Hayden stilled. Surely Riley wouldn’t tell her grandmother about their kiss. Then again, the two of them were close. “Uh, what did she say?” he asked as Lonnie pitched a perfect strike to Jared, who had yet to miss a ball behind the plate.
“That it was an ordinary day.”
Ouch. Maybe he had read Riley wrong again. Then their kiss came back to mind, particularly how she had responded to him. He definitely hadn’t read that wrong.
“Hayden,” Erma said, drawing him out of his thoughts. A good thing considering the path they were on. “I meant to tell you last night that I’m sorry for asking you to take on Riley as your assistant.”
“It’s okay—”
“No, it wasn’t, especially for Riley. But it was also wrong for me to put you in an awkward position. Occasionally I have to admit that not all my ideas are good ones.”
This was a side of Erma he hadn’t seen before. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely audible. Then she turned to Hayden. “Riley has something up her sleeve, though. She’s had her head in that sketchbook since she got home from the shop. She even had it next to her while we ate supper. I encouraged her this morning to spend time on her art while she was visiting, but I didn’t think she would do it right away. I haven’t seen her this excited in a long time.” She elevated one eyebrow. “Are you sure there aren’t any other secrets you’re keeping from me?”
“Uh . . .” Hayden peeked at Riley again. She happened to look up at the same moment and meet his gaze. He expected her to ignore him, or worse, give him that blank expression that bothered him so much. Instead, she smiled, then went back to her sketch.
He grinned and got to his feet while Erma told Jared to get lower in his stance behind the plate, preventing Hayden from answering her question. He glimpsed the dugout again. We’ve officially turned a corner, Riley McAllister.
He couldn’t wait to see where they went from here.
* * *
As the softball practice continued, Riley kept sketching in her book. The ideas were flowing now, and although she only needed a rough drawing of her plans, she had become engrossed in filling in the details. Other than doodling around with her sketch of Hayden, she hadn’t done much drawing since she’d moved to New York. She was never one to map out her art, because she preferred to discover each creation organically. This was different. While her drawing was a far cry from artistic, it suited the purpose and filled a dry spot in her soul. Soon she would explain her plan to Mimi, but right now she was enjoying the creative process.
She lifted her head occasionally to watch the practice. Or more accurately, to watch Hayden as he ran the practice. She leaned one elbow on her knee and rested her chin in her hand as she watched him correct Lonnie’s pitching form on the mound. Although the team played in a slow-pitch softball league, Hayden was just as comfortable pitching underhanded as he had been pitching a baseball. And just as fine. What a gorgeous man. She sighed.
“Something wrong, Riley?” Mimi leaned forward, studying the field as if she were still Hayden’s assistant coach.
She straightened. “No. Nothing. I’m good.” She glanced at her sketch again before closing the book. She’d done more drawing today than she had in years, and it was time for a break.
She set her sketchbook on the bench and left the dugout to stand by Mimi. The warm wind had kicked up, a soft breeze fluttering the leaves of the elms and oaks around the field. She scanned the chain-link fence surrounding the ball field, noting numerous patches of rust. Then she took in the metal bleachers that were also dotted with orange spots of rust. The last time she was here she’d been so uncomfortable and out of sorts that she hadn’t noticed. Now she was seeing every decrepit detail. The splintered and warped wooden roofs above the two dugouts, the lack of a scoreboard, the rusted signs—their faded lettering impossible to decipher—stuck on the fence behind the outfielders.
Hayden was right. Maple Falls was dying away. The things that made a town vibrant—strong businesses, safe open spaces where families could spend time together, activities that attracted both young and old—were disappearing. She shouldn’t care. This town represented nothing but disappointment to her, except for being home to Mimi and the Bosom Buddies. Still, for some reason, the declining state of the town over the past ten years saddened her. Where would Maple Falls be in another decade?
Where will I be? The question popped into her mind out of the blue. What did she have to show for her past ten years in New York? An empty bank account, extra pounds she didn’t need, and a few sales at the flea market. Maybe she had more in common with Maple Falls than she wanted to admit.
“Olivia!” Erma hollered as the woman approached the plate, hefting the bat as if it weighed fifty pounds instead of less than sixteen ounces. “Sugar, keep your eye on the ball this time.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Olivia touched the brim of her light-gray baseball cap, her chin-length, straight black hair tucked behind both ears. She held the bat at such an awkward angle that Hayden held up Lonnie’s pitch and jogged over to her. He repositioned the bat, gave her a few instructions Riley couldn’t hear, then scooted away from the plate. Lonnie released a pitch, and Olivia connected with it, hitting a weak grounder to Jimmy at third base.
Riley smiled as Jimmy took his time fielding the ball without making it obvious. He threw Olivia out seconds before she reached first base, but she looked pleased. Riley was happy for her. Funny how a simple game could bring joy to so many people, players and spectators alike. Her grandmother was certainly enjoying herself. Then again, anytime Mimi had a chance to be bossy, she was in her element.
“It’s good to see you smile, sweetie.” Erma reached out and took Riley’s hand. “Real good.”
“It feels good,” she whispered, too low for Mimi to hear. But it didn’t matter. The dread she’d felt over the past few days was dissolving, giving her space to breathe, to think clearly, and to relax, at least a little. She had Hayden to thank for that, in part.
When practice was over, Riley passed out cups of water like she had on Saturday, this time hanging around the players instead of escaping into the dugout. Anita motioned for her to join her, Harper, Olivia, and Kingston, a tall, blond man who hadn’t been at the previous practice. Mimi had told her his name when he caught a ball in the outfield earlier. She paused, then walked over.
“Do you know my brother Kingston?” Anita gestured to the man, who was probably the only one on the field who could hold a candle to Hayden in the looks department. Still, Hayden edged him out, in Riley’s opinion.
Kingston held out his hand. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
As Riley shook his hand, Anita said, “King is five years older than us, so that’s probably why.” Anita grinned. “He was in medical school when we graduated.”
“Gotcha.” Riley smiled. “Are you on the team too?”
“When I can be. I have pediatrician practices in Malvern and Arkadelphia, and I’m on call a lot at the hospital. But when I can make the practices and games, I try to. Hayden’s done a good thing here, putting this team together.”
“I agree.” Olivia beamed. “It’s been a lot of fun learning how to play. I feel like a kid again.”
“My legs are getting a workout, that’s for sure.” Harper did a hamstring stretch.
Riley didn’t quite believe her. Harper’s trim, fit figure didn’t happen naturally. She should know. She’d let her own figure go to pot.
“We were just thinking about grabbing some ice cream,” Kingston said, looking at Riley. “There’s a place right outside town that serves the best in the area.”
“You should come with us,” Anita added.
Riley paused, surprised she was considering their offer. But what if they started asking questions? Just because she’d trusted Hayden with a small piece of her past didn’t mean she was ready to share it with anyone else.
“Maybe another time. I’m Mimi’s ride home.”
“I’m sure Junior wouldn’t mind dropping her off,” Kingston said. “Doesn’t he live right around the corner from her?”
Riley had forgotten about that. Why hadn’t Mimi asked him for a ride instead of practically begging Riley to take her to the ballpark tonight? Then again, her grandmother’s decisions didn’t make sense to her half the time, especially recently.
“So, are you coming with us, then?” Kingston flashed her another grin, his straight white teeth gleaming. He looked more like a model than a doctor, although she could see him as one of those too.
“Where y’all going?” Hayden joined them and stood next to Riley. Very close to her, she noticed, and between her and Kingston.
“Swirlies.” Anita tucked her glove under her arm. “It opened a few weeks ago. Their hot fudge sundaes are to die for.”
“Do they have sorbet?” Harper asked. “I’m lactose intolerant.”
As Anita listed the different flavors of sorbet available at Swirlies, Hayden turned to Riley. “Are you going?” he whispered.
She paused. Once again, she was tempted. A part of her wanted to join the group, to eat two huge scoops of cookie dough ice cream and enjoy the company. Then, as it always did, reality slammed into her. What was the point of making friends when she wasn’t sticking around?
And what about Hayden? She trusted him more than she had anyone else other than Mimi. Even Melody didn’t know about Tracey. Had telling him been a mistake? She felt better after their talk—and kiss. But she hadn’t given any thought to the future. Would she end up getting hurt when she had to leave?
“Riley?”
She met Hayden’s expectant gaze and knew the answer. Yes, I will. I always do. Turning from him, she looked at the rest of the group. “Thanks, but I need to get Mimi home.”
“Rain check, then,” Kingston said.
She barely nodded, then hurried to Mimi, who was in a lively debate with the three Mathis cousins about the best old-school rap group. Riley frowned. When did Mimi ever listen to rap music?
“Oh, there you are, sugar.” Mimi gestured to the three sweaty young men. “Tell them I’m right.”
“Uh, you’re right?”
“Of course I am.” She gave the boys a queenly wave of her hand as they chuckled and shook their heads.
“Ready to go?” Riley asked, moving behind her grandmother and starting to push her along. The sooner she got out of here the better.
“I guess so.” She inhaled a breath of air as a breeze flowed around them. “It feels wonderful out here. Thanks for coming with me, Riley. It’s good to get out of the house.”
Riley nodded, feeling a little guilty for dragging her away from everyone. But if she didn’t leave now, she might change her mind about going to Swirlies.
“I’m glad you had a good time.”
“I really wish I could play again,” Mimi said as they slowly made their way toward the car. The rest of the players were also heading for the lot, talking and laughing on the way there. Riley fought the impulse to search for Hayden, but she kept her focus on pushing Mimi. Her shoulders tensed. So much for being able to relax.
They were halfway to the parking lot when she heard him call her name. She cringed, knowing she was being a jerk again, and ignored him.
“Sugar, don’t you hear Hayden calling you?”
Now she had no choice but to turn around. She stopped Mimi’s wheelchair and turned halfway to look at him. He was jogging toward them, her sketchbook in his hand. How could she have forgotten her sketchbook? She started to mumble a curse, then stopped herself. Funny how her language had cleaned up since she’d gotten here. But right now her mind was filled with less than ladylike words.
“I’ll be right back.” She turned, forcing herself not to dash toward him, dread pooling in her stomach. Please don’t open that book.
As he neared, he said, “You forgot this—” He tripped, and the sketchbook flew out of his hand and landed on the ground.
A wind stronger than any of the previous ones kicked up and blew open the cover of the sketchbook. Several pages flipped as she scrambled to get the book.
But Hayden picked it up first. He glanced down at the picture on the open page.
Chapter 10
Stunned, Hayden stared at his image on the white page in the sketchbook. It made him remember Riley’s skill as an artist. She had captured him well, even the cowlick on the side of his head. Then realization dawned. She drew a picture of me.
He looked up to see her standing a few feet away, wisps of her brown hair blowing around her beautiful face. Without a word he closed the sketchbook and handed it to her.
She took it and hugged it to her chest. “Thank you,” she said, icicles hanging from her words.
And with that she was distant again. He marveled at how she could turn from warm to frigid in a split second. But he wasn’t irritated. He understood why, but that didn’t mean he wanted her to leave. When she started to walk away, he jumped in front of her.
“Don’t,” he said, keeping his voice low. A few members of the team were still in the parking lot, but he didn’t want to risk getting their attention.
Her eyes turned cold. “Mimi’s waiting on me.”
He saw Erma talking animatedly with Junior. “She’s occupied right now.” He looked at Riley again, this time at a loss for words. What was he supposed to say to her? Don’t leave? Don’t be an ice queen? Let me hold you again? Obviously, she had been thinking about him and, from the accuracy of her sketch, watching him. He didn’t mind that one bit. What he did mind was that she was running away from him again when she didn’t have to.
“I really need to—”
“Wait. Just . . . Wait right here.” He ran over to Erma and Junior. “Hey, man, would you mind taking Erma home?” he asked Junior, who was so easygoing that Hayden was sure he would say yes. He also hoped Erma understood that he wanted to spend time alone with Riley.
“Sure thing, Hay.” Junior tilted up his sweat-stained ball cap. “Anythin’ for Miss Erma here.”
“Why, Junior, you charmer.” Erma lifted her brow at Hayden and gave him a small nod before turning to her willing chauffeur.
Thank God Erma was so sharp.
“I’d be glad to catch a ride with you,” she continued. “You can finish telling me about that fish you caught last week. Twenty pounds, you said?”
“At least.” Junior started to push Erma toward his light-green pickup truck. “Might have been twenty-two.”
“My goodness!”
Hayden blew out a breath, relieved that Erma was taken care of and that Junior had someone to talk about his fish with. Then he turned around, glad to see that Riley hadn’t moved. She didn’t look so happy, though, and now he wondered if he hadn’t made things worse by taking care of Erma without asking Riley first. But he wasn’t going to let her get away so easily this time. He rushed to her, skidding to a stop on the grass. “Junior’s—”
“Taking her home. I can see that.” She scowled. “Why did you do that, Hayden?”
“Because I didn’t want you to leave.” There. The truth was out. “I think we have some things to talk about.”
“Like what?”
“Us, for starters.”
“There is no us.” She moved her index finger back and forth between them.
He took a step back but kept his gaze steady. “I think there is.”
“You’re wrong.” She hugged the sketchbook to her again.
She was stubborn, he would give her that. Then again, she was Erma’s granddaughter. He also suspected that some of that stubbornness had been honed during her childhood. Reminding himself of that helped him keep his patience. He glanced at her sketchbook.
“Nice picture, by the way,” he said. “Interesting choice of subject matter.”
Her cheeks turned bright red and she averted her gaze. “I was practicing.”
“Uh-huh.” He scratched the corner of his forehead, then went for broke. “You can’t honest
ly tell me that you didn’t feel anything when we kissed.”
“N-no. I-I didn’t.”
“Wow, you’re a terrible liar.” He grinned. “I like that about you.”
“Hayden, don’t.”
“Don’t what?” He took another step forward, and she moved back. “Don’t worry, Riley,” he said, softening his tone. “I’m not going to kiss you again. Even though I want to.”
“You do?”
“Of course I do. But I can see you don’t want me to.”
A pause. “I never said that.”
“Now, those words I believe.”
She moved away from him again, holding the sketchbook as if it were a life preserver. “We shouldn’t have kissed,” she said.
That hit him hard. He understood she was protecting herself, and now he understood a little about why she felt like she had to. But to act like there weren’t feelings between them . . . What was he supposed to do with that? Slow down. That’s what he needed to do, for both their sakes. He’d never been one to jump into a relationship, and he’d never even been in a serious one. There was a learning curve to this, he was discovering.
“You’re right,” he said, following her lead and moving away from her. “We haven’t known each other that long. But we can change that.”
She pressed her lips together and then pushed the stray strands of hair away from her face as she stared at the empty ball field. “No, we can’t.”
* * *
“Riley, please look at me.”
She couldn’t keep from facing Hayden, not when she heard the pleading in his voice. The sun was setting behind him, casting a soft amber glow around his incredible body. She wasn’t being fair or honest with him, and he deserved better. She was stuck, like a pig in a mud wallow, as Bea might say.
She could walk away from Hayden right now, get into Mimi’s car, and drive off. She could tell him she didn’t need his help to fix up Mimi’s house. Now that she didn’t have to worry about the rent this month, she had extra money to hire someone else. It wouldn’t be ideal, but it would solve a problem. She could make sure she never crossed paths with Hayden again before returning home to New York. That would make everything less complicated—and less painful.
Hooked on You Page 14
