Page 49 of Giddy-Up
Whatever it was, air was still struggling to flow from her lungs to her throat as she took her seat at the table.Next to Wade.His hand sliding straight to her thigh, where his palm lightly brushed over her in a soothing motion.Just that small gesture managed to ease some of the tension that had been enough to snap her spine straight.
The awkward silence lingered well into their lunch.It was only after Riley had finished her mashed potatoes that her dad spoke again.
“So, Wade, have you ever been married?”
What kind of question was that?
“No, sir.”Wade didn’t look the slightest bit bothered as he continued to pile chicken fried steak onto his fork.
“Any kids?”
Seriously?
“No, sir.”Again, Wade shrugged off the question.
Her dad hummed to himself before adding, “And why is that do you think?I mean, you must be, what, mid-thirties, right?Most men your age are married by now, starting families.”
Oh my God.I can’t believe this is happening.
She didn’t know what had come over her father.She’d never seen him act so rudely.Or spoken to anyone the way he was speaking to Wade.Not that she’d ever brought a man home before for him to interrogate.Or anyone for that matter.
“I guess I just hadn’t met the right woman yet, sir.”Wade twisted to look at Riley, dimples making it impossible for her not to return his sweet smile.“I certainly hadn’t paid Silver Valley a visit.”
Riley’s chest squeezed.A week without seeing him had given her plenty of time to overthink their relationship.And second guess if he really had been too busy with work to make time to see her.Really, she had no reason to doubt him, especially as she stared into aqua eyes and saw nothing but sincerity staring back at her.
“So, you think my daughter’s the one for you, is that it?”her dad haughtily replied.
That was enough.No more.She found her voice.
“Stop,” the command was as forceful as she could manage.“Leave him alone.”Deep breaths, you can do this.“I didn’t bring Wade here to be spoken to like this.”
“Why did you bring him here?”Her mother was the one to respond to her shaky outburst.
Oh, I don’t know, maybe because normal parents want to get to know their daughter’s boyfriend.Are happy that their child is happy.And maybe, just maybe, don’t treat new people with visible disdain.
Of course she didn’t say that.She didn’t say anything.As quickly as her confidence had come, it disappeared just as fast at the sight of her mom’s narrowed gaze.
Wade didn’t leave her hanging though.His hand on her thigh squeezed.“I wanted to meet you,” he announced.“I know it’s not been long since Riley and I met, but I care a great deal about her.”Her attention went to his perfectly chiselled jaw as he spoke.Goddamn he was fine.And he wantedher.Was going head-to-head with her parents forherafter only four dates.How?Why?“I only expect my feelings for her to grow.”Sweet mother of maple syrup.“Which means it’s only right I meet her parents.”
She had no doubt her parents were frowning.Eying Wade with open hostility.But she didn’t care.Everything they’d thrown at him.All the damn questions.The lack of basic manners.Wade hadn’t even flinched.Not only that, but every answer he’d calmly given only made her fall for him harder.It was that reason that she did what she did next.
Bringing her hand up, she let her knuckles drag over his stubble until he turned to face her.Slowly lifting her butt from the velour seat, she lay a soft kiss on his lips.It was short and sweet.Before pulling back, she whispered, “Thank you.”
His gaze remained locked on her as the room around them blurred.And when his chin dipped and callused fingers skimmed her cheek, she knew she no longer cared about her parent’s approval.When their lips met again, the kiss he gave her was claiming.Firm and fierce.And more than enough to make her pulse pound.
Her eyes were still glazed as Wade drew back.Faintly she heard her father grumble, but it wasn’t enough to garner her attention.Not when the man next to her was looking at her with fire in his eyes.
It was time to go.No matter how much time they stayed, her parents had already proved they didn’t care to get to know Wade.Or welcome him into their home.
Managing to find her voice for the second time today, she rose from her seat.Standing tall as she flicked her head in the direction of her mother and father who were now gawking at her.
“Mom, Dad, thank you for lunch.We’re going to get going now.It’s a long drive back to Woodvalley and we have dinner plans that we really can’t miss.”
It wasn’t that long a drive.They would be back in two hours tops.But that wasn’t the point.The point was, she was done.She’d moved out.And she didn’t have to deal with any of this anymore.
Wade stood next, taking her hand in his as he too turned toward her parents.“Mr Clark.”He nodded.“Mrs Clark.”Another nod.“It was a pleasure to meet you.Thank you for such a lovely lunch.”
Before they had a chance to reply, Wade was whisking Riley away, through the door and down the hallway.It seemed she wasn’t the only one in a hurry to leave.
