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Reilly stroked his chin and grinned. “Right. Well, I might be able to help you there.”
He quirked a brow and stood up straighter. “How?”
“She went with Lucy to that new club in town, Obsidian.”
In seconds, River was alert. “What? And you let them go?”
“Whoa, they’re both big girls. They don’t need a babysitter.” Reilly sighed. “Besides, they’re together, and Obsidian isn’t exactly the Dawg Pit. It’s upscale. A classy place.”
River turned to leave. “I need to find her. She needs to know the truth.”
“And what might that be?”
“That I love her,” he shot back over his shoulder. “That without her, I don’t exist.”
Reilly was stunned. River was baring his feelings, and that was foreign to him. Jeanette had really done a number on him.
“Be careful with her,” Reilly warned. “She’s waited a long time for you.”
River nodded. “I will. Now, time to go fix my derailed future.”
After River was gone, Reilly sat back down at the kitchen table. “You can come out now,” he called. “He’s gone.”
Wanda appeared in the doorway leading to the living room, holding Cameron in her very capable arms. “That boy of mine sure does know how to make a mess of things, doesn’t he?”
Reilly nodded, frustrated and worried at the same time. River was so sure he didn’t deserve love. To Reilly’s way of thinking, no one deserved it more. “I hope you know what you’re doing, little Miss Matchmaker.”
“What do you mean?”
Her too-innocent expression didn’t fool him one bit. “Don’t give me that. You’re the one who suggested the ladies go clubbing. You knew it would send River into a tailspin.”
“He needed a push,” his mom stated, a knowing smile curving her lips. “And trust me, the minute he sees her out there dancing it up, other men watching her, he’ll realize that he really could lose her. He’s finally through playing around and getting serious. They both deserve to give their relationship a chance, but that wasn’t going to happen if River kept letting his stubbornness run the show.”
Reilly chuckled. “Yeah, wonder where he got all that hard-headedness?”
Her nose shot up in the air. “Your father, clearly.”
Reilly stood and went to her. “Clearly,” he replied, kissing her on the forehead. “Now, let’s get these babies in bed before Lucy skins me alive for letting them stay up so late.”
Chapter Ten
It was Saturday, and she hadn’t heard a peep from River for exactly nine days and six hours. He was being stubborn. Well, two could play that game.
After sharing every ugly detail with Lucy, they’d come up with a plan of sorts—find the sexiest outfit possible and go to the new nightclub in town. When River found out where she was, he’d have to come searching for her. He’d see how easily he could lose her and finally admit his feelings.
But after searching her closet for what seemed like hours, Jeanette called Lucy for help. Her closet was a bust. There wasn’t a single devastating thing to be had in there. They decided to check out a few of the thrift stores in town. Operation “Get River” was on, and she needed something hot to suit the occasion. She’d hit the jackpot when she’d spotted the short, black, satin dress with its V-neck bodice and an open back. Thankfully, it was well within her meager budget too. She’d worn her hair down with lots of waves, thanks to the hot curlers Lucy had let her borrow. Lucy looked equally as gorgeous, having already lost most of the baby weight. Her purple, pleated cocktail dress had a halter-style neckline and a fitted empire waist.
Now, as she sat next to Lucy at the bar, Jeanette was beginning to have second thoughts about her plan. What if River didn’t show? What if he really was through with her? Oh God, the thought of never seeing him again nearly sent her running back to him
“Stand firm, girl. You can do this,” Lucy said as if reading her thoughts.
“I’m scared. I love him so much, and he’s so damn stubborn.”
She patted her hand. “I know. It’s a family trait, I’m afraid.”
“But Reilly loves you so much.”
“Yes, but we weren’t without our own hurdles. The Jennings men tend to keep their hearts under lock and key. Their biological parents were druggies and basically didn’t care what happened to them. And going into foster care can’t be easy on a kid. I imagine it’s even harder for River to trust, considering he’s had it the roughest.”
