"You think that because you're a recovering alcoholic that I shouldn't want to be with you? That you don't deserve a chance at happiness?"
The fact that she wanted to be with him made his heart soar, but he reined it in. He would only bring her heartache down the road when his past caught up to him in the form of a teenager on his doorstep, declaring Daniel was his dad. People who made the kind of mistakes he had didn't deserve the happiness he wanted for Riley.
"I think because of the choices I've made, you'd be wise to stay away from me." This time when he walked away, he didn't stop. Not even when she called his name.
Now he had two weaknesses to deal with: Riley and alcohol. Staying on the ranch helped with the alcohol cravings, but as long as Riley was here, he'd never escape that temptation.
CHAPTER 18
Five days later, Daniel groaned when his alarm went off.
He'd stayed up late again working on the designs for Jake's Rec Center after yesterday's cattle drive, and he was not ready to face another long day already. He stumbled from his bed, heading for the bathroom.
"Oh good, you're up." His mom, suitcase in hand, stopped him in the hallway. "I just left you a note in the kitchen. Dad and I are leaving soon, but don't worry, Emily will make sure you're fed. I left plenty of meals stockpiled in the fridge and freezer for her to prepare."
His older sister Mandy just had her third baby, and Mom insisted she and Dad needed to go to Denver to help her for a while. Knowing Mom, Mandy would have enough frozen meals to last three months by the time they returned. And Brian and Mandy's yard would be immaculate because his father wasn't the sit-around-and-do-nothing type. They might even get the rest of the basement finished.
"Thanks, Mom. I'll be fine."
If worse came to worse, he'd go mooch off Hank.
She pulled him down to plant a quick kiss on his cheek. "Dad and I will only be a phone call away if you need anything. And remember,Emily and Jake are always happy to talk if you find yourself struggling."
"I'll be fine," he insisted again.
"I know you will." Mom patted his arm. "See you in two weeks."
The only thing he struggled with now was the desire to pull Riley into his arms every time he turned around. She'd given him the cold shoulder all day Saturday, as expected, but then she did a one-eighty on Monday and had been as friendly as could be ever since, acting like he hadn't rejected her.
Daniel tried to do the same, but he couldn't forget the amazing kisses they'd shared. The more he tried to block them out and the feelings they evoked in him, the more persistent the memories became. He thanked his lucky stars each evening that he had an excuse to hole up in his room and think about something other than Riley. Well, mostly. Unfortunately, sketching designs for the rec center didn't require his full concentration.
It gave him plenty of time to wonder how RIley’s second self-defense class went last night. Last week, she was eager to show him what she’d learned in her first class. Thankfully, she hadn’t hurt him, even though she could have if she wanted to.
An hour later, Daniel swung himself back into the saddle without the use of a stirrup after closing the final gate behind the herd of two-year-old steers and heifers—their third and final herd to drive to summer grazing pastures—and the cowboys driving them. He couldn't think of Riley as the lone cowgirl, because of the way that word bothered her, so he lumped her in with the rest of the cowboys, even though she was much more attractive than them.
"Show off." Riley rolled her eyes then nudged her horse in the flanks.
Daniel flicked Rebel's reins and followed her. "You're just jealous because you've never been able to swing yourself up like that."
"I'm not tall enough. Nor do I have the upper body strength you do."
She was the perfect height for him to pull into his arms and rest his chin on her head.
Stop it.
Ever since he walked away from her last week, he felt like he'd made the biggest mistake of his life. Well, maybe not the biggest, because he was pretty sure he'd already made those mistakes. He couldn't stop obsessing over her, though. Her smile. Her gracefulness when they danced together. The way she fit in his arms. The feel of his lips on hers.
And here I go again.
He was surprised when she stayed near his side at the back of the herd, instead of flanking one side or the other, like she had the past two days. She made casual conversation about the weather and the terrain then talked about how she missed her job back in Seattle. He kept expecting her to blow up at him, accusing him of leading her on only to reject her, but she didn't. She simply talked about the kind of things they'd always discussed. The things that made being with her so comfortable.
Three hours later, the sun beat down on them as they pushed the herd over a rocky ridge. Because of the steepness and height of the rock face, they took the easiest, yet longest, route for the cattle, keeping them as far away from the precipice as possible, but it still brought the herd closer to the edge than any of them liked.
Jake guided his horse to where Daniel and Riley rode at the back of the herd. "I want you two to take the right side and keep the cattle away from the edge of the ridge." He turned his horse away before calling over his shoulder. "And keep an eye on L-218."
Steer L-218, or Flash—as Daniel had come to think of him today—had been giving them fits all morning. He'd repeatedly broken loose from the herd and bolted any time he saw an opening. The wily thing was fast. He was one of the few they'd left the horns on since they planned to sell him to the rodeo circuit later this summer along with half a dozen other steers. He'd give the team ropers a run for their money.
Riley had ended up roping him last time he broke loose and dragged him back to the herd.
