“She stopped by Knots after you left.” Riley explained what had happened, including Hayden’s presence. “I couldn’t believeit, Mimi.”
Her grandmother’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I can’t either. Did she say where she was staying? How long she would behere?”
“No, and I didn’t ask her.” She squeezed her arms tightly. “I don’t care either.”
They sat in silence for the next few moments. “There’s nothing we can do about it tonight,” Mimi said, her expression stillhard.
“Do you think she’ll stop by here?”
“I don’t know. When it comes to her, I never know.” She stood and grabbed her cane. “Thanks for giving me the heads-up. I’mgoing to bed.”
Riley nodded as she looked at Mimi again. She hadn’t seen her grandmother this upset since the last time Tracey was around.
She wished she had the strength to comfort her, but right now she couldn’t do anything but sit here and try to balance herown emotions, and she was failing at that too. Every bit of anxiety and anger and depression she’d experienced when she livedwith her mother bubbled to the surface. After only a few seconds around Tracey, she was that scared, helpless little girlagain, the one she had tried so hard to keep tucked inside.
Now she threatened to break through the surface—and Riley had no idea how to stop her.
* * *
Erma sat at the edge of the bed, frozen. She didn’t want to believe what Riley had told her, but she knew her granddaughterwas speaking the truth. The only thing that would upset Riley this much was seeing her mother again.
She pressed her lips together. She couldn’t believe Tracey had gone back on her word. Then again, why should she be surprised?Her daughter had been a source of heartache almost since the day she came into Erma’s life. She and Gus thought they knewwhat they were in for when they’d adopted her at nine months old after discovering they couldn’t have children of their own.They were warned that she had attachment issues due to her neglectful birth mother, but they’d thought they could overcomeall that with enough love, care, attention, and prayer. As it turned out, they couldn’t.
Tracey had done one good thing in her life—having Riley. Somehow, despite her erratic childhood, Riley had turned out amazing.Erma loved her with all her heart.
She still loved Tracey too.
Erma got up and limped to the window, pulling the curtains to the side. It was dark in her backyard, but she could see theshadows of the stack of mulch Hayden brought over two days ago in preparation for him and Riley to redo the flower beds onSaturday since they had a bye week in the softball league. The season was almost over, and the team was at .500, thanks toanother team forfeiting a game a week ago, but from all accounts the players had enjoyed playing, and the church members hadbeen faithful in attending the games, include Erma.
She leaned her forehead against the warm window. Tracey, honey. What are you doing? Was it too much to hope that her daughter might have finally straightened out her life? That her return meant she was readyto settle down and become a functioning member of society? Had she at least gotten clean from the drugs and alcohol that hadplagued her since she was thirteen?
“How many times have I hoped for that?” Erma whispered. “How many times have I prayed she would be whole?”
Those prayers had multiplied during the past month when Tracey had contacted her twice by phone, wanting to reestablish theirrelationship. Erma had been firm about her boundaries—Tracey had to prove she was not only clean but also willing to change.Until then she wasn’t welcome back in her home. Maybe my prayers have finally been answered.
Erma wasn’t sure how long she stood at the window, but her leg started to ache, and that was the sign that she needed to getoff it and prop it up. She dressed in her pajamas and eased into bed, foregoing her nightly devotional reading, and insteadturning off the light and closing her eyes. She knew sleep would be elusive tonight, and it wasn’t just because Tracey washere.
What if she tells Riley the truth? Will my granddaughter ever forgive me?
Chapter 15
Hayden arrived at Erma’s the next morning and knocked on the back door, knowing Riley and Erma ate breakfast together in thekitchen every morning. When he didn’t hear anyone answer, he knocked again, then turned the doorknob. The door opened, andhe walked inside. The kitchen was empty, the coffee pot too. He frowned. He would have to remind the women that they neededto lock their doors at night. But now wouldn’t be the time.
He paused, wondering what he should do. Then he decided he could at least make coffee. By the time it finished brewing, Ermahad limped into the kitchen with her cane, looking bleary-eyed and more than a little surprised to see him sitting at thetable.
“Hello,” she said, frowning. “Did Riley let you in?”
“Um, no.” Now he questioned whether he’d done the right thing or not. “The door was unlocked.”
“Ah. I guess I forgot to lock it last night.”
At least he knew she did usually lock the doors. “Hope you don’t mind that I made coffee.”
“Mind? I’m grateful.” She hobbled over to the counter and hooked her cane over the edge, then pulled two mugs from the cabinet.“I’m assuming you want some?”
“Please.”
A few minutes later, she had joined Hayden at the table, and steaming mugs of fresh brew sat in front of them. “Thank youfor bringing Riley home last night. I wouldn’t have wanted her to drive after seeing Tracey. Her relationship with her motheris complicated.”
“I got that impression.” He took a sip of coffee but didn’t inquire further. Usually Erma was a chatterbox, but her drawn,worried expression concerned him.
“Has she told you anything about Tracey?” Erma asked.
Hayden shook his head. “Not much, other than they moved around a lot when she was little.”
“That’s putting it mildly.” Erma sighed. “My daughter has issues. I’m thankful
