Fifty? That’s a third of what we usually see here. Or at least back when I was involved at all. Enrollmentisdown then.
Well, I have faith it will pick up.
It will. It has to.
“Okay. I’ll get it taken care of.”
“Don’t forget, please. It’s important the order goes out this week, okay?”
I bring my hand to my forehead in a salute. “Aye, aye, captain.”
“Go to sleep, Riley. You clearly need it.”
This woman needs to find some fun in her life again. So serious all the time.
“Ma’am, yes, ma’am,” I shout, skipping out of the main house with a newfound purpose.
13CRACKERS ARE NOT DINNER
Dom
Here I am,at four in the morning, sipping on my coffee, on the porch, listening to the sounds of nature and Riley stepping out through her front door. She doesn’t see me again, at least not yet. She just takes her time stretching and muttering whatever happy song is blasting in her ears.
Apparently, my body got the memo that watching her leave for her morning run is part of our routine now. I was unable to stay in bed for a minute longer, itching to come outside. And do what? Watch over her? I have better things to do, but the restless feeling didn’t go away until I stood right here, waiting. Like clockwork, she’s outside, ready to go.
It’s warmer today, and, following the temperature change, Riley’s wearing fewer clothes.
Fuck.
Not what I needed. This visual of her stretching, her round ass facing me and her strong thighs on display, will be enough to get me going when I need to release some pressure later in the day. It’s been years since I had a specific person on my mind as Istroked myself to satisfaction. Suddenly, now there’s someone I can rarely stop thinking about, and I don’t like it.
Not one bit.
She clicks on her watch, chin down and facing me, but it’s not until she looks up that she sees me, jolting backwards and narrowing her eyes. “Are you ever going to stop lurking in the dark instead of, I don’t know, actually saying hello to someone?” she asks.
“Hello, Riley.”
“It’s too late now. You took five years off my life with the scare you just gave me.”
“I apologize.”
“Apology not accepted. Go to sleep, Dom. Or don’t. Just let me play my music again if you’re not going to sleep in.”
“Areyouever going to sleep in?”
She shrugs. “People sleep when they’re dead. Gotta go, though. Toodles!” she shouts, running into the darkness.
The urge to put on running shoes and go after her, mostly so I can make sure she’s fine, is strong. I don’t even know where she runs. What if she finds a bear or a snake? I’m sure something might be in her path. But then again, she grew up here, and I didn’t. She probably knows what to do, and I just need to stop acting like an overbearing asshole and let her be.
She’s right. What the fuck am I doing, awake at this time? Watching her leave every morning has become part of my routine. Since I’m already awake, I might as well get some stuff done before heading to the north side of the ranch. The kids will be here in no time, and if it’s anything like I remember, the space will be crowded with miniature people from sunrise to sunset.
By the timeI’m done with mowing the lawn on my side of the property, Riley’s back, all flushed cheeks and smiles. Not at me,but at what she just did. There’s something running givesherthat I can’t quite name. It’s the same look on my brother’s face when he plays with his daughter: peace and self-discovery.
She frowns when she sees me, tilting her head to the side and moving her lips, surely sharing something with me that I can’t hear over the loud roar of the lawn mower.
“What?” I shout, turning the mower off.
“Where’s your shit?”
