When I was done, it was apparently clear that I didn’t just blur the line, I erased it. Riley took me to my bedroom to find out who was the better rider. This was another competition I would do my best to win.
Nineteen
Emma
Bliss—that was how I would describe the next couple of days. I finally let Riley cross that line, and I had fallen. My heart might as well have been wrapped in caution tape that saidI belong to Riley Reys.
His father invited me to dinner the night after the important client came to town. I was nervous, and I wasn’t sure why.
William had looked after me after my parents died. But something about the man intimidated me. I was afraid that he would eventually want to collect on all of the favors he had done for me over the years. Delivering groceries to my trailer, offering me a job, and helping me get a loan on my truck were just a few things he had done. I did my best to repay him by working hard and taking care of this place for him.
So walking into the house under the guise of a dinner should be nothing to worry about, but there I was, freaking out.
I stood on the front step and rang the doorbell. Lynn answered the door and smiled at me then moved to the side to let me through.
“It’s good to see you,” she said.
“Same, Lynn. How is the family?”
“They are doing well. How are you?” she asked me, her gaze turning suspicious. “You spend most of the time by yourself or with the horses, until recently. I thought you and Riley were at odds. Did you fall off a horse and hit your head?” she asked.
Not that it was any of her business, but I knew this came from a place of caring, for both Riley and me. Maybe she was happy about the truce that formed, and less door slamming.
“No, I promise my head is in good shape. Turns out the last fifteen years were all a misunderstanding.”
“Right,” she said, her gaze narrowing again.
She looked like she was trying to see through my bullshit. Except there was no bullshit here—not anymore.
“Well, everyone is waiting for you,” she said, and she led me into the formal dining room.
Not much had changed. The walls were a light rose color with white trim. It had coffered ceilings and a low-hanging silver chandelier. It sat centered over the long rectangular table that could seat ten. Across the tabletop was wine glasses—filled, of course—steaks, potatoes, and salad. There was an assortment of cut-up fruits and sauces for the meat.
I was glad I decided to dress up, because William was in a suit, and his wife Monica was in a dark blue pencil dress that flattered her figure. Riley was wearing slacks and a blazer top. His scruff had been closely trimmed and his hair combed neatly to the side. He looked really good.
Judging by his face as he looked me over, I did, too.
“Emma, welcome dear,” William said. “Please take a seat.”
William had been standing at the head of the table, and his wife stood to the right of him. Riley was standing at the chair to Williams left and motioned for me to take the seat on his other side. He pulled it out for me, and I slipped into it.
Thank you,I mouthed.
“I hope you like steak,” William said, like he hadn’t seen me eat it at picnics before.
“I do, thank you.”
“Great, well, let's eat.” he said with an unsure smile.
There was a real reason for this dinner, and I was waiting for it to come to light.
After a few minutes, William said, “We used to do these dinners when you were younger. Do you remember?”
“I do,” I said as I nodded.
“We had to stop them because you two bickered all the time,” he said. It was half teasing, and half prying. His tone implied,What caused a cease-fire?
“Dad,” Riley said, reprimanding his father. “Now we are older and don’t need to be reminded of our old childish ways.”
