The Staying Kind (19 page)

“I kept to myself as much as possible,” she explained. “The less friends I made, the better. That way I didn’t fall in with the bad ones, and I didn’t become attached to the nice ones. Helped me out on all fronts.”

“Why? Why didn’t you ever want to settle down? Did you think your mom would find you?”

“God, no.” Rio waved her hand dismissively. “I’m not saying she wouldn’t ruin things for me out of spite, but if I was in, say, Virginia or someplace far away, I don’t think she’d have made the effort. I didn’t want to be disappointed, or let anyone down. I was really wary of good things.”

“Yet you changed your mind when you came here.”

Rio chuckled. “Sadie is very highhanded. She makes a compelling argument for staying. And I love what I’ve been doing. I didn’t think I’d care about horses like I do. I wasn’t one of those horse-crazy girls growing up. Words can’t describe what it feels like to ride Dante. It’s a definite high.” Her enthusiasm made her radiant, as if a fire glowed within.

“I think you found your niche.”

“I never guessed it would be on the back of a horse or at the end of a shovel. I don’t think I want to do anything else. I could stay here forever.” Her eyes, such a soft green, darkened as they locked with his.

And his heart started to pound.

There were implications to that word
forever
. It meant he wouldn’t wonder from one day to the next if she’d be here or take to the road again.

Sure, she’d settled in, complete with a phone and new sheets and blankets for the bed, but she’d been a wanderer for too many years. He hoped she wouldn’t use the word “forever” unless she meant it.

“You’d make Sadie a very happy woman,” he finally replied.

“She told me she intends on hiring me as barn manager,” Rio admitted. “I feel like I haven’t done anything to deserve this. She’s making it too easy for me.”

Travis laughed. “No, I’ve seen what you’ve accomplished and I know it’s not easy. You’ve impressed her, and that’s not too easy to do, either.”

“She puts too much stock in me,” Rio murmured as she broke from his gaze. Idly, she pushed the last piece of sesame chicken around her plate.

“You don’t put enough stock in yourself.”

With a slight shake of her head, Rio stood quickly and grabbed her plate, then his. Obviously, she didn’t want to give herself any kudos. It could very well be fear holding her in check. He stood as well, gathered the remains of their dinner, and followed her into the kitchen. “Rio.”

She stopped at the sink, her back to him, silent.

“Rio, look at me.”

Slowly she turned to face him. For a full minute he didn’t speak, just took her in. A mixture of innocence and sensuality. The hardness she used to have in those eyes had disappeared, giving way to trust and hope.

He wondered if she’d ever felt that way before in her entire life. Like she’d finally arrived at a place where she fit in.

Gently, he tipped up her chin until her gaze met his. She held it steadily.

“You are an incredibly strong woman,” he said softly, his thumb caressing the smooth skin of her jaw. “Most in your place would’ve been lost years ago, would’ve surrendered to life on the streets. You didn’t. You stood up to it and didn’t let it beat you. You should be proud of yourself. My aunt wouldn’t offer you these opportunities if she didn’t think you deserved it, and that’s a fact.”

“She likes picking up strays. Hard luck cases,” Rio mumbled in denial. At least she wasn’t trying to escape.

“Sure she does. It’s who she is. You’re not one of those strays anymore, are you?”

Rio dropped her gaze. “I guess not.”

“Then relax and see your worth. To her, to the horses.” He lifted her chin, and lowered his mouth to hers in one tender kiss. “To me. I love you, Rio.”

There, he said it. He hadn’t planned to say it—he could hardly believe how easily it came out—yet he meant it.

A thick tear glistened, then broke free and trickled down her cheek. He caught it with his thumb and swept it away.

Rio pressed her face to his chest and wrapped her arms around him. She didn’t—or maybe she couldn’t—reply. Suddenly her entire body began to wrack with sobs. No sound came from her, only the shuddering of her body against his as she released emotions she must have held inside for so many years. He could feel the hot wetness on his shirt.

In one swift motion, he lifted her into his arms, carried her to her bedroom, and settled them both on the bed with no intention other than to let her cry this out of her system. Wave after wave swept through her. He didn’t try to stop it. Instead, he let it go on, whispering sweet words into her ear.

In time, he felt her body relax in his arms, her jagged breathing smoothing out. Travis studied her face and realized she’d fallen asleep. He carefully wiped away the tears that clung to her cheek, and untangled his arms from around her. Without waking her, he managed to ease her under the covers before putting everything away in the kitchen.

After switching off the lights, he returned to her bedroom, undressed, and slid under the covers, pulling her into his arms.

Sleep came easily, but sometime in the darkness, they both woke and made love with slow, burning passion. Now she knew how he felt, because he whispered it over and over, punctuating each with a kiss.

With softness and fire, she enveloped his senses. He could never get enough of her, and even after they had taken each other to ecstasy—and she fell asleep in his arms—he wanted her again.

Wanted her forever.

Chapter 18

The crowds were almost too much for Rio. Once, three years ago, she’d worked at a chicken joint at an Atlanta mall. Being behind the counter was slightly different than swimming amongst the sea of shoppers.

Travis must’ve sensed her discomfort, because he held tightly to her hand while they made their way toward a Hollister store. In her other hand she gripped three large bags. Now she was in search of something for Jessa.

“I feel like I’m swimming,” she muttered as they edged past a large group of teenagers who were gathered around a kiosk.

“Some people thrive on this,” Travis replied. He refused to release her hand. “I question their sanity.”

Rio laughed, then sighed when they entered the store, disappointed to find it as crowded as the rest of the mall. “Okay, too many choices. Maybe a salesperson could help me.”

They found a surfer-looking salesclerk who seemed to know his fashion. His long, sandy blond hair and lazy smile fit right in with the clothes he sold. He cheerfully helped them choose a long sleeved t-shirt and sweatshirt, then cashed them out. Travis guided her back into the heavy flow of shoppers and mall rats.

“Wow, that was fast,” Rio stated with a chuckle. “He’s excellent at what he does.”

“Parting people from their money? You didn’t have to be so generous, sweetheart.”

Rio glanced at him and smiled. “I don’t mind. Jessa talks about that store all the time. Girls love their fashion. Glad to help out.”

“Yes, some things never change. Why don’t we stop for lunch? We need a break from this crowd.”

Instead of eating at one of the food court restaurants, Travis led her to the very end of the food area to a slightly more upscale, sit-down restaurant. While not exactly empty, it was much quieter than the throng they left behind.

After a fifteen-minute wait, the hostess brought them to a booth. Rio gratefully slid into a seat, piling her bags next to her. She examined her hoard. “Except for the trip your aunt brought me on, I’ve never shopped for so much stuff. I think I’m done. Except for yours.” She shot him a grin.

Travis gathered her hands in his. “You don’t have to buy me anything.”

“Sure I do. I just haven’t figured out what yet.”

“The only thing I want is you.” His voice was low, rough, totally sexy. It sent thrills running through her body.

How could she go from never trusting another human being, to wanting to put her very life into this man’s hands? She must be crazy, but the look in his eyes told her it was completely safe. Security, the kind she didn’t believe was possible, lingered in his gaze and in the way his hands held hers.

He loved her. He’d made it perfectly clear and she believed him. Rio loved him too, if not more. She knew he wanted to hear her say those words. She wasn’t ready yet.
Soon
.

After ordering their lunch, they settled into easy conversation about the horseback riding and Sadie’s plans for the spring, including the first show of the season, scheduled for early May in Connecticut.

“I’m nervous already,” Rio admitted. “I have a whole winter in front of me. What if I bomb? The last thing I want to do is let Sadie down.”

“Come on, you’ll be fine. Sadie will have you prepped within an inch of your life.”

“What if I can’t remember the course and completely screw up? There’s so much room for error.”

Travis placed his finger over her lips to stop her from saying more. Rio grinned against the slight pressure.

A moment later, she caught a glimpse of a tall blonde striding toward them, her narrowed eyes locked on their table.

And Rio knew trouble was coming.

She leaned back and kept her attention focused on the glass of soda in front of her, hoping the woman would pass them by. And expecting the worst.

“Well, isn’t this cozy,” the woman said icily, shooting a glare over Rio before setting her attention fully on Travis. “Where’s Jessa?”

Obviously Travis hadn’t been expecting this woman to show up at the mall. His surprise changed to annoyance. His jaw tightened for a moment. “With Sadie up in Maine for the weekend. Family tradition.”

The intruder shot Rio another ice-hot glare. “Pretty convenient for you two, isn’t it? I assume this is your little vagrant.”

Rio’s mouth dropped wide open. Did this woman just call her a
vagrant
? Okay, maybe the name fit, yet the derision accompanying it made her want to either crawl under the table in shame or leap up and wrap the woman’s beautiful, long blond hair around her elegant neck in a stranglehold.

She met the woman’s gaze with her own fury.

“Rio,” Travis stated. “Her name is Rio and you’re interrupting our lunch. Sadie and Jessa have been doing this trip for years now.”

Rio glanced at Travis. She refused to join this conversation, despite the insults, despite the way the woman flicked scornful eyes over her, before centering her attention on Travis.

“Rio. What an odd name. I wonder what her real name is. Never mind about her.” The woman’s expression transformed from aversion to almost friendly. “I’m actually glad we bumped into each other. I’m heading home tomorrow and I planned to call you. I’d like Jessa to come visit me over Christmas. Mother is flying out so Jessa could go with her, stay for a week. I think that would be appropriate.”

Anger seemed to simmer off Travis. Oh, he reined it in well, though his fists clenched into tight balls on the table, and the vein in his temple stood out.

Yet when he spoke, he did so quietly. “There is nothing in our agreement about Jessa spending holidays with you, unless you’re visiting your mother. If you think I’ll let her fly off God knows where for a week, then you have another think coming.”

“Oh come now, Trav,” she said in a soothing voice. “I think you can trust me.”

“You had one dinner with her. Hardly enough to build trust on, Laura. I said no.”

Rio watched the wheels spin in Laura’s head, maybe calculating how she could make Travis change his mind. Had his ex-wife always been this way? How could Travis have fallen for a woman like that?

In an instant Laura’s gaze hardened and the smile on her lips faded. She glanced briefly at Rio, the derision plain. “Well, I guess we’ll see about that, won’t we? I’ll be in touch, Travis. Real soon, so we can make arrangements for Jessa.”

Before Travis could reply, Laura strode away, her back straight and her walk full of confidence.

Rio didn’t think she could dislike someone more. “That was fun.”

Travis continued to stare at Laura until she disappeared into the crowd. “She thinks whatever she wants will fall at her feet. I’d bet she’ll find Jessa to be a hard sell.”

“You’re not going to let her take Jessa, are you?”

“That’s the last thing I want to do. I don’t trust her or her husband, and I don’t trust her mother much more. Still, I think I should leave it up to Jessa.”

Rio nodded. She sure wasn’t in a position to offer advice. Her own family life couldn’t be more screwed up and her being with Travis had already began to mess with his.

A new kind of hurt nibbled at her gut. This was why she didn’t want to become involved. Involvement brought pain. She studied Travis, her brows furrowed, and bit her lip.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” He gathered her hands in his.

Need nearly pushed the hurt away. Instead, as the two mingled, it made things a hundred times worse. She should’ve pulled her hands away, but longed for all the contact he could give her, afraid each touch would be the last.

Knowing full well he wouldn’t believe her, she simply replied, “It’s nothing. I wish things could be easy. For everyone. I think I’m ready to go home now.”

Travis didn’t say anything. Just nodded, gave her hands a squeeze, and summoned the waitress for the bill.

Frigid air, thick with moisture, hung outside the mall. Snow was sure to come soon, and she wanted to be home before it started to fall.

She didn’t speak while they walked to the car. Holding Travis’s hand, Rio desperately clung to these last moments of companionship. Their relationship would have to be put aside, at least for now. For his and Jessa’s sake. They needed to sort things out between themselves as well as with Laura and her mother.

They rode in silence until they left the city and traveled on the quieter roads. Darkness began to steal the day, leaving gloom that matched the heaviness inside her.

“Please don’t let Laura scare you.” Travis’s voice cut through the silence.

Rio continued to stare out the window at the unending gray landscape.
Easier said than done
. People like Laura would always be able to slice through her confidence—her fragile new happiness—and put her in her place.

She lifted her chin and finally answered him. “I’ve met far worse over the years.”

She felt Travis glance at her. “I’m sure you have.” He caught hold of her hand again. “Don’t let this affect how we feel about each other. She’s a bitch and she’ll do whatever she can to hurt people she doesn’t care for—and a few she does care about. I’ll be damned if she’ll ruin our lives.”

Rio appreciated the warmth of his palm against hers, the strength of his fingers. But she couldn’t shake the feeling she hovered on the brink of something disastrous. And the last thing she wanted was to cause Travis and Jessa any heartache.

“Do you think she’ll fight you for custody?”

Travis was silent for a moment. “Yes, I think she will. Or her mother.”

Rio sighed and pulled her hand away from his, pressing it into her lap. “Then we should probably cool things off between us. At least for now, until you iron out your issues with your ex and her mother. And I get my issues straight.”

“Rio—”

“No, don’t. Admit I’m right.” Rio pulled in a deep breath and released it slowly. Why did it seem like her heart was breaking? She silently cursed herself. This was exactly the reason why she didn’t want to fall in love. Love didn’t work for people like her. She should’ve seen heartache coming like a freight train right at her.

“I love you. You know that, right?” Travis’s voice was low and caressing. He knew how to use it to soothe her frayed nerves. This time it ripped at her heart more.

Rio didn’t reply right away. But she knew. She could tell with every look he gave her, every touch, every kiss, which made it so much harder to step away.

“I love you too,” she whispered, longing to take his hand again, longing for any contact with him at all.

“Then let’s give ourselves this last weekend. Please, sweetheart, there’s nothing Laura or her mother can do to us over the next twenty-four hours.”

“We’ll hold off on us until we’ve dealt with our other problems?”

“Yes. And if there’s anything I can do to help you with your brother, ask.”

A knot of another kind formed in her belly and Rio pressed at it to keep it from climbing up toward her throat. Storm presented a whole entire set of new problems, sending her heart and head reeling. This was another situation that couldn’t be put off. “A ride to the bus station in Keene.”

“I’ll do you one better. I’ll drive you down to Springfield.”

His offer eased some of the trepidation radiating through her. Having him with her would make this a world easier, though it was still her battle to fight, a battle so intensely personal she didn’t think she wanted anyone else involved.

“You don’t have to.”

“Yeah, I do. I’m not going to put you on a bus and send you off to God knows what, Rio. You’ll need moral support. You have no idea what you’re walking into.”

Rio laughed uneasily. “I really don’t think Storm would hurt me.”

“Probably not, but why risk it? You haven’t seen him since he was ten. Look what he’s been through. You don’t know him at all.”

He was right even though she didn’t think her brother would harm her. Yet how could she be certain? “Fine. But I have to meet him alone. You are somewhat intimidating, Mr. Lithgow.”

“Me? I promise not to wear my uniform.”

Rio chuckled. “Actually you’re incredibly sexy in the uniform.”

Travis brought her hand up and pressed a kiss to it. “Good thing we’re almost home,” he said, his voice low and enticing.