Holding On (Love In Montana Book 3)

"Anna, there's someone waiting outside to meet you," said aunt Katherine who was her uncle Kevin's wife. Their children, Russell, Rowland and River lived in Las Vegas where they looked after their hotel business.

Rihanna was surprised. It was evening and who could be waiting outside for her? She didn't have many friends. She walked out of the kitchen towards the front door. Opening it, she peeped outside curiously and saw a worried Hunter waiting outside. It was then that she remembered that she had promised Robbie that she would go and cook for him if free.

"Hunter?" She asked.

"Robbie's crying non-stop for you. He's uncontrollable, Rihanna. Did you promise him that you would come home?" Asked a worried Hunter.

"Yes, I told him that I would go if I'm free," said Rihanna.

"Are you free?" Asked Hunter, hopefully.

"Yes," said Rihanna.

"Then come home, please," said Hunter, his eyes pleading with her.

"I'll just change and come out in a minute," said Rihanna. "Why don't you come inside?" She offered.

"No, I'm fine here," he told her. She rushed inside and changed into a flowing maxi dress with spaghetti straps. Combing her hair neatly into a bun, she picked up her handbag and went out of her room.

"Mom, granny, I'm going out to see a student who's unwell. I might be late, " she told them, before rushing out. The moment she went out, she could feel Hunter's hot gaze upon her, taking her in from head to foot. It made Rihanna acutely conscious of herself as she climbed onto the passenger seat beside him.

"Ready? Shall we go?" He asked quietly.

"Yes," Rihanna nodded.

"You look better with your hair down," he said and Rihanna looked at him with disbelief. Did he really say that to her? Hunter smiled and turned away to start his car. He had no idea how he said his thoughts out loud. What she must think of him now?

"Robbie was expecting you tonight, I think. He didn't understand you. He thought you were free to come home," said Hunter, trying to change the topic.

"It's alright. It's actually my fault. I was free but it completely escaped my mind and I started helping mom with dinner," she told him, apologetically. Hunter smiled. He couldn't tell her that more than Robbie he was the one who had been going crazy all afternoon waiting for her to come home.

"You like to cook?" He asked with interest.

"Yes," she answered.

"So, will you teach me?" He asked her, briefly glancing in her direction.

"Sure," she said, feeling a little self conscious after that comment. He drove through the marketplace.

"How's Robbie doing with your new housekeeper?" She asked curiously.

"She isn't new actually. She has worked for us as a replacement when Samantha was unavailable. Robbie was never this rude to her before but now he's refusing to co-operate, " said Hunter with concern. He looked tired and worried. Rihanna felt bad for him.

"I'll talk to him, tonight, don't worry," she reassured him.

"Yes please. He'll listen to you," he said quietly. He drove through the gates of his ranch and parked his car inside his garage. Robbie came running out of the house followed by Gemma.

"Miss Anna why didn't you come? I waited for you for so long?" Said an upset Robbie with dried up tears on his face.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. I'm here now. Come here," she said as Robbie went closer and hugged her around her waist. She picked him up in her arms and they all walked into the house.

"Rihanna, this is Gemma," said Hunter as Gemma smiled at her. "Gemma, this is Robbie's teacher, Rihanna, " introduced Hunter.

"Hello ma'am, " said Gemma with a warm smile. Rihanna liked her instantly.

"Please call me Anna, " she told Gemma whose smile widened.

"You're very beautiful, Anna, " said Gemma.

"Thank you," said Rihanna, her cheeks coloring a little as she felt Hunter's gaze fixed upon her.

"Will you make dinner for me, Miss Anna?" Asked Robbie, hopefully.

"I've already made dinner, Robbie, " said Gemma.

"Why did you? I asked you not to? Throw it away. I don't want to eat your food," yelled Robbie. Gemma's face fell while Hunter shook his head giving Rihanna a look which clearly showed how tired he was of all this.

Rihanna knelt down before him and hugged the upset child to her bosom. "Robbie you shouldn't throw food away, sweetie. God gets angry and will never bless us. I'm sure Gemma has cooked a delicious meal for us. She isn't like Samantha at all. Gemma loves you just like I do. Doesn't she?" Asked Rihanna tenderly.

Robbie nodded. "Then if you behave like this wouldn't she feel hurt? Wouldn't she cry? Wouldn't she think that Robbie is a bad boy?" Rihanna said as Robbie's eyes went wide.

"But I'm a good boy," said Robbie. "I only want you to stay with me," he said looking guilty.

"I can't stay with you twenty-four hours sweetie. If you behave like a good boy then I'll come down whenever you want me to. Okay?" Said Rihanna. Robbie nodded.

"Promise me that you'll be a good boy ans listen to Gemma and Hunter?" Asked Rihanna. Robbie nodded.

"Yes, Miss Anna. Will you be my mommy then?" He asked with hope. Rihanna looked at Hunter helplessly who was listening to their conversation intently. He grinned and shrugged. Gemma chuckled and walked to the kitchen to start serving dinner.

"I'm your teacher Robbie, " she told him but he shook his head vigorously.

"I want you to be my mommy as well as my teacher, " he said, stomping his feet to emphasize his wish.

"Hmm, we'll see about that. Shall we have our dinner, first?" Asked Rihanna. Robbie nodded and pulled her to the dining table. He sat down along with Hunter while Rihanna helped Gemma.

"I'll manage this Anna. Thank you for handling Robbie so well. In fact, Hunter too is unwell. He will tell you I think if you ask," said Gemma.

Rihanna looked at her. "How do you know that he isn't unwell?" Asked Rihanna with concern.

"He was talking to one of the ranch hands when he fell unconscious today in the afternoon. I asked him to rest but he's at work without a wink of rest. I go out of duty in a few minutes. So if you could find out what's wrong with him then I could give him the necessary medicine before going home," said Gemma. Rihanna's eyes widened at what she just now told her. Hunter wasn't well? Although she knew exactly why, yet she knew that it was better to find out from him. He wouldn't tell her if he hadn't told anyone yet. She had no idea why Gemma was of the opinion that he would open up to her. Robbie was a child and therefore easy to convince but Hunter was a grown man and she had no clue as to how to ask him in the first place.

"I'll talk to him and ensure that he takes his medicines, don't worry," she promised Gemma. They laid the table and Gemma went home.

Rihanna served Robbie and fed him since he refused to eat on his own. Hunter watched her as he sat quietly without serving himself. "Why aren't you eating? Should I have to feed you too?" Asked Rihanna. He hadn't even served himself anything. Hunter looked at her with an amused expression on his face .

"I don't mind," he shrugged.

"I do. Start eating," she ordered.

"I'm not hungry," he said on a more serious tone.

"How can you not be hungry? Have you eaten something already?" She asked with concern.

"No, uncle Hunt hasn't eaten anything since he fell sick, " said Robbie his voice showing how worried he was about his uncle.

"Sick? What happened to you Hunter?" She asked concern.

"Nothing," he said grumpily, refusing to look into her eyes.

"You don't know? Uncle Hunt fell down and wouldn't get up. Then Gemma poured water on him and then he was awake again," said Robbie, emphasizing every word.

Hunter rolled his eyes. "It was nothing to be so worried about. No big deal," he said trying to divert the topic.

"Of course, it's a big deal. You fell unconscious and yet you haven't consulted a doctor," scolded Rihanna. Hunter stared at her, his eyes piercingly gazing at her as if he wanted to communicate to her something. "I'm not listening to you. I'm calling a doctor to check you up and that's final, " she said.

"I don't need a doctor," he told her calmly.

"But you're not eating," she pointed out.

"Okay, I'll eat if you stay tonight," said Hunter quietly. Rihanna gaped at his expressionless face. Did he just ask her to stay or was it her imagination playing tricks with her.

"I...," she started but Robbie intervened.

"We have lots of clothes for you, Miss Anna. Uncle Hunt bought nearly a whole shop for you. Do you wanna see it?" Asked an excited Robbie while Rihanna looked at Hunter with shock while he avoided her eyes.