Riley hurried over to help before Mimi hurt herself. If she ever made any extra money, she was buying Mimi an electric recliner, one with a remote and massage capability. Her grandmother would fuss, but Riley knew in the end she would like it. Though that would be a long way off. The idea of extra money was a pipe dream.
“I’m fine, Riley. Look, I can even scoot into the wheelchair myself.” Mimi positioned herself in the chair, then grinned with satisfaction. “See? No problem.”
“Until you fall off the recliner. Why won’t you ask for help?”
Mimi’s expression grew serious. “I’m not used to it,” she said in a low voice.
Riley almost nodded. She had difficulty asking for help, too, a trait she must have inherited from Erma. While it could be annoying to others, she was proud of being independent, and she was glad to have that in common with her grandmother. Funny how the characteristic had skipped a generation when it came to Tracey.
“There he is,” Mimi announced, perking up.
“How do you know?” Riley glanced at the front door.
“I heard the car door slam.”
Riley hadn’t heard it, but Mimi’s hearing was impeccable. Her pulse started to thrum, and she was relieved he hadn’t changed his mind about helping.
“Are you going to tell me why you and Hayden are meeting tonight?” Mimi asked, wheeling closer to her.
“Eventually.” Riley smoothed her hair, which was pulled back in a bun at the nape of her neck.
Mimi touched her hand. “Don’t worry. You’re pretty as a posy.”
“I’m not thinking about how I look—” A knock sounded at the door.
“Be right there!” Mimi hollered, then shoved Riley toward the door.
Off balance from the unexpected shove, Riley steadied herself before opening the door.
“Hi, Hayden,” she said, keeping her tone as neutral as possible.
“Hey.” He wasn’t paying attention to her. His gaze scanned the yard as he added, “Sorry I’m late.” Then he turned to her. “Ready to talk?”
“Yes.” She started to frown. Now he was examining the front of the house, his normally bright expression twisted in a studious grimace. Wow, she didn’t think the house wasthatbad.
“Come on inside, Hayden,” Mimi called out behind her. “I’ve got fresh sweet tea, extra sweet, of course, and lemon cookies in the kitchen.”
Hayden nodded, and before Riley could fully open the door, he walked inside, passing right by her as if she were Mimi’s butler. He leaned down and kissed her grandmother on the cheek. “How are you today, Erma?”
Riley watched as Hayden gave Mimi his undivided attention while she listed her complaints, the chief one concerning her wheelchair.
“I don’t need this contraption anymore,” she griped, sneering at the armrest.
“Is that what the doctor said?”
“Doctors don’t know everything.” Mimi sniffed, lifting her chin. “If he tells me when I see him Wednesday that I have to keep using this, he’s getting an earful.”
Hayden’s brow lifted. “Glad I’m not that doctor.”
While he was still listening to Mimi and nodding as she continued her tirade on the medical profession, Riley noticed he was tapping his foot, as if he were impatient.As if he wants to get this over with.For some reason that irritated her, and she could feel herself getting prickly again. If he didn’t want to help anymore, he should have canceled the meeting.
She marched to the kitchen and started pouring tea into two crystal-cut tumblers Mimi had insisted they use, along with a matching pitcher that her grandmother only brought out for special occasions. Riley also noticed when she got home from the shop that the living room and kitchen had been tidied up. Was she trying to impress him? Were the green glasses they normally used not good enough?
Riley leaned against the kitchen counter and let out a deep breath. She was starting to sound like Tracey again, and she hated it. Never had she gotten the impression from Hayden or the Prices that they were stuck up or thought they were any better than anyone else. Why had that crossed her mind now?
“Erma seems to be feeling better.”
Riley turned to see Hayden standing behind her, his expression impassive. She nodded, taking a moment to steady her nerves before handing him a glass of tea. “She’s in a hurry to get well. I don’t want her to rush her recovery.”
