Travis's Gift (Riley's Pride #3)- Sandra R Neeley Page 0,76
days ago to keep Yvette from doing it. She’s stubborn,” he said, leaning over and making goofy eyes at her.
“I wanted it up!” Yvette said. “If you have a tree, it should be decorated,” she said.
“See? You get me,” Maia said.
“Absolutely,” Yvette agreed.
Lucas was facing the windows and noticed headlights coming down the drive. “Who’s that?” Lucas said, getting to his feet.
“Everybody’s here already,” Yvette said.
“Not everybody,” Lazarus said. “I told Alex about it. It’s probably her.”
“Oh, yeah! That’s gotta be who it is,” Maia said. “I invited her, too. I was hoping she would be able to make it.”
A little while later there was a knock at the door, and Lazarus got up to answer it. He wore a huge smile when he opened the door, prepared to hug her and invite her in. But, his smile fell when it wasn’t Alex. “Can I help you?” he asked.
Riley realized this wasn’t Alex and stepped away from the tree to go to the door. “Hi,” he said. “I’m Riley Colter. Can I help you?” he asked.
“Hello. My name is Sherry Autry. I’m looking for Mr. Roman Lyakhov.”
Roman sat on the floor with a popcorn strand wrapped around his shoulders as he patiently threaded the popcorn with a needle and thread to make a strand to hang on the tree. He had Sebastian sitting beside him, and thanks to Cristie had two Christmas ornaments hanging from his long, black, curly hair.
Roman looked up at the sound of his name.
“Is there some kind of trouble?” Riley asked.
“Oh, no sir. Not at all. I have a message from a friend of his.”
“Come in, then. Excuse the mess, we’re having a family Christmas tree decorating party,” Riley said.
Roman watched as the tall, attractive woman dressed in a woman’s power business suit stepped across the threshold into the house. She had a little girl with her. Roman caught a flash of red hair before the child ducked behind the woman.
“Roman,” Riley said, extending his hand to indicate the woman should walk with him into the living room, “This lady is here to see you.”
Ms. Autry parked her vehicle, and turned off the engine. “This is the address,” she said to the little girl sitting beside her.
“Don’t you think we maybe should have called?” the child asked.
“I’ve been calling, Darcie. There’s no answer, and the last time I tried I wasn’t even able to leave a voice mail because he hasn’t checked any of his voice mails. It’s going to be fine though. Your mom says she has no doubt that he’ll take care of you until she can join you.”
Darcie looked up at the house with so many Christmas decorations that she could barely see the house.
“Okay,” she said quietly.
“Come on. Worst case, you’ll come back with me, and we’ll figure out what to do next,” Ms. Autry said.
“I don’t want to go back to that place. There are mean kids there, and the grownups aren’t very nice.”
“I know, baby. Let’s see what happens, okay? Let’s go in.”
Ms. Autry got out and went around to the passenger side to help Darcie get out. She held her hand and together they walked up the front stairs and knocked on the front door.
When the front door opened, she asked for Roman and introduced herself. Another man came to the door to greet her, then invited her in. The minute she stepped inside and got a look at Roman, all concerns she may have had about leaving Darcie with him faded away. She looked at the very large man sitting on the floor surrounded by kids, and decorations, wearing a Christmas sweater, making a popcorn strand for the tree with Christmas ornaments decorating his hair, and knew, this was the right place for Darcie.
“Hi,” she said. “I’m Sherry Autry. I’m sorry to interrupt the festivities, but I’ve come from Ohio to speak with you. I’d appreciate it if you could give me a few minutes.”
“Sure,” Roman said, setting the bowl of popcorn aside and getting to his feet. As he stood up, Darcie stepped from behind Ms. Autry and Roman recognized her instantly.
“Darcie!” he said, rushing to get to her. “What are you doing here? Where’s your mom?” he asked, scooping the little girl up into his arms, and racing to the front door to yank it open and look outside.
He turned to the woman that had brought Darcie with her. “Where’s Talie? What’s going on?” he asked.
“Is there somewhere private we can speak?” she asked.