Page 275 of Love in Riverbend
I may not have been completely truthful with Devan and Justin, but the truth is that I wasn’t hired for the position I interviewed for. Telling them I didn’t get the job wasn’t a complete lie.
More time passes as I get a feel for what needs to be done to keep Justin and Devan in the black and our family farm out of auction. Back in the living room, I remember to add wood to the woodstove. Outside, the sky is dark. I could go into town and get dinner at the diner or go to my parents’ house, but after a day of staring at the computer screen, I’m okay with finding something to eat in their refrigerator. Hell, with the way Justin eats, there should be plenty of food.
Through the kitchen window, I see headlights coming down the lane.
Chapter 29
Marilyn
Driving to Riverbend via Bloomington isn’t exactly a direct route, but I made it. After a stop at the hospital to see both Justin and Devan, I’m now driving up the lane to their house. Devan told me that Ricky didn’t get the job at Parker and Stevens, and instead, he was going to work for Justin until Justin is well again.
Seeing the expression on Devan’s face and hearing her voice as she told me what a difference Ricky’s offer made to Justin, I didn’t have the heart to tell her that Ricky lied. Ricky was offered a job, better than the one he interviewed for.
I pull up next to Devan’s house like I’ve done all my life. The lights are on in the kitchen. There is something about it that fills me with contentment. Devan and Justin have changed it, but the house still holds the glow of the home it’s always been.
My overnight bag is in the back seat. Biting my lip, I debate whether to take it up to the house with me. I don’t want to assume that Ricky wants me to stay. Then again, it is the weekend, and last weekend, he stayed at my place.
Grabbing my purse and the overnight bag, I throw the straps over my shoulder and walk through the chill of the night up onto the back porch. Without knocking, I open the screen door and then the solid door.
“Hi,” I say, seeing Ricky sitting at the kitchen table. I begin to unbutton my coat.
Ricky inhales and stands. “You didn’t need to come back.”
“I wanted to for Devan…and you.” Setting the overnight bag on the floor, I dig into my purse. “I brought you your phone and charger. I stopped by your apartment this morning.”
His hair is standing up as if he’s been running his fingers through it, but it’s the tiredness in his eyes and the slowness in his step that catch my attention.
I lift the phone and charger toward him and tilt my head. “Are you okay?”
He comes closer, taking the phone. “Thank you. You didn’t need to do that.” The energy and vitality that differentiates Ricky are what is missing.
“I miss your text messages, and you can’t text without a phone.”
His forehead lowers. “Marilyn, I…” He inhales and runs his fingers through his hair before straightening his shoulders. “I’m going to move out of my apartment. I talked to Justin, and I’m going to do what I said.”
I swallow. “Devan told me about your offer to Justin. She said it means a lot.”
Ricky shrugs.
I take a step closer. “I brought my overnight bag. I didn’t want to assume, but you stayed at my place last weekend. And it’s not like we didn’t already christen their shower.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Don’t push me away, Ricky. We can make it through this.”
He turns a complete circle and faces me, his tone louder. “No. I made a move on you because I thought I could actually be someone…someone you would be proud to be with.”
My chest aches and my throat constricts. “You are.”
“I’m going backward, Marilyn.” His words grow louder. “I’m not going to pull you down with me.”
I raise my voice to match his. “You’re not going backward. You’re helping a friend.”
He lifts his arms and swings them from side to side. “I’m back in my childhood home.”
“Yes, you are. You’re here because you chose to be. That’s not backward.” When he doesn’t respond, I tilt my chin toward his phone. “There are calls on there from Mr. Stevens.”
“You snooped in my phone?”
