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by J. A. Armstrong

  Riley watched as Carol’s face drained of all color.

  “What happened? No, of course I can. Don has to leave by four; I know. No, I’m at Riley’s.” Carol looked at Riley and sighed. “Yeah, I’ll tell her. Is she okay? I’ll bet she is. Don’t sweat it.”

  Riley’s heart dropped. Is who okay?

  Carol looked at Riley. “Do you want to talk to her?” Carol held the phone out for Riley. “It’s Ida.”

  Riley took the phone nervously. “Ida.”

  “Now, before you go getting all upset, you listen to me.”

  “Okay.”

  “Fallon had a little car accident.”

  Riley held her breath. Accident was a word that conjured images that made Riley’s stomach revolt.

  “Some idiot tried to pass her, ran her right off the road.”

  “How bad?”

  “The car is totaled. Fallon will survive.” Ida heard Riley’s breath catch. “She’s okay, Riley. More annoyed than anything else.”

  “Where are you?”

  “UVMC in Essex.”

  Riley forced herself to breathe. She’s fine. Relax, Riley.

  “Riley?”

  “I’m here.”

  “I was wondering if you could do me a favor,” Ida said.

  “Whatever you need.”

  “Do you think I could deposit Her Highness with you for the night? She’s supposed to rest and stay off her feet. I’m supposed to head to Albany tomorrow morning. She’ll never forgive me if I cancel.”

  “Of course,” Riley said. “Do you need me to come there?”

  “No. She’s signing paperwork now. I should be there within the hour.”

  “I’ll be here.” Riley handed the phone back to Carol.

  “You okay?” Carol asked.

  Riley nodded. Not even a little bit. She vividly recalled the troopers at her door after Robert’s accident. It took her two weeks to get the courage to sit behind the wheel of her car, and much longer to stop anticipating disaster at every turn. She never wanted to hear the words car and accident in the same sentence again, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever consider any incident “little.”

  “Hey, look at the bright side.” Carol tried to lighten Riley’s mood. “At least she won’t be playing in the mud tonight.”

  Riley smiled. It was a smile devoid of amusement. She felt sick, and she was positive nothing but seeing Fallon walk through her door would quell the anxiety creeping through her bones. “There is that,” she confessed.

  ***

  Riley opened the front door and took the first full breath she had in an hour. She’s okay.

  “Good luck,” Ida said as she helped Fallon to the door.

  “I can walk, Mom,” Fallon grumbled.

  Riley smiled. “So, it would appear.”

  “Well, I’m happy you can walk, Fallon,” Ida said. “You do have three broken ribs and a mild concussion. So, do us all a favor and behave.”

  “I feel fine.” Fallon grimaced as she took a seat on Riley’s sofa.

  Riley shook her head.

  “Fawon!” Owen ran into the room.

  “Owen,” Riley warned. “Gentle. You need to be gentle with Fallon. She has some boo boos.”

  Owen looked at Fallon sheepishly. She had a bruise on her forehead and a small cut over her right eye.

  Fallon reached down for him.

  “Fallon,” Riley and Ida cautioned in unison.

  Fallon ignored them. She winced as she picked Owen up and placed him on her lap.

  Stubborn. Riley wanted to scream. Her nerves were still frayed.

  “Boo boo?” Owen touched Fallon’s forehead.

  “Just a little one.” She smiled at Owen.

  “Fawon, swed?”

  “No sledding,” Riley said firmly.

  Fallon groaned.

  Ida chuckled. Met your match, Fallon. “Don’t be afraid to put her in time-out,” Ida said.

  Riley nodded.

  “And, you.” Ida pointed at Fallon. “You behave. No work tomorrow, Fallon.”

  “Mom, I’m fine.”

  “You’re deluded, is what you are. Don’t give Riley any trouble. I mean it.”

  “What are you going to do, ground me?” Fallon replied.

  “Watch me,” Ida said. She’d nearly had a heart attack when she got the call that Fallon was on her way to the hospital in an ambulance. She still hadn’t managed to calm the shaking in her hands. She was determined to conceal that from both her daughter and Riley.

  Ida had lost her brother in a car crash. He had just turned twenty. She had never taken a drive lightly again. She suspected that the same held true for Riley. That understanding is what prompted her to suggest Fallon spend the night at Riley’s home. That, and the fact that she was curious about the relationship between her daughter and Riley Main. She was aware that Fallon continued to see Andi. And, while it might have surprised most people, Ida had no issue with the affair. Andi and Fallon had been friends for years. Jake Maguire was a notable philanderer. Andi was lonely. Fallon was lonely. Fallon was also timid when it came to romantic entanglements. Ida wished that her daughter would open herself to the possibility of a new relationship. She suspected that Fallon’s feelings for Riley ran deeper than friendship. Whether either Riley or Fallon realized that, she couldn’t be sure. And, she had no idea how either might react to that reality. This much was evident to Ida: Fallon and Riley cared deeply for each other. Whatever path their friendship followed, Ida felt confident the friendship would endure.

  “I’m sorry I have to drop her off and leave.”

  “Don’t be,” Riley said. “I’ll make her behave.”

  Ida smiled. “I have no doubt.” She hugged Riley.

  “Be careful driving to Albany,” Riley said.

  “I will be.”

  Riley let Ida out and sucked in a deep breath. She walked into the living room to find Fallon sitting with her eyes closed, Owen looking at her curiously. “Owen, why don’t you go get your bear and you and Fallon can watch that movie you like while I make dinner?”

  Owen looked at his mother fearfully and then back at Fallon.

  Fallon opened one eye. “Super Why, buddy,” she said. “I’ll be right here.” She closed her eyes again.

  Owen climbed off the couch and toddled toward his room.

  “How are you feeling?” Riley asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  Riley doubted that. “Did you call Andi yet?”

  Fallon opened her eyes. “Why would I do that? She and Jake are in Florida with the boys.”

  “I know that.”

  “She doesn’t need to hear from me.”

  Riley sighed. Yes, she does. “Fallon, she’s going to hear. You know I’m right. You don’t think Pete or Carol is going to text her?”

  Fallon huffed.

  “She cares about you. Don’t let her hear it from them, and don’t let her worry.”

  “I’m fine,” Fallon snapped. Her heart skipped when she saw tears brimming in Riley’s eyes. Shit. Way to go, Fallon. “Riley? Why are you so upset?”

  Riley shook her head.

  “Come over here.”

  “I need to start dinner.”

  “Come over here,” Fallon said.

  Riley complied reluctantly.

  “What’s got you so upset?” Fallon asked.

  “What’s got me so upset? Fallon.” She tenderly touched the cut over Fallon’s eye. “You could’ve been killed,” she whispered hoarsely.

  “I’m okay. Riley, look at me.”

  Riley couldn’t meet Fallon’s gaze. It might have been irrational, but she couldn’t stop the way she felt.

  Fallon, you idiot. “Hey,” Fallon coaxed Riley to open her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “Why are you sorry? I’m the one acting like a baby.”

  “No, you aren’t. I wasn’t thinking. I can be a first-class asshole sometimes.”

  “No…”

  “Oh, yes, I can. I wasn’t
thinking about you or Mom; how you would feel getting that call. I just wanted to get home.”

  “You’re my best friend, Fallon. I don’t want to think about losing you too.”

  Fallon pulled Riley into her arms. “I’m sorry.”

  Riley cried. She cried with relief. She remembered the day Robert died. She cried for the loss. She cried, and she cried some more. Fallon held her, and she let herself cry.

  Owen walked into the room dragging his bear by the arm. Fallon smiled at him. “Come up here, buddy.”

  “Mommy.”

  Riley pulled away from Fallon slightly, wiped her eyes, and smiled at her son. “Let me put in that movie for you.”

  Fallon pulled her back onto the sofa. “Thank you for caring,” she whispered.

  I do care. Riley nodded.

  “I’ll call Andi.”

  “Good.” Riley gathered herself and made her way to the kitchen. She gripped the counter. What would I do if something happened to her? She pushed the thought from her mind. Fallon was safe. Everyone was safe. Dinner, Riley.

  ***

  Riley picked up her phone. “Hi, Andi.”

  “How are you holding up?” Andi asked.

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you.”

  “I’m fine. I take it she called you.”

  “She did. Thanks for that.”

  “No problem.”

  “Seriously, how are you?” Andi asked.

  “I’m okay. You know Fallon; she thinks she should be up doing something—anything.”

  “Sounds about right. How are you?”

  Riley sighed.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “It’s the call; you know?”

  “I think I can imagine,” Andi said.

  Fallon had called Andi while Riley went to make dinner. She’d confessed that she felt horrible for not thinking about how her mother and Riley must have felt. Both had lost someone they loved in a car wreck, and Fallon’s car was wrecked. She confided to Andi that she knew she was lucky. Someone had been watching over her. She hadn’t told either her mother or Riley how hard she had hit the tree. In fact, she hadn’t mentioned the tree at all. She’d seen people hospitalized or killed from softer collisions. Fallon’s admissions had taken Andi’s breath away for a moment. Andi was and always would be the person that Fallon could tell anything to—anything at all. Andi would never pass judgement and she was capable of handling the truth. That didn’t change the fact that the truth left Andi rattled.

  “I’m glad she called you,” Riley said.

  “I’m glad she’s with you.” I am. It’s strange, but I am.

  Riley wasn’t sure what to say. “How’s the visit going?”

  “Good.” Andi brightened. “Jacob took me to this restaurant he and his friends love last night. Jake and Dave went to a movie. I can’t remember the last time it was just Jacob and me. It was fun. I can’t believe he’s twenty-one. My kid bought me a drink.”

  Riley laughed. Andi adored her sons. Motherhood was a bond that she shared with Andi. She loved to hear Andi talk about her boys. She seemed to glow with pride whenever she had the chance to tell a story about one of them. Riley also understood that Andi missed them sorely. She accepted that Andi loved her husband and family. Secretly, she wondered if Andi might be happier with someone who was present in her life on a daily basis. She valued all the friendships she had made since arriving in town, but she remained closest to Andi and Fallon. She hoped that if their affair ever came to an end, that she would be able to maintain the closeness she shared with them both.

  “Sounds like a fun trip.”

  “It has been. Are you sure you’re okay? I know that call had to shake you up.”

  “It did. Don’t ever tell her I told you this; she fell asleep a while ago. I checked to see if she was breathing twice.”

  Andi listened. Oh, Riley, how is it that you don’t see it? “Be glad she’s sleeping.”

  “I know. I should be.”

  “Listen, thanks for making her call. Carol texted me about ten minutes after she called.”

  I knew it. “No problem. See you next week?”

  “With a tan,” Andi said. “I didn’t even have to get sprayed!”

  Riley laughed. “Color me jealous.” Riley burned under a sixty-watt light bulb. Dark hair and eyes did not equate to golden brown skin.

  “Call if you need to talk,” Andi said.

  “I won’t.”

  Andi laughed.

  “Call, I mean.”

  “I’ll see you soon, Riley.”

  Riley put her phone on the counter. Now, if I can keep Fallon quiet for the next twenty-four hours…

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  April 5th

  Riley wondered if Carol had any idea what Charlie was planning, or rather what Fallon had planned for him. One of the only ways Riley had managed to convince Fallon to stay home for a few days after her accident had been promising that she would go shopping with Charlie for Carol’s engagement ring.

  “I have things I need to do,” Fallon argued.

  “What things?” Riley challenged.

  “Carol’s party is only a few weeks away.”

  “And?”

  “What do you mean, and? And, I have to make sure everything is set.”

  “Why do you need to be at work to do that?”

  “You need space. You need to work,” Fallon said. “You can’t be waiting on me.”

  “It’s not as if I am potty-training you too.”

  “Funny.”

  “Fallon, you need to take a few days.”

  “I feel fine.”

  “You won’t feel fine if you push it too soon,” Riley reminded her.

  Fallon groaned. “Charlie wants me to help him shop.”

  Riley chuckled. “For what?”

  “A ring.”

  “A ring?”

  “Yeah, for Carol. What do I know about that?”

  Riley decided not to remind Fallon that she had once purchased a ring for Olivia. She suspected that was part of what was driving Fallon’s attitude. Planning a party was one thing. Charlie was a sweetheart. He was caring for an aging mother with dementia and running a business. Riley was sure that Fallon had offered more than Charlie had requested her help. Rings were something of a different order than parties. Rings reminded Fallon of Olivia. Sitting still had Fallon pondering all kinds of things, not the least of which was getting herself anxious about shopping with Charlie.

  “I told you a long time ago that I would help you any way I could,” Riley said.

  Fallon sighed.

  “What if I go with Charlie? Do you think you can handle watching Owen for an afternoon?”

  Fallon’s eyes brightened. “You’ll go with him?”

  “Sure. I like sparkly things.”

  “Are you sure?” Fallon had been reluctant to ask Riley. Would looking for engagement rings remind Riley of what she’d lost? She had even considered asking Andi to take Charlie.

  Riley guessed where Fallon’s thoughts had traveled. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “I’d like to think that maybe someday, someone will buy me something sparkling again.”

  Fallon was surprised by Riley’s admission. “I’ve no doubt.”

  “Maybe. So, do we have a deal?”

  “You want to make another deal with me?” Fallon teased.

  “A deal, not a bet.”

  Fallon laughed.

  “You can tie up what you need to from home. You stay off your feet for the next couple of days like the doctor suggested. I’ll take Charlie shopping.”

  “How many days?”

  “Fallon…”

  “Okay! Anything to get out of shopping.”

  “What do you think?” Charlie asked.

  Riley looked at the ring on the counter. It was stunning, neither overstated nor diminutive. It was elegant. “I think it’s perfect.”

  “Really?”

  “Really,” Riley promised.


  “I hope they have a return policy,” he muttered.

  “She’s not going to say no.”

  Charlie looked at Riley hopefully.

  Riley squeezed his arm. “She’s crazy about you.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so.”

  Charlie exhaled with relief. “I’ll take it,” he told the clerk.

  “How does it feel?” Riley wondered.

  “What?”

  “I don’t know, I’ve never bought anyone an engagement ring.”

  “Yeah, but you’ve been given one.”

  “True.”

  “What was it like for you?”

  Riley giggled. “A bit less than romantic.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, we were in the mall and he turned to me and said, ‘I think we should by a ring.’ I thought he was joking until he pulled me into a jewelry store.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “No, I swear.”

  “You said yes, though.”

  “Actually, he never asked the question.” Riley laughed. “I picked out a ring. He bought it. He put it on my finger. That was it. We were married a year later.”

  “Wow.”

  Riley smiled. “I wouldn’t change one minute.”

  “Really?”

  Riley nodded.

  “You must miss him.”

  “I do.”

  “Sorry if this was…”

  Riley took Charlie’s arm again. “This was fun,” she said. “I’m happy for you and Carol.”

  “If she says yes.”

  “She’d be a fool not to.”

  Charlie finished his transaction. “What about you?”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah, think you’ll ever do it again?”

  “Get married?” Riley asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “I don’t know. I hope so.”

  “You know, Jerry’s been asking about you.”

  “Jerry?”

  “Yeah. Jerry Walker, you know; the roof guy.”

  Riley smiled. “I know who Jerry is.”

  “I think he’s kind of sweet on you.”

  Riley’s eyebrow raised. Jerry? “What makes you think that?”

  “He just asks about you a lot is all,” Charlie explained.

  “Hum.” Riley had run into Jerry a handful of times. He seemed friendly. She had to admit she hadn’t given much thought to Jerry at all, and certainly not romantically. Then again, Riley hadn’t indulged in romantic fantasies of any kind since Robert’s death. Jerry Walker? She shook off the thought.