She had a reason, and he knew what it was.He also knew he damn well didn’t want to talk about it.But his sister was tenacious so he mentally shrugged and went back to taking inventory of the tack that was out in the barn rather than the tack room.
“Riley, can I talk to you?”
He stopped what he was doing and rubbed the back of his neck.“I’d rather you didn’t.”
Of course she ignored that.“What happened with you and Letty?”
“You know what happened.We broke up.”
She made an impatient gesture.“I know that.But why did you break up?I know you love her.”
He picked up the broom leaning against the wall and started to sweep the flagstone walkway.“Doesn’t matter.She’s convinced we can’t be together.”
“Do you know why?”
“Nothing that makes any sense to me.Something about not being able to stand the thought of losing me.Of course, I pointed out she was losing me right now but that didn’t seem to matter.”
“She’s in love with you.”
“Maybe.Not enough to change her mind, though.”
“It’s tied in with losing her parents.”
“I know.Which was a hell of a long time ago.And she’s letting it take over her life.I understand that it was bad and that she doesn’t want to go through it again, but I don’t see why it has to ruin her life.Or mine, for that matter.”
“Oh, Riley, I wish I could help.”She walked over to stand in front of him.
He looked up and saw tears welling in her eyes.“Damn, Val, don’t cry.You know I hate that.”
“I know,” she said with a sob.“But Letty’s my best friend and you’re my brother and I love you both.I want you to be together.”
Riley put his arm around her and hugged her.“Stop crying.Liam will come over here and slug me if he thinks I made you cry.”
She continued to cry so he left to get her a tissue.Which of course, he couldn’t find.He found a cloth that didn’t look too dirty or smell too bad.Someone had used it on a saddle, most likely.He went back and handed it to her.
“Thanks.”She started to wipe her eyes but stopped.“What is this?”
“All I could find.”
“It looks like a cleaning rag.”
“That’s because it probably is.”
Val wadded it up and threw it at him.“Thanks but no thanks.”
“Picky, picky.”
“Only you,” she said, laughing.
At least he’d made her stop crying.
