Touch by Touch (Riggins Brothers #4) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,61
hear about all the details,” Marshall whines. “She’s our sister, and yeah, no.” He shakes his head, and we all laugh.
“Oh, hush.” She waves him off. “I hope you enjoyed yourselves,” Lena tries again.
“It was everything we hoped it would be,” Aurora answers. She looks at Grant, and so much love passes between them in a single glance.
“Wonderful. Welcome home,” Stanley says.
Carter shoves a noodle into his mouth and giggles, capturing our attention. Owen and Layla praise him as conversations filter around the table. I keep to myself and focus on eating and ignoring Conrad.
“Aspen, how was the bakery this week? I was expecting a phone call,” Lena says.
“It was good. Busy, but the new help we hired is doing an outstanding job.”
“I was hoping to get some man time in with my boy Carter, but you never called,” Stanley says dramatically. “This one is a baby hog, so you calling her away would have given us some man time.”
“Stop.” Lena pushes at his arms, smiling warmly. “I’m glad you had a good week,” she tells me.
More conversation with great food and good company. My sister is beaming with happiness, and I’m thrilled for her that she has this new extended family who so graciously brought not only her but me into their fold.
“Well, boys, it’s time to get on the dishes,” Stanley says, after all of our plates have been cleared.
“I can help.” I stand, but Conrad does at the same time, placing his hand on mine.
“It’s fine, babe. We’ve got this. Go gossip with the rest of the women.” My breath hitches at the term of endearment.
“Hey!” Sawyer calls out. “We do not gossip.”
“Yeah, it’s called catching up,” Layla defends.
“Fine. Go catch up.” Conrad chuckles.
Nodding, I pull my hand from under his and follow my sister, and her new sisters-in-law, and mother-in-law into the living room. As soon as we’re seated, Sawyer surprises me.
“He’s been acting different,” she says.
“Who?” Aurora asks.
“Conrad.”
“I’ve noticed that too,” Lena agrees.
“Me too,” Layla announces.
All eyes turn to me. “I-I haven’t noticed.”
“He stayed home last night,” Lena tells them. “He called me around nine, and he was at home. It’s been that way for a couple of months now.”
All eyes turn to me. “What?”
“Well, you were with him for a few days up in the cabin. Did he say anything to you?” Lena asks.
I’m a terrible liar. Terrible as in I can’t do it. “We kissed,” I blurt and quickly cover my face. I cannot believe that I just told his mom that of all people.
His. Mom.
“I knew it!” Lena scoots to the edge of her seat. “I thought I saw some sparks between the two of you. Is he treating you good?” she asks.
I find my sister's eyes from across the room. “We’re uh… we’re not dating.”
“Well, why not?” she asks.
“Yeah, babe, why not?” I hear Conrad ask from behind me.
“Can we not do this right now?”
He sits on the floor in front of me, resting his back between my legs. His hand rests on my calf, and even through my leggings, the heat of his touch scorches my skin. “Take all the time you need,” he says once he’s settled.
“All the time she needs for what?” Stanley asks.
“I’m trying to convince Aspen to go out with me, Dad,” Conrad tells him. “She needs more time.”
“Make him work for it, sweetheart.” Stanley winks. “These boys need to know what it’s like to put in the work.”
“Hey, I put in work,” Royce objects.
“So did I,” Owen adds.
“I think we can all agree that I worked the hardest,” Grant chimes in.
“And you have wonderful wives because of it. If it’s not worth fighting for, it’s not worth it.”
“She’s worth it,” Conrad says. The conviction in his voice brings tears to my eyes.
“Enough of that,” Lena says. I have a feeling she can sense I’m on the verge of tears. “Sawyer, how have you been feeling?”
Conrad stays seated on the floor next to me, just as his brothers do with their wives the remainder of the night. And when I announce I need to head home, he’s on his feet, helping me into my coat and walking me to the door.
“Shit, I didn’t know it was snowing. I’ll follow you home,” he says as we make our way outside.
“I know how to drive in the snow.”
“I know, but I’d feel better if I drove you.”
“I can handle it.”
“Will you at least call me and let me know you made it home safely?”