Chapter Fourteen
HUNTLEY
Three weeks felt like an eternity.
After game night, I hadn’t had much time to breathe, and I didn’t see River at all. Okay, I’d seen her on Facetime, but that wasn’t the same.
First my mom had gotten sick with bronchitis and needed my help. Then a bunch of the guys came down with some stomach bug at work and I was filling in, taking extra shifts.
Many times, while not only missing her, but also finding myself missing the kids, I wondered what it would be like if we lived together, so no matter what was thrown our way, we still got to see each other.
Everyone would think I was jumping the gun for having those thoughts after only being around her for such a short time, even if I met her months ago.
My mother, even after the way her husband treated her, was a romantic at heart. She used to tell me when I found the one I would know, and that no timetable was the same for any couple—the heart wanted what the heart wanted.
I didn’t know if River would ever get to the place I was, but I was sure about how I felt.
And my heart wanted her.
However, I had no perceived notion that I was anywhere near the level of trust I was hoping to obtain with the amazing woman. She may be okay on certain levels, but when it came to intimacy or her fragile heart, that was a totally different story.
Right then, all I wanted to do was lay eyes on her in the flesh. That wish was about to come true. River and the kids agreed to stop in at the get-together at Gemma and Bodie’s place and I’d been invited.
It took a little coaxing to get her to agree to come—she and the kids were still gun shy around so many people—but I had no doubt that with this group of friends, that eventually would change.
I myself was still scaling walls trying to break through her barriers and find a way into her life as well as the kids’.
“You look like you could use a beer,” Bronson said, walking up beside me.
Those of us already there were standing in the big front room shooting the breeze. I’d gotten there a bit early, and Bodie—along with his adorable twins—had given me a grand tour of the place.
Their home was amazing and sitting right on the river was a prime spot, but my mind drifted back to game night when River and I had taken Roxie out to do her business.
The lake house may not have been as big as Body and Gemma’s, but there was something special, something more intimate about it. And it fit River perfectly.
Taking the offered beer from Bronson’s hands, I mumbled, “Thanks.” I was a bit distracted as I stared at the door waiting for the object of my every thought to walk through it.
In a taunting voice, Bronson asked, “You looking for someone in particular or do you just really like that door?”
“Shut the fuck up,” I replied lightheartedly, thinking it was just he and me standing there.
I should have known that wasn’t the case. Nope, anytime a curse word flew from someone's mouth, the swear jar queen would be waiting.
“That’s a doozy, you owe me big time for that one.”
I turned to see Embry holding out her hand, the other on her hip—a signature stance for her—waiting for me to slap some money into it.
She wasn’t alone either. Stormi stood on one side of her and the twins, Peyton and Piper on the other. Behind her stood Autumn, Noelle, and a couple of the younger girls, Aspen and Serenity.
It looked like class was in session and all the girls were definitely looking up to their teacher as I pulled my wallet from my back pocket and hit Embry with a ten-dollar bill. She eyed it, then looked back at me.
“This will do. Good doing business with you,” she said, a smug smile on her face as she turned to walk away, the whole gang following her like a parade of eager students.
The only one that hesitated was Stormi. “Uncle Huntley, if you don’t be careful, you could go broke.” Her concerned voice made me let out a slight chuckle. She was enamored by Embry, but she was still warning me and worried. It was cute.
I ruffled her hair. “I’ll be okay, sweet girl.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
