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 dirt road 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, then to 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 optimistic person she’d ever known, but clearly he had bitten off more than he should have. All she wanted to do was go back to Mimi’s and be alone. But what if Tracey showed up there too? Hayden was right about coming here. Tracey would have no idea where they were.
“It’s three bedrooms,” he said, gesturing to the front of the house, partially hidden by tall weeds and intermittent grass. “But I’m planning to add a fourth. I’m going to raze the barn, though. There might be some wood to reclaim, but I won’t be sure until I get in there and take it apart.”
He started to talk about the kitchen, then the living room, and the bedrooms as they walked around to the back of the property. “See that huge elm tree? I thought that would be a good place for a tire swing.”
“Uh-huh.” How could he act like a real estate agent when her life was in pieces? She had no choice but to humor him.
He turned to her, a bead of sweat dripping down his face. The day was unbearably hot, even more than usual for early July. “If I’m boring you, please tell me.”
His words, along with the hurt expression on his face, softened her heart a bit. “It’s not boring. I’m just...”
“I know. You’re upset about Tracey.” He moved toward her, his arms open. “It will be okay.”
“No, it won’t.” She backed away from him. “It’s never okay when it comes to her.”
“All right.” His arms went to his side.
“I want to go back to Mimi’s.” She turned around and started to leave.
“Riley, don’t—”
“Don’t what?” she whirled around and faced him. “Don’t be upset? Don’t close myself off? Too bad, Hayden, because that’s what I do.” Her throat closed as she hit her fist on her chest. “This isme. Therealme. And I know how this ends.”
He shook his head, his expression bewildered. “How what ends? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She backed away, unable to stop the tears. “I end up getting hurt.”
He hurried to her. “I’m not going to hurt you, Riley.”
“You will. You’ll get tired of my issues, tired of my pity parties, tired of me wanting more than I deserve.”
He held his hands out to her. “Where is this coming from? I won’t get tired of you, Riley. Everyone has issues, including me. Especially me. Are you saying you’ll get tired of me?”
Without realizing it, he was giving her an out. She lifted her chin. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. I don’t need anyone’s extra baggage.”
