Just a Kiss Read Free

Sunshine. Home. He buried his nose in her hair and soaked her in, remembering every night he’d lain in his rack staring at her picture, longing for a moment just like this.
    His throat emitted a choking sound, and he disguised it with a hearty laugh. Forced energy into his voice. “Hey, now. What’s all this, Warren? You’re not crying, are you? You know you go straight to the ugly cry.”
    Paige leaned back, swatting his shoulder as she surreptitiously wiped her eyes. “I missed you, you big lug. Are you in pain? Can I get your meds for you?”
    Great, more fussing. “Naw, took some on the plane. I’m good. Wicked awesome.”
    Beau reached in, edging out Paige. He grasped Riley’s hand in a bro-grip. “Good to have you home, brother. You had us awful worried there.”
    “Good to be home. Man, is it ever.”
    Zac ruffled his hand over Riley’s high and tight haircut. “Can’t even tousle your hair anymore. What fun is that?”
    “Hey, Zac.” Riley smiled up at him. “Good to see your ugly mug. Gotta say, though, you’re practically a giant from down here.”
    “All the more reason to get you back on your feet.”
    “Hello . . . ?” Aunt Trudy said from the back. “I know I’m just the lowly aunt, but do I get a turn?”
    Riley aimed a smile her way, reaching out. “Get over here, Aunt Trudy.”
    She slipped between Paige and Beau and embraced him. She smelled like lemons and starch. Her narrow shoulders and thin arms felt frail, but her size was misleading. She could stop an army with a mere look.
    “Lord have mercy, you’re wider than the chair. Did your muscles grow muscles?”
    “Something like that,” he said as she pulled away.
    “How was your flight?” Beau asked. “Get any rest?”
    Riley glanced at Paige as she dabbed at the corners of her eyes again. “Little bit.” He shot Aunt Trudy a look. “What I could really do with is one of your big ol’ roasts. Sooner the better.”
    “Lucky for you, I’ve got one in the Crock-Pot at Paige’s house.”
    “And corn bread, mashed potatoes, plus Paige’s pecan pie,” Zac added.
    Riley palmed his stomach. “Oh, man, you’re killing me. Between the MREs, the hospital food, and the airline chow, it’s hard to say which was worse.”
    “Did you check any bags?” Aunt Trudy asked, moving behind his chair and releasing the brakes.
    “Just my chair. I gotta give this one back.” He clapped his hands once. “All right. Let’s get this show on the road. I can’t wait to get home, eat some good chow, and sleep in my own bed.” He rented a room at the back of the Roadhouse, Zac’s restaurant. It wasn’t much, but it was his.
    Zac and Beau froze, trading glances. Paige shifted, and Aunt Trudy started rooting through her purse for something.
    A cloud of unease bloomed in his gut. “What? What am I missing?”
    “Um . . .” Zac didn’t quite meet his eyes. “Your old room isn’t exactly there anymore. I expanded the kitchen over the winter. Lucy and I were planning to let you have our guest room upstairs when you came home, but . . .” His eyes bounced off Riley’s leg.
    Yeah. Not on one leg. Sure, he might be able to manage on his crutches, but moving was painful and cumbersome, and the last thing he needed was a nasty fall to set him back even further.
    His stomach deflated like a week-old party balloon. So much for the privacy of his room. “Guess I’m staying at the farmhouse then. That’ll work just fine.”
    Their aunt had broken her leg a while back, and they’d made the formal dining room into a bedroom. He tried not to let the thought of being fussed over 24/7 bleed into his expression.
    “Um, yeah . . .” Zac rubbed the back of his neck. “The farmhouse is kind of under construction at the moment.” He gave Riley a look that made all kinds of red flags wave.
    “We just started renovating,” Beau said. “Aunt Trudy’s wedding gift to Eden and me. The whole downstairs is a wreck at the moment.”
    “It won’t