyn might want it. Since the thrift store was sending a truck soon, he called Kaitlyn to make sure, before it was loaded up with the rest of the furniture.
“Katie’s Florist and Greenhouse,” a feminine voice answered.
“Is Kaitlyn in?” Riley asked.
“May I ask whose calling?”
“Riley Madison.”
“Oh hi Riley, it’s Madilyn. I’ll get her for you.”
“Thanks, Madilyn.” Riley liked Madilyn, another beautiful woman that one of his old friends was lucky enough to win as a wife.
A few minutes later, Kaitlyn came on the line. “Hi Riley, what’s up?”
His heart slammed against his ribcage just hearing her voice. “Hey. I called the thrift shop about the furniture but I wanted to ask you first, if you wanted any of it—maybe the rocking chair in the bedroom?”
“I would love it. Are you sure?”
Riley cleared his throat. God! He loved listening to her voice, and thinking of her whispering in his ear was making his cock take notice. “Yes. I’ll bring it tonight when I come over. Anything else you’d like?”
“Just you,” Kaitlyn whispered in his ear.
Shit! Oh yeah, it was hard as a rock now. “I’ll be there at six, sweetheart.”
“I’ll make dinner so don’t eat.” Kaitlyn paused but only for a heartbeat. “Breakfast too.”
A groan escaped his throat. “How am I supposed to work the rest of the day thinking about that?”
Her soft laughter came over the line. “Same here...if I have to suffer, so do you.”
Riley chuckled. “Payback’s a bitch, darlin’.” Hanging up, he wondered about what he was getting himself into with her.
The truck from the thrift store had arrived. Two men climbed down from the cab, and shook Riley’s hand when he greeted them then he showed them where the furniture was with instructions to leave the rocking chair. Riley watched as they carried the furniture out and loaded it on the truck then they brought out boxes of clothing and other items. Everything was going but he wanted to make sure they left the rocking chair. Riley had already taken the jewelry box to the cabin for safekeeping. When he was ready, he’d go through it but he wasn’t looking forward to doing so.
Once the truck pulled away, Riley walked through the house. It now sat empty. Any too old to recycle, broken, and decrepit pieces of furniture sat stacked in a pile in a nearby open area just needing a match set to it. Anything that could be recycled sat in bins waiting for pick up. Riley strode outside, lighter in hand, struck a flame, and set the furniture ablaze. Standing back, he watched as it burned. A tremendous weight seemed to lift from his shoulders as the flames reached high into the sky.
While the fire burned down, Riley relaxed nearby watching things as old and broken as his father, turn to ash. When he was sure the fire was out, he loaded the rocking chair into the bed of the truck then headed for the cabin. In need of a shower since he now reeked of smoke as well as sweat and dirt, he stripped out of his dirty clothes and let the hot water rush over him. It had been a long day. After showering, he sat down on the couch to relax a while before he went to see Kaitlyn.
Thinking about the night ahead made him smile. Being with Kaitlyn and Sadie seemed to brighten his mood even when he thought it couldn’t be. Sitting in the living room mindlessly watching whatever inane show was on the television, he felt more relaxed than he had since getting to Clifton. All of a sudden someone pounded on his door. Getting up, he walked to the window and gazed out, then swore when he saw Sam’s SUV cruiser parked out front. Taking a deep breath, he knew he might have escaped this inevitable conversation the night before but he was about to experience it now. He opened the door and Sam strode in past him.
“Well, come on in, Sam,” Riley said sarcastically even as an obviously angry Sam spun around to face him.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Riley?” Sam growled.
“I was watching television.” He stood stock still when Sam moved to stand nearly toe to toe with him.
“Don’t be a smartass. You know damn good and well what I mean. Katie.”
Riley blew out a breath. “We’re seeing each other.”
“Why?” Sam demanded.
Shoving the door closed, Riley moved toward the sofa. He ran his hand through his hair. “Hell, Sam. She’s a beautiful woman.”
“She’s my sister,” Sam said through clenched teeth.
“Yes, she is but she’s also a grown woman, and old enough to make her own decisions.”
“You’re going to hurt her.”
Riley shook his head. “No—”
“The hell you won’t,” Sam roared. “You have no plans of staying here in Clifton and when the day comes that you leave, you’ll hurt her, and it’s not just her. Sadie will be hurt too. You don’t do relationships...remember?”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do yet,” Riley yelled back.
“That’s supposed to make me feel better?” Sam glared at him. “If I see one tear in her eyes because of you, I will kick your ass. I’ve always been able to and nothing’s changed.” Moving past Riley toward the door, he didn’t try to avoid hitting shoulders with him and Riley knew he’d done it on purpose, but let it go. Opening the door, Sam glanced over his shoulder at him. “We’re friends, but you’ll have me to deal with if you hurt her.” He slammed the door behind him as he left.
Riley muttered under his breath. Shit! He’d known from the start it was a bad idea getting involved with Kaitlyn, but he couldn’t help himself. Besides being gorgeous, he couldn’t help wanting her, like no other woman he’d ever met. Running his fingers through his still damp hair, he fell back on the sofa and thought about what Sam had said, and he was right. Riley knew he was going to hurt Kaitlyn, and Sadie. The day would come soon enough when he would leave since he’d never intended on staying, and there was nothing to keep him here—except Kaitlyn and Sadie. Their beautiful faces filled his mind’s eye and he smiled thinking of the little girl who liked to squeeze his nose. Riley ran his hand down his face wishing things could be different, but there was just no way he could stay here with the bad memories that continued to haunt him. Would Kaitlyn be willing to leave with him?
Whoa! Where in the hell had that idea come from? That was crazy. Her life was here. Her family and her business were here in Clifton. What could he promise her anyway? Riley knew without a doubt Sam could kick his ass and he didn’t want that. They may be close to the same height and build but Sam had more muscle mass. Riley stayed in shape but Sam was one big man. But more importantly, he didn’t want to hurt Kaitlyn.
“Shit,” he yelled.
What was he supposed to do? The thought of never seeing Kaitlyn and Sadie again had his gut aching. Riley swore as he paced around the cabin. Strolling out the patio doors, he gazed at the woods behind the cabin. The house that he planned on building on the old man’s ranch would have a view like this from the master bedroom, but it would also have a beautiful view of the Glaciers. Riley remembered sitting in the barn staring at those gorgeous mountains. They’d given him peace, until the old man caught him sitting there staring at them and he’d raised holy hell with him for not doing any chores. The memory spoiled the beauty.
It was time to leave for Kaitlyn’s place, discover what was in those letters, and try not to fall any further in love with her and her daughter. Riley walked back into the cabin and picked up his truck keys.
****
Kaitlyn ran for the door when she heard the doorbell. Stopping in front of the door, she smoothed down her shirt, took a deep breath, and opened the door. Riley stood in front of her, smiling. He held out a bouquet of wild flowers and Kaitlyn grinned up at him.
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
Riley leaned forward and kissed her. “You can thank me later,” he whispered against her lips then grinned when she blushed.
Opening the door wider for him to enter, he strode past her and Kaitlyn closed her eyes for a second, inhaling his aftershave. Hearing him chuckle and her daughter’s infectious giggle, Kaitlyn turned in time to see Riley pick Sadie up and toss her into the air making Sadie squeal, and Kaitlyn’s heart clutch in her chest. No matter how many times she saw it done, it terrified her.
“You’re going to give me a heart attack doing that.” Her breath whooshed out.
With a serious expression on his face, Riley turned toward her cradling a smiling Sadie whose arms encircled his neck. “I’d never let anything happen to her.”
Kaitlyn nodded. “I know that. It just takes a few minutes from my life every time I see you or Sam do that with her.”
Still holding Sadie, he sauntered to her, leaned in, and kissed her. “I can’t have that happen. I’ll only do it when you’re not around then.” He grinned. “Something sure smells good.”
“Fried chicken. Come on, let’s eat.” Kaitlyn led the way to the kitchen.
As they sat at the table, Kaitlyn couldn’t keep her eyes off Riley. He seemed to be enjoying himself with Sadie. Occasionally, his eyes would glance in her direction but he talked with Sadie the entire time. Sadie babbled back at him making him laugh. When Sadie picked up a fry, took a bite then offered it to Riley, he bit the end, and she giggled. It amazed Kaitlyn when he took a bite after Sadie did because a man she’d dated six months ago had looked at the fry in disgust when Sadie offered it to him. Riley didn’t just act as if he were taking a bite, he actually took one.
“This is really good, Katie,” Riley said, after taking a bite of chicken, chewing with gusto, and swallowing.
“Thank you. I love to cook. I don’t get to make many big meals, so when I get a chance...” She shrugged.
“I guess with just you and the squirt, you don’t get the chance often.”
Kaitlyn laughed. “No, I don’t. We just get by on quick meals.”
“Well, you can cook for me anytime. This is fantastic.”
Feeling the heat pouring into her cheeks at the compliment, she knew she was a good cook but it was because Riley had complimented her so she silently chastised herself for reacting like a silly schoolgirl.
It wasn’t long after dinner that Sadie started fussing, only she didn’t want to go to her mama, she wanted Riley. Kaitlyn tried not to take offense but it was certainly a first for Sadie, and it worried her a bit that her daughter’s attachment to Riley was growing stronger. When he took her from Kaitlyn, he followed her to Sadie’s bedroom. Kaitlyn told him to lay her on the changing table. As he lowered her, Sadie screamed.
“Now I’m deaf in the other ear.” Riley winced.
Knowing she shouldn’t laugh but Kaitlyn couldn’t help it, she’d been there too. “The ringing will stop shortly.”
Riley growled even as he smirked and rubbed his ear. “Real funny, smartass.”
Kaitlyn snickered. “Come on, Sadie. Stop fussing or no bunny.” Sadie stopped screaming and her eyes opened wide. There was no way Kaitlyn would deny Sadie her bunny but it was the only way to get the little girl to calm down.
“What’s the bunny?” Riley whispered.
“Her bunny.” Kaitlyn jerked her chin toward a toy box where a large blue stuffed bunny lay on top. “She likes to sleep with it. It’s falling apart but I haven’t had a chance to buy her a new one.”
“So you threaten her with it?” She could tell he was trying not to laugh.
“I make empty threats. I’d never take it away from her, but she doesn’t know that.”
“That’s just wrong.” Riley put his lips to her neck while she changed Sadie, making her body come to life with heated quivers. “I never took you for such an evil woman.”
Pulling back so she could look up at him, she started to drown in those beautiful eyes. “You have no idea.” Satisfaction rolled over her when Riley groaned.
Tearing her eyes from his, she cleared her throat then carried Sadie to her bed. “Could you get the bunny, please?”
Riley handed her the bunny and she gave it to Sadie who clutched it like a lifeline. Her eyes kept closing as sleep tried to grab hold but she’d snap them back open, and look up at the two adults.
“You have your bunny now, Sadie. Time for sleep,” Kaitlyn whispered. Sadie glanced at Riley and grinned making him chuckle deep in his throat.
“Is it like this, every night?”
“No. Usually, she goes right to bed. It’s because you’re here she doesn’t want to go to sleep.”
Riley leaned down and kissed Sadie’s cheek, and her little girl made smacking sounds but didn’t let go of her bunny. Sadie’s sleepy eyes followed Riley as he walked to the door, gave her a wave, and then winked at Kaitlyn making her insides tremble before disappearing down the hall. Stroking her daughter’s silky soft hair away from her face, Kaitlyn bent and pressed a kiss against her forehead and heard Sadie exhale. When she straightened, she saw Sadie was asleep. With a deep breath of relief and an unexpected excitement racing through her, she left the room, quietly closing the door behind her, before slowly walking to the living room.
Riley was sitting on the sofa watching the television. When she entered the room, he glanced up and smiled at her. Her heart skipped a beat as he held his hand out to her. Kaitlyn took his hand and let him pull her down beside him. Leaning over, he kissed her softly, running his tongue along the seam of her lips.
“Let me in, sweetheart,” Riley murmured against her lips.
Kaitlyn opened her mouth to allow him access and they both moaned at the sensation. She ran her fingers through his thick hair, pulling him tighter against her. When Riley’s mouth moved across her cheek to her ear, and his tongue ran around the shell, Kaitlyn shivered with pleasure.
“Let’s go to the bedroom,” she whispered to him.
“I want you right here, sweetheart,” Riley whispered in her ear, and then pulled his T-shirt off over his head. “I don’t think I can make it that far.” Pushing her down on the sofa, his hand went to her hip as he lay down on top of her. “I want you so much, Kaitlyn.”
“Yes, Riley...please.” Kaitlyn moaned low in her throat feeling his hard shaft at the juncture of her thighs.
“Yes, darlin’. I do want to please you.” Riley’s hand moved to the zipper of her jeans, lowering it and slipping his hand inside her panties. He ran his finger down her folds. “God, sweetheart...you’re so wet for me.”
“I’ve been thinking about this all day.” Clenching her thighs together, she gasped when his thumb moved to her clitoris setting a rhythm, but it didn’t stop Riley from continuing the rhythm against her. Her breath caught in her throat as her arousal increased and she reached for him. “Riley...I...oh God,” she cried out as she came.
Riley slowly moved his hand to the bottom of her shirt and lifted it off over her head. Lowering his head, he kissed the top of her breasts popping out over her demi-cup bra. He unclasped it, letting her breasts free and groaning his appreciation as he lowered his head, took her nipple into his mouth, and pulled on it. Swirling his tongue around the tight peak, he reignited her arousal.
Kaitlyn’s hands went to the snap of his jeans, her need to touch him strong. Her hand moved inside and wrapped around his hard shaft. Stroking her hand up and down his hard length, she smiled when he pushed into her palm. All of a sudden as if now impatient, Riley sat up and pulled her jeans and panties off. Kaitlyn blushed when she gazed up at him. His eyes traveled over her taking in every inch of her stretched out beneath him. Then he lowered his head and kissed her mound of curls. Using his thumbs, he opened her to him and his tongue moved through to her clitoris. His teeth grazed against her, making her squirm.
“Riley, please...I want you,” Kaitlyn pleaded.
She felt him smile against her. Then his tongue drove her wild and she bucked against him as she came again. Kaitlyn was still trying to catch her breath when he sat up and rolled a condom on then moved between her legs, and slowly inched into her, the sensation driving her toward yet another orgasm.
“Wrap your legs around me, Kaitlyn,” Riley whispered against her lips. When she did, he began moving, stroking in and out. Kaitlyn moved her hips with his. Meeting him thrust for thrust, she pressed her lips to his chest, running her tongue up to his neck. Riley moaned. Kaitlyn smiled against his neck, making him growl. She softly laughed then gasped when he picked up the pace.
They moved as one, the pressure building, and building until she couldn’t take it any longer. Her nails dug into his tight butt. Kaitlyn raised her head and bit his shoulder making him grunt. The pressure built in her again. It surprised her that he could take her there again so quickly. She cried out as she shattered once more.
“Kaitlyn...sweetheart. Now.” Riley grunted as he came. His hips jerked as he continued to pump a few more times before collapsing on top of her. Sweat covered their bodies and they both fought to breathe after the sweet exertion. Riley raised his head and kissed her while her arms languished heavily around his neck.
“That was amazing,” she whispered, kissing his lips quickly.
Riley grinned down at her. “It always is.”
As he leaned down to kiss her mouth, his weight shifted and they rolled off the sofa and onto the floor. Kaitlyn landed on top of him and she burst out laughing. She could feel Riley laughing too, his face buried against her shoulder.
“I told you we should have gone to the bedroom.” Kaitlyn pushed back to look down at him and found him smiling up at her.
“I think we did just fine here.” Riley kissed her before she stood.
Kaitlyn gazed down at him, watching as he zipped his pants. “You didn’t even take your pants off, Madison.”
Riley laughed. “Or my boots.” He rolled away from her when she swatted at him. “Help me up, darlin’.” Putting his hand out to her, she took it. Giving a half-hearted tug to help him to his feet, when he got there, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard.
Breathless from lovemaking and that last kiss, Kaitlyn reached for her clothes and dressed. Glancing over her shoulder, she dreaded asking the question weighing on her mind now. “Are you staying tonight?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Yes, if you want.” Kaitlyn gave him a shy smile.
“Well then...no reason to get dressed, is there?” Riley grinned, pulled her into his arms again, scooped her up, and tossed her over his shoulder. She squealed, throwing her hand over her mouth fearing making too much noise and waking Sadie. “Now, we’ll go to the bedroom,” he said as he headed down the hallway.