Author's Note: Hey y'all. Thank you for all of your awesome reviews! I'm glad y'all are enjoying the sequel. I know the first chapter was a little bit boring, because y'all knew most of it already. I just wanted to show you Ryan's side of things. It does pick up to present time now, so it shouldn't be too bad. If any of you have ideas or things you want to see, feel free to let me know! On with the show!
Chapter 2: Kismet
"Thank you very much Andrew. We will talk to you in the New Year, and enjoy your vacation. Take care," I said as I ended the conference call. Margie came in just as I hung up the phone.
"There are two more papers you need to sign before they get here, Ryan." She handed me the papers, as I quickly signed them, and handed them back. "Troy just called and said they should be here in a few minutes to pick you up."
"Thanks Margie," I said as she left my office, and I started staring out the window again.
Last week, Troy's car broke down again for the millionth time, and had to take my SUV so that he and Riley could get to school on time. They would drop me off and pick me up until his car was fixed. For the record, I hate Troy's car. It's small, and over fifteen years old, and I really don't like Troy driving it, let alone Riley being in it. I will hand over my Denali willingly to Troy, whenever he needs to go out with Riley, and I don't need it just so that I know the two of them will make it home in one piece. Let's just say I've had enough of it, and I've fixed it the only way I know how.
"Daddy!" I turned around in my chair in just enough time to catch Riley as she launched herself into my lap.
"Hi Peanut! Did you have a good day at school?" I said kissing the top of her head. She nodded.
"Tell him why Riley," Troy said as he came up and leaned against my desk in front of me.
"Miss Carmichael gave us our math tests back today," she answered. "I got a 97!"
"You did! That's awesome Ry!" I said, giving her a high five. "That one's going on the refrigerator door!"
"I'm gonna go tell Margie!" she giggled as she hopped off my lap and ran out of the office. Riley told Margie everything.
"I told her we would go out for dinner to celebrate. I hope that's okay," Troy said still leaning against my desk. He was being unusually quiet and unsure of himself all of a sudden. I stood up and kissed him.
"That's fine darlin'. Are you okay?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around him. He rested his head on my shoulder.
"I'm fine," he sighed.
"Liar."
"The repair guy called me back. To fix the engine this time it's going to be another two thousand dollars. Ryan, I'm screwed. I can't keep taking your truck."
I hugged him tighter. "Troy, don't worry about it, tomorrow is the last day of school, keep it till then, and we'll work something out. Just stop worrying so much. We'll manage. We always do."
"I know."
"Good," I smiled then kissed him. "Now let's go rescue Margie, so that Riley doesn't talk her ear off." Finally his smile showed through. I threaded his fingers into mine, grabbed my briefcase off my desk, and walked out to Margie's desk. Sure enough, Riley was sitting in Margie's lap, talking non-stop about her friend Jessica.
"Okay peanut. I'm sure Margie wants to get home, say goodbye." I said.
Before Riley could say a word, Margie interrupted. "Ryan you hush, she was just about to tell me what Jessica did to Brandon."
Troy and I just laughed as Riley continued to finish her story. It was no wonder why Riley liked Margie so much. Margie just loved to hear Riley's newest gossip.
"She tied his shoe laces together? Oh my, that's priceless. You know I used to do those things too when I was your age and crushing on a boy, those were great times. Next time you're here, remind me to tell you about the cheese story okay?" Riley grinned from ear to ear. "Now go on and behave for your Daddy and Troy okay?"
"Okay Margie, bye!" She hugged her, and Troy picked her up as we left.
Troy handed me the keys as he got Riley set up in the back. "Gees you're short Troy," I said as I moved the seat back to its regular position. He just laughed as he got in beside me.
"Yeah well, it's not my fault you grew late. I was taller than you in high school!" he joked back. I turned the truck on and headed out to dinner. It was already five, and rush hour was in full swing.
We drove out to a small family restaurant near our house called Kismet's. Riley and I have gone there ever since we moved out to the country. It was a cozy Mom and Pop type place where everyone knew you, and you always stayed for a good two hours when you're there. You felt like you were at home. All the tables were made of varnished oak, and they reminded you of your mother's kitchen table with the scratches and scuffs, and they had that well loved look to them. When I first took Troy there he fell in love with the old fashioned charm of the place. Now it was all decked out with Christmas lights, fake snow in the window and a Christmas tree in the corner.
When we walked in the owner, Mr. Parker greeted us. "Ryan and Troy, how are you two? Riley, Mrs. Parker is in the middle of making a pie; you want to go help her in the kitchen?"
"Can I, Daddy?" Riley begged. Riley loved helping Mrs. Parker in the kitchen, but I think the Parkers loved it more. Every time Riley was here she was asked by one of them to help. I swear they never started cooking without her.
"Of course just be careful, and listen to Mrs. Parker. You know where to find us, when you're done," I said as she dashed into the kitchen. Troy just shook his head and laughed.
"I'm guessing you guys want the usual?" Mr. Parker asked writing in a notebook.
We nodded as we sat down in our regular table. There were a few people there who came up to talk to us, making sure everything was okay with the family, and wondering what everyone was doing for Christmas.
Troy and I had decided to spend Christmas Eve and morning together, then head to my family's place for dinner, and to Troy's the following day.
"You know Riley is going to make out like a bandit this year," Troy said as soon as we were left alone for a bit. "Even my mom has spoiled her. She couldn't stop telling me about the dress that she bought her, when I called her last night."
"Well, it's pretty unavoidable. Right now, she is the only granddaughter and my parents have been spoiling her for years." I chuckled. I reached for his hand and squeezed it. He smiled back at me. I could almost see the evil glint in his eye. "No. Don't even try it Bolton. There is nothing that you can do or say to get me to tell you what you're getting." He moved his chair closer to me.
"Are you sure about that, Evans?" He whispered in my ear. I could feel his hand underneath the table, getting closer to my belt buckle. I stopped him in his tracks and placed his hand back in his lap.
"Yes. Nothing will work, and good God we're in public. You're incorrigible. Not even that will work." I could see his shoulder slump a bit, and then he looked up again with a smile. "Don't bother asking Riley, she doesn't know."
"Damn. How do you do that?" He always hates it that I can read him like a book.
"Magic," I laughed. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Riley coming back from the kitchen with Mrs. Parker right behind. She was in a red apron with flour on her cheeks, and the curls in her pigtails bouncing as she walked over to us.
"Troy we made your favorite, apple pie!" Riley said sitting down at the table.
"You did? Well then, I guess I know what dessert is going to be!" he answered her excitedly. Mrs. Parker made sure we were all set with our food before leaving us alone. When we were done eating, Riley went back to the kitchen with Mrs. Parker to help bring out her masterpiece for Troy. I laughed, as he got all excited when a slice was placed in front of him.
Once we were done with dessert, we made our round of goodbyes. It was getting late and both Troy and Riley had school tomorrow so we headed for home.
Troy and I tucked Riley in, and we both read her a story before shutting out the lights. The two of us relaxed on the couch while watching a movie. Troy ended up falling asleep in my lap before we went to bed.