“I get it.” Rafe wasn’t about to go into his own relationship issues. “Just know that you have whatever time you need. Not just from Kayn. I’ll support you in whatever you need. And the other guys will too.”
“Thank you.” Ahri glanced at him, her eyes glistening.
Rafe wished he could do more for her.
5
KAYN WAS WAITING AT THE airport when they landed. Rafe watched as Ahri ran from the plane and leaped into her brother’s arms. He glanced at Rafe and mouthedthank youbefore grabbing the handle of her large suitcase. She carried the glass carrier for her mother’s doll, and they went to his car, both talking at once.
“I’ve got my team working on this,” Bill said, stepping beside him. “How deeply do you want us to dig?”
“As deep as you have to.” Rafe rubbed at the tight muscles in his neck. “If it’s really ugly, we may want to let Kayn break it to her.”
“You don’t think it’s going to end well.” It wasn’t a question.
“No, I don’t.”
“I think she’s stronger than you’re giving her credit for.” Bill clapped Rafe on the back. “And I think she may be angry if she finds out you’ve kept information from her.”
“That’s why I’ll leave it up to Kayn.” Rafe didn’t know what to think—or feel—about Ahri Meisner. She was already taking up way too much of his brain capacity at the moment. He had work to do, and he didn’t need the distraction.
“Well, I’m going to take my wife to dinner. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Bill.”
Rafe glanced after Ahri one last time before heading to the car waiting for him.
After an afternoon spentin meetings where Rafe’s mind was distracted by thoughts of Ahri, he was glad to leave work behind and drive to his mother’s house. His shoulders relaxed as the blossoming trees sped past. His favorite seasons were spring and fall.
The old bed-and-breakfast had belonged to his grandmother, who’d left it to his mother. His wheelchair-bound father was supposed to have helped run it, but all he’d managed to do was to complain about everything, especially about his “loser” wife and son.
Rafe took a deep breath to calm himself. Thoughts of his father never failed to rile him. For years his mother had tried to convince Rafe that his father used to be a different man, that two car accidents, one including a serious head injury, had changed the man’s personality. A selfish, verbally abusive man was all Rafe remembered. He would never understand why his mother had stayed with him if he’d turned into such a different person than the man she’d married. For Rafe, his father being trapped in a wheelchair had never been reason enough for her to stay.
An image of Ahri talking about Zed last night floated into Rafe’s mind. She hadn’t flinched one bit when she’d said she was going to divorce her husband. She was a feisty one. If things had been bad between them for a year, Rafe was surprised she’d stayed so long. Maybe she was more like his mother than he was giving Ahri credit for. The B&B might be just the place for her to pull her life together.
“Rafe! Rafe!” His five-year-old sister Lessa came running downthe wide porch steps as he drove up to the house. He hit his brakes and shot her a disapproving frown. She pulled to a stop, looking appropriately abashed.
“You know better than to come running at a moving car like that,” he said out his open window. “What would Ma say if she’d seen you?”
“Ididsee her.” His mother scooped up the child, gave her a quick hug, and then a stern look.
“Sorry, Ma.” Lessa’s bottom lip trembled like she was going to cry.
“Go tell your daddy that Rafe is here.” Francie set her down, and the little girl ran back up the steps.
“Hey, Ma.” Rafe pulled her into a hug, loving how she smelled—like the fresh outdoors and delicious food coming out of the oven.
“Let me look at you.” She pulled back and searched his face. “That job is making you old.”
“What? Do I have gray hair?” He bent to search his reflection in his side mirror, fighting back a smile.
“Oh, stop teasing me.” Francie slid her arm through his, and they headed toward the house. “Please tell me you’re dating someone. You need to have a life, you know.”
“REKD Gamingismy life right now.” And the company wouldn’t desert him.
“Honey, it shouldn’t be. Are you going to turn into a young Boomer, married only to your job?”
Rafe’s thoughts flashed to Ahri. Startled and confused at the mental leap, he didn’t know what to say, so he changed the subject.
