her, but she scooted over reluctantly.
Something flashed in his eyes — triumph, maybe — at her movement. “Where’s Cavanagh?”
Riley didn’t want him to know Adam was far away.
“Texas,” supplied Dakota. “It was a friend’s funeral, wasn’t it, Riley?”
“Yes.”
Scotty sidled closer on the bench seat. “How long is he gone for?”
“He’ll be back tomorrow. That’s how I got to borrow Riley for overnight.”
“Is that so?” It might be his sister that answered every question, but his gaze was all for Riley.
Her chin came up and she placed both hands flat on the table. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten Adam and I are engaged?” Her diamond gleamed in the light above the booth.
“Are you now?” A glint of amusement shone in his eyes.
“Definitely. We’re planning a spring wedding.”
Dakota squealed. “Have you set a date yet?”
“Not yet.”
“I hope I get an invitation.” Scotty’s voice was low and intimate. “After all, I believe I had something to do with this... incident.”
Riley’s gaze flew to his mocking face. How much had he guessed? Because the only proof she had was a diamond ring and the fact she’d lived at Rockstead ever since that night.
He winked at her.
Her gut quaked. Maybe chicken-fried steak wasn’t the best idea, after all.
Scotty waved down a server and ordered a large coke and a double bacon cheeseburger with fries.
Riley could endure this if she had to, and she wasn’t going to let him know how much he rattled her. That meant she’d have to make major inroads on her dinner. Somehow she’d survive the Golden Grill. Scotty’d better not insert himself into Dakota’s townhouse afterward. She’d put her foot down at that, for sure.
A group of people entered the diner, laughing and talking as the host led them to the table next to where Riley sat with the Ericksons. A burly man lifted a furry coat from the shoulders of an older woman, and Riley froze in recognition.
Mrs. McDiarmid’s eyes met Riley’s. Then the church secretary’s gaze took in Dakota, Toby, and Scotty, and her eyebrows lifted slightly.
Scotty’s proximity did not look good. It didn’t take a genius to figure that out.
The couple with their backs to the booth glanced behind them. Pastor Marshall Smith and his wife.
Riley smiled and waved before turning to Toby. “What’s your favorite movie?” she asked the little guy.
Dakota groaned as Toby’s eyes lit up.
Chapter Eighteen
“Didja miss me?” Adam tucked Riley close against him in the foyer to the main house. The past week had been surreal. All he wanted was to go back to the time before the trip to Texas, before running into Erickson at Running Creek, before fall had turned into winter. A doozy of a snowstorm had greeted him and Sawyer this afternoon upon their arrival at the Missoula airport and made his drive up the ranch road more than a little entertaining.
Emma giggled.
That’s what he got for finally catching up to Riley minutes after the dinner gong at five o’clock. At least she wouldn’t outright avoid him in front of his family. He lowered his head to kiss her.
Alexia laughed. “She missed you so much she went to Jewel Lake and spent the night with Dakota.”
Adam pulled back and looked into Riley’s guilty eyes. But why guilty? “You and Dakota are friends now?”
She averted her gaze. “Sort of.”
What were sort-of friends? Maybe he didn’t want to know.
“I had some Christmas shopping to do.” She still didn’t look at him.
Good thing he’d taken advantage of Sawyer’s lengthy perusal of the jewelry store to pick out a gift for Riley. They didn’t do much for Christmas around Rockstead — Declan figured the holiday was only a front for materialism and a way to shirk work — but Riley probably expected something, even though the undecorated house had likely muted any anticipation.
Just then Blake and Travis entered with Toby, who broke free and ran over to hug Riley’s leg. She grinned down at the little guy and squeezed his shoulder before he darted back to Travis’s side.
Huh. That was new. Toby rarely bothered with anyone at the ranch besides Emma and Alexia.
Travis narrowed his gaze and looked between Riley and Adam. Was Adam supposed to know what was going on? Because he didn’t.
“You guys coming in for dinner or what?” hollered Ryder from the dining room.
Adam rested his hand on the small of Riley’s back and escorted her to her place.
Another surprise. Mom sat at the foot of the table. She smiled between him and Riley. “Welcome home, son.”
“It’s good to be here.” He meant