Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)(104)

“Stay. I’ll bring it to you.”


“Thank you.”


She returned a few minutes later with a plate piled with ham and potato casserole and a slice of seven-grain bread. He’d given her such a weird vibe she hadn’t brought up a plate for herself.


“That looks great.” He dug in immediately. One eye on the food; one eye on the game.


He’s hungry and tired and stressed. Don’t read anything into this.


Rielle started toward the stairs.


“Aren’t you eating with me?”


She faced him. “You didn’t ask and I didn’t want to assume.”


“Please assume that I’d like to eat with you whenever possible, okay?”


That mollified her. “Okay.”


The meal was quiet. Afterward, Gavin pushed back his plate and sighed. “This has been a f*cking nightmare.”


“What happened?”


“You don’t know?”


She shook her head.


Gavin relayed the events in a clipped tone and finished with, “I have to live with that.”


“You’re shouldering the blame for Sierra’s mistake? She went to that party, knowing it was wrong.”


“That’s not the issue. I’ve been letting her drive wherever the f*ck she wants, in this shitty weather, on these shitty roads, and I couldn’t be bothered to do the maintenance on her vehicle in the last month when she’s been driving all the time? Making sure her vehicle was safe? I should’ve just bought her a new goddamned car instead of a used one. That is totally on me.” He closed his eyes. “What the hell has been so goddamned important in my life that I let that slide?”


Rielle had a pang of guilt. Since Sierra had become mobile, she and Gavin spent all their free time together. Did he blame her?


“Sorry. Wishing I would’ve been more attentive is Monday morning quarterbacking and totally f*cking pointless.” He opened his eyes. “Anyway, would you mind sticking around to listen for Sierra while I take a shower?”


“Sure. Do I just check on her?”


“She has a bell to ring when she wakes up.”


Rielle’s eyebrows rose. “A bell? Like a bell an English aristocrat uses to a ring for her servants at tea time?”


“No. A cowbell.”


“You gave a sixteen-year-old a cowbell?”


“Quinn gave it to her,” he grumbled. “I told him I’m buying Amelia bagpipes for her next birthday.”


She smiled. “Go take your shower.”


Gavin didn’t try to steal a kiss or pat her ass—so unlike him.


After the shower kicked on, the sound of a cowbell drifted down the hallway.


Rielle knocked before pushing open the door. “Sierra?”


“Ree? Where’s my dad?”


“He just jumped in the shower. Something you need?”


“A drink of water.”


She grabbed the water bottle off the dresser. She couldn’t help but smooth Sierra’s dark hair back from her pale face. “How you feeling, sweetheart?”


“Sore. I can’t move without it hurting.” She struggled to sit up and Rielle adjusted her pillows. “Thanks. I thought you were gone until Monday?”


“I decided I was needed here. So make me feel needed. What can I do to help you?”


Sierra rested against the pillow. “Everything. I’m helpless. It’s hard to even go to the bathroom. My right hand is useless. How can I wash my hair or even comb it with one hand?”


“Did you talk to your dad about this?”


She shook her head.


“Did he hire a home health aide to assist you?”


“I doubt it. He thinks it’s his job to take care of me.” She started to cry. “There’s stuff I don’t want him to help me with.”


“Oh, sweetie, I don’t blame you. Do you want me to talk to him?”


“Would you help me?” she asked in an unsure voice.


Rielle impulsively kissed Sierra’s forehead and wiped her tears. “Of course. Anything you need, just ask.” She rubbed a small section of Sierra’s hair between her fingers. “It’s been a while since I combed out a girl’s hair. That said…payback will be sweet for the funky hairstyle you gave me.”


That earned her a wan smile even through her tears. She winced. “I can tell it’s time for a pain pill.”


“I’ll let your dad dispense that.” She ran her hand up Sierra’s good arm. “Need anything else right now? Food? Something else to drink? Another blanket?”


“What’s going on?” Gavin said from the doorway.


“Ree’s volunteered to help me with some girl hygiene stuff.”


Gavin stopped beside the bed and looked at Rielle with disbelief. “Really?”


Did he really think she’d just stand back and do nothing while Sierra struggled? While he struggled? Staying out of Gavin’s parenting decisions with Sierra didn’t mean she wanted to stay out of Sierra’s life. Didn’t he see the difference? Didn’t he know how much she’d come to care for his daughter?