Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)(79)

Rielle smiled. “I wondered if you were so engrossed in your homework you forgot to eat.”


Sierra shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”


That didn’t sound good. “You feel sick?”


She looked away, but not before Rielle noticed she’d been crying.


“Hey, sweetheart, what’s wrong?”


Then Sierra threw her arms around Rielle and sobbed.


Caught off guard, because this was unlike Sierra, she rubbed circles on the girl’s back, trying to soothe her.


It must’ve worked because Sierra sighed. “Thanks for the hug, Ree. I’m just having a shitty day.”


Welcome to the club. “You’d probably feel better if you ate. I made a loaf of pumpkin bread. Would you like some?”


“Sure.”


Sierra watched from the breakfast bar as Rielle sliced two pieces and poured a cup of milk.


A small smile played on Sierra’s lips.


“What?”


“It’s like you’re feeding me milk and cookies.”


“Have you ever seen me bake cookies?”


Sierra’s brow furrowed. “No. I guess I haven’t.”


“That’s because I suck at cookies. I burn them. Or I undercook them. Or they’re too big. Or too small. Or they’re too squishy. Or too hard. So I’ll stick to baking breads, rolls and muffins.”


Sierra pinched off a corner of the bread and popped it in her mouth. “My dad used to eat a big blueberry muffin and a banana every day for breakfast. It drove me crazy because he never ate anything else. If he couldn’t have that then he wouldn’t eat.”


“I remember. But I’ve yet to see him eat a single muffin since he’s lived here.”


“Not on his diet anymore. Now he eats cereal or yogurt. Or something else disgustingly healthy.”


Rielle laughed.


Sierra broke off a couple more bites. Then she said, “I heard you guys fighting earlier.”


She blew across her cup of tea. “Does your dad know you overheard?”


“No. He’s been locked in his office.” Sierra looked up. “My mom wants me to come to Paris for Christmas. He won’t let me fly alone. So that means he’d be stuck in Paris for two weeks.”


She made a noncommittal noise.


“My mom…she can be such a bitch to him. She basically said he’d be better off not going to Paris since he doesn’t know the meaning of romance and wouldn’t know what to do with himself.”


Was that why Gavin had asked her? To prove his ex-wife wrong?


“I know he asked you to come with him. I know you said no. I don’t understand why you’d say no. I mean, you’re already with him and it wouldn’t be like you’d be doing anything different there than you’re doing here.”


Insightful little thing.


“I think you have the wrong impression of him. I mean, since he’s got money you’d think he’d be going cool places all the time. But he’s always working and he’s never taken a two-week vacation.”


“Never?”


“He’s never taken a vacation with anyone besides me either. So it’d be a big deal if he did go, especially if he went with you. And just so you know, if you don’t go, he’ll be there by himself. I’m not saying that to make you feel guilty, I’m telling you because I think he deserves to have fun. He should get to be in Paris with someone he cares about. So I’m just asking you to think about it.”


“Sierra?” Gavin’s voice echoed in the kitchen. He held his phone to his ear. “Your mom is on the line. Come up to my office so we can talk about a few things and get this finalized.”


That’s when Rielle knew it was too late. Her pride was keeping her from experiencing something amazing. Her pride was also making her question the motives of a man who meant more to her than she’d ever imagined and who needed her support, not her suspicion.


Rielle, you are a stubborn, arrogant fool for treating Gavin like you did. Buck up and apologize.


She heated another cup of tea and peeled a tangerine, arranging the crescents around a slice of pumpkin bread. She headed upstairs and waited in the family room as she sussed out what she intended to say.



Ten minutes later Gavin’s office door opened. Footsteps faded down the hallway to Sierra’s room and her door closed. She hadn’t slammed it. That was a good sign.


Rielle took a deep breath and knocked. She expected to hear, “Come in,” but Gavin answered the door.


He peered down the hallway almost as if he was disappointed to see her. “Ree? Hey. What’s up?”


“I thought you might be hungry so I brought you a snack. And tea.”


“Oh. Well. Sure. I could eat.” He grabbed the tray from her, and slid it on his desk, but didn’t invite her in.


She followed him anyway and shut the door behind her. Her heart hammed like crazy when he turned around, surprised to see her there. No excuses. Just say it straight out. She marched up to him. “I’m sorry for the way I acted earlier. It was wrong, I was wrong and I hope you’ll forgive me.”