Page 155 of Buckin' Around

Inside, it looks so warm.

The resemblance to the cottage we shared is uncanny. Despite being three times the size, so much is the same. No wonder Riles was more at home there than the penthouse.

I raise my hand to knock, and the door opens.

“Whatever you’re sellin’, we ain’t interested.” A guy—with a similar build and appearance to the bartender, come to think of it—stands in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest.

“I’m not selling a single thing, bud. I’m here for Riley.”

His stance shifts, making him bigger.

Hell, they grow them?—

“Spencer?” a young girl calls out, coming into view in the hallway behind the family bouncer, sliding on her socked feet. “Oh my god, it’s really you!”

“Chloe?” I ask, bending to meet her gaze.

“You total eejit, Connor, get out of the bleeding doorway.”

Connor, apparently, moves and glances at Chloe.

“Ivy baby.” Chloe reaches for her, and I hand her over. I feel like I know this girl even though I’ve only managed to see her on calls and to photo bomb the odd pic Riles sent.

Ivy starts playing with Chloe’s long wavy hair.

Connor eyes me up and down. “Ye walked in this? What, ye mad?”

He glances out at the rain, falling faster and heavier than before.

“Where is she, Connor?”

Chapter 38

Spencer

He jerks his head to the right. “Barn for feed up and beddin’ down. Don’t make me regret this, Lockwood.”

I huff a strained, mostly surprised laugh and give him a nod.

Flipping my collar back up, I round the home and cross the muddy ground, feet slipping as I go.

I push through the small door at the side of the barn and spill out into a space filled with sheep. The lights are amber but dim, and the place smells of hay and animals.

I scan the barn but don’t see her.

Something moves in the corner.

I would know those gorgeous curves anywhere.

That dark, long hair that hasn’t let up in my dreams for the past ninety-four damn days.

I wander toward where she stands by the hay bale, her chest snapping up and down in an erratic rhythm.

Her face is red and tear streaked.

Her hands curled around the coat she’s hugging to her body.

Oh, Riles.