Suddenly she jerked back from the table and jumped up from her chair. Without looking back, she ran out the kitchen door and into the backyard, heaving in gulps of warm evening air until she reached the tire swing.
Hadn’t she put all this in the past? All the pain and isolation she’d felt for years... Why was it back now? Over a discussion of home improvement, of all things.
Why now? Why here? Just... Why?
***
“Oh dear,” Erma whispered. “I was afraid of this.”
Hayden’s gaze had been pinned to the back door of the kitchen since Riley ran out. Her reaction was so sudden and intense, he was worried about her. Turning to Erma, he saw her eyes glazed with tears. Uh-oh. That wasn’t good.
“Did I do something wrong?”
She shook her head. “No, sweetie.” Then she sighed. “She’ll be okay.”
Hayden wasn’t so sure. She wasn’t just a little upset. She was distraught. Her fleeing the kitchen out of the blue like that confirmed that something was seriously wrong. All he wanted to do was go outside and put his arms around her, which was a terrible idea. But that fact didn’t change his feelings. It only convinced him not to act on them.
Erma rubbed her temple, her fingertip brushing the short silver hair above her ear. Then a faint smile appeared on her wizened face.
“Leave it up to her to want to do something sweet for me,” she said, her bottom lip trembling. “She spent all day working in the shop and insisted that I take it easy. She would handle any customers that came in. We only had two. Hardly a rush.”
Hayden nodded. Her words convinced him that something had to be done about the state of downtown Maple Falls, but right now he couldn’t focus on anything but Riley. He glanced at the back door again.
“You want to go check on her, don’t you?”
He thought about lying, but Erma would see right through it. He nodded. “Just to see if she’s all right.”
She smiled. “I think that’s a good idea.”
Hayden shot up from the chair and dashed out the door. Riley was standing by an old tire swing that was probably as busted up as everything else seemed to be in this town. Her back was to him, and he slowed his steps, not wanting to surprise her. Her arms were wrapped around her body, her shoulders hunched. He took another step forward, and to his surprise, she turned around and straightened her shoulders, her expression as unapproachable as always.
“Did you and Mimi figure everything out?”
The sun had dipped below the horizon, dimming the light to dusk, but he could clearly see her guarded expression. It was as if she had transformed from the vulnerable woman who ran out of the house to someone who was completely in control. He was starting to understand that it was just a mask, that underneath the veneer of calm was a turbulent storm.
“Are you okay?” he asked, knowing full well she wasn’t.
“I’m fine.” She took a step back and bumped into the swing. As he suspected, the tire was sagging in the middle and part of the treads were hanging off. She steadied the swing but didn’t look at him again. “After Mimi and I discuss the budget, I can write up the agreement—”
“Would you shut up about the agreement?” He moved closer to her. “I don’t care about some dumb contract between you and me. I trust your word. I’d like to think you trust me... but I can see that’s not the case.”
She glanced up at him. “It’s... it’s...”
“It’s what, Riley?” He softened his tone. “You’re hurting. I can see that. I just don’t understand why.”
She turned away. “You don’t know me, Hayden,” she whispered.
That was the opening he’d been hoping for, despite everything. He moved closer until his chest was nearly pressed against her back.
“I want to, Riley. I’ve wanted to get close to you since I saw you at the airport. I don’t know why, and I don’t think it matters anyway.” He swallowed. “What does matter is you. And if you want me to go away, I will. Just say the word, and I won’t bother you again.”
***
Riley shivered but couldn’t bring herself to face Hayden. She couldn’t believe what he was telling her, even though she’d heard him say the words.He wants to get close to me.How could that be possible? He’d always been in a different league. She’d always been the outsider and still was. He didn’t know her past or her family. And if he found out—
“Riley?”
She closed her eyes at the low, smooth sound of his voice close to her ear. When he put his hands on her shoulders, she couldn’t pull away. Something broke inside her, and she leaned against him. This fantasy would end soon enough, but right now she desperately needed Hayden’s touch.
