Roman's Vow (Riley's Pride #4) - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,102

said. Just look at the letters beneath the digits on the keyboard and you’ll know which ones to hit.”

“Seriously?” she asked, laughing.

“What can I say? Riley’s a Van Halen fan,” Roman said. Roman started to pull through as the gates opened and he pointed out the diner again and then the end of the fence closest to the house. “There’s a gate there if you’re ever at the diner and want to walk over. You won’t have to go all the way back to the front of the road to use the front gate.”

“Okay,” she said.

Roman brought the SUV to a stop and turned off the engine. He could feel the excitement Talie was experiencing as she sat beside him and looked at the house they were about to enter. “Alright, this is it. Prepare yourself. Not only is Darcie waiting inside, but all my Pride is, too, except for Yvette and Richie, probably. To them you’re already family. They’re all going to welcome you like they’ve known you all their lives. That’s just how they are.”

“I can’t wait to meet them all. It’s been a long time since I had family to love.”

“Be careful what you wish for,” he chuckled, and opened the vehicle door. He walked around the front of the SUV, intending to open her door, but she got out and met him half way as she stood there, looking up at the house.

“I love this house, it’s beautiful. Very welcoming and warm. I love the old farmhouse style,” she said.

“Me, too. We spend a lot of time here. We’re all welcome to come over for breakfast or dinner whenever we want and we have a Sunday meal together every weekend. We swim out back in the summer and it’s just a great place to be,” Roman said.

“And a wonderful life to live,” Talie added.

“Exactly,” he said. He smiled down at her and leaned over kissing her lips quickly as he took her hand in his and together they started walking toward the house. They walked up on the porch, and she started to pause, but he just opened the door and walked in, leading her behind him.

“Hey! Look who’s home,” Riley called out.

“Hey!” Roman answered.

“Ya’ll come on in,” Riley said, waving them into the living room as he stood to greet them. Riley hugged Talie and kissed her cheek before hugging her tightly again. “Welcome home, Talie,” he said sincerely.

“Thank you,” Talie answered.

Then a big blonde man grabbed her and hugged her while lifting her off her feet. “Welcome, Talie. Congratulations getting married, mated and free.”

“Thank you,” Talie said, glancing at Roman.

“This is Lucas,” Roman said.

“Okay,” she said, “Hi Lucas, it’s very nice to meet you.”

“Hi, Talie,” Constance said, standing and walking over to hug Talie.”

“Constance!” Talie said as she rushed to hug the woman who’d been the go between to make sure she and Roman managed to stay in touch in the very beginning.

“Welcome, sweetheart,” Constance said.

“Thank you,” Talie answered, hugging her again.

“Maia’s in the kitchen with the girls and Sebastian is sleeping upstairs,” Riley said.

“Who is that I hear?” Maia called out from the kitchen.

“Roman’s home!” Riley answered.

“Daddy!!” Darcie screamed, then they could hear her running down the hallway toward the living room.

Roman reached out and turned Talie toward where Darcie would appear, then he and everyone else stepped back to allow Talie and Darcie their space.

Darcie’s strawberry blonde hair bounced into view as her stocking feet slid on the hardwood floor while she tried to slow down and make the turn into the living room. She was smiling brightly as her eyes searched for Roman, but that smile fell when she realized the person she saw first wasn’t Roman, but her mother.

Her lip trembled and she started crying as she ran into the room and launched herself at Talie. Talie knelt down and caught her, kneeling there and holding Darcie as tightly as she could without hurting her. “Mama!” she cried over and over and over again.

“I’m here,” Talie repeated, assuring Darcie that she was really there. “Shh, it’s okay. I’m home now. I’m never leaving you again. It’s okay.”

Maia and Constance were both crying. Riley was smiling while he watched the reunion. Lucas was blinking something fierce, trying to hold back his own tears. Cristie leaned against Maia’s leg and looked up at her.

“It’s okay, we’re just happy because Darcie’s mama is finally home,” Maia said, leaning over to pick Cristie up into her arms. “That’s Darcie’s mama. Uncle Roman went to