Page 71 of Hope and Country

Our gazes collided. Devon sucked all the air from my lungs as she stared at me with so much heat in her eyes. And lust. And love. I averted mine, breaking the spell, hot waves washing over me. I needed a drink. Stat.

As my mother entertained Devon with another one of my childhood stories, embarrassing ones at that, I placed Hope by their feet in the little bed we brought over and escaped to the library. The room was huge with floor-to-ceiling windows, a wall filled to the brim with hardback classic novels, biographies, and other nonfiction works, an emerald-green set of velvet sofas, a stone-framed fireplace, and a bar.

I made a beeline for the bar, desperate to tame the prickle in my throat with something stronger.

I sensed him before I could see him. My father. “Hello, son.” His Southern accent was strong. The one from Oklahoma he never lost and that people all around the globe found charming every time he sat for interviews.

“Hey.” I nodded, trying to act cool and distant.

“I’m glad you came. We have much to talk about, you and I. It’s about time.”

I shook my head as I filled my tumbler higher than good manners allowed.

“I’m not sure I’m ready to have that conversation just yet. Right now, I can’t decide if I’m more upset at my dad who got a woman other than my mother pregnant when I was a child or at the country music star who signed a contract with an artist I had my sight on behind my back, too scared to come clean about what he did over twenty years ago.”

“I know you’re upset. But I hope, one day, you’ll find it in you to forgive me,” my father said, his shoulders slouching forward and sadness brimming in his eyes, the same color as mine, looking ten years older than usual.

I cleared my throat, pushing the smithereens of betrayal down.

“I will. I just need some time to process everything. When I’m ready, we’ll talk. Perhaps Anderson and I could even have some sort of relationship one day. Not now, though. It’s too soon.” A sarcastic laugh bubbled out. “To think all my life I’ve wished for a brother. You knew it. And you kept him from me. Even though I have no idea how I would’ve reacted. This is fucked up. I can’t decide if it’s a good thing or a joke that life—and maybe you—are playing on me.”

After I spoke the last words, I let out a harsh breath, and some of the tension in my back dissolved.

I took a sip of my drink, welcoming the burn it left down my throat.

My father stepped closer and pulled me into his arms. I stiffened. His grip tightened around me, and after a minute, I finally relaxed. “When you’re ready, son, I’ll explain everything. I love you so much, Riley. Trust me. Please.” He paused. “Everything I did, I did it for you, son. I’m proud of the man you’ve become, and I’m sorry I hurt you. It has never been my intention.”

His voice cracked. And a surge of emotions strangled me.

My father rarely spoke with his heart. But each time he did, his words sent a jolt to mine.

I hugged him back. Because even if I was all grown-up and stuff, I needed my father’s love. Even when we didn’t agree.

“Thanks. It means a lot. I’m sorry too, Dad,” I said as I leaned back. I wiped the corners of my eyes with my thumb. “Can we get out of here? There’s someone I want you to meet.”

“Is it serious this time?”

“Yes. She’s a keeper. I love her. It’s still new, but I’m not letting her go.”

* * *

After dinner, the four of us sat in the living room, drinks in hands. Hope slept in my mother’s lap, snoring softly.

“Riley, I love this baby of yours. It’s the cutest little thing I’ve seen in a long time. She’s adorable. Now you’ll make me long for grandchildren.”

My jaw flexed. And my face must have turned a dark shade of red because Devon cocked her head in my direction and laughed.

“Mama. Come on. Now is not the time.”

My mother shrugged. “I’m just saying. I’ve never pictured myself as a grandma before. But now I can see it.”

I shook my head and huffed.

My mother switched her attention to my woman, patting her hand. “I didn’t mean to put pressure on you, dear. I’m so happy you’re here. It is about time Riley settled down with someone great. Again, I’m sorry if I overstepped. It’s just that I’ve been wishing for him to find a woman who truly made him happy for so long. My Riley has a huge heart, but he’s not always the best at letting other people into it.”

“Mama,” I warned.

She flicked her hand in the air.