“Relax. I’m on it,” he promised in a whisper. And then he called out, “You and Dillon go on downstairs! I’ll be there in a minute.”
There was loud murmuring on the other side of the door, and then Shane shouted, “Okay, but don’t go back to sleep!”
“I won’t! Go. I’ll be down.”
Little feet padded off toward the stairs.
Riley brushed a curl of red hair out of her eyes. “You’d better get down there.”
“Like I said, I’m on it.” He planted a kiss on those sweet lips of hers, rolled out from under the pile of covers and reached for his jeans.
Downstairs, he told the boys that Dillon’s mom had decided to stay the night. Before Dillon could jump up and dart for the stairs, he added, “Give her a minute. I, uh, woke her up. She said she’d be down soon.” Then he set four boxes of cereal on the table and added, “Take your pick.”
They filled their bowls and hardly spilled any milk. By the time Riley appeared dressed in yesterday’s clothes, they were happily munching away on crunchy granola.
After breakfast, Josh convinced Riley to stick aroundfor a while. They went on a hike, the four of them with Roger herding them from behind. The trail Josh chose led up into the foothills. They returned by another path that ran along beside a clear, narrow stream. The boys surprised him. It was a two-hour hike, but they kept up and never once complained.
Back at the house, Riley said it was time for her and Dillon to go.
“What about lunch?” asked Josh, though it wasn’t even eleven yet. When she gave him that ultra-patient look from under her lashes, he said, “Hey. You have to eat…”
“Yeah, Mom,” Dillon agreed. “We got to eat.”
Riley sighed like they were pressuring her—which they were. But still, she was smiling and agreed to stay for lunch. By noon though, she was ready to go. Josh knew by that determined gleam in her eye that this time he wouldn’t be convincing her otherwise. He would have to settle for making sure he saw her again soon.
When Dillon and Shane went upstairs to straighten up Shane’s room and get Dillon’s pack, Josh made his move. “What are you doing Monday?” he asked as he moved in nice and close.
“Working, eight to four.”
“But Monday’s Memorial Day.”
“And the hotel will be open as always,” she reminded him rather sternly.
“Okay, then. But you just said you’re off at four.”
She arched an eyebrow at him. “And you ask this because?”
“Big cookout at the Rising Sun.” The Rising Sun Cattle Company had been in the Bravo family for generations. Josh’s dad, Cash, and Joe’s dad, Nate, each own a third of the Rising Sun. Their other partner was also a Bravo, Zach.Zach Bravo, his wife, Tess, and two of their grown children lived and worked on the Rising Sun.
“Is this an invitation?” Riley asked.
“Yes, it is. You and Dillon should come to the cookout. I’ll text you directions.”
“Please. Everyone in town knows how to get to the Rising Sun.”
“All right then. Just head on over after work. Invite Annette—Miles, too. There’ll be plenty of food. It’s going to be great.”
“Well, I would have to bringsomething…”
He took her hand. She let him—a very good sign. “That’s a yes, isn’t it?” He pulled her close and stole a kiss.
But then she backed away. She was blushing. He found that adorable. “I’ll need to check with Annette,” she said in a prim tone that made him want to kiss her again.
“Of course.”
“I’ll let you know by tomorrow.”
“Just go ahead and say yes now.” He lowered his head slowly enough that she had time to turn away.
