Page 81 of Buckin' Around

I pad to Riley’s room and pull back her covers with one awkward sweep of my hand before laying her down. Her head rests on the pillow, and I pull up the blanket. I tuck her in, the same way I do for Ivy. I should tuck her up tight, so she knows how she got to bed.

I tuck her blanket under her sides.

“Snug as a bug in ru?—”

“Spence?” she mutters.

“Yeah, Riles. Right here.”

“I . . . night.”

She rolls over, away from me, and I’m left with empty arms and an even emptier heart.

Chapter 20

Riley

The guy that was rushing from campus accommodation parking lot a few weeks back is staring at me. I’m sure it’s him. In his hand, an old key. “Spence said you wanted to start moving in over the weekend.”

I blink.

It’s him, right?

“Um, yeah, thanks. I have a paper due, so I was going to work while Ivy sleeps and move when she’s not.”

“How’s Ivy doing?” Brady adjusts the cowboy hat on his head as he smiles.

“She’s fine. Does the cottage have its own electrical bill and other utilities?”

The ranch is twenty minutes from the penthouse. With a location pin drop, I came out after my first class, arriving in time to catch Brady before him and Spence carpool their way to Leduc.

The tiny house is a stark contrast to where we’ve been living, to be frank. But I grew up with humble roots, and I can make anything a home. It’s Spencer who will have to adjust.

The ranch is on the smaller side, but from what I can see, there’s a small herd, probably stud cattle, and fields that look set out for hay and cropping.

My body relaxed the second I turned onto the graveled driveway.

This is closer to home for me than the city or the apartment.

Ivy is with Mrs. Henderson for an hour. I can’t stay but I ask, “Can I have a look inside?”

“Oh sure. Head on in.” Brady tips his hat. “I have to keep moving, but it’s all yours. And Spence’s.”

He winks at me like an eejit, and I shake my head, pushing through the front door. It sticks halfway, and I make a mental note to fix that.

A small kitchen greets me to the left. A living room to the right. A hallway, ending in a flimsy and broken back screen door, separates the rest of the house, and I follow it to find two bedrooms.

And one bathroom.

It’s one old, outdated cottage.

But the rent is ridiculously cheap. Buddy benefits, apparently.

The best part is it’s not Lockwood owned, so one step closer to Spencer taking back his life. I can’t imagine not having choice over the big things in life like this.

That all changes now.

He’s a free man.