The Staying Kind (18 page)

“Rio, relax.” Travis pulled her against him and smoothed his hand over her hair and down her back. “It’s just me. Everything is fine.”

Wow, so he’d been able to read her that well. She smiled up at him. “Sit down,” she whispered.

During dinner she managed not to spill spaghetti sauce down his shirt or do anything else embarrassing. If conversation was somewhat awkward, he seemed to understand. This uncertainty killed her. While it wasn’t like her to get all tongue tied, she couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact she’d be entertaining a man—her first lover—in her home. Made her feel about nineteen years old.

Not that this would’ve ever happened when she was nineteen. If she remembered correctly, back then she lived in Jacksonville, cleaning rooms at a cheap motel and bussing dishes at the motel’s tiny diner. The owner set her up with a room in trade for the diner work.

Now she found herself a lot nearer to heaven. Even though Travis seemed distracted, he was a pleasure to be with and the idea of being in love with him, even if he didn’t share her feelings, felt like a warm blanket wrapped around her.

“Hey, I don’t know if Aunt Sadie said anything.” Travis broke into her wandering thoughts. “She’s planning on taking Jessa for their annual trip to Freeport, Maine to do some Christmas shopping. They’ve made it a tradition. Two nights in a motel and lots of shopping. Next weekend. Which means you and I are on our own. I’d like to take you out for any shopping you might need to do.”

On our own?
Wicked ideas bloomed in her mind. Two more nights she could be with him. Thinking of making love with him set her entire body on fire.

Shopping would be good as well. She had to buy for Sadie, Travis, and Jessa. If she had a driver’s license and a car, she wouldn’t be so tied down. Until she acquired one or both she had to rely on others for rides.

“I have to work Saturday, half a day, then I’ll be free Sunday,” he added. “Aunt Sadie is calling in her reserves to do the barn work.”

“Wow, everything is all planned out.”

Travis nodded. “Aunt Sadie likes to plan. Sometimes it’s a blessing. So, what do you say? Want to hit some malls?”

The rest of the meal was spent discussing places to shop. She loved the normal conversation. They sounded like a typical couple, and Rio felt relief that the discomfort of the first few minutes of dinner had been put behind them.

At nine o’clock Travis called it a night. He’d been edgy and couldn’t sit still for more than a few minutes. Worry was etched all over his face and on several occasions she caught him glancing at his wristwatch.

She couldn’t do much to ease his mind, so she kissed him softly. “Do what you need to do.”

Travis slid his arms around her and gazed at her. Something new flickered in his eyes. She could have sworn the emotion she spotted there mirrored her feelings for him.

Impossible
. While she could enjoy the friendship and physical relationship they had, men like Travis didn’t fall in love with women like her.

She kissed him again and wished him goodnight, staring at him as he headed to the door, wishing she could do something to make things easier for him. Unfortunately, she could only hope this little mother-daughter reunion wouldn’t hurt either Jessa or Travis.

The opportunity to talk to Travis didn’t come for another two days. Rio spent the day after their dinner working hard.

New Hampshire had plunged into an early deep freeze which made her grateful for the warm work clothes Sadie insisted on buying for her. She had forgotten how cold winters could be up here in the north, and she dreaded thinking what it would be like in late January.

Eye on the prize.
Burying her chin into the scarf around her neck, Rio pushed the wheelbarrow, filled with the contents of Barnaby’s stall, outside.

Jessa didn’t show up at work, and Rio missed her when it was time for her riding lessons with Sadie. According to Sadie, Jessa had stayed home from school with a bug.

“More like dinner with her mother and grandmother made her sick,” Sadie muttered.

Rio fought against the desire to reply. She couldn’t say anything complimentary.

Although she wanted to call Travis, she resisted and spent the night in her apartment with the birthday gift Sadie had given her, a secondhand laptop computer and internet connection. Rio had only used computers a handful of times in the course of her lifetime. She had no use for them while on the road, so she was a bit lost trying to navigate the web.

Everything she discovered fascinated her, and the fact she could dig up information on her brother, her mother and maybe even her sister, amazed her.

Any bits of information, however, Travis had already told her. The fact Storm and her mother lived a few hours away both disturbed and tempted her. If only she had her driver’s license, she could go down there alone.

She searched for bus information, perhaps the only way she’d be able to make the trip. She could ask Sadie for a day off and go down for an hour or two to see how Storm was doing. It might be a good thing.

Or a very bad idea.

Greyhound traveled from Keene, a small city near the Vermont border, to Springfield, but she’d have to travel to Keene and back, a half hour trip each way. She fell against the couch and groaned.
Stuck
.

Before buying any bus tickets, she’d have to find out if Storm would even want to see her. What would be the point of going down there, only to have him turn his back on her?

A few minutes of online searching netted Rio a phone number listing for Katrina Presley. The next step would be simple.
Call and talk to him.
If her mother answered she didn’t have to say who she was. She doubted very much her mother would recognize her voice after all this time. She’d ask to speak to Storm and that would be that.

Easy.

Yet the mere thought of calling him caused her hands to shake. She gripped them together and dragged in a deep breath, willing herself to relax. She didn’t like the cold fear radiating from her belly straight to her fingers.

Stop
, she told herself sternly. It was a phone call, not as if she planned to walk into her mother’s kitchen and sit down at the table. She could hang up the phone if she had to.

Simple.

So, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, kamikaze butterflies zipping and zooming in her stomach, she dialed the number.

“Please let it be Storm,” she murmured.
Don’t let it be my mother.

Unfortunately, she instantly recognized the voice that answered. It sounded older, harder, the rough sound that came from a long-time smoker more exaggerated. Her mother, she had no doubt.

Rio nearly hung up. She gripped the phone tighter and closed her eyes. “Is Storm there?”

“Yeah, hang on.”

Her mother shouted out for Storm and Rio hoped she wouldn’t ask who was calling. She heard voices muffled in the background, and then a man spoke.

“H’lo?”

Rio nearly burst into tears. The last time she heard his voice he’d only been a boy, the only one in the world she could count on. And vice versa. And she’d let him down. She lost the kid who’d once been her best friend. He had to hate her now. How could he not?

“Who’s there?” Storm asked, his voice edgy and impatient.

“Storm?”

“Yeah. Who’s this?”

“Storm, please don’t say anything. It’s Rio.”

There was a long pause and then he swore. “You’re a sick bitch.”

Out of all the reactions she could’ve received, she never imagined that one. “Storm. Listen, don’t tell Mom I’m on the phone, please. I realize you must hate me for not being there. I had to leave. They would’ve taken me away, and I didn’t want to end up somewhere worse than where I was. But—but I should’ve been there for you and I’m sorry.”

“Listen, I don’t know who the hell you are, but you’re not Rio. Rio’s been dead for years.”

Then he hung up and Rio was left trembling, mouth open, staring blankly.

Dead? What in the world had her mother told him?

Chapter 17

“What do you mean, he thinks you’re dead?” Sadie asked, her brows high.

Rio had needed to tell someone about her brief conversation with her brother. All night long, anger boiled up inside her. She’d almost called him again, but didn’t want to create a scene for him, or for her mother to find out she was on the phone.

Now she’d had a chance to simmer down, she wanted to talk to someone about it and Sadie was as levelheaded as anyone she knew.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe my mother really thinks I’m dead.”

“Or maybe she wants your brother to believe you are so he won’t ever think to go searching for you.”

“That’s cruel. He would’ve been a kid in juvenile detention for what he’d done.” Rio clammed up before she let any more details slip. Sadie already focused on her words.

“What was he in there for, Rio? What did he do?”

“I’m sorry.” Rio grabbed the broom. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Sadie gripped her shoulder to keep her from walking away. “You can tell me. You need someone to vent to, dear. Keeping it inside is not helping you. Nothing you can say will change my mind about you.”

“Travis already knows this. He’s the one who told me what happened to Storm after he was released.”

“Travis is a wonderful man, Rio. You can trust him.”

“I know.” Rio smiled. “I’ve discovered that over the last few months.”

Sadie crossed her arms and studied Rio, with one brow cocked, as if satisfied with something. “You’re in love with him. Never mind that for now. What about your brother? What did he do to land himself in juvenile detention?”

Sadie’s bald statement about Rio’s feelings for Travis nearly knocked her out of her seat. Was it so obvious? She mentally shook it off. Storm . . . they were talking about Storm.

Rio took a fortifying breath. “He shot and killed our mother’s live-in boyfriend.”

As Sadie gasped in reaction, Rio continued coldly, “Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. He was bad news. Worse than any of the men my mother brought home. Abusive to us all. He was after me. Before he moved in he’d assaulted a fourteen-year-old. I was about the same age. Just the way he liked them. Storm was trying to protect me when he shot him. And my brother was taken away. I hit the road, didn’t want to go into foster care. And I wasn’t about to stay with my mother.”

“Quite the life you’ve led, Rio,” Sadie murmured. She studied Rio for a long moment. “Do you want to see your brother? Prove to him you’re alive and well?”

Of course she wanted Storm to know she wasn’t dead. What can of worms she might open up, Rio had no clue.

“Yes. I can’t figure out how. There’s a bus from Keene to Springfield, but I’d have a transportation issue. Until I get my license . . .”

“When I’m home from Maine with Jessa I’ll put you on the bus. You go down there and talk to him. Do what you have to do, Rio. You need some closure. So does your brother.”

“As long as I don’t have to see my mother.” That would be the sticky part, how to contact Storm again, convince him she was alive and well, without their mother finding out.

She’d think of a way. In the meantime, she wanted to throw her arms around Sadie, which she did, enthusiastically. “Thank you, Sadie. You don’t know what this means to me.”

Sadie patted her shoulder. “Well, I realize how important
some
family can be. You deserve this.”

Rio pulled away. “I hope it doesn’t blow up in my face.”

She waited a few more days and then tried again. Once more she heard her mother’s rough voice. Luckily Katrina didn’t ask questions. She called Storm to the phone again.

“Storm, please don’t hang up on me,” Rio said, her voice low as if her mother could hear her over the line. “You have to believe me, I’m not dead. I don’t know where Mom got that idea.”

Storm swore, but at least he didn’t hang up this time.

“I can prove it. Remember when we went fishing? And we tried to cook the fish we caught in the microwave? Remember how disgusting it was and the guy Mom was living with got sick all over the place?”

Storm swore again.

“Don’t say anything. I’m coming to Springfield. I want to see you. But I don’t want Mom to find out. I’ll tell you everything. Please say you’ll meet me.”

“Don’t know.”

“Please, Storm. I’ll call you again when I have the details. I need to see you. Just you.”

“Don’t know.”

“Okay. Well, think about it. Please. I love you, Storm. I do.”

She hung up before he could say anything else.

As soon as school let out, Jessa and Aunt Sadie headed up to Freeport, leaving Rio and Travis to manage for themselves until Sunday. Travis had said goodbye to his daughter before returning to his duties.

Mild weather settled in, and the snow from the previous week now lay in slushy puddles, melting quickly. The weatherman had predicted a seasonably warm weekend ahead, then warned everyone not to get used to it. A front headed their way for Sunday night, carrying a mixture of freezing rain and snow. As long as Jessa and Aunt Sadie made it home in time, he was fine with it, despite the extra work it would give him and his department.

Since her dinner with her mother and grandmother, Jessa had been far more open to him. She didn’t talk about what was said during the meal, but she’d snapped out of her sullen mood. According to Aunt Sadie, Jessa had even shown more enthusiasm toward her riding.

The matter of Danny Bartlett still hadn’t been resolved. While Travis didn’t think Jessa had been seeing the boy, Danny had been making an attempt to see her. He’d called several times and Travis could hear the kid’s dirt bike constantly, riding back and forth in front of the house. Every time he heard that cycle engine, the anger grew inside.

But he had to trust Jessa had cut her ties with the family.

At least there’d been no further contact from Daphne or Laura. He didn’t believe they’d called it quits. Maybe if they could see she was happy, then they’d leave well enough alone. They’d had a rocky patch and he wouldn’t have put it past Daphne to take advantage of the problems under the Lithgow roof.

No point worrying when there was nothing to do about it at the moment. Instead he thought about Rio. He’d promised her a shopping trip after he left work on Saturday, and they could follow it up with a romantic dinner. Though some of Aunt Sadie’s part timers helped out, Rio wouldn’t want to be far from Cobble Creek for more than a few hours. She took her responsibilities very seriously.

“This girl has the makings of a first-rate barn manager,” Sadie had said earlier in the week. She’d nodded toward Rio, mounted on Dante and taking him in endless figure eights over white poles on the ground. “If all goes well, I think I’ll be offering her the position even if the riding doesn’t work out.”

“Doesn’t seem to me like it’s a problem,” he had replied.

“No, she sure has taken to these horses like this is what she’s made for. I think she needed us as much as we need her.”

At the time Travis had cast a glance at his aunt and wondered who “we” were. He had the distinct idea his aunt was onto his feelings for Rio and most likely approved, otherwise she’d have spoken up sooner.

If Sadie approved, then she’d stop at nothing to make things work out. For everyone. That would mean Rio would stick around permanently. He hoped, anyway. He didn’t want to think of her leaving his life. Didn’t want to worry about her returning to the wayward lifestyle she’d led before she stumbled onto Cobble Creek.

As soon as his shift ended, he drove over to the farm in search of Rio. Sadie and Jessa were on their way to Maine and he really didn’t want to go home to an empty house, not when his thoughts were so full of Rio.

“Hey there,” she called when he came into the barn. She secured the latch on Dusty’s stall. “I’m finishing up.”

“Same here.” He walked up to her, craving the feel of her arms around him.

She paused and her gaze drifted down his body, a slow smile spreading on her face. “You’re very sexy in your uniform. Policemen used to make me nervous, but there’s something about the way you guys dress. The badge, the gun . . .”

Travis chuckled. “I’ll have to wear it more often.”

“It’s okay. You’re pretty hot in jeans, too.” She bit her bottom lip and continued to stare at him.

“What’s gotten into you?” he asked with a laugh.

“Long day. Need to unwind.”

“How ‘bout unwinding with some Chinese food? There’s a decent restaurant about twenty minutes away. I could go pick it up and bring it here.”

“Sounds fantastic.” Finally, she approached him and laid her palm on his chest, gazing at him with those pale green eyes that were a contradictory mix of innocence and seduction. “Can you stay? Longer than for dinner, I mean?”

Travis dipped his head and touched his lips to hers. Need for her swirled in his belly. For a moment he wanted to forget about the food and take her up to her apartment right now; make love with her all night long. It didn’t help when he felt her slick tongue trace over his bottom lip.

“I think I can arrange it,” he murmured against her mouth. So she wanted to tease him? He could do the same. His hand slowly stroked down her side, then caught the heavy material of her sweater. He pushed under it, slid along her skin curving the palm of his hand over her breast. Sweeping his thumb over the pebbled tip, he heard her groan. Her body leaned into his.

God, he could make love to her right here. There wasn’t much more he wanted than her beautiful petite body beneath his. But they could both show some restraint.

He pulled his hand away and adjusted her sweater. “Dinner. I need to change, and pick up dinner.”

“Fine.” Rio kissed his chin and stroked his chest, then stepped away. Her eyes were enormous and dark, her lips parted.

“It’ll be about an hour,” he promised.

“That long?”

“I’ll go as fast as I can.” He edged away from her, because if he didn’t he’d have her in his arms once more.

“Okay. I’ll leave the door unlocked. Come on up.”

“I will.”

“And Travis, bring a toothbrush.”

He actually made it back to Cobble Creek in forty-five minutes, complete with a change of clothes, toothbrush, and enough Chinese food to feed six people. He also had a bottle of wine tucked under his arm. The break from Rio had allowed his ardor to cool a bit, enough so he was fairly confident they could make it through their dinner uninterrupted.

Then he saw her, dark hair still damp from her shower, wearing green flannel pajama pants and a white tank top that left little to the imagination. And had to fight for control again.

“You’re going to kill me,” he murmured and kissed her behind the ear. She smelled like mint.

“Now why would I want to do that? Let me take the Chinese to the kitchen.” She ducked out of his hold and grabbed the bag of food from him. She glanced at the duffle in his other hand. “This your clothes? You can bring them to the bedroom.”

Travis watched her walk away with a smile. He hadn’t had a sleepover for years and he anticipated it.

Stepping into the bedroom, he paused for a moment, curious to see how she had decorated it. Her shopping trip with Aunt Sadie had obviously given Rio the chance to indulge her tastes.

A pale sage comforter with tiny flowers along its edge covered the mattress, tasteful and understated. A matching lamp stood on the table next to the bed. Besides a few prints on the wall, she’d kept the décor simple. Exactly what he’d expect from her.

Rio’s voice from down the hall pulled him out of his thoughts. “Dinner is ready if you are.”

She’d set the table, complete with a tablecloth and candles. All the lights had been dimmed. Rio poured two glasses of wine. He drew in his breath and took it all in. For the first time she truly seemed at ease. More confident. What a transformation from the first few weeks of knowing her. Both emotionally and physically.

Her hair had begun to grow out, had lost the boyish cut she’d worn when he first met her. Now it curled down nearly to her chin, glossy, black, and thick. Travis wondered what she’d look like with long hair, falling over her shoulders, soft and wavy.

Spread all over my pillow
.

Maybe she’d let it grow out. Which would take a long time. He was willing to wait. Wanted to wait.

When had this happened? This strong emotion he felt in his chest and belly, a tickling tightness that wasn’t unpleasant at all. Confusing, yes. But he wanted it nonetheless.

Did he dare call it love? That’s sure what it felt like. If it had only been a matter of pure lust, he’d have better control over it and probably wouldn’t be here right now. While lust played some role in his feelings, it came second to that other, larger emotion.

Travis cared for her. Deeply. He didn’t want her hurt again. Wanted her to succeed at Cobble Creek with Aunt Sadie because he couldn’t bear to see her leave.

“Hey, you okay?”

Rio’s voice penetrated his wandering mindset, making him realize he’d been staring at her. Travis smiled. “Sorry. You’re so beautiful, sometimes I lose myself.”

Pausing, she held his gaze for a long moment. “So do I when I look at you. Now come on, this food is getting cold. Smells awesome, too.”

Dinner paled in contrast to her company. Rio could be pretty talkative as long as she felt comfortable in her surroundings. He managed to pull more information from her about her years on the road, though she steered clear of anything unpleasant. Instead, she told him about the better times, the kindness of people who’d helped her along the way.

The idea of her traveling around the country was rather frightening. So much could’ve happened; bad apples, dangerous situations. He couldn’t imagine how she’d missed getting hurt or finding trouble.