He sounded so formal, and now she was questioning her boldness. But she wasn’t going to back down now. She had thought about him almost nonstop since she and Mimi finished their marathon talk session, and she had to stop denying how she felt about him. She almost laughed, seeing him here in the shop right now. She had planned to seek him out after work today. In fact, it had taken all her self-control not to run over to the hardware store and beg for his forgiveness.
“I shouldn’t have let Tracey get between us.”
Hayden frowned. “I didn’t realize she was.”
“She always is, at least for me. I’ve let my past take over my present.” She was afraid to say the next words but knew she had to. “I’m scared, Hayden. I’ve always been scared. Of getting too close to people and being rejected. I’ve always made sure I’m in control of my life and my feelings. I thought keeping my distance from people would silence the fear. And it did for a while.
“Then I came back here. And you came into my life, and the Bosom Buddies, and Harper, Anita, and Olivia—
“The Three Musketeers.” At her questioning look he added, “That’s what I call them.”
“Yes, them. And finally this shop, even this town. It all beckoned me, which made the fear return. It exploded when Tracey showed up.”
Hayden’s eyes were filled with sympathy as he took her hand and remained quiet.
“I can’t keep running away from the past. I have to face it. I’m not sure what that involves right now, other than getting some counseling. Mimi said she will too.”
“That’s good. It’s helped me out a lot.”
She wondered about that, but now wasn’t the time to ask. “I’m telling you all this because...” Her breath started to hitch. “Because...”
“You don’t have to say anything else, Riley. I’m in the wrong here too. I told you I would be patient and earn your trust. Then at the first sign of hardship I rushed you and flipped out. I’m so sorry about that.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “I still have some stuff to work out, things I thought I’d conquered, and a couple issues I didn’t know I had. I talked to my counselor, Doug, on Monday, and he helped me, but I think seeing him on a regular basis for a while would be good for me.”
Riley nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. Hopefully I can find someone who can help me.”
Hayden removed his hand from her face. “In New York?”
He sounded so forlorn that she wanted to hug him again. “No. Here. In Maple Falls.”
His eyes widened. “You’re staying?”
“Yes. But I have to go back to New York and settle things with Melody and wait until we find her another roommate. As soon as that happens, I’ll be back.”
“And I’ll be waiting.”
She smiled, her heart full. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
He tugged her into his lap, then gave her a long, lingering kiss. When they parted, she laid her head on his shoulder.
“Can I take you to the airport at least?” he asked, playing with a strand of her hair.
“Absolutely. You can pick me up, too, when I come back.” She raised her head from his shoulder. “If that’s not too much trouble.”
“Never.” He cupped her face. “I’m hooked on you, Riley McAllister.”
She chuckled. “I see what you did there.”
He mock-frowned, then grinned. “Oh, I get it. Hook. Knots and Tangles.” Then he turned serious. “I mean it, though. I’m here for the long run. No matter what.”
Riley leaned against him again, fully trusting in his words.
Epilogue
Three months later
