Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)(32)

“This is your house. If you want to have a party, have a party. But I will remove all my breakables out of the great room and any other areas the wild McKay clan might vandalize.”


Vandalize? That was a harsh assessment.


“Will this be a potluck?” Sierra asked.


“Hell if I know.” He looked hopefully at Rielle.


She threw up her hands. “No way. I don’t want any part of this party.”


“I’ll help you, Dad. I’m sure Vi will pitch in and bring food since it was her idea. We’ll just have munchies and drinks. Paper plates, plastic cups, easy stuff. Pick me up after school today and we’ll hit Wal-Mart in Spearfish.”


Why was Sierra being so helpful?


Stop looking for motives. You should be overjoyed she’s pitching in and wants to be around her family.


“Sounds like a plan.” He glanced at the clock. “Better get your stuff. It’s about time to leave.”


As soon as Sierra was out of the kitchen, he leaned closer to Rielle. “I’ll help you move anything you want out of the great room. And I’ll try to keep everyone in the kitchen and dining room.”


“That’s…thoughtful. Thank you. But if it’s all the same, I won’t stick around tomorrow night.”


Gavin laid his hand on the side of her face. “I’d like it if you’d stay. Not to keep the appetizers supplied, or pour drinks, or even to run herd on unruly McKay munchkins.”


“Then why?”


“Honestly? Because I’m related to the McKays, but you know them way better than I do. I’ll probably need you to prompt me on some names.” Such a lie. Why don’t you tell her the truth?


“So I’d be a crutch.”


His gaze fell to her mouth. The woman had the most enticing lips. He adjusted his hand and his thumb followed the swell of her lower lip. “Fuck. I want to take you to bed in the worst way.”


Rielle shivered delicately.


The sound of heavy equipment rattling up the drive broke the moment.


Gavin retreated. Or tried to. Rielle wrapped her fingers around his wrist, holding his hand in place.


“I asked you a question. If I stay for the party tomorrow night, will I just be a crutch for you?”


“No. You’d be a lifeline.”


Rielle offered him a shy smile and pressed a soft kiss to the base of his thumb before she released his hand. “Then I’ll stay.”


Sierra yelled, “Dad! Come on. I’m gonna be late.”


Gavin kissed Rielle hard. “Later.”


What the f*ck had he been thinking, having a f*cking party?


There were approximately ten billion people in his house and the majority of them were less than two feet tall. And yelling. Or crying. Or doing both.


In the kitchen, Vi sidled up with another veggie plate. “Scoot a cheek, son, so I can put these down.”


“Sorry. Have you seen my co-host?”


“Rielle?”


I wish. “No, Sierra.”


“Last time I saw her, she was looking for Keely.” Vi tugged him down and whispered, “Maybe you’d better track her down. Who knows what kind of wild ideas Keely is putting in her head. That girl was hell on bootheels from the time she was two years old.”



“Thanks for the tip. Can you keep an eye on this for a few minutes?”


“It’d be my pleasure.” She smiled at Ben and Ainsley. “Look at all this food! Isn’t it great Gavin and Sierra did this all themselves?”


Ben caught his eye and mouthed, “Run.”


Just inside the dining room, something smacked into Gavin’s leg. And held on. The dark-haired boy looked up and him and grinned.


Jesus. All these kids looked the same. He couldn’t remember this kid’s name. “Ah, hey there, little guy. Thanks for the hug, but you gotta let go now.”


The kid didn’t budge. He grinned wider and held tighter.


Gavin figured if he started walking the rugrat would slide off.


No such luck. This kid had an iron grip. Like a bull rider. Had to be one of Colby’s sons.


Maybe he could bribe him. “I’ll give you candy if you let me go.”


He shook his head, wiping his wet mouth on Gavin’s jeans.


“Beau,” a male voice said sharply. “Let him go.”


The kid dropped his arms, looked up at Gavin and said, “Now gimme candy.”


“What? No way.”


Cord scooped the boy up, cocking him on his hip. “Sorry. He’s a little ornery tonight.”


Ya think?


Cord’s focus dropped to the wet spot on Gavin’s knee. “Did he bite you?”


Bite him? What the hell? “No.”


“Good. This one’s a biter, much to his mama’s dismay.”


Gavin had no idea what to say to that.


“Anyway, AJ wanted me to relay her thanks for the invite and she’s sorry she couldn’t make it tonight.”