Riley (The Kendall Family #3) (26 page)

Seeing Kris was okay, Jordan let go and raised herself out to stand erect, water pouring from her upper body down over her legs, soaking her. She brushed wet hair from her face, wincing about the pain in her fingers.

“Jesus,” said Kris, wiping water from her face and sending more sloshing over the edge to the ground.

“Are you okay?”

All the attitude seemed to have gone out of Kris, who felt the back of her head. With an unreadable expression, she glanced at Jordan, who was massaging the back of her hands. “Yeah. Think so. If you hadn’t…” She didn’t finish the thought.

Jordan noticed the silliness of Kris sitting in the water tub, like a wet dog, after having been so stern and commanding. She began to laugh. For a moment, the rider looked startled and offended, but then she started laughing, too. She got up with some effort, wringing water from her shirt.

“Well,” Kris began, “I guess you’re not so bad after all.”

“You have a way with glowing endorsements.”

“I practice a lot.”

They both laughed again and Jordan offered a hand to steady Kris as the latter got out of the tub. Jordan winced at the grip on her. Seeing that, Kris took both of her hands and examined them a moment, pursing her lips at the ripped skin.

She said, “Nothing broken at least.”

“Yeah. Just gonna be sore. I’ve felt worse.”

Kris gave her a look that Jordan interpreted as guilt for causing Jordan’s injury, but she didn’t say anything about that so much as seem somehow thankful and apologetic. And unsure what to say now. The horsewoman said, “I guess we should go change our clothes.”

“And find your horse.”

Kris glanced around, not seeing it anywhere, but it probably hadn’t gone far. “Yeah. Then maybe we should polish off a bottle of wine together. What do you think?”

Jordan beamed at her in such relief that the sniper felt faint. “Sounds perfect!” They started off together, and then she had an idea on realizing everyone there was dry, unlike them. “Would it be really mean if we lured them outside and then soaked them all with hoses?”

Briefly wide-eyed, Kris looked at her with a smirk that suggested everything would be okay in time.

* * *

The epic water fight lasted less than fifteen minutes and left everyone drenched but laughing, some of the tension with Jordan gone. Riley breathed a sigh of relief. He’d learned enough about her life to know she hadn’t been cut much slack in a decade. She badly needed a fresh start, one without a black cloud hanging over her head. He felt determined that her life would be this way from here forward, as long as she stayed with him.

It was on his mind as they walked back to his house, wet but not dripping anymore, their suitcases in hand. He opened the front door and ushered Jordan in, then put the bags on the hardwood floor.

“It feels good to be home,” he said, having not missed it so much before. A stack of mail sat on a foyer table and for the first time, he thought of grocery shopping and other things he’d need to do. That made him wonder what she’d like to stock the house with and a desire to make a new life together overcame him. He kissed her forehead. “Welcome home.”

Jordan leaned into him. “It doesn’t feel like mine yet. I’ve never come home with someone this way.”

“Yeah, me either. I like it.”

She put her arms around him. “Me, too. By the way, I meant to ask, who fired a rifle earlier?”

“Nick, the barn manager. Seems he was testing out a new one. We let him and friends of ours use the range. I guess he didn’t realize Kris was on a horse that isn’t used to that.”

“Good thing I was there. She would’ve cracked her head pretty good.”

“I told you things would work out.”

She ruefully observed, “Pure luck.”

“Maybe your luck is changing.”

“I know it is.” Jordan planted a deep kiss on him.

Riley decided to welcome her home the best way he knew how. He pulled away and without warning threw her over one shoulder as she laughed. He carried her toward the stairs and bedroom, just like the day they’d met. Maybe he’d even tie her up again. The thought made his cock stir, but he reacted more to the certainty that no tie could bind them like the bonds of love that were surging strong.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Amy Nedrow, Holly Goslin, Teresa Hull, and Nita Albert for their input.

Edited by Josephine Henke.

Cover design by Robin Ludwig Design Inc.,
http://www.gobookcoverdesign.com/

About The Author

Randi Everheart is an avid author of romance, due in no small part to being a diehard romantic. After all, Randi once wrote a song for the object of a crush and penned a fifty page love letter for another! The same spirit now flows into these stories—hopefully to win
your
heart!

Randi has a Bachelor’s of Music in classical guitar but has always been more of a rocker, having released several albums under another name. Tendonitis in both arms ended career plans in music, leading to a new career as a software developer. Today Randi co-owns a software consulting firm and lives in the Maryland suburbs north of D.C., is married, and loves spending time with son Ryan when not writing, playing guitar or golf, or writing smut.

Connect with me online

http://www.RandiEverheart.com

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Other Randi Everheart Books

THE KENDALL FAMILY SERIES

Beneath the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain, the Kendalls run a bed-and-breakfast, stables, and winery, but the simple rural life is anything but calm when love—find trouble—finds them.

Volume 1:
Tristan

Volume 2:
Connor

Volume 3:
Riley

Volume 4:
Kris

Volume 5:
Quinn

Volume 6:
Chloe