The only way Riley was going to get rid of him was if she pushed him too far away—and he was worried she might do just that.
He glanced behind him, relieved to see her sitting there with the Three Musketeers, as he called Olivia, Harper, and Anita.At least she had come to church, which was a good thing. Erma was with her BBs, which was also good. He was glad they hadpeople in their lives to support them.
Tanner slid next to him on the pew. Hayden glanced at him and noticed his ponytail tied up in a bun and white gauges gleamingin his ears. That edgy style contrasted with the red-and-white gingham shirt and khaki pants he wore.
“Anyone sitting here?” he asked.
Hayden shook his head and scooted over.
“Good.” Tanner settled in the seat. “I thought maybe, you know.”
“Know what?”
“You were saving this seat for Riley.”
Hayden pointed his thumb in the direction behind him. “She sits there.”
“Oh. It’s been a while since I’ve been in church. Didn’t realize there was assigned seating.”
Smirking, Hayden shook his head. “Technically there isn’t, but everyone knows there really is.”
Tanner leaned over and whispered, “So, you and Riley. What’s going on there?”
“We’re friends.” He stared straight ahead. Tanner normally wasn’t so nosy.
“Just friends?”
“Yes.” Hayden clenched his jaw.
“Good. So you won’t mind if I ask her out?”
Hayden shot him a deadly look.
Tanner chuckled and held up his hands. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I also got close to the truth, apparently.”
Jesse started playing guitar, and Hayden was glad for the interruption because he was ready to throttle Tanner, which wasnot appropriate church behavior. Tanner was still grinning when Jesse finished the worship song. He was about to start anotherwhen a low murmuring started in the crowd.
Tanner glanced around. “What’s going on?” he asked Hayden, as everyone focused their gazes at the back of the church.
“I don’t know.” But when Hayden twisted around in his seat, his stomach dropped. Walking into church, head held high, wasTracey McAllister.
Hayden spun around and saw Riley staring straight ahead, iciness returning to her eyes. Uh-oh. He glanced at Erma, who wasgripping Bea’s arm. Double uh-oh. If he were a cursing man, he would have been thinking much worse.
* * *
Riley forced herself not to let her mother bother her. Tracey had walked straight to the front row and sat down, passing everyoneelse in the church, some who might have recognized her, despite her hard life having erased any semblance of the youth shehad when she left Maple Falls. She crossed her legs and set her purse next to her, as if she were as much of a fixture onSunday mornings as the Bosom Buddies were.
Gripping the edge of the pew, Riley yanked her gaze from her. Tracey was doing this on purpose, disturbing the service anddrawing attention to herself in the most dramatic way possible. Riley didn’t know why, and she didn’t care what her reasonswere. She wasn’t going to give her mother the satisfaction of bothering her. But as soon as the service was over, she wasgetting out of this building.
Before Jared could say amen to the final prayer, Riley slid out of the pew and dashed outside, heading straight for Mimi’scar. Her stomach churned. Being outside in the hot, sticky air contributed to her nausea. But she’d rather be out here thaninside with her.
She turned her back to the church, fishing for the key in her purse. She found it and opened the driver’s side door, thengot inside, put the air conditioner on full blast, and slammed the door. As soon as she started to put the car in reverse,she saw Hayden rush out of the church and run toward her.
She gripped the gear shift. She’d been an absolute jerk to him yesterday and had outright ignored him the day before. Whichwas wrong. But she couldn’t help it. Her mother showing up reminded her of how this would end. The same as everything ended—withRiley getting hurt.
Hayden tapped on the window. She hesitated before pressing the button and rolling it down. “What?”
He blinked. “Let’s go.”
She frowned. “Go where?”
“I’ll tell you.” He rounded the car and got into the passenger’s seat. “Drive.”
“Where—”
“Just trust me, okay?”
She put the car in Reverse, and they left. Then she gasped. “Mimi! I left her at church.”
“Don’t worry about her,” Hayden said. “She’s a grown woman. She’ll find a ride home.”
Knowing her grandmother had her pick of personal taxi drivers, she followed Hayden’s directions until they came to a dirtroad right at the edge of Maple Falls. She trusted him, but she was annoyed that he wouldn’t leave her alone.
“Where are we?” she snapped, wishing she’d driven off as soon as she saw him coming out of the church.
“You’ll see in about half a mile.”
Her hands ached from gripping the steering wheel so hard as she continued driving. Finally he told her to slow down, thento stop in front of a house and small barn that were both leaning in an alarming way.
She threw the car into Park and turned to him. “All right, Hayden. What’s going on?”
He looked at her, but his characteristic twinkle and cheerful expression were missing. “I saw Tracey walk into church.”
She crossed her arms. “So did everyone else.”
“I figured you’d want to get away. This was as good a place as any.”
“Which is?”
He stared straight ahead at the questionable buildings in front of him. “My house.” He opened the passenger door. “Come on,I’ll show you around.”
She paused as he got out of the car. This was the place he’d assured her he could fix up by himself? He was the most optimisticperson she’d ever known, but clearly he had bitten off more than he should have. All she wanted to do was go
