––––––––
Sitting in his office, Riley gazed out the window but all he saw was rooftops. The city bustled below only none of it appealed to him anymore. He used to love sitting in his office and watching the city alive and active below. Sighing, he turned the chair back around to his desk. There was work to do. A client wanted a new restaurant built and Riley had signed the contract all the while not caring one way or the other if he’d won the bid.
A little over three months had passed since he’d left Clifton, and every day his heart ached more and more for Kaitlyn and Sadie. So many times, he had picked up his phone to call and never followed through. She’d be so happy to know he talked with his parents every weekend now. They were getting to know each other and Riley promised to visit later in the year only it wouldn’t be the same without Kaitlyn and Sadie. God, he missed that little girl—and her mother.
A sudden knock on his door jerked him from his thoughts. His secretary stuck her head inside around the door and smiled at him. “Your real estate agent is on line one.”
“Thanks, Liz.” Riley gave her a nod as she backed out the door, and he picked up the phone. “Hey Henry.”
“The house in Clifton has only just been completed and we’ve already got an offer,” Henry Richmond told him.
“That’s great,” Riley said but not feeling it. The house had turned out as beautiful as he’d hoped. Although he hadn’t been back to see it, Gus had sent him pictures of every part of it. “How much?”
When Henry named a price, Riley sat up. “That’s a good price, just about what we’re asking and fast. Do you think we should hold off for other offers? What do you think? Should we take it?”
“Up to you...getting an offer right out of the gate is a good thing. It could mean we could get other offers and start a bidding war, or no one else is even going to show up. If it gets around you’re turning down contracts, it could hurt. Frankly, it’s a good contract, Riley.”
“All right. Do it,” Riley told him. It was a fair price, and once it was sold, he’d have no reason to even think about or even talk about Clifton. “Send me whatever I need to sign and we’ll get this thing ratified. Thanks, Henry. You’re getting a pretty good commission.”
Henry laughed. “Yep. I think I’ll take a nice vacation. I’ll get the papers to you this afternoon then I’ll get things started for settlement. The buyer already talked to the inspectors so all of that is out of the way. It shouldn’t take too long, and it will be over. Later, man.”
It will be over. The words echoed in his ear long after he hung up. With the house and land sold, he’d have no more reasons to think of Clifton ever again. He’d managed to banish the pain he’d lived through growing up years ago, at least until he had to go back this time. The minute he saw Kaitlyn standing in the street yelling at him, he knew he was in trouble, and it hadn’t even mattered that she may have been married. That had been the real reason he’d asked where her husband was, to find out if she was. Only he hadn’t planned on finding out she was his best friend’s little sister. That piece of information had knocked him for a loop. The pain, which had flooded his thoughts ever since stepping back in Clifton, disappeared when he gazed into those blue eyes—the mother and the daughter’s. His friends, and Kaitlyn, were right. Roscoe was dead and buried, and could never hurt Riley again. The only person capable of hurting him was himself...not Kaitlyn. Oh, he ached for her and that hurt but he caused the pain, not her...he caused it with what? His cowardly pride.
Throwing down his pen, he strode from his office.
“I’m done for the day. Cancel any appointments until I say otherwise. I’m expecting papers from Henry...tell him, I’ll get back to him. The others...tell ‘em whatever you want. I just need to get out of here for a while,” Riley told his secretary as he headed for the door.
“All right. I’ll take care of it.”
Knowing Liz would take care of things eased his mind because he knew she’d do what he told her. It was one reason he treasured her. Liz did her job, no questions asked.
The weather was beginning to cool. The leaves were turning colors of gold and red. His mind traveled over the miles back to Clifton, Montana. They could be having snow already, even though it was only late September. With the Glaciers hovering in the distance, snow moved quickly into the little town. He missed snow. It rarely snowed in Texas and if it did, it wasn’t much. In Clifton, it could snow three feet at a time. Most everyone in Clifton loved it. As he headed toward his truck, his thoughts went to Kaitlyn and Sadie. How were they? Did Sadie like playing in the snow? Did they miss him as much as he missed them? He was about to open his truck door when Gus called out his name. Riley turned toward him.
“Hey Gus. Something wrong?”
“Not really. I was wondering if you have a minute.”
Frowning, Gus rarely asked for one-on-ones, yet he seemed nervous about something. “Sure. Do we need to go inside?”
“No. I mean, not unless you want to,” Gus said shuffling his feet.
“I’m good. What is it?”
“I’ve decided to retire. Martha and I are moving to Clifton. We headed up there last month on our vacation. I couldn’t stop talking about the little town, so we decided to go there. She fell in love with it too.”
“Retiring? In Clifton?” Riley was admittedly shocked.
“Yes, to both. I have a great retirement plan and I’m still young enough to enjoy life with Martha, so we’re buying a home and settling there. I’m sorry to spring this on you, but Mike would make a great foreman.”
“Mike Wills? Yeah, I’m sure he would. I understand Gus. I’m not overly pleased about it, but I understand.” Not pleased? Riley wasn’t happy at all. Clifton’s charm had claimed another friend and he doubted he’d get over it.
“I’ll stay until the end of this month so I can get Mike settled in the job.” Gus stuck his hand out. “I’ve loved working for this company. You’re a great boss, Riley. I have to say though you haven’t been the same since you came back from Clifton. It’s none of my business but if that female trouble we talked about is eating you up, maybe you need to go back too.”
Lectures from his employees too, well, it was his life so he’d make his own decisions regarding it. Riley watched Gus until he disappeared. He just couldn’t get over it though. Gus and Martha were moving to Clifton. People seemed to fall in love with the little town once they visited—except him.
****
Kaitlyn stood at the counter helping a young woman pick out a bouquet for her wedding and she had to pull her bottom lip between her teeth to keep it from trembling. It never bothered her before Riley came into her life, but now when someone was picking out floral arrangements, or bouquets for weddings, she had a very rough time.
“Are you all right?” Madilyn whispered from beside her.
“Yes, I...can you take over please?”
“Of course.” Madilyn smiled at the young woman. “Let me get the other books.”
Giving the customer an apologetic smile, Kaitlyn headed back to her office. Sadie was in daycare now and the office seemed so empty without her. Who was she kidding? Just the office wasn’t the only thing that seemed empty it was everything...her apartment, her bed, and her heart. She took a seat behind her desk.
Despite her hope that he would, Riley hadn’t contacted her at all. When he said he was leaving, he meant he was leaving everything, not just the town, but her and Sadie too. Kaitlyn felt the tears well up in her eyes like they did any time she thought of him so she quickly blinked them away. Her friends had suggested dating since it had been over three months but the thought of even thinking of falling in love with another man seemed foreign to her. However, she really didn’t want to be alone the rest of her life either. Should she have gone with him?
When a shadow fell across her desk, she glanced to the door and gave the man standing there, a quiet smile. “Hi Sam.”
“How are you today, Katie-bug?” Sam asked her the same question almost every day. She knew he was worried about her, and he’d do anything he could to take her pain away.
“Same as the last time you asked. I’m fine.”
“I don’t believe that for a second.” Moving further into the room, he took a seat in the wingback chair across from her desk then placed his booted ankle on the opposite knee and stared at her.
“Stop staring at me, Sam.” Kaitlyn glared at him.
“Go to Texas, Kaitlyn,” he said in a quiet loving voice.
The thought threw fear into her gut making Kaitlyn gasp. “No. Everyone I know is here. My shop is here. I’ve made a life here that I didn’t have before. I was on the verge of losing my job when Kevin died but thankfully, he left me enough money to buy this place and make it mine. I love it here, Sam.”
“You love Riley more.”
The tears started streaming down her cheeks. “I do...but I hate the idea of being there without anyone, Sam. Yes, Riley would be there, and Sadie, but she’s a little girl and he would be off traveling the world on business. I’d have no one,” she exclaimed, shaking her head. “I can’t leave Clifton, my friends, and what about you, Sam? You wouldn’t have anyone.”
Smiling at her, he leaned forward resting his elbows on his thighs. “I’m a big boy, Katie. I can take care of myself.”
Kaitlyn shook her head emphatically. “No. I have no desire to live there—none whatsoever.” She gazed at her brother wishing he could make everything right like he always had when she was a kid. “He could’ve stayed, Sam,” she said in a near whisper.
Pushing to his feet, Sam nodded. “I know. Do you need me to pick Sadie up?”
“No, thanks, I’m closing early today. It’s a little slow and we don’t have any more appointments today. Madilyn and I both want to get out of here since we’re now closed on Saturdays and Sundays...we can start the weekend early.”
“All right. Call me if you need me,” Sam told her leaning down to kiss the top of her head.
Waiting until he left the office, she put her hands over her face and gave a great sob. God, what a mess her life had become. The man she loved lived in another state, and neither of them would give in to the other, and move so they could be together. Riley was used to going to new places, he had no idea how much harder it was for her to go to a strange place. Clifton wasn’t a new place or strange place for him...it had been his home. At least if he came back here, he already had friends here. In Texas, she’d have no one, and she wasn’t sure how good she was at making new friends. She’d never had to do that since she grew up with all the friends she needed right here in Clifton.
The sound of Madilyn clearing her throat drew her attention back to the moment.
“Are you all right?” Madilyn moved toward a chair, and took a seat.
Wiping her eyes, Kaitlyn nodded. “Yes. You’d think I’d stop crying by now though, wouldn’t you?”
Madilyn laughed. “No, it doesn’t end for a long time, sometimes never. I went through this with Brody, remember?”
Sighing, Kaitlyn nodded. “I forgot you’ve been there but in your case, he did come back to you. Riley won’t even consider it, and I won’t go to Texas.”
The bell chimed announcing a customer and both women groaned as one then laughed when they heard Brody, Madilyn’s husband, calling their names.
“Speak of the devil...” With a grin, Madilyn stood and walked to the office door where she poked her head out. “We’re back here, hon.” The sound of her son’s squeal made Madilyn laugh. “Come to Mama, baby.”
“Are you talking to me or Cade?” Kaitlyn heard Brody ask just as he peered into the room.
“Hi Katie.” He grinned at her. Brody Morgan was a very good-looking man, tall with black hair, a hard body, and dark brown eyes. The glasses he wore only enhanced his sexiness. Of course, since he was also a deputy for her brother, being a man in uniform didn’t hurt.
“Hi Brody.” Slapping her hands on her desk, Kaitlyn stood. “Let’s get out of here before someone else comes in.”
Madilyn smiled and Brody chuckled. “Yeah, let’s go,” he said as they headed toward the door and watching protectively as they locked up.
After picking up Sadie, Kaitlyn proceeded to drive home, only realizing she wasn’t as eager about a long weekend as Madilyn had been. Why she wanted to leave early was beyond her. Sitting around the apartment all weekend and moping like she had every night and weekend for the past few months was nothing to get excited about, even with Sadie for company.
Chattering away in her seat, Sadie seemed to have adjusted well enough. For a while, Sadie asked where Riley was, but lately she hadn’t. Had the little girl forgotten him already? If only Kaitlyn could. After parking, she carried Sadie into the apartment then took Sadie’s coat off followed by her own. It was getting colder every day, almost as cold as her heart was feeling. Sadie ran to her bedroom to get her bunny while Kaitlyn started on dinner. It was going to be a very long weekend.
****
Sitting alone in the restaurant, Riley glanced around. The place was packed and he couldn’t help but notice most of them were couples. Silently cursing them, anger made him close his eyes against the thought of Kaitlyn and Sadie being here with him so he could’ve been part of a couple too. She refused to leave her home, and you refused to stay in Clifton. He chided himself as he wondered if it would really have been so hard to stay there. Other than his business, what did he have here in Texas? His business could go wherever he was but his true friends were there. Everyone he grew up with was there. Hell, even his best right-hand man, Gus was going to be in Clifton. Most importantly, the two most important people in his life were there—Kaitlyn and Sadie.
Swearing under his breath, he reached for his beer.
“Who are you swearing at Riley?” a woman’s voice asked from over his shoulder.
Glancing up, he stood when he saw Trixie Bennett standing beside the table, smiling at him. Riley grinned at her. “How are you, Trixie? It’s been a while.”
Running her fingers along his arm, she purred. “A lot longer than what I’d like, Riley. Where have you been? I’ve missed you,” she said pursing her lips.
Riley stared at her but didn’t feel a thing. Oh, she was a beautiful, statuesque, and sexy woman who he used to see on a regular basis but it had only ever been just sex for him. He knew she wanted more, but...she wasn’t Kaitlyn.
“I’ve been busy. I was in Montana for a while and since I’ve been back, I’ve had to get back on track with things in the office.”
“Montana? Isn’t that where you’re originally from?” At his nod, she continued to probe. “Heavens, you’re not thinking about moving back there, are you?”
In response, his immediate reaction was to shake his head but he stopped himself, and wasn’t sure why. “Would you like to sit down?”
Trixie smiled at him and took a seat. “Thank you. I was just about to leave. My date cancelled,” she said sticking her bottom lip out in a pout. Kaitlyn would never be so obvious.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said picking up his beer and taking a long swig, wishing he hadn’t come out tonight.
“I’m not.” The look she gave him told him she wanted to leave with him tonight.
“Look, Trixie...”
“Uh oh, I don’t like the sound of that. It usually means a man has moved on.” Her arched brows furrowed into a crinkle of a frown. “Have you, Riley? Is there someone else?”
Shrugging, Riley stared at her. “It was only sex with you and me, you know that.”
“But it isn’t with this other woman?” Trixie tilted her head.
“No, it isn’t. I’m in love with her.”
“So, where is she?” Trixie glanced around as if looking to see if the woman he was talking about was here in the restaurant.
“She’s in Montana.”
Trixie folded her arms across her ample bosom and leaned back in the chair. “Well, if you love her so much, why isn’t she here...with you? She doesn’t love you?”
Another punch to his gut from yet another friend, Riley ran his hand around his jaw. Yet again, he found himself explaining the situation to her, only with her, he needed to go much deeper and tell him the truth about his childhood. When he finished, she sat there staring at him.
“What?” he asked unable to read her expression of raised eyebrows and flattened lips. Did she understand his side or was she going to blast him too?
“Let me get this straight...you’re letting a dead man keep you from the woman and child you love.” Here it comes. Trixie shook her head as she continued her blast on him. “I’m surprised at you, Riley. I never figured you to back down from anything, especially when it concerned something important—something you want. Maybe your father, rather the man you thought was your father, left you that ranch as rundown as it was because it was the only thing he had left to give you, and it was his way of trying to make up for the way he treated you.” Pushing to her feet, she stood and gazed down at him. “You really need to get your ass back to Montana, and marry that woman before you end up a lonely old man or she marries someone else.” Leaning down, she kissed his cheek and walked away.
Riley was sure his mouth was hanging open as he watched her walk away. She was right. Everyone had been right. As much as his pride tried to deny it, he was allowing Roscoe to keep him from being happy with Kaitlyn. Calling for the check, he quickly paid, and headed toward the door even as he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Brett to tell him to get the jet ready. He was going home. Why it had taken him so long to see what was right for him was beyond him. Everyone had told him the same thing but having Trixie say it, made him realize everyone knew that Clifton was where he belonged—with Kaitlyn and Sadie. His only hope now was that they’d take him back.
****
Madilyn looked up from her work behind the counter when Riley strode into Kaitlyn’s shop, the bell chiming as if happy to see him. When she did a double take, her eyes widening, and her mouth dropping open, he nearly laughed.
“Hi Madilyn, surprised to see me, huh?” Riley smiled.
“Uh...hi Riley, yeah, you could say that. What are you doing here?”
Glancing around and over her shoulder toward the office, he didn’t answer right away. Not seeing Kaitlyn anywhere, he shifted his gaze back to Madilyn. “Where’s Kaitlyn?”
“She’s, uh...she’s at the house.”
“Is she sick or is Sadie?”
“No...she’s out at the house you built.”
Frowning, Riley didn’t understand. “Why?” Even as Madilyn shrugged, he had already turned toward the door. “Never mind, I’ll find her. Thanks.”
Speeding down the road in the SUV he’d rented, he cursed the flashing red and blue lights coming up behind him. Pulling over to the shoulder, he glanced in the side view mirror and recognized the man behind the wheel of the sheriff’s unit. Getting out, he folded his arms across his chest, leaned back against the door, and waited, his eyes narrowing as he watched Sam take his time getting to him.
“What the hell are you doing back in my town, Madison?” Sam growled.
“I came home,” Riley told him locking eyes with him.
Sam came to a halt and cocked his head. “Is that so?”
“Yes, now quit fucking with me, I’ve got someplace to be.”
Twisting his mouth in a manner that suggested Sam was trying not to grin, Riley watched him fold his arms across his broad chest. “Just like that, huh? You think you can just come back after the way you left and think she’s going to be waiting for you?”
“No. I wouldn’t blame her if she never spoke to me again, but I’ll beg her if I have to. I love her, and Sadie, and I want them in my life. Here...in Clifton.”
Sam gave him a terse nod. “Glad you finally came to your senses and realized where you belong. Good to have you back but you hurt her again, and I won’t stop at one punch. We clear?”
“Crystal. I’ll never hurt her again. You have my word on that, Sam.”
Nodding, Sam relaxed and gave a chuckle. “I think I’ll enjoy having you as a brother in-law. But slow the hell down.” With a big grin, he put his fingers to his hat and strolled back to his unit, laughing. “And another one bites the dust.”
Muttering under his breath a few choice words about having Sam for a brother in-law, Riley climbed back behind the wheel, peeling out on the blacktop causing gravel to fly out from behind the back tires. Driving up toward the house, he slammed on the brakes when it came into view. It was gorgeous, better than the pictures showed.
The large chalet style home stared down over the pond and pastures. The entire area was fenced, with another smaller area fenced around the house. Riley had told Gus to put the other fence up to keep small children away from the pond. Behind the house, the Glaciers sat ruggedly looking down and watching over the home, which now stood on a place that had only held memories of hate before. It was magnificent, and now that he saw it in person, he knew he couldn’t sell it. This home belonged to him and Kaitlyn, a place where they could build a happy family for Sadie, a place filled with love—not hate. As he sat there staring at it, flurries began to fly by the windshield. Riley grinned at the sight of the first Montana snow he’d seen in ages. Perfect. Hitting the gas, he drove to the house, and parked beside Kaitlyn’s SUV.
****
Strolling through the house, Kaitlyn held Sadie’s hand while she held on tight to her bunny and jabbered away as they moved from room to room. Kaitlyn loved the house. The black appliances sat nestled between beige marble countertops. The hardwood floors matched the dark mahogany cabinets and each bedroom had its own bath. The master bedroom was a dream space, large with a fireplace, and French doors leading to a wraparound porch. The room contained a huge walk-in closet and another door led to the large bathroom with a standup shower and Jacuzzi tub. As if the room hadn’t been beautiful enough, she’d fallen instantly in love with the large stained-glass window above the tub. The way the sunlight danced through it and made prisms along the wall was a delight. This house needed a real family.
Sadie squealed halting Kaitlyn as she entered the kitchen, her heart nearly exploding in her chest when she saw Riley leaning against the center island with his arms folded across his broad chest, smiling. Blinking her eyes, she expected him to disappear but Sadie knew he was real and broke away from her and ran to him. Squatting down, Riley caught her in his arms, kissed her cheek, and chuckled when she kissed his chin then reached up and squeezed his nose. His eyes met Kaitlyn’s over her daughter’s head and her heart slammed into her ribs. The way Sadie ran to him told her Sadie hadn’t forgotten him, and he knew it too, for there were tears in his eyes.
“God, you look so good.” Moving forward, he shifted Sadie to his hip and stopped directly in front of Kaitlyn.
“What are you doing here?” Her gaze roamed all over him, tears burning the back of her throat and blurring her vision. She’d missed him so much.
“I came home. I’m done running. I want to be with you, and Sadie.” His eyes blinked quickly, and she knew he was feeling everything she was. “I love you both. I want to live here with you. I have a buyer for the house but I’m not selling it. This is our home, Katie.”
“You’re not selling it?” The tears she fought to contain slipped down her cheeks.
“No...unless...I love it. Do you like it? I didn’t think to ask you. If you don’t, I can build another...”
“I love it, Riley, it’s beautiful, but are you sure this is what you want to do? What about the memories—about Roscoe?”
“What about him? I’m through thinking about him. I’ve been talking with my parents every weekend and I’m starting to come to terms with the past being the past. I’m planning to visit them for the holidays, and I want you with me...you and Sadie...as my wife and daughter.” His thumb gently stroked along her cheek, wiping a tear away.
“I’ve missed you so much, Riley but you hurt me when you left. I need to know I can count on you,” she said glancing away.
Riley placed his hand on her cheek and her gaze lifted to meet those beautiful eyes that made her smile. “I know, and I promise I’ll never hurt you again. I love you, Katie. Let me back into your life. I promise that if I ever start letting the past get to me, I’ll let Sam go at me.” Grinning, Riley leaned down and kissed her as she started to laugh.
“Please,” he whispered against her lips.
Nibbling her bottom lip, Kaitlyn didn’t answer right away. Perhaps he needed to suffer a little more. “What are you going to tell the buyer?”
Shrugging, Riley glanced around the beautiful kitchen. “I’ll just tell him I’ve decided not to sell. I haven’t ratified the contract yet.”
“Her,” Kaitlyn said with a sly grin.
“Her what?” Frowning, Riley cocked his head.
“You said you’d tell him. You need to tell her.” Kaitlyn grinned at him, trying not to laugh.
Shaking his head, Riley obviously didn’t get it. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m the buyer.”
“What?” Riley practically shouted making Sadie squeal.
Laughing, Kaitlyn caressed Sadie’s back and smiled up at Riley. “I’m the buyer. I wanted the house so we could stay close to you. This is where you came from, and this is what you built.”
“Oh, Kaitlyn, I do love you...but you’re not buying it. Nope, I’m giving it to you as a wedding present instead.” Leaning in to kiss her again but Sadie blocked him when she grabbed his nose.
“Dada,” Sadie said with a giggle.
Laughing, Riley hugged her to him. “You’re so right, Sadie-bug. I am your dada.”
Feeling as if her world had suddenly become complete, Kaitlyn laughed too, and threw her arms around both of them. “I will marry you, Riley Madison, but prepare yourself because I plan on filling up those other two bedrooms.”
“Yes, ma’am, and I’m more than happy to work with you on that project.” Setting Sadie down, he pulled Kaitlyn into his arms. “I love you, Kaitlyn, and I’m so glad to be home.”
Kaitlyn kissed him. “Welcome home, Riley. Welcome home.”