––––––––
Riley knew he wanted to see some friends and say goodbye before he left this godforsaken town because he had no plans of ever returning. His first stop was Jake Stone’s place. Pulling into the driveway, he parked alongside the gorgeous log home. Stepping out, he walked toward the back door. It opened before he got there. Becca stood there smiling at him with one hand on her hip, the other holding the door.
“Are you lost?” she said with a chuckle.
Riley grinned. “No, ma’am, I’m going to be leaving soon and I wanted to see my friends before I go.”
Frowning at him, she folded her arms across her chest. “Leaving? Why? I thought you and Katie—”
“No...it’s a long story, Becca. Is Jake around?”
“He’s in the arena. Training.” Her eyes narrowed at him.
Riley gave her a terse nod and headed toward the arena. Was he going to go through twenty questions every time he stopped to see someone? Swearing under his breath, he didn’t owe anyone an explanation and he’d make it plain to anyone else who asked. Opening the door to the arena, he stepped inside and the smell of wood shavings and horses assaulted his nose. It was a wonderful smell, and a memory of Clifton he actually missed. Moving to lean on the railing surrounding the training area, he smiled as he watched Jake work a horse through figure eights. No one was better at training reining horses than Jake Stone was. His brother Gabe trained tie-down horses and his youngest brother, Wyatt, trained cutting horses. The brothers were the best across the states.
Riley raised his hand to get Jake’s attention. He saw him smile as he rode the horse over to him.
“Hey, Riley.” Jake dismounted.
“Damn, I miss riding.”
“Come over one day and we’ll all go out.” Jake smiled at him.
Clearing his throat, Riley stroked his hand down the neck of the horse keeping his eyes diverted. “I won’t be doing that, Jake. I’m leaving Clifton and returning to Texas. I’m just stopping in to see everyone before I go.”
“Is Katie going with you?”
“No. She won’t leave here.”
“Then why the hell are you going? Anyone can see you two belong together.” Jake frowned at him.
“It’s a long story Jake—”
“Yeah, I bet it is. If you leave her, and Sadie behind, you’re a fool.”
“Jesus! I just wanted to say goodbye to you and instead, I get a fucking lecture.”
“Oh, you deserve more than a lecture. You deserve your ass kicked. Does Sam know you’re leaving Katie?”
Riley shrugged. “I have no idea.”
Jake laughed. “Well, he must not if you’re still standing.” He shook his head, patting the horse. “I don’t get it, but then it’s none of my business.” He glanced at Riley then mounted his horse. “Goodbye Riley.” With that, he rode him to the center of the arena, and started the horse on maneuvers again.
Shit! Riley knew a dismissal when he heard one. Damned if he was going to put up with this from his friends. Grumbling under his breath, he left the arena, climbed into his truck, and headed toward Gabe’s place and sure as hell hoped he wasn’t in for more lecturing. He pulled into the driveway and drove up to the beautiful white farmhouse. The Stone brothers had grown up in this house and after both parents were gone, Gabe took over the house, while Jake and Wyatt built their own on the land they’d inherited. When he stepped from the truck, the back door opened and Emma, Gabe’s wife, and Riley’s longtime friend, almost knocked him over when she leaped into his arms. Riley spun her around before setting her on her feet and hugging her then leaned back to look down at her. She smiled up at him.
“God, Emma, you are so beautiful. You sure grew up.” Riley laughed when she blushed.
“You want to tell me what the hell you’re doing with my wife, Madison?” Gabe Stone glared at him as he walked toward them.
Grinning, Riley raised his chin in defiance. “I’m hugging her. You have a problem with that?”
Gabe chuckled. “No—as long as that’s all it is.” He wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders and pulled her away from Riley.
“I’d steal her, if I could. I can’t believe how gorgeous she is. I mean, Emma, you were always pretty, but now you are a stunning woman. I thought so last year when I saw you but I didn’t get a chance to talk with you.”
“Married life agrees with me and you took off out of here so fast, we didn’t really get a chance to talk at all.” Emma laughed.
“So you’re happy...with this guy?” Riley hitched his chin in Gabe’s direction.
Gabe chuckled. “Jealous?”
“Hell yes.” Riley laughed.
“You shouldn’t be. You have Katie and she’s gorgeous.” Gabe grunted when Emma elbowed him. He gazed down at his wife. “Though not as gorgeous as you are, darlin’.”
Emma beamed and looked at Riley. “He’s right though. Katie is beautiful...” She narrowed her eyes at him when he glanced at the ground. “What’s wrong?”
“Katie and I...well, we were just dating while I was here. I came to say goodbye. I’m going back to Texas.”
“You’re an idiot,” Emma told him with a huff.
And here we go. “I asked her to go with me. She won’t...actually, she refused.”
“Why would she want to go? Her shop is here. Her family and friends are here. What would she have in Texas, other than you?” Emma put her hands on her slim hips.
Swearing under his breath, Riley glanced away from her then turned back to face her. “Emma, I’m not going to get into this with you or anyone else. It’s between Katie and me. I just wanted to stop and say goodbye.”
“Goodbye.” Emma spun away and marched into the house letting the door slam behind her.
“Thanks a lot. You’ve pissed off my wife and now I’ll hear about this all evening,” Gabe hissed. “Damn it, Riley.” He stuck out his hand and Riley shook it. “I hate to see you leave but you do what you have to do.”
“Thanks Gabe. I...” He shook his head when he had no idea what else to say. “Goodbye. Take care of Emma and your beautiful children. You’re a lucky man.”
Gabe snorted. “Yeah, like you couldn’t be. See ya around.” He walked away without another word.
Sighing, and feeling like he was slowly becoming the bad guy, Riley got into his truck, determined to see Wyatt Stone. Hell, would he hear it there too? Probably. Fuck! They were all his friends and he wanted to see Brody, Ryder, and Trick before he left but it wasn’t worth the crap they would each heap on him, if he had to hear it again, and again. He shook his head. He knew he’d hear it from all of them.
Riley pulled his truck into Wyatt’s driveway and drove up to the side of the large log home, which resembled a chalet with the front boasting tall windows. Heading toward the back door when he heard his name called, he turned to see Wyatt and Olivia walking from the barn leading horses. Riley grinned and walked toward them. He hugged Olivia and shook Wyatt’s hand.
“Am I interrupting a ride?”
Wyatt took the reins of both horses and tied them to the corral fence. “It can wait. Let’s go inside and get out of this heat.”
The house was even more impressive inside with its hewn-rough walls. Wyatt led him toward the living room. The sunlight poured in through the front windows. It wasn’t hard to imagine the stone fireplace with a crackling fire roaring in it in the colder months. Wyatt nodded for him to take a seat so Riley took a seat on the sofa while Wyatt took a seat in a recliner. Olivia came to sit beside Riley and smiled at him.
“So what brings you out this way?” Wyatt asked him.
Riley took a deep breath and blew it out. “I came by to say goodbye. I’m heading back to Texas.” He waited for the blow-up but all Wyatt did was stare at him. However, Olivia stood and after glaring at him, left the room. Shit.
“Why?” Leave it to Wyatt to keep the chatter to a minimum.
“I can’t stay here, Wyatt, and before you say anything, I asked Kaitlyn to go with me and she refused.”
“Of course, she refused. What’s wrong with you?” Olivia exclaimed as she came back into the room.
“I thought you’d left,” Riley muttered not looking at her.
Olivia snorted. “I had to walk out or punch you in the throat.”
Glancing over at Wyatt, Riley hoped for understanding from his old friend. “I can’t stay. This town holds too many painful memories.”
“That’s a good one,” Olivia mumbled.
Riley glared at her. “You don’t know a thing about it, Olivia.”
“I know all about you, Riley Madison. I also know you’re a coward. The man is dead and buried yet you still let him scare you,” Olivia’s voice rose. “I didn’t have a good childhood either. I wasn’t beaten but I wasn’t loved either, but when you find the one person who loves you, you stay with them. Katie’s so very special, and if you can’t see that...well then, you’re not only a coward, you’re a blind man.” She stormed from the room again. Riley heard a door slam from down the hallway.
Running his hand over his mouth, he glanced at Wyatt. He hadn’t said a word the entire time his wife ranted. “She doesn’t hold back, does she?”
“She never has and she never will.” Wyatt shrugged. “It’s one reason I love her so much. I almost lost her once, and I can’t imagine what my life would be like now if I had. She’s my soul mate and I never believed in that before, but I do now. I’ll love her in this life and beyond...and she’s right about Katie being special.”
Closing his eyes, Riley shook his head. “I believe it too, but I just can’t stay here. The memories—”
“Make new ones, Riley. Don’t let the love of your life slip through your fingers.” Wyatt stood and put out his hand.
Riley stood too, and shook Wyatt’s hand. “I just wanted to say goodbye.”
Wyatt gave a terse nod. “Goodbye.”
Dismissed by yet another friend, Riley practically ran to his truck. Gravel flew from his tires as he drove down the driveway until he reached the end where he stopped and swore, slamming his hands against the dashboard. His hands wrapped around the steering wheel until his knuckles ached. None of them understood. They were his friends. They’d lived through it with him and should understand he couldn’t stay, that it was just too damned hard. Damn Olivia for calling him a coward—he wasn’t!
Pulling his truck onto Trick and Kaylee’s property, he drove up to the beautiful log home that Trick had built for Kaylee. The wraparound porch looked welcoming with the rocking chairs beckoning, yet Riley steeled himself for more. Maybe he wouldn’t...
Just as Riley shut the truck off, and started to step out of the truck the back door opened and Kaylee stepped onto the porch. She smiled at him, seemingly glad to see him. She was a beautiful blonde woman with green eyes. He stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked up at her.
“You don’t look pregnant,” he said with a grin.
Kaylee laughed. “I’m only three months. Come on in, Riley.”
Climbing the steps, he hugged her when he reached the top and she wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tight.
“What the hell are you doing with my wife, Madison?”
Riley chuckled as he released Kaylee. “I got the same question from Gabe when I hugged Emma.” Turning, Riley stuck his hand out to another old friend. “How are you, Trick?”
“I’m good.” Trick winked at Kaylee. “Better than good actually.”
Love is all around. Riley watched Kaylee blush as Trick wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple.
“What brings you out this way?” Kaylee asked him.
Here we go. “I’m leaving and wanted to say goodbye.”
“Why?” Trick asked.
“Why what?”
“Why are you leaving? I heard you were seeing Katie...we thought...”
“I asked her to go with me but she won’t, end of story. Look, I keep explaining this and I shouldn’t have to. I can’t stay here.”
“You’re so full of shit, Madison. You have the woman you’re meant to be with yet you’re letting the past get in the way. Fine. Leave.” Trick just shook his head.
Shaking his head and raking his fingers through his hair in frustration, Riley ran his hand down his face and once again, went through the explanation. Kaylee went inside the house, and Trick simply frowned at him. It didn’t matter what he said, no one saw it his way. After leaving Trick’s home, he headed to Ryder’s ranch.
Knocking on the door, his gut clutched when Ryder answered the door with a frown. Shit! Ryder wasn’t going to let it go either.
“Come on in,” Ryder said as he opened the door wider.
Taking off his hat, Riley entered the kitchen and smiled at Kelsey who was sitting at the table eating a salad. She smiled back at him.
“Would you like something to eat, Riley,” she asked him in a friendly manner.
“No, thank you, Kelsey...I just stopped in to say goodbye. I’m heading back to Texas soon.” He waited. Nothing. They both stared at him. Pulling out a chair as he sighed, he took a seat beside Kelsey. “Aren’t you going to raise hell with me too?”
“Too?” Ryder asked him, folding his arms across his big chest as he leaned back against a counter.
“Well...I’ve stopped at everyone’s place and caught hell for leaving.”
“You should catch hell. You’re walking away from the love of your life.” Ryder’s eyes narrowed as if daring him to deny it.
“Damn it, she won’t go with me. I asked her to go but she refuses to leave here.”
“Then you stay here. It’s that simple. What’s the problem?” Kelsey asked him, as she stood to take her bowl to the sink.
“Too many bad memories—” Kelsey’s snort stopped his words.
“Oh, please. You think Ryder doesn’t have bad memories. Yet, he’s here and happy.” She folded her arms as she stared at him. “Apparently, he just has more balls than you do.” With that, she left the room.
Riley glanced over to Ryder only to catch him hiding a grin. “I hated Roscoe.”
“I hated my old man too, brother, but I wasn’t going to let him run my life. This ranch belonged to me, and in the end, I took it from him. Just because I had a rough childhood here doesn’t mean I was going to let those memories or him keep me from being happy—right here. In spite of him, I suppose.”
“You got out, Ryder. I didn’t. I stayed behind when you ran off.” Riley glared at him.
“I asked you to go with me at the time. Maybe if you had, you’d feel different about things now. I never understood why you stayed.”
“Because I thought...I thought if I worked the ranch with him, he’d...he’d love me again.” Riley explained to Ryder about Roscoe not being his real father.
“He stopped loving you the day he found out you weren’t his son, but that was no excuse to beat you. He just snapped. So why let that crazy old man win now? You have a chance to make good memories with Katie and frankly, you’re a fool if you leave her and Sadie behind. She doesn’t want to leave Clifton. This town is her home, the people...her family. Hell, Sam is here. You know how she loves her big brother. If you take her to Texas, what’ll happen? She’ll be alone, that’s what. Clifton is all she’s ever known. You can’t ask her to do that.”
Glancing at the ceiling, Riley shook his head. “My home is in Texas.”
“Bullshit. As much as you hate to admit it, your home is right here. Just like mine is. We had a hell of a childhood with the parents we had. At least you were lucky enough to find out he wasn’t your real father and I was lucky enough to find Frank and Grace. Things worked out for both of us, Riley. Don’t let Katie slip through your fingers. You’ll regret it the rest of your life. She can help you make all the bad shit disappear.” Ryder stepped forward and stuck his hand out. “I need to get back to work. Have a safe trip.”
Dismissed by yet another friend, one who should have truly understood, Riley gave Ryder a terse nod and left. He climbed into his truck and sped off down the driveway wanting to get far away even as his gut ached with something he couldn’t describe. Later that afternoon, he sat in the cabin reeling, for he’d received the same lecture from Brody. Friends, who should understand but didn’t, and it hurt.
The next morning, Riley sat staring at the TV not really seeing it, when someone knocked on his door. Opening the door of the cabin, he took a fist to the chin, knocking him back a few feet. Falling back against the couch, he gazed up at Sam while putting his hand to his chin and moved it back and forth.
“Christ, Sam,” Riley muttered and started to rise.
“You get up and I’ll knock you right back down,” Sam growled in more than a menacing tone.
Deciding to be wise, Riley stayed where he was. “There was no reason for that.”
Sam strode forward. “The hell there wasn’t. I told you, if you hurt her, you’d deal with me.”
“I asked her to go with me.”
“She told me.” Sam swore, clenching his fists. “You just don’t fucking get it, do you? Katie built her business into what it is today, on her own. She seems so independent, but everyone who matters to her is here—in Clifton. She doesn’t know any other way of life. You take her away from here and she’ll be lost.”
“She’ll have me,” Riley yelled not understanding why everyone thought he couldn’t take care of Kaitlyn and Sadie.
Sam shook his head. “And no one else. What happens when things get hard, who does she turn to then? I love my sister and I respect her, but she’s my little sister. She won’t be happy so far away from the only life she’s ever known.”
Riley shoved his fingers through his hair. “I can’t stay here, Sam.”
“Bullshit, Riley. The bastard is dead and buried yet he’s still running your life. You stood up to him before, do it again. Show him you can stay here and not let him win over you.” Sam sighed. “Everyone in this town is family. Clifton would love to have you come home.”
Slowly climbing to his feet, Riley watched Sam hoping he wouldn’t move at him again. “You aren’t going to hit me again, are you?”
Flexing his fingers first, Sam shook out his hand. “I haven’t decided yet. I told you not to hurt her. I saw her yesterday and you’re damn lucky, I took some time to cool down. You broke my sister’s heart.” Sam stepped closer again.
“Fuck, Sam. I wanted to take her and Sadie with me. I begged her. I’d never hurt Kaitlyn intentionally. I...I love her, Sam...Sadie too.”
“Then stay here and make them both happy,” Sam told him. “If you leave, it’s only going to hurt her even more...if that’s possible. And what about Sadie? She loves you too. Can you really just walk away from them?”
“I can’t stay,” Riley said in a quiet voice while shaking his head.
Sam growled. “You were like a brother to me, but right now I want to kick your ass. I would too, except I know Katie would hate me if I did.” He turned away stopping in the doorway. “Fine. Leave then. You fucking pussy.”
“Hey,” Riley shouted making Sam turn.
“Do not push me, Madison.” A look of pain crossed Sam’s face and he shook it away. “I really thought you were tougher than that. Once you got older, you stood up to that son of a bitch for years but now that he’s dead, you’re going to let him run you out of town—again. That makes you a fucking pussy.” He sighed, looking out the door instead of at Riley. “You need to ask her about Kevin.”
Sam strode from the cabin, slamming the door behind him, leaving Riley to stare at the door. His gut ached again. Sam was wrong...he wasn’t a pussy. The hate for Roscoe was too great. Clifton was poisoned by the memories of never knowing love from a man he wished every day would love him, or at least, respect him. There was just no way he could stay here.
Climbing up from the floor, he took his seat on the couch. With no other option, he decided he’d just have to convince Kaitlyn to leave with him. Damn, Sam has a mean right hook.
Riley rubbed his chin, waggled his jaw, thinking perhaps he had deserved it. Standing, he grabbed his hat and headed out the door. Now was as good a time as any. Kaitlyn had to understand how much he needed her with him and besides, what Sam had said had him curious and he wanted to know about her husband.
As Riley drove toward town, he past the cemetery. He slowed the truck and pulled off the road. Swearing as he made a U-turn, he drove into the cemetery and parked. Throwing open the door, his hands clenched into fists, he got out and headed for the grave. When he located the marker, Riley stared down at it then squatted.
“When I was little, I wanted you to love me. So what...I wasn’t your son by blood. I was in every other sense of the word, and you should have loved me because I thought you were my father. Even after you sent my mother away, you should have loved me. I loved you.” Riley cleared his throat. “Most of the other kids had dads they looked up to. I could never talk about you to them because all I could ever say was you hated me. Only Ryder truly understood.” Anger filled him again, and he bolted to his feet. “It wasn’t my fault I was another man’s son, I belonged to you. Hell, Sadie isn’t mine but I love her as if she were my own.” Riley’s eyes were burning. “All I wanted was your love.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “And all I got from you was a shitty rundown ranch. Well, the laugh’s on you, old man, because the house is going to be great and I’m going to get top dollar for it.”
Marching away from the grave, he hated that the bastard could still make him hurt. He was leaving Clifton no matter what anyone said to him. The house and land would go on the market and with a little luck, sell quickly. Riley didn’t need to be there for the sale. He could do everything over the phone and through email. As much as it killed him, he was leaving, and he’d try one more time to get Kaitlyn to go with him. If she still refused then he’d have to learn to live without her...Christ, the thought of life, without her and Sadie, hurt like hell.