Gone Country (22 page)

“Maybe. You’re hiding behind grungy clothes.” Sierra leaned over her. “Let me help you change that. It’s what I’m good at. And you won’t have to buy anything new unless you want to. We’ll work with what you already have. So what do you say?”

“I say, amen, sister, it’s way past time,” echoed from the doorway.

Rielle sat up and her mouth dropped open. “Rory?”

“In the flesh. But I have to admit when I decided to come home and surprise you, the last thing I expected was to see you getting a fashion makeover.”

She hurled herself off the bed and hugged her daughter. “What a great surprise! I was just thinking about you and here you are. So how long are you staying?”

“All weekend.” Rory hugged her back, but her focus shifted. “Hey. You must be Sierra. I’m Rory.”

“Hi. Wow. You look exactly like your mom. And she, uh, talks about you all the time.”

Rielle noticed Sierra acted nervous, twisting her fingers in the plastic garbage bag handles.

“Look, I’m sure you guys have stuff to talk about so I’ll go.”

But Rory stepped in front of her and shook her head. “No way. You’re staying. After I snuck into the house, I listened in the hallway and I have to admit I’m impressed that you’ve accomplished something I’ve been trying to do for years.” She mock whispered, “You’ll be my hero if you can get rid of all the tie-dyed clothing.”

Rielle flapped her hand at Rory, but she and Sierra were too busy laughing to notice.

“So the makeup and hair is your doing?” Rory asked Sierra.

“Uh-huh. Ree is gonna teach me to knit and I wanted to teach her something useful. This is the only thing I can do that can be considered a skill.”

“You’re what? Sixteen? Plenty of time to develop other skills.” Rory settled cross-legged on the bed. “Pretend I’m not here and finish what you started.”

Since she so rarely got to see Rory, Rielle wanted to blow off the fashion show. But she wasn’t surprised her thoughtful daughter wouldn’t let Sierra feel left out.

“Okay. Here goes.” Sierra used the pieces Rielle had chosen and put together a dozen different outfits. All casual and unique without being weird. She changed an outfit from professional to funky just by mixing and matching accessories.

With the back and forth between Rory and Sierra, Rielle started to feel like a third wheel, even when she was amused by their fashion banter.

Finally, Rory asked, “What’s in the bag?”

“Stuff I had in my closet I never wear,” Sierra said. “I wasn’t sure if she’d like any of it, or if she’d think it was—”

“Too young for her,” they finished at the same time.

Was she really that predictable?

Rory’s gaze zipped over Sierra. “It’d probably fit me better than her anyway. How tall are you?”

“Five ten.” Sierra fished out a few items at a time, trying each piece with each outfit to see if it’d add impact. A slim fit white rayon blouse went into the keep pile along with a tweed jacket and a butter-yellow-colored turtleneck.

“You sure you want to get rid of this stuff?” Rory asked, fingering an orange sequined tank top.

“Take it if you want it. A hand-me-down is recycling—the responsible, green thing to do.”

Rielle grinned. “Ooh, Rory, she totally has your number.”

“Which is awesome, because I’m gonna be the belle of Laramie in this tank top on New Year’s Eve.” She pawed through the bag. “What else do you have that’s too young for my mom?”

Rory ended up with more clothes from the bag than Rielle did. Her thoughts drifted and she wondered what Gavin would think if he was here, seeing how well their daughters were getting along. She missed him, more than she imagined she would and she didn’t know how to feel about that. She had a sense of unease that Gavin hadn’t thought about her at all since she hadn’t heard from him, but she knew he’d kept in contact with Sierra.

“…with a strap-on.”

Her gaze flew to her daughter’s and both Rory and Sierra laughed.

“You weren’t listening to us at all,” Rory complained.

“Sorry. What?”

Sierra’s gesture encompassed the bed. Then she shook her finger at Rielle. “I’d better not see you heading to town in your gardening clothes. You aren’t a bag lady. You are an entrepreneur. You have several chic outfits to choose from. And you need to own the fact you’re still young and hot.”

Rory laughed. “Yeah, Mom, she’s got your number too.”

“My work here is done for tonight.” Sierra bowed and slipped out of the room.

Rielle hugged Rory again. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“Let’s have a drink and you can tell me all about Gavin Daniels.”

She stiffened. How had Rory known she’d gotten involved with Gavin? “What?”

“Gavin and Sierra. They’ve been living here months. Are you ready to move into my cabin yet?”

Not even close
. In that moment, Rielle decided not to tell Rory about her relationship with Gavin. Luckily, her daughter was easily distracted. “You’ll never guess who I ran into at the hardware store last week.”

“Who?”

“Remember Connor? The cute guy who installed the replacement electrical line in the barn?”

“Oh yeah. Definitely some electricity there.”

“Funny you should say that, because he asked about you.”

“Really?” Rory went off on a tangent and Rielle had a reprieve.

Chapter Nineteen

After four days attending to business in Phoenix, Gavin was damn glad to hit the wide open spaces of Wyoming. He called Charlie, letting him know he’d fetch Sierra from the bus stop. He’d missed his daughter, but her random texts amused him.

He’d missed Rielle too. It was a new feeling, missing a romantic partner. Missing the whole of her, the way she smiled at him, their conversations, the way they’d end up twined together. He hadn’t texted or called her. Would she be annoyed with him?

Maybe you oughta ask Sierra for advice since you’re acting like a teenaged girl.

Gavin waved at the assorted McKays, huddled in big pickups at the bus stop as they waited for their kiddos.

Sierra hustled to the car, fighting the fierce Wyoming wind. He remembered when his little girl threw herself at him, assuring him she’d missed him. In recent years he’d considered himself lucky if she even acknowledged him in public.

“I didn’t think you got back until later tonight.”

“I switched to an earlier flight.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

He smoothed a wisp of her dark hair from her cheek. “Me too, sweetheart.”

“Can I drive?” she asked hopefully.

“In this wind? No.”

“Damn.”

Gavin laughed and pulled onto the highway. “I imagine Charlie let you drive?”

“Every day. I practiced parallel parking, which he says I rock at. Then we had hot chocolate and pie at the diner before we drove home on the back roads. He’s so sweet and funny.”

“So it’s not awkward?”

Sierra frowned at him. “What? Spending time with Charlie?”

“Yeah.”

“No. At least he wants to spend time with me.”

Gavin shot her a sharp look. “Was that a dig at me?”

She rolled her eyes. “God, Dad, paranoid much? I just meant if it wasn’t for the McKays, I’d never get to see anyone or do anything. It sucks being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way to get around.”

Never failed—she found a way to poke at him about the fact she still wasn’t driving on her own. He knew better than to take the bait. “How was school this week?”

“Crappy. I got a hundred percent on my math quiz and blew the curve for the rest of the class so my classmates are pissed at me. Which is probably why I’m spending
another
Friday night alone. Yay.”

“Never feel guilty for using your brain, Sierra. I’m proud of you for getting the top grade.”

“Did you see anyone I know when you were home?” she asked.

“Just the people in the office.”

“I wouldn’t even mind listening to Manny complain about the heat and everything else.” She sighed. “Can I go with you next time?”

“I don’t know when that’ll be.” He glanced at her again, seeing that brooding look settle on her face. “Back up. Why don’t you have plans for this weekend? Is there something going on?”

“Besides the fact I don’t have any friends except Marin and she’s busy all the time? Besides the fact the weather always sucks so I can’t drive? No. Besides that, everything is awesome.”

And…there was the sarcasm. He counted to ten. “But didn’t you just say if not for the McKays—”

“Read between the lines, Dad,” she snapped. “As much as I try to convince myself everything is fine, it’s not. When you’re gone it just reminds me that I want to go home. I hate it here.”

She hated it today. Didn’t mean she’d hate it tomorrow. Or next week. She changed her mind as often as her nail polish color.

Gavin parked in front of the house to unload his luggage, which included a token he’d picked up for his daughter. Surly girl would probably throw it at him, so he’d save it.

“So what? You’re not talking to me now?” she demanded.

“It’s pointless to argue with you, when you’ll pick apart anything I say.”

“That’s because you know I’m right. Not that you ever listen to me.” She scrambled out of the car and…yep. Slammed the door hard enough to rock the entire frame.

Welcome fucking home.

Screw that. He wouldn’t let her shitty attitude sour the fact he
was
glad to be home.

Gavin left his suitcase in the entryway and hung up his coat. He loosened his tie on his way to the kitchen, searching for Rielle.

He pushed open the swinging door and there she was.

His damn heart skipped a beat. His stomach performed a happy flip. His cock stirred. He needed to wrap himself in her warmth, softness and light.

“Goddamn, Ree, you’re looking mighty tasty today.”

She flashed him an unsure smile. “I thought you’d be here later.”

“I couldn’t wait to get back.” He stalked her until her back connected with the refrigerator.

Rielle’s eyes softened. “Really?”

“Really.” He pressed his body to hers, curling one hand around her face and the other around her hip. He whispered, “I missed you,” against her lips.

“Gavin. Wait.”

“I can’t.” Then he took her mouth. Kissing her with pent up need, proving his desire for her with every hot and hard stroke of his tongue. Losing himself in the rush of her lithe body arching against his. Filling his senses with her taste, her scent. Swallowing her sexy little I-want-you-now moans that drove him fucking insane.

“Bed. Now.”

“But—”

She needed convincing? Fine. He’d convince the hell out of her. He growled, cranking up the intensity of the next kiss. Sliding his hand into her hair and pulling slightly, angling her head, to dive deeper into the soft draws of her mouth.

The sound of a loud, pointed throat clearing came from behind him.

Gavin froze. Then he lifted his mouth and his gaze collided with hers.

She bit her lip.

His hands fell away and he slowly turned around.

A blonde amazon version of Rielle gave him a little finger wave.

His eyes narrowed. Or was she just giving him the finger?

“Gavin. This is my daughter, Rory,” Rielle said behind him.

He’d just attacked Rielle in front of her daughter? Classy.

Wait. Did Rory know about them?

Rielle slipped her arm around his waist and rested her head on his chest. That move shocked the heck out of her daughter.

Guess that answered that question.

“So, you two are…dating?” Rory asked incredulously.

“Yes, we’re involved.”

“Have you been involved—together, dating, whatever—since he moved in with you?”

“Technically, I’m living with him,” Rielle said evenly.

Annoyance crossed Rory’s face. Her posture remained belligerent. “Oh, we’re playing the word definition game. Fine. So, technically what you’re really doing is sleeping together.”

“That is none of your business.”

“Is it Sierra’s business? Should I ask her if you two share a bed every night? Or is she in the dark too? Or maybe that’s why she was making you over? So you’d be what he wanted?”

“I cannot believe you just said that. What is your deal, Rory?”

“My deal? Really, Mom? You don’t understand why I’d be upset that you didn’t tell me you’re having sex with Gavin Daniels? And apparently it’s more than sex? It’s some kind of…relationship?”

Rielle stiffened, but she didn’t move away from him. “I don’t tell you everything that goes on in my life, Rory.”

“Bullshit. That’s because there’s nothing
to
tell since I’ve never known you to be involved with anyone.”

“Or maybe I don’t tell you because you blab any damn thing that pops into your head, regardless if it’s my personal business,” Rielle shot back.