River's Return (River's End Series, #3) (23 page)

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Ian and Kailynn showed up late on Saturday. They were staying in the main house, and everyone was there waiting for them. Including Allison. When they walked in, the entire family got up and exchanged excited hugs. Crap was slung back and forth between the brothers, but even they, who usually restrained any acts of physical affection with one another, gave each other man hugs with thumps on the back. Allison rolled her eyes. Like a good thump made the hugs less hug-like. Still Shane’s eyes shone, and something in Allison was touched at seeing how happy he was to be with all of his family.

Ian did a bit of double take at Allison’s presence. When he noticed Ian’s questioning look, Shane stepped behind her and set his hand lightly around Allison’s waist. “Ian, Lynnie,” he said, “you remember Allison?”

“Charlie’s teacher?”

“Charlie’s teacher. And my girlfriend,” Shane said with a huge grin. There was no hiding it anymore, or remaining circumspect about their relationship. Shane would have just about hired a skywriter to brag about being with Allison. It was incredibly flattering to her. No one had ever been so crazy acting and sounding and talking
about her
. She was usually seen as the sane, predictable, boring teacher who never had a day in her life where any man considered her sexy, or eye candy, or someone to go crazy about. But Shane, beautiful, wild, interesting, totally different Shane, seemed to find her that way. She had no idea what to think about that.

She smiled and mumbled the appropriate hellos to his family. Ian’s stern face was impassive, but his eyes traveled over her and she glimpsed an almost infinitesimal nod of approval, as if he were thinking,
Good; Shane did well.

It was only a half hour later, and everyone sat in the house talking while Erin started cooking a brunch when Joey showed up. She knew Shane was almost off the edge of his seat with excitement to see Joey. It had been nearly a year since Joey was at the ranch. He was in the Army and any leave he got was normally taken in vacations around Hawaii, where he was stationed. He was home this time for a week.

Shane was the most expressive of the brothers, by far. He let his feelings and emotions out where the other brothers seemed reserved or stern. Much more like Allison was usually. She kind of liked how easily Shane talked and interacted; he certainly had no problem in telling her how he felt. He was talkative, interesting, and full of personality and jokes, but never obnoxious or overly boisterous. She once thought maybe he’d be the type to hog the limelight in any situation, but he wasn’t. No, he was interesting and appropriate and funny and wonderful. Allison was starting to feel very lucky to be by his side.

She grew a little self-conscious as Shane’s girlfriend. Judging by everyone’s double take, it was a pretty big deal. It was not casual or easy going. In fact, it was huge.

Erin and Kailynn were definitely friends; both were quite comfortable in their roles as girlfriend and wife. They busily prepared the meal while Allison got up and wandered into the kitchen. She asked if she could help and they were very warm to her. Erin drew her into the conversation.

“Allison is teaching me to read.”

Kailynn set down the salad bowl. “You’re kidding me? For how long?”

Erin glanced at Allison and they shared a secret smile. “A few months. I read some short texts. All one-syllable words, but I can read them.” She dropped her head and hid her modest smile of satisfaction.

The first story she read through was a huge moment for Erin. While it was happening, Allison was crossing her fingers under the table with hope, so much nervous hope, as Erin read. All Allison could think of was
please, please read it correctly.
Erin needed that victory, and its accompanying confidence to know the method was working. It would provide the motivation she needed to continue to do it. Erin finished reading her text and they stared at each other across the table before both nearly squealed like young girls, rushing around the table to hug. Nearly dancing, they both had tears in their eyes as they vowed to keep their reaction a secret from everyone else.

Kailynn dropped the bowl she was holding and crossed the kitchen to hug Erin. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I wasn’t sure it would work. I asked Jack and Shane not to tell anyone else. I just wanted to make sure…”

“You didn’t fail,” Kailynn said gently. Obviously, she understood Erin.

Erin nodded, but her smile reappeared. “It’s working. For the first time, something is really working.” Allison sensed Erin’s skepticism that it would continue to.

Allison rolled her eyes and sighed. “It’s not voodoo, Erin, and I’m not a magician.
You
do the work.
You
do the learning. Of course, it’ll keep working. It’s just a matter of learning one new sound or letter combination at a time and mastering it.”

Kailynn let out a deep laugh. “I like you. She has your number, doesn’t she? Always sure it’s not going to work. I’m thrilled to know someone found a way to prove to you otherwise.”

“Nothing before this ever worked. So until then, I was right.” Erin pointed out, raising her eyebrows and making her tone final.

Kailynn grinned. “Still I’m thrilled for you.” She turned to Allison with a definite waggle of her eyebrows. “So, Allison… you and Shane? I didn’t see
that
happening. How?”

“Honestly? He was sleeping with my neighbor…” Allison started with a giant grin. Kailynn’s jaw dropped in shock. Yeah, not what most would have expected from just looking at her.

They talked for twenty minutes about how it happened. Kailynn discussed school and said she declared her major in accounting, which she discovered, to her surprise, she liked. She rolled her eyes as she told them, “I know, totally boring subject, but it makes so much sense to me. I like it when all the numbers line up. It makes me feel very satisfied. I actually
love
it. I feel like I accomplished something.”

“That’s not boring. That’s what college is supposed to teach you. It exposes you to things you might not have ever tried until you find your true passion, if you’re lucky. I’d just consider myself lucky to be able to figure it out and have the privilege of studying it.”

Kailynn’s grin was huge. “I never thought of it like that. You’re right. Totally right. I always err on the side of self-consciousness. I wish I could be more confident. I keep waiting for it to happen.”

“You could do the books for the resort at some point. I mean, we have to hire someone. Jack can’t figure it out. Not with all the loopholes and such things. The ranch takes him long enough, but with all the new businesses and insurance and crap, there’s a lot more involved.” Erin added, “I just wish I could help.”

Kailynn’s entire expression perked up. “I could. Totally. I think, or at least, in a few years. I often imagine us coming back here. Does Jack miss Ian?”

“Every single day. He would never tell Ian that, however. But yes, he does. Ian was his partner. There is no one who can accomplish everything Ian did. Especially not me.”

“I think Ian misses the space and fresh air. His new job keeps him busy and it’s interesting; but I know how much he misses being here.”

Allison listened to their discussion and wondered what Shane did around there, and how the dynamics all fitted together. She didn’t really know. He rarely spoke about his role on the ranch. She only knew he hated the horses. End of story. But Jack needed help now that Ian was gone. Who picked up the slack? Ben? The teen was strong and worked hard, but was he capable of handling the load of another man?

Allison started to grow more comfortable the longer she was there. Erin and Kailynn kept including her in their conversation and she had to admit to liking both of them. She was usually liked by people, women especially, it seemed, and that was true with these two women also. They walked towards the beach, the private end of the Rydell land, where no guests were allowed. They brought along some snacks and beer and pop. Both boys had friends over: Ben had his girlfriend, Marcy; and Charlie had three friends from his class. Allison had to make sure she kept her interactions with Shane totally harmless. She felt weird having kids watch her, especially Charlie. They built a fire on the beach and the guys started a volleyball game in the sand where a makeshift court was set up. They were three on three until they coaxed Erin, Kailynn and Allison into the game.

“No. Last I played was when I had to in high school PE. Last to be picked for all the teams. That was me. Take a guess why.”

Shane ignored her, and physically picked her up before depositing her next to him on the court. “I picked you first so I guess things have changed.”

She glowered at Shane, even as her heart rate pinged at the cheesy sentiment. He was shirtless, and his brightly colored chest stuck out in all its glory. His jeans rode low and a sheen of sweat made him glisten. He had his hair pushed back in a bandanna and ponytail. Not one thing about him suggested he was Allison’s boyfriend. She stood there, now barefoot, ready to play in the sand in her khaki shorts and soft, gray t-shirt. Her hair was sedately pulled back in a long ponytail and she wore little makeup.

Her heart kept doing that crazy fast beating thing and her stomach tightened with butterflies when he flashed her that wicked grin. He grabbed her hands and pulled her into the game going on next to him. Leaning over, he kissed her lips in a lingering smooch; and when he pulled away, he grinned and waggled his eyebrows at her, knowing he had totally disarmed her. Her legs turned to cooked spaghetti and her brain malfunctioned anytime he kissed her like that. And Shane knew it. He purposely did it to distract her from yelling at him for insisting she play an undignified sport like beach volleyball. She was so out of shape. She wasn’t coordinated either, and had never even played volleyball on the beach. So she knew she'd suck.

Hours.
They played for almost three hours, all of them. It was crazy fun. Allison never exerted herself so long, or laughed so hard. The guys were acting macho and often flexing their muscles at each other. Meanwhile, the women rolled their eyes and groaned at their blatant displays of macho confidence. They never ceased giving each other crap, but did tone down their spikes and jabs when it came at Kailynn or Allison. Turns out, Erin was a natural athlete who caught on quickly and gave everyone a run for their money. Still, it was so much fun. Allison was sweating and pink from the hot sun and exertion as the day turned to dusk. The river was swollen from spring floods, running muddy and brown, so no swimming was allowed. But the sand was hot, and the evening sun felt wonderful. Allison had to keep reapplying tons of suntan lotion to her white, ghost-like skin.

They ate hot dogs cooked over the fire and potato chips. The brothers talked and made fun of each other as they caught up. The stories they told of growing up on the ranch soon had the entire group laughing until their stomachs ached. Allison had never been around a family like theirs, so loud and boisterous, and definitely all male. So much testosterone, it was crazy. Erin’s presence toned them down, but not completely. Charlie and his friends enhanced the ambiance with their youthful screaming and energy and fun.

The sun finally set over the river and the breeze stirred the new leaves that were thick on the cottonwood trees. The fire warmed her cooling skin, and Shane sat next to her. She leaned her head on his massive arm, and he carefully tucked her up next to him. His brothers’ voices started to grow lower as they discussed more serious things. The ranch and resort, Joey’s stint in the Army, the kids, and Erin learning to read. The night went on and on, but no one attempted to leave. It was dark and the fire was their only light. They were all alone on the beach. Stars glimmered in the sky and the silence was all-encompassing. Allison couldn’t remember a night when she had more fun, or was more interested, or relaxed so easily, or felt so much like she belonged.

She glanced up when Shane brushed her hair off her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. He lifted his head with a gentle, but huge smile. The man never did what she expected. She caught his hand in hers, and returned the smile, feeling something big and deep shifting in her chest. How long was it since she felt like this?
Four years
. At least, four years. She felt happy. She was totally, completely happy to be there. She had not felt happiness for so long, she forgot how it managed to invigorate life and inspire her. Perhaps it was due to being part of such a fun group. Mostly, Allison attributed it to the man beside her.

It was close to two o’clock in the morning before they all drifted back to their respective houses. Holding onto Shane, Allison let him lead her through the dark to his room in the main house. It took all her guts to undress while Shane was busy in the bathroom. He was talking about Joey and Ian, and he stopped dead in the doorway when he spotted her. She stood there, stockstill, feeling both excited and stupid. She could never have done this with anyone else. Not even Patrick. There was something about Shane that gave her the confidence to do it. Perhaps it was his voracious appetite for life and sex. And not caring what others thought. She didn’t know, she just knew she wanted to do it.

For the first time in her life, she bought full-on, sexy, racy lingerie. She wasn’t physically perfect, God knew, but you’d never detect that by looking at Shane’s reaction. Shane’s eyes literally widened until they nearly popped. He stared at her, open-mouthed, and there was no mistaking the shameless lust in his gaze.