“Hayden helped with that,” Riley said, crocheting four chains with her flax-colored yarn.
The women stopped and looked at her.
“He did, did he?” Bea asked, pursing her lips.
“Now, you gals don’t start.” Mimi pointed her crochet hook at each of them. “Hayden is also working on my house. He’s a verytalented young man.”
“We all knew that.” Viola grinned. “We just didn’t know he was so chummy with you and Riley.”
“We’re friends,” Riley said quickly, then pulled too tight on the magic ring and had to undo it.
“Friends,” Gwen said, winking at Mimi.
Mimi shook her crochet hook at them. “Y’all are incorrigible.”
“Why yes, we are.” Bea grinned. “And you love us in spite of it.”
The women laughed and then began to discuss the upcoming Fourth of July picnic at church.
Hayden had been dropping hints to the mayor about restarting the Too Dang Hot Parade next year, but Riley didn’t think he’dbeen taken seriously yet. He wasn’t going to give up, though. They’d talked about it the other night as they sanded down theshutters he’d taken off the front of Mimi’s house.
“Since I’m still in negotiations for the hardware store, I haven’t had time to press the issue,” he’d said.
His father had accepted the initial offer for the store, so they were working with Henry to figure out how to get out of thedeal by compensating the buyer. So far nothing had worked, but Hayden remained optimistic. “I can’t imagine we won’t come to an agreement at some point,” he’d said. “I’m not one to back away from a challenge.”
Riley smiled to herself as she continued to crochet. She knew firsthand how stubborn and persistent Hayden could be.
The next two hours she concentrated on her work, chiming in occasionally when one of the BBs asked her a question or drewher into their conversation. She was half finished with her pattern when the evening ended. Bea offered to take Mimi homewhen Riley said she wanted to stay awhile longer and do some straightening up.
As soon as everyone had left, Hayden opened the back door and poked his head in.
“Is it safe?” he asked, his gaze darting dramatically around the empty shop.
“If you’re asking if the BBs left, they did.”
He walked into the store, and as usual Riley took time to watch him. Even the simple act of walking showed off his athleticgrace, coupled with his fit body. She still had difficulty keeping her eyes off him. Tonight a lightness was also in his steps,and when she met his eyes, she saw excitement.
“You’re happy,” she said as she moved toward him from behind the counter.
“I’m always happy to see you.” He stopped close to her, and she anticipated the light kiss he always gave her when he wassure they were alone. Instead, he leaned against the counter and stared at her, still grinning.
“I get the feeling there’s something else going on.”
“You would be right about that.” Suddenly he picked her up and whirled her around before setting her lightly on her feet.“I’m now the proud, and happy, owner of Price’s Hardware store.”
Riley squealed. “They let the store go?”
He nodded. “Finally.” He took her hand. “Let’s celebrate. I bought a bottle of champagne when my parents agreed to let mebuy the store, and it’s been sitting in the fridge at home. I also want to show you something else—”
The bell above the door jingled. Hayden dropped her hand, and they both turned to see who had come in.
“We’re closed,” Riley said, then froze.
“Even to me?”
A sickening feeling jolted in her stomach. After all these years . . .
“Riley?” Hayden whispered, searching her face. “Are you okay? You turned kind of pale.”
Riley couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. All she could do was stand there and stare at the woman she hadn’t seen since she wasthirteen years old. The woman she’d hoped never to see again. Tracey. My mother.
Chapter 14
“Riley?” Hayden grabbed Riley’s shoulders, then glanced at the woman who had walked into the store. He had no idea who shewas, but her presence clearly unnerved Riley. He turned to Riley again. “Talk to me, honey.”
“Hey, Riley.”
Riley stiffened and her complexion drained completely.
“You lookin’ good, baby. New York must be treatin’ you real well.”
Riley came to life and brushed past Hayden as she stormed toward the woman.
“What are you doing here?” Her voice shook. “You said you’d never come back when you took off with your boyfriend of the week.Remember? Because I do. I will never forget you sayin’ that was the last time I’d ever see you again.”
The woman flinched and licked her cracked lips. Her expression turned impassive. “I suppose I deserve that.”
“You suppose?” Riley’s tone turned tight. “That’s all you have to say?”
Hayden could see Riley was losing her composure. He moved to stand next to her. To his surprise, she gripped his hand.
The woman flipped her nearly waist-length brown hair, which was on the thin side, over her slim shoulder. Now that he wascloser to her, Hayden could see that she’d lived a rough life. Her leathery skin was full of wrinkles, especially around hermouth. There were uneven streaks of gray in her hair, and she reeked of cigarette smoke. But there was something he recognizedabout her too. Her eyes. They were just like Riley’s.
“I’ll come back when you can be civil to me,” the woman said, leveling her gaze at Riley.
“Go ahead and leave. That’s what you do best, isn’t it?” Riley snarled.
The woman shot out of the store, the door clicking shut behind her.
Riley’s entire body began to shake as she let go of Hayden’s hand. When she started to hyperventilate, Hayden hurried to lockthe door and turn off the lights. The back storeroom gave off enough illumination, and he guided her there. He didn’t wantany passersby—or even worse, a busybody—to see her in distress.
“I’m sorry,” she said in between gulps of air. “I—”
“Don’t apologize.” He took in a deep breath, knowing he had to
