“Rileyismy business, Bea.” Erma didn’t try to hide the edge in her tone.
“Of course she is.” Bea’s expression turned contrite. “I just meant that if Hayden and Riley are meant to be, let them come together on their own.”
“From what I can tell, that’s not going to happen.” Erma set down her fork. “I have to admit I’m surprised there wasn’t a spark.”
“Why? Did you expect there to be one?” Peg asked.
Erma scoffed. “He’s smart, comes from a good family, has impeccable Southern manners, and you’d have to be blind or dead not to notice how handsome he is.”
“Why, Erma Jean, I think you have a crush on the young’un.” Bea giggled and winked at Peg.
“Very funny.” Erma leaned back in her wheelchair, now wondering if she should have brought this topic up at all. She knew she couldn’t reveal the real reason she hoped for Riley and Hayden to click romantically. She was ashamed even to think about it because she was being singularly selfish.But I want Riley home.
Falling in love with Hayden would ensure that. His dad had mentioned a few days before Erma’s accident that Hayden bought a fixer-upper on the edge of town, which meant he was staying in Maple Falls. She remembered being a little jealous. At least Harry had one son home. Besides, what man wouldn’t think Riley was a catch? And who wouldn’t want Hayden Price as a grandson-in-law?
“I’m surprised someone hasn’t snatched up Hayden since he got back.” Peg cut into her eggs with the side of her fork. A huge cobalt-blue and emerald-green ring adorned her finger. It would have been pretty except it was in the shape of a beetle. “There are several single young women in our town.”
“Maybe he’s not interested in dating anyone,” Bea added. “Did you ask him about it, Erma?”
“Of course not. I’m not that nosy.”
Bea and Peg smirked. “Right,” they said in unison.
“Not about romance, and not when it comes to my granddaughter.” She sighed, realizing she was contradicting herself. “You two are no help. You know that?”
“I’m going to get some fruit,” Peg said, pushing back from the table. “Do you two need anything?”
Erma shook her head, but Bea said, “Another piece or two of that bacon, please. Wait, make it three.”
When Peg left, Bea turned to Erma, her expression serious. “All right, Erma, what are you really up to?”
Surprised, Erma frowned. “I just told you. I want Riley and Hayden to get together.”
“I’ve never known you to be a matchmaker.”
“There’s a first time for everything.” Erma lifted her chin. “Besides, we all agree that Hayden’s a keeper.”
“He is, but I suspect that’s not the only reason you want him and Riley together.” Bea leaned forward. “You can’t force her to stay, hon.”
Drat.Leave it to Bea to figure it out. If Myrtle had been here, she would have known Erma’s real motives too.The perils of having best friends.
“I know that,” Erma snapped. Then she reached for Bea’s hand. “I’m sorry.” Tears welled in her eyes. Bother, she didn’t want to break down here in a crowded restaurant. As it was, half of Maple Falls seemed to have the same idea she and her friends did, and the last thing she wanted to get around town was that she’d been seen crying at the brunch buffet. “I miss her so much. I don’t know if I can bear it if she leaves again.”
“Oh, honey.” Bea squeezed her hand. “I know you’re worried. But we’re here for you. Just like we have been all these years. We BBs don’t let each other go through hard times alone.”
Erma nodded, swallowing her tears. She released Bea’s hand. “Thank you. I just wish it didn’t have to be this way. I always prayed things would be different.”
“Keep up that faith, Erma. Just don’t try to force anything, especially something as important as a romantic relationship. If the good Lord wants Riley and Hayden to be together, he’ll make it happen. He doesn’t need your help.”
That was for sure. Erma adjusted the napkin in her lap as Peg rejoined them, then handed a small plate of bacon to Bea. The woman did enjoy her pork products. Erma sat back and watched her friends discuss Jared’s sermon. A feeling of calm came over her. She would enjoy Riley’s company as long as her granddaughter was here, and she wouldn’t ruin their time together by trying to press her into doing something she didn’t want to do—and that included taking over Knots and Tangles and coaching the church softball team. She’d already given silent agreement to Riley last night, and when she returned home she would call Hayden and let him off the hook too.
A pain creased her heart. She’d lived on hope for too long. Her dream of handing over Knots and Tangles to Riley needed to die. Just because her granddaughter, who had always possessed gumption, had been working in the store to get it organized and cleaned up, didn’t mean she was interested in running the business. In fact, she’d made it clear she didn’t want to. Earlier in the week, Riley had even mentioned that maybe Erma and Myrtle could move in together. Erma pretended to chew on the idea, but it was preposterous. She adored Myrtle, but being roommates would certainly fray their relationship. They were too independent to share a residence.
There was also another thing Erma needed to face. Knots and Tangles wasn’t much of a business anymore, and not just because she hadn’t been giving it her full attention over the past few years. All the businesses on Main Street were in various states of decline, including Price’s Hardware and the Sunshine Diner. Why would she want to saddle Riley with a losing proposition? That wasn’t fair, and it wasn’t respectful of what Riley really wanted to do—be an artist. She was an excellent one with a true gift. Erma had to accept that her granddaughter’s home was in New York.
Somehow she would have to deal with the loneliness that had been encroaching over the past several years, although she hadn’t admitted it to anyone. If the Bosom Buddies thought for a minute that Erma was lonely, they’d never leave her alone. She wasn’t lonely for friends; she was blessed with the best. The empty hole in her heart could only be filled by family, and her only family was Riley. That was too much of a burden to put on her grandchild, who had already been burdened with so much in her life.
“Do you want some fresh pancakes?” Bea asked, breaking into Erma’s thoughts. “Those have grown cold by now.”
