I nod. “She’s hard to ignore.”
She leans into her chair, relaxing, closing her eyes and then whispering, “Riley has no roots. She’s wild like the wind. She’s staying here for the summer, but the minute camp is done, she’ll leave. I worry I’ll be down a media manager now, since that’s what she’s doing, I guess. But then you’ll miss her spark and find it boring here, and you’ll leave too. Then what?”
I didn’t think about this. We haven’t talked about it. About us. “It’s not like that.”
“Oh no?”
“She can leave whenever, and my loyalty to this place and your parents will stay. I care about her, but I care about this place too.”
That’s not a lie, it’s just not the whole truth. But right now, it has opened my eyes to what all is at stake here. If we don’t work out, that can impact a whole business and legacy.
She nods. “Good. I’m glad to hear that. But Dom…Riley has a tendency to burn everything she touches. She’s changed, I’ll give her that. I wouldn’t have trusted her with as much as I’ve given her lately, but I wouldn’t forgive myself if you were something else she burned down as collateral damage.”
I hate that she sees her like that, even after the talk they had the other day. Riley was beaming with pride after talking to Lilly, seeing how much more responsibility she gave her. She made some small mistake, and now she’s back to not trusting her. It hurts me to know she still can’t see the good in her sister.
That’s a heartbreaking thing to hear.
“I don’t think you’re giving her enough credit.”
She shakes her head. “I am. Trust me. I’ve given her more responsibilities than she’s ever had in her life, and she’s doing the best she can, I guess. I’m happy for her. But once she gets bored, she’ll want to leave this place behind. Or once she can’t handle the pressure, like ordering too many things.” She exhales.
“I’m preparing myself mentally for when that happens, but right now, this whole ranch is like a pin-less grenade. I’m holding the spoon in place, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it for longer without help, and I need to trust that, at the very least, you two will be good until the end of summer.”
“What are you saying?”
I didn’t think I even wanted more with Riley, not until this very moment, when it feels like she’s being taken away from me by her sister’s assumptions that may become true. Do I actually know her as well as I think, and why did I ever think I would be enough for her?
She walks around her desk, propping her back on the door. “You were right. I should give her the benefit of the doubt and trust she’ll want to settle here and take pride in the work our parents did, but if that doesn’t happen, can I trust that you’d still be there for her? I don’t want her to lose whatever guidance she has gotten from you. I really need you here more than ever. The ranch needs you. The livelihood of so many people does, andRiley having someone to talk to, to guide her when things get rough, is what’s best.”
When I don’t say anything, she lets out a breath. “And maybe if she says anything about leaving, give me a heads up, please, so I can try to mitigate damage and hire someone else before then.”
I nod in understanding, and I think I’m out of the woods until she says the one statement that still haunts me.
“I don’t want to get my hopes up and be disappointed."
I push off the leather chair until I’m standing in front of her. “That won’t happen. But yes, I’ll make sure to let you know if Riley says anything.”
“Oh, and do me a favor? Don’t tell her I know. The last thing I need is for her to storm in here and blow everything up. She’s doing good, and I want her to continue that.”
I dip my head. “Noted.”
The drive to my cabin is quiet but busy in my head. Lilly’s words are bouncing from wall to wall.
She’s disappointed.
Riley will leave.
Everything will burn.
And as much as I’d like to admit we have things under control, maybe Lilly’s right. I can’t keep Riley happy and entertained for long. She’ll find that I’m dull when the new wears off.
It’s time for me to put some distance between us, considering everything. I won’t be able to keep her happy either way; I’ll turn her world dark, and then she’ll leave sooner rather than later, and what a huge risk that would be.
For everyone.
35WHAT’S GOING ON?
Riley
