River on Fire (River's End #5) Page 3

  “Oh, my God, Mom, leave! I don’t need you hovering over me like some kind of babysitter.” Then the little wench dared to try and cuddle against his chest. Joey stepped to the side to avoid any contact with her slim body, not to mention, the way-too-obvious boobage she so happily enjoyed revealing to him.

  “Babysitting you? I am your mother. I’m only trying to keep you from ending up as jailbait. How did you even manage to get out of the cabin?”

  “If you don’t know, how did you manage to find me?”

  “Your brother saw you crossing the grounds. What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Something interesting.” She glanced up at Joey with her lashes caked in mascara and began fluttering them at him. “I’m trying to do something interesting. Not that your lame old ass would understand what that is like. No wonder Dad left you.” The last line was added as she tilted her face downwards, turning away from her mother.

  Joey gritted his teeth to restrain his first impulse, which was to yank the teen’s arms and shake her vehemently. Jack would have busted Joey’s jaw if he dared to talk to Lily like that at her age. Lily was technically his sister-in-law, but after his own mother died when he was five years old, Jack and Lily stepped in and became the only parents he actually remembered. Lily died when Joey was fifteen, so at age sixteen, he couldn’t even have yelled at her. However, if he, at any point, ever even attempted to talk like that to Lily, Jack would have done a lot more than simply stared open-mouthed in shock at his behavior. Joey knew he would have been promptly pushed into the wall behind him and verbally threatened within an inch of his life. Not that Jack ever actually hit him—well, there was the one time when they had a legitimate fistfight, but as a kid? Never! Rebellion and sassiness were forbidden; Jack would have never tolerated this vixen’s trash-talking mouth. Respect had been Rule Number One in the Codebook of Jack and Lily Rydell.

  Joey averted his gaze away from the screeching teen beside him and focused on the woman he saw in front of him. He held his hands up finally and said, “I didn’t know she was behind me.”

  Her smile was small, slight, and quick before it vanished. Dropping back into a scowl, she snuck a glance towards her daughter, who was now standing with her arms crossed under her chest, pushing up her ample cleavage, and looking ripe and ready to spill both of the plump globes into his line of vision. Darting his glance away, Joey thought, no. Just no! So wrong.

  “Brianna? Why don’t you go and unpack?”

  Brianna’s foul mouth opened to spew another retort and Joey sensed by the way she shifted her hip forward and scrunched up her face that she was about to lay into her mother again. She did not possess even a small dose of the respect Jack demanded of him at her age.

  “That would be best, Brianna,” Joey replied in a stern voice before growing silent and leaving no room for argument. He stared down at the familiar wood flooring, a dark, warm oak characterized by years of scratches and scrapes, his own included. He deliberately avoided giving Brianna even the barest hint of interest or encouragement.

  He sensed her stiffening stance of disdain before she whipped past both of them, her butt cheeks peeking out from the back end of her shorts as her jerky steps kept her rotating back and forth while nearly teetering over in her shoes. She appeared to be little more than an overgrown child, playing dress up in her mother’s clothes. And she wasn’t very good at it either, he wished he could tell her.

  Meanwhile, he lifted his gaze to her mother. She stared after her daughter, her heart literally breaking in her eyes as she chewed anxiously on her lower lip. Her eyes were filled with pain and she barely dropped her shoulders, trying hard to conceal any sign of distress or disappointment. Grasping a few strands of hair, she tucked them behind her ear and replied, “I’m sorry about this.” Her tone was nearly strangled and an instant rush of color filled her cheeks as she strained to keep her gaze far from his. She blamed herself for her daughter’s misbehavior. She obviously considered it all her fault.

  “I just had a discussion with a co-worker, and I turned to go to my office when I ran into her. I swear, she snuck up on me. I didn’t grab her. She—”

  Well, crap. He didn’t need to say, Your daughter grabbed me inappropriately.

  “I didn’t think you did. She’s been… acting out. Her father—”

  “Isn’t in the picture?” he supplied gently.

  Shaking her head, the mother’s blond hair swooped back and forth over her chin. “No.”

  “It’s a fairly recent event, I’m gathering.”

  “Recent? Yes.”

  “Just for the record, I am not going to encourage her. I’m not even looking at her. In fact, you might try and persuade her to re-think some of her outfits. We try to run a family-friendly business here…”

  She flinched. “Oh, God! Just what every mother wants to be told about her teenager. She won’t listen to me. She wasn’t always like this. I mean, the dressing and the acting out. She used to ask for my advice… and even liked me…” She trailed off, reflexively covering her mouth. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to go on about her like that.”

  Joey shrugged. “Are you trying to re-connect with her by any chance? Is that why you came here?”

  Dropping her hand from her face, she squeezed the muscles in the back of her neck while she nodded. “Yes. In fact, you’re very perceptive; or do you run into that kind of stuff a lot?”

  He smiled gently. “You’d be surprised at some of the situations we run into. People aren’t all that discreet, not as you’d expect. But it just seemed like the vibe that you two were giving off.”

  “Her father is getting remarried. We came here to escape it. So it’s a hard day for her…”

  And you? Judging by the lost, confused look on her face, it seemed to be an even harder day on Hailey. Joey felt a stab of compassion for her. “Doesn’t give your kid permission to get away with treating you like that. If I’d ever done that, my brother would have horse-whipped me, if not literally, at least figuratively.”

  The rosy blush deepened. “Again, she wasn’t always like that. She was usually polite and very respectful. She and her brother weren’t even invited to their father’s wedding and the new wife is barely half his age; it’s all so confusing.”

  For whom? For them or for her? Mrs. Starr looked as lost as a sad, little puppy, cowering in a shelter kennel, waiting eagerly for her true owner to rescue her.

  “Maybe you could take her rafting. Or horseback riding. Maybe even quad riding. Check out the horse show. Keep her so busy, she can’t dwell on her misery.” Hailey seemed to sense the need to keep herself busy too.

  “My son… he’d love all that.”

  “How old is he?”

  “Twelve.”

  “Well, I firmly suggest you keep them busy at all times so they can’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. Sometimes talking it out is overrated too. Sometimes just having fun can do much more to strengthen the family bonds, hell, as well as any other type of relationship. Maybe you need to share some pleasant experiences together before you know the right words to speak to each other.”

  Hailey finally tilted her head and met his gaze. “That’s kind of true. And profoundly wise. How would you know that?”

  “My brother and his wife raised me. She died when I was fifteen. Almost Brianna’s age. For all intents and purposes, she was my only mom until she disappeared from my life. There was no other woman to step up and replace her. I grew up fast consequently, and I vividly remember the silence and guilt and lack of fun. I was miserable inside the house. Maybe that applies here too.”

  Hailey seemed to seriously consider what he said. She nodded and touched a finger to her lower lip. “Yes, maybe so. That kind of makes sense. All the fighting and tension wears anyone out, but especially kids, since they didn’t always have to live with that. So… having fun. That might be a better starting point for us. Lord knows, nothing else I’ve tried has worked.”

  “So… what
do you want to try first?”

  “Rafting. Let’s do that. That way, I can’t chicken out.”

  He smiled. “I can book all three of you tomorrow. Say, around noon?”

  “Noon? Okay.” Her voice trembled.

  “Scared?”

  “I’ve never done anything like it before.”

  “Where’re you from?”

  “Just outside of Everett. Do you know it?”

  “Yeah, smaller than Seattle? Along Puget Sound?”

  Hailey nodded her head. “Yes. We live just south of there.”

  “Well, the river’s still got some snow melt, so it’s a pretty fun ride.”

  “Is it safe?” her voice nearly croaked.

  Joey smiled a cocksure grin, because he was so sure about his answer. “Yeah, as long as you go with the right guide.”

  Responding with a smile, her sad, worried look almost became a flirtatious grin as her eyebrows rose with excitement. “Let me guess… you?”

  He beamed like the Cheshire Cat. “Yup. It’s me, all right. I’m the best. I’ve been rafting this river since I was ten. Trust me.”

  She rolled her eyes, but her radiant smile was more genuine than it was when Brianna was around. “They’re my kids. I’m trusting you with my kids so I do have faith in you. Except maybe we should have someone else as their guide. You know, because of Brianna’s obvious… Well, her attraction to you.”

  “Oh, that. Don’t worry. It isn’t reciprocated and definitely won’t be encouraged. I give you my word on that, and anyway, there isn’t anyone else to guide them. I do all of these simply because I’m the best and I love it. We don’t risk anyone’s safety but there isn’t anyone else.”

  She nodded. “Okay, then, where do we meet you?”

  “Right here. I’ll have some paperwork for you to sign and we’ll go fit all three of you for helmets and life jackets.”

  Hailey blew out a slow breath. “Okay, then it’s a date—” She interrupted herself. “No, not a date. I’m not Brianna… I meant…”

  Joey laughed out loud. He appreciated Hailey’s humor in contrast to her daughter, who tried way too hard and came on way too strong. Joey didn’t prefer women like that anymore. Perhaps when he was sixteen, eighteen or even twenty he might have been grateful for Brianna’s eager approach, but not anymore. Way too obvious. Way too overbearing. And way too much.

  “Noon. Here. Don’t forget to bring your kids.”

  She bit her lip and a small smile brightened her face as she nodded before turning with a wave to leave. Joey entered his office finally. Inside was a desk, a computer, file cabinets, and magnificent views of the pasture, the grazing horses and the mountains. He preferred that view to the resort and all of the other obvious changes on the ranch.

  Sometimes he was glad to be there. He enjoyed his work, and the active livelihood it provided. But sometimes, with a deep aching in his chest, he missed the way it used to be: just the Rydell River Ranch. Although he voted in favor of all the changes they made, he just failed to realize how much he missed the original place until it was all over and done and much too late to reverse. The familiar haunts of his brothers. And his childhood home. Here he sat inside it, yet it felt like he was in a formal, foreign office building. It was not like when he and Ben and Charlie used to sit there every single night of their lives, reading, playing video games, watching TV or movies or making up new pastimes. He didn’t comprehend how much he loved living with his three brothers until it was over. Sure, at age twenty, he was eager to enlist in the Army. When he left, he was itching to see the world and find a new path, his own path, an original path that didn’t rely on or follow those of his brothers. At the time, the most important thing he wanted in life was to get the hell away from there. He had no idea what he was seeking, but only knew he had to leave there. And he did that.

  In his absence, Jack married Erin Poletti; Ian and his girlfriend moved across the state to live and work in downtown Seattle; and Shane got married and already had a baby. None of that was expected or predicted. Joey thought after he ended his career with the Army that his brothers would be right where he left them. Waiting. Living. Existing just as they’d been doing for the decade prior to his enlistment. He expected to be a complete family again. Although it wasn’t any traditional family unit—since there was no mother or father or doting grandparents. His three brothers and two nephews became his family unit. This family ranch was the setting for it all and this house was the safety net. When they first started the changes, Joey was still gone, yet he agreed to them automatically, not fully comprehending the stark difference that lay in store much less, how encompassing the remodel and expansion would be.

  Every time he visited home, it was slightly modified. First, Jack began dating, then Ian, then their land was being cleared, and little cabins were built, then Jack got married… and on and on the rapid succession of changes went. Subtle, yes, but nonetheless, drastic.

  And Joey was okay with everything until he decided to come back home to stay. He was tired of searching for his path in life, and grateful for all of his adventures, but now he was ready to come home. To his home. To live with his family and stay there.

  But as soon as he returned, they weren’t there any longer. The house he grew up in was empty. Each brother now lived in his own personal house, which they built by the river, and even Joey had one. But that was not a real home for Joey. Everything he so fondly remembered shifted and morphed while he was gone in the Army. He didn’t fully comprehend the extent of it until he came back. All the recent changes uprooted the previous life he remembered.

  Now, he had a whole new life. He had his own house, which most guys his age would have envied. It belonged solely to him, alone. He answered to no one, and continued to receive the unconditional love of his family, which he adored. He ran the resort, being his own boss, and answering only to Jack, and even that was sporadic.

  Joey spent his days doing anything from the necessary paperwork to managing the few employees hired for the upkeep, care, and service of the resort, to the fun, exciting things like river rafting with clients. It was a good set-up, but he still missed the old ways sometimes, along with the ceaseless comfort of knowing the ranch belonged just to them, their loyal fortress against the outside world. Now Erin and Allison and Kailynn had to be considered and taken into account when any decisions arose. It was fine with Joey, and he liked all three of them, but it was also different. It surprised Joey to realize how well Jack nearly kept him and his other two brothers so sheltered, almost in a time warp here for so many years. They handled everything without changing anything, and that was something that became engrained inside him. Joey hated change.

  Picking up the pen on his desk, Joey twirled it through his fingers while scouring the most recent invoices from the vendor for the café and another who supplied trinkets for the gift shop. Who knew Joey had a knack for that too? He managed it all flawlessly. His friendly personality allowed him to handle any conflict or unruly guests with an easy smile and courtesy that masked his stern strength. No one walked over Joey, although they might not realize it until after having a confrontation with him. In contrast, his three brothers would merely restate their demands or walk off. Unfortunately, they lacked any real skills in handling the guests or the staff.

  Joey had the whole resort under control, except when it came to horny, under-aged girl guests. Brianna was a new one for him. Sure, plenty of daughters, wives, and even a grandma (once) hit on him but rarely were they as persistent as Brianna Starr. In a matter of only four hours, the total length of time she was on the ranch, Brianna managed to display her fervid lust toward him in no uncertain terms. He was so tired of it.

  It all started when he was under the age of consent, in fact. Being the naïve recipient of inappropriate passes from women who were far too old for him, Joey was well-acquainted with the protocol. He was blessed (or cursed) with a face that women often compared to movie stars or models; and Joey exploited his u
ndeniable asset for years just to get laid. But now? He’d grown rather tired of it. A sense of boredom now accompanied such mindless activities. Sure, women, or in this case, girls, still thought he was red hot.

  Sex had all become so mechanical to him. His face was no longer an asset to him anymore. All it did was draw more women to him, yet not one of them ever meant anything special; likewise, neither did he mean anything to them. He worried that his personality was phony and shallow, as his handsome face easily seduced the wrong women who liked him for all the wrong reasons. His brothers spent the last decade of his life teasing him over how “pretty” he was. He used to laugh at it, enjoying all the attention he got from girls in high school and later, women after he entered the Army. But now, it didn’t seem quite so funny. In fact, it was annoying as hell, and even prevented people from taking him seriously. At twenty-six years old, he survived his four years in the military and finished with a respectable performance. He ran the entire resort and yet, he still felt like the pretty, little brother, the family joke, and an amusing novelty.

  Now, however, he wasn’t a joke anymore. He wasn’t irresponsible with women nor stupidly infatuated with them. He was smart enough to perform his job successfully without having to restrain any urge to flirt with women. Despite his best intentions, he often found strange women flirting with him during his most noble attempts at being professional; and all that did was further enhance his reputation with the ladies. Sure, he was a Rydell, and had the job because of his heritage and genes. But he could also do the job, and do it better than anyone else; at least, that’s what he truly believed. But why bother seeking perfection? Who the hell ever noticed? He mentally shook it off as he continued to wade through the basket of paperwork on his desk. At least Brianna’s mom didn’t seem overly interested in his fucking “pretty” face. She almost seemed to detest the way it caused her daughter to respond so fervently. She was the one reason he had to look forward to the next day; not the crazy-hot, young girl, but the mother who so desperately was trying to conceal her emotions as well as her reactions.