Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)(142)

“Consider it done.” He leaned closer to nuzzle her neck. “How about if we go inside and seal this marriage deal on that big bed.” He kissed behind her ear. “I missed you last night.”


“Same here. As I laid alone in my room I kept thinking this would be my life if you weren’t in it. I never want that feeling again.”


“Will you please put me out of my misery and leap over that fence so I can touch you?”


Rielle climbed up the rails and threw her leg over.


Gavin braced himself to catch her, but when she scaled over the top, she knocked him off balance and they both crashed to the ground with Rielle on top.


She grinned at him and waggled her eyebrows. “Well, well, this is an interesting possibility.”


“Wrong.” Gavin rolled, putting her beneath him. Just as he’d settled into a loving kiss, pounding footsteps came down the walkway.


“Omigod. Seriously? You guys are doing it out here in the dirt practically on the front yard where anyone can drive by and see?”


And…there was a verbal equivalent of a cold shower.


He pushed up and helped Rielle to her feet.


They faced Sierra together.


Sierra’s eyes darted to Rielle and then back to him. “Dad, I know you said you didn’t want to talk to me and I should stay away from you until you made your decision, but can we ah…talk about some stuff? Alone?”


“No. Whatever you want to talk about will affect Rielle.”


“Okay.” Sierra shoved her hands in the front pockets of her shorts. “Sorry I’ve been a jerk.”


He waited because that pseudo-apology wouldn’t fly and she knew it.


“I was a total dick, okay? I said a bunch of horrible shit I didn’t mean. God, I’m so sorry and I don’t know why I keep doing that.”


Because you’re sixteen.


“I was hurt and mad and I took it out on you.”


I keep hoping one of these days you’ll figure out that lashing out and hurting those you love doesn’t make you feel better. He’d done this over her teen years, not answering her questions out loud but in his head; it allowed him to speak his mind without saying a word.


“I…some stuff happened that I didn’t know how to handle and I couldn’t think of anything besides I wanted to go home.” She kicked a rock. “I wanted my mom.”


Gavin wondered why Sierra had such a hard time admitting it.


Because sometimes you don’t curb your dislike of her mother and she picks up on that.


She looked at Rielle. “I like you a lot, Ree. In fact, I love you more than a little. You’ve never tried to be my mom, but you’ve always been there for me. Even before you and my dad started being…whatever. So when I was hiding in my room, I wished I could talk to you, because you listen until I figure stuff out on my own. Then I realized how much I’d hurt you and that I wouldn’t blame you if you never wanted to talk to me again.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Really, really sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”


“I know, sweetie.”


Sierra was back to staring at the ground.


“Sierra? Can you look at me please?”


She shook her head.


“Why not?”


“Because I’m embarrassed,” came out softly.


He wanted to go to her, and Rielle even relaxed her hold on him so he could, but he forced himself to let his daughter struggle a little. “Why?”


“I was awful to you. Making demands. Being mouthy, hurting your feelings, not caring about anyone but myself. I’m sorry. So, so, sorry and I don’t know how I’ll ever…”


When Sierra broke down completely, that’s when Gavin went to her. That’s when he pulled her into his arms and let her cry it out, holding her tightly. Listening to her babbling about acting stupid again.


She calmed down but her arms were squeezed around him. “I love you, Dad. I’m sorry I was such a selfish, bratty kid.”


He kissed the top of her head. “I love you too. Yes, you’re bratty and selfish sometimes, but not all the time, so I’ll keep you.” He felt Rielle’s hand on his arm, silently offering her support. He glanced at her, standing beside him, where she belonged.


Sierra stepped back and wiped her face. “So, I’ve had time to think, and I still want to go to France.”


Gavin’s heart broke, just a little. “All right. If that’s your choice, you should know—”


“But just for part of the summer,” she said quickly. “Maybe six weeks. I do want to spend time with Mom.”


“That’s a great idea. She’ll be thrilled to see you.”


“But when I get back? Before school starts? I’d like to talk to you about some changes. See, Marin and I were talking about this stuff today after Rory chewed my butt—”


“When did you talk to Rory?” Rielle asked.


“This morning. We went to DQ and then up to Flat Top.”