The Cowboy's Homecoming Surprise (Fly Creek) Read online

  “He had to get something. But he’ll be back soon.” Mel nodded and shifted a bit, a grimace spilling across her face.

  “Hold still, honey. I can help you.” Peyton adjusted the pillow and helped Mel slide a bit. “How are you feeling?”

  Mel gave her question thought and Peyton smiled. That was her Mel. The one who analyzed everything. “Good, I guess. A little groggy and my arm aches, but nothing like the pain from before.”

  “That’s good. I’m sure things will continue to get better.”

  “Mom?”

  Peyton tucked the sheet against her small daughter’s frame and met her gaze.

  “It wasn’t his fault.”

  “Shhh, honey. We don’t need to talk about it.”

  A small hand covered Peyton’s. “It was a skunk.”

  Peyton didn’t get a chance to question her daughter. At that moment the door opened and in walked Ryder, a small hat in his hands.

  “Daddy.”

  Ryder nodded to Peyton, careful to avoid touching her as he moved around the bed.

  “Hey, sweetheart. How we feeling?”

  “You got my hat.”

  “I told you I would.”

  Mel beamed at Ryder, and Peyton excused herself. Partly because it felt as if she was intruding on a special moment between father and daughter, and partly because she couldn’t handle the guilt eating away at her stomach.

  Ryder hadn’t left.

  He’d left to do something Mel had asked of him.

  And he hadn’t harmed her on purpose through neglect. She might not know the whole story, but it had been wrong to take her fears and concern and project them as hatred and blame toward him. She said she was done underestimating him and at the first chance to prove that true, she’d done the exact opposite. She’d taken their past and used it to form a wall of accusations.

  She found the little side room that held vending machines and ducked inside. She would give them their space and apologize later.

  …

  Ryder stepped out of Mel’s room and saw his father sat in a chair halfway down the hallway.

  No time like the present to move forward.

  “Dad.”

  Mitchum Marks looked up from his paper and immediately looked back down. Ryder smiled. It was exactly what he knew would happen, but for the first time the dismissal didn’t cut through to his heart.

  He could do this.

  He needed to do this.

  “Well, if you won’t talk, you can listen.”

  The papers shuffled, and his father’s gaze stayed firmly on the newsprint.

  “I don’t know what I did to create this divide. I’ve tried hard to even remember where it first came from. Where the first instance of your disappointment arose, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure it out.”

  Mitchum scuffed his boot on the linoleum but continued his silence.

  “But it doesn’t matter now. Ten years ago, I wanted to help you. To help figure out a way to save Sky Lake. I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful or blame you for anything we were facing as a business or as a family. Maybe I came across cocky or maybe I didn’t make myself clear enough, but the anger you threw back me. The hatred you’d been building over the years.” Ryder swallowed hard. “I didn’t deserve that.”

  Someone came around the corner and passed behind Ryder. His dad’s head followed the progress, then returned to the paper. A paper that wasn’t as steady as it had been before Ryder started talking.

  “I love you, Dad. Despite everything. Despite how poorly we both handled things over the past ten years, you are my father and I love you.”

  “And yet you came home to destroy me.” The paper landed on the chair beside Mitchum. “You brokered a back-alley deal and are going to take Sky Lake and destroy it. Sounds exactly like love.”

  “I’m not destroying Sky Lake. I’m enhancing it. Making it available to more people who can come and fall in love with it like we do. Like you do and Mel and Mom and Peyton.”

  “You came back to rub it in my face. My failure. That’s why you came back.”

  Ryder sat beside his father. His head dropping as his hands dangled between his knees. “Maybe. To some extent. But not to say you failed—to say that I didn’t. That I wasn’t unworthy. That I cared more than you ever realized. And that I wanted to help.”

  Mitchum snorted. “And you couldn’t have done everything openly and honestly.”

  “No. I couldn’t. You made it abundantly clear you thought me nothing more than a pile of horse dung on your boot. If I had called and offered to buy the lake property, you would have dug in your heels and refused and what would have happened then?”

  “I would have figured something out.”

  “So you would have let something happen to Sky Lake or sold the property to someone who might not have loved it the way I do, all because you thought me unworthy?” Ryder sat back and ran his hands through his hair. He knew better than to expect anything from his father and yet he’d hoped. Just the smallest bit. That his father would take part of the blame. He no longer needed his father’s approval.

  But it didn’t mean he didn’t want it.

  “I’m tired, Ryder. This is all a ploy. I see it and eventually so will everyone else. You’ll build your cabins and be gone. I’m counting down the days till your taillights are in the dust.”

  “Well, Dad, then you’re going to be disappointed in me again, because I’m not leaving Fly Creek.”

  Mitchum got up and walked away, leaving Ryder once again feeling nineteen years old and unloved. But he wasn’t unloved, was he? His mother cared for him. And his daughter. And he had more than enough love for them. He pushed up out of the chair and went off in the opposite direction. He would prove his father wrong again, because he wasn’t leaving Sky Lake.

  He’d come home to stay.

  …

  Ryder passed by the small vending area and Peyton fought to stand still and not go after him. She’d heard everything. Every apologetic and heartfelt word from him and every cold, immovable, awful response from Mitchum.

  He’d done it.

  He’d forgiven himself and taken his share of responsibility for the events over the years. She’d misjudged him. Placed blame on his shoulders that didn’t belong. And even now, when it appeared no one believed in him. That no one had faith in him, he’d remained the bigger man.

  Her breath caught in her throat as the love she’d so carefully locked away spilled over the bars and flowed through her veins. His actions spoke of a man focused on those around him and not himself.

  He was here.

  He wanted to be here. To build a life with Mel. In Sky Lake. He wasn’t going to turn tail and leave again. Just as he promised her that night. He wasn’t that boy that left all those years ago and she wasn’t that girl abandoned.

  She loved the man he was today. The man that took his pain and looked past it. Learned from it.

  She knew that, understood that at a level words would never be able to explain. Things couldn’t get any harder than they were at that moment and still he was here.

  But did he still love her? Could he look past the fact that she’d thrown his actions and faith and words back into his face? That she’d been blinded by her own struggles with forgiveness to recognize all he had to offer.

  She needed to talk to him. Not now. Not when his father’s words were so fresh and wounding. Mel was fine. She would be out by this evening. She would get her settled, ask Polly to keep an eye on her for a bit, and then she would track Ryder down and confess. Everything.

  She stepped through the little doorway and right into Mitchum. Arthritic hands gripped her shoulders, keeping her from stumbling back into the wall.

  “Sorry about that, Peyton. Not watching where I was going.”

  His hands fell away and she let her gaze roam his face. His expression was concerned and full of warmth. No remnant of the steel she’d heard only moments before.

  “Why do you hat
e him?”

  Mitchum’s gaze flew to her face, shock flooding those washed-out eyes. He knew exactly who she was talking about. And maybe it wasn’t her place or her battle, but she loved Ryder. She loved him so fiercely that she couldn’t stand by and let his Jekyll and Hyde father get away with everything.

  “Don’t tell me he has you fooled now, too.”

  “No. Mitchum. He hasn’t. I finally see the truth. My own ignorance and insecurities and resentment have been pulled away, and I recognize what he is and what he hopes to be.” She waited until he looked her square in the face. “Can you say the same?” She pushed past him and went down the hall into Mel’s room.

  Her daughter smiled from the hospital bed, so small in the swath of white sheets. But she was strong and healthy and would be fine. Her arm would heal, and she would be back to giving her a nervous breakdown in no time.

  “Is Dad still here?”

  Peyton placed the soda on the bedside table and smoothed a piece of hair off Mel’s forehead. “He had to run back to the ranch. Besides, you’re getting sprung in a little bit. I’m sure you’ll be seeing him soon.”

  “I know I’ve said this before, but it wasn’t his fault.”

  Peyton laughed. “I know, honey. You just make sure you tell him that a couple more times so maybe he can believe it, too.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Peyton tucked the quilt around Mel’s legs as Ryder fluffed the pillow. She hadn’t been surprised that he’d been waiting at her cabin to help get his daughter settled. Hovering as only a parent who blamed himself could. Peyton refrained from trying to reassure him and she and Mel had shared more than a few knowing glances as Ryder treated the young girl like she was three rather than ten.

  “Anything else, honey?” Ryder asked, shifting a pillow that had been shifted at least ten times.

  “Dad, I’m fine. Just tired.”

  Peyton smothered her laugh as Ryder remained oblivious to the textbook definition of an eye roll. She placed her hand on his arm and stilled his unnecessary fluffing. He met her gaze, shock and concern fighting amongst the chocolate brown depths.

  “Let’s give her some breathing room. She hasn’t sprung herself from this house yet, I think we’re safe for a few moments.”

  Mel giggled and Ryder’s shoulders slumped. “Overbearing, huh?”

  “Concerned father,” Peyton launched back.

  Ryder tensed to argue, but Peyton wrapped her hand around his wrist and tugged him away. She maneuvered the reluctant man through the door and looked back at their daughter. “Call if you need anything, sweetie.”

  Mel smiled and snuggled down in the pile of pillows and stuffed animals.

  Peyton followed Ryder into the kitchen. He collapsed into a chair and Peyton went to work brewing some coffee. She doubted they would get much rest tonight, so might as well have some help with the eyelid propping part.

  It was only after the coffee was ready and she set a steaming mug in front of him that she grasped his chin and forced his gaze to meet hers.

  “It wasn’t your fault.”

  Rough stubble leaned against her palm as his eyes closed. “Peyton, I was—”

  She silenced his argument with her lips. A brief brush leaving her aching for more. She paused, their breaths swirling together, and waited for brown eyes to meet her green.

  When they did, pain and hope begged her. She met those firm lips again. Again too brief.

  “It. Wasn’t. Your. Fault.”

  She scooted away before either could get lost in the simmering passion the oh-too-brief kisses had stirred. They needed to talk and while a table might not be a permanent barrier it at least should garner her a few minutes to get some of the heavy stuff out of the way.

  “There was a skunk,” Ryder said, speaking to his hands.

  “I know. Mel told me.” Peyton took a sip. “Why didn’t you? When I was being less than polite in the hospital.”

  He looked up then and laughed. “You mean when you were wearing your full-on mama bear fur. Would you have listened?”

  “No, and I’m sorry. But that shouldn’t have stopped you.”

  He dropped his gaze and examined his cup of jet-black coffee. He didn’t need to answer. They both knew why.

  “Why did you kiss me?”

  “Because I knew it would work.”

  He arched an eyebrow, that familiar and oh so damn sexy smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  “And because I wanted to.”

  They both let the confession and what it might mean for their future linger around the room.

  A knock sounded, and Peyton sat her mug down.

  “You stay. I’ll get it. I’m expecting someone.”

  He left through the archway and Peyton smiled at the view. She hoped whoever he was expecting wouldn’t be here long. They still had a lot to figure out.

  “Hello, dear,” Polly said, unraveling her scarf as she came through the archway.

  Peyton jumped up and gave her grandmother a hug. “What are you doing here?”

  “Ryder asked me to come over and watch Mel for a bit.”

  She looked over at the smirking man leaning against the doorway. He had something up his sleeve, and anticipation warmed her blood.

  “Now you two go do whatever it is you do.” She winked. “And I’ll keep an eye on our girl.”

  Three minutes later, Peyton found herself bundled up and in Ryder’s truck.

  “Where are we going?”

  He laughed. “Enjoy this, Peyton. The details don’t matter at the moment.”

  He was right. They didn’t. Mel was safe and recovering being watched over by her grandmother, and she was with the man she loved. Of course she hadn’t told him that yet. Maybe after he finished whatever it was he needed them to do, she could continue what she’d tried to start back at her house.

  When they pulled into Sky Lake she grew wary. What could he need them to do here? But as he continued through the ranch and around to the lake property, her concerns eased.

  Pulling to a stop he hopped out and circled around opening her door. She asked the questions with her eyes, but he just laughed and kissed her. “Enjoy the moment.”

  Grabbing something from the bed of his truck, he tucked her arm in his and they headed off toward the construction site of the first cabin.

  They arrived at the poured concrete pad with several vertical logs already in place. Ryder stopped and pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her within an inch of having her melt at his feet. Just as fast as he started, he pulled back, their heated breaths forming mist in the cool night.

  “Peyton, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I left you all those years ago and for the repercussions of my decision to not trust you enough to tell you everything.”

  “I’m sorry, too. I wish you had talked to me. You told me it was bad, and I believed you, but until I heard it I didn’t truly understand.”

  Ryder’s eyes widened.

  “I heard you guys today. I was in the vending area.”

  He pulled him against her and stroked her back. “It doesn’t matter. I no longer need his approval.”

  “But you still want it?”

  He nodded and kissed the top of her head.

  “And you deserve it. I don’t know why he’s so different with us. With Mel and your mom. Even with Dan.”

  Ryder sighed. “To be honest. I don’t know if he knows anymore. I think he’s held whatever it is for so long that maybe he doesn’t remember any other way.” He stepped back and smiled. “But I didn’t bring you out here to talk about him.”

  Ryder led her onto the structure of what would become the first cabin. “Did you know that Alex and I name all the buildings we design or build?”

  She shook her head. She remembered a brief mention of her holding a naming contest as a form of PR before the official opening but couldn’t recall anything beyond that.

  He handed her the package he had grabbed from the truck. “I can’t promise you a life
that will always go according to your plan, but I can promise you that every day I will show you how much you mean to me. I want so desperately to be a family. To give Mel the love I didn’t have. To love you.” He paused and waved his hand around. “I thought this was to symbolize my triumphant return. The proof that my father was wrong, but I no longer need or want that. I want it to symbolize my hope for the future.” He glanced down at the package trembling between her hands.

  She slid her finger along the wrapping and pulled the paper off to reveal a slice of wood. Engraved in a beautiful flowing script, were the words Second Chance.

  “Do you think you can accept the man I am today despite the mistakes of my past? I love you, Peyton.”

  She slid her hand around his neck and stretched up on her toes. The kiss was sweet, simple, and her answer. She loved this man. Wanted to explore their family, their passion, and who they were as adults. Their second chance was staring her in the face and she was embracing it with all she had.

  Ryder pulled her closer and the kiss changed. Sweet transformed to sexy and as his tongue swept hers in delicious coffee-tasting strokes, she moaned, her legs taking on the form of jelly and her body urging her to pull him down to the floor despite where they were.

  The sound of a crack in the woods pulled them apart.

  “How about we continue this discussion in the comfort of home.”

  The longing in Ryder’s eyes nearly broke her. “I would love nothing more than to go home with you.”

  …

  They’d barely managed to get Polly out the door before resuming what they’d started out in the woods at the cabin, the sign he’d given her now sitting on the middle of her mantle. He ran his hand down her back and over her butt, pulling her tighter against him.

  A succinct knock at the front door had them both breaking apart panting.

  “Get rid of them fast.” Ryder growled, peeling his fingers from her ass.

  Peyton laughed and walked to the door, smoothing down her hair. She opened it and froze, her gaze darting from the visitor to Ryder. “Mitchum, what are you doing here?”

  Ryder stayed put. The last thing he wanted to do was cause an argument with his father in front of Peyton and possibly wake up Mel. Mitchum had to have seen his truck outside, and he’d still knocked.