Free The Staying Kind by Cerian Hebert Page B

during Mom’s many escapades. Rio kept her mouth shut about it. Let him use his imagination.
    Travis didn’t pursue the subject. His jaw tightened as he stared at his coffee cup. “Two, Sadie deserves a commitment from you. If you intend to take her up on her offer, you better prepare to stay for the duration. No ducking out halfway through. She’s a trusting woman, and puts a lot of stock in someone’s word. Too much, in my opinion, but that’s who she is. So if you’re having second thoughts, say so now. I don’t want her disappointed.”
    “I plan on keeping my word.” Rio didn’t expand on her reasons, like how, even before the end of her first lesson on Dante, she’d fallen in love with the sport. The idea of competing gave her a goal, something to focus on that didn’t include running off to another city, another state.
    “And third, and most important, is my daughter.” Travis propped his elbows on the table, and studied Rio. “Jessa is going through a rough patch. I would very much appreciate it if you would stay out of it. I’m not convinced I’m making the right decision letting you stay here, but I have a gut feeling and I usually trust those. If I find you’re a negative influence on her, whether it’s intentional or not, you’ll have to leave. Preferably far away from my family.”
    Rio didn’t turn her eyes away from him. She couldn’t argue his conditions were unfair. “I have no intention of hurting anyone, Travis. It’s not in my nature.” Her nature had always been to make as few waves as possible. Flying under the radar as often as she could.
    Travis gave a short nod and sat back, picking up his mug. “Now, is there anything you’d like to say?”
    Rio stiffened as she stared silently at the black liquid in her mug.
    “You don’t have to,” Travis continued. “I’d feel a lot more comfortable about knowing something about the woman living under my roof. Like where you’re from. Where you’re really from.”
    She bit her lip. The first time they met she told him she came from Pennsylvania. It wasn’t a complete lie. She’d been in Pennsylvania before coming up to New Hampshire.
    “Originally I’m from a small town outside Buffalo, New York. But I haven’t been there in twelve years.”
    Travis frowned. “How old are you?”
    Rio cocked one brow. “Now, is that a polite question?”
    “My apologies.” Travis smiled and it transformed his face from intense and serious to relaxed and boyish. He had a wide and very appealing smile which, under better circumstances, would’ve been very contagious. Dangerous on a different level. At the moment she wasn’t feeling particularly lighthearted and could only manage a small smile in return.
    “Fine. I left home young, around your daughter’s age, and never looked back. You could say my family life was lacking.”
    Travis nodded. The smile and light in his eyes died a bit and was replaced by his seriousness again. “Have you had any contact with your family since you left?”
    Rio drew a deep breath. How many questions did he plan on asking? She generally steered clear of determined people and their questions. Avoiding them was far better than rehashing the details of her past.
    Travis had her cornered. If she planned on sticking around she’d have to give him something more. He wouldn’t let up until he was satisfied. Then, and only then, he’d leave her be. Until he again wanted more.
    She slumped in her chair and continued to stare at the mug. Her mouth had dried up, so she took a swallow of the coffee, letting the hot liquid slide down her throat.
    “Okay, I’ll give you a bone,” she said slowly. “I ran away from home when I was fifteen and believe me, there was never a moment on the road that I felt more in danger than I did at home. From my own mother, her endless parade of boyfriends, and their lifestyles. I have an older sister who left home before me. I haven’t seen her since she walked out.”
    Rio had