Marry Me for Real, Cowboy - Valerie Comer Page 0,13

check, and she’d be on her way. He’d miss her for a while the way a guy missed a good buddy. Nothing romantic involved.

He leaned forward. “Have you seen the doctor about your headaches, Mom?” Anything to keep the conversation focused elsewhere.

Mom closed her eyes for a brief moment. “No. They’re nothing painkillers can’t deal with.”

“But they come often.”

She chuckled softly, but her face was lined. “They do, but I can’t do anything to prevent them.”

“They’re because of Declan.”

Mom’s gaze sharpened on Adam’s face. “Speak respectfully.”

“Why should I? He doesn’t treat you that way.”

Riley’s fingers tightened in his, and Adam drew strength from her support.

“Son...”

“I’m going to ask him for the deed for Running Creek. I can’t stay living here when Riley and I are married. That would be no way to start our life together, under his thumb.”

She swallowed hard and looked down at Ezra for a moment. “It’s a beautiful place.”

Hopefully she was seeing happier memories in her mind’s eye. “Maybe you’d like to move down there with us.” He held his breath, searching her face.

“Oh, no. I couldn’t do that. Declan—”

“Mom. It’s not like you have a real marriage.” It was realer than anything he and Riley would have. Apparently there were assorted levels of phoniness. Who knew?

She shook her head. “I couldn’t.”

“We’d love to have you,” Riley offered softly.

Adam realized his thumb was stroking the back of her hand. She was crazy comforting. All a show, dude. Remember that.

“No...”

But his mother didn’t sound as convinced as a moment ago. “Maybe a full separation would remind Declan what he had within his grasp. He’s been too driven to see, and why should he change when his life is just fine? He got what he wanted when he married you — a second ranch, and someone to babysit his kids.”

“Adam, don’t.” Mom cradled her face between both hands now.

He gentled his tone. “You know it’s true. Please at least consider coming back to Running Creek with me and Riley. You and the girls. You can’t deny they’re just running wild here. Declan doesn’t even try to control them.” And didn’t make it easy for Mom to do so, either. But was she even up to it? She’d run herd on three boys by herself for a year. Right, and she’d decided the job was too great for a woman alone.

How much harder could two girls be? Adam had no idea. His life had been pumped full of testosterone, and he’d left Rockstead when his sisters were mere toddlers. He was pretty sure having the twins in the house would be a lot different than a doting girlfriend, which was all the experience he’d had. Still, he needed to try.

“I couldn’t take them from their father.”

She meant Declan wouldn’t allow it. And that might be true, but Adam was ready to go toe-to-toe with his stepfather. He needed to plan his course carefully, though. One step at a time. The right steps in the right order.

He nodded. “Promise me you’ll think about it.”

Mom shook her head.

But Adam knew he’d planted the seed. It would take root and grow a little before she decided either to nurture it or rip it out once and for all. “You look tired. I should let you get some sleep, and we can talk more another time.” Adam rose, pulling Riley up with him. “I need to get Ry settled in cabin three. We’ve had a long day, too.”

Mom looked between them. “Cabin three?”

“Oh, did I forget to tell you? She’s staying here for a while, so giving her her own space only makes sense.”

“What’s your job, Riley?”

Adam forced himself not to answer for her.

“I haven’t been assigned duties yet.”

Because Declan was going to pretend she didn’t exist for a few days before finding something conveniently unpleasant for her to do.

“And you, Adam?”

“Riding out in the morning with the guys, checking on the cattle in the east range. Should be back by the dinner bell.”

Mom focused back on Riley. “Maybe you can spend the day with me.”

“Um, that would be nice.” Riley’s words sounded cheery, but the way she clutched his hand said otherwise.

“You sure, honey?” Adam bumped her shoulder. “Don’t forget you’ve got that big project you needed to work on.”

Riley was pretty good at thinking on her feet. So far, she’d matched him toss for toss. She glanced up at him. “Oh, that. You’re right.” Then she turned to Mom. “I can spare a couple of hours, though. Would you prefer me