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by J. A. Armstrong

  Riley listened as Andi fell into her memories. Emotions flickered in Andi’s eyes like fireworks—attraction, lust, affection, joy, sadness, and there is was—love. She took Andi’s hand without comment.

  “Fallon is one of a kind,” Andi told Riley.

  So are you. “Can I ask you something?”

  Andi nodded.

  “Why didn’t you two want to try? Being together.”

  Andi smiled. There were many reasons. “I’m not sure I can answer that. A lot of reasons, I suppose. I’m not sure that we would work as a couple.”

  Riley decided not to offer her assessment that they were a couple, albeit in a difficult situation.

  Andi read her friend’s thoughts and shook her head. “No,” she said. “We aren’t a couple, Riley. We’re lovers. It’s not the same. I’m not saying that I don’t feel something for Fallon. That would be a lie. Our relationship doesn’t come with all the expectations and responsibilities that being a couple does.”

  “Do you think that’s why it sparked? Because you don’t have to deal with all the other stuff?”

  “No.”

  “But it did spark.”

  “Like a lightning storm,” Andi said.

  “Yeah, that didn’t happen with Jerry. Maybe I’m broken.”

  Or maybe he’s just not the one to ignite that flame. “I don’t think so. Are you going to see him again?”

  Riley shrugged. “You and Fallon were friends for years before you felt something. A few more dinners couldn’t hurt.”

  Andi nodded. I wish that were true, Riley. “So, enough about my twisted love life. What about this party?”

  ***

  Fallon sat at the kitchen table stuffing party bags. Riley had been observing Fallon with interest all night. Something was off with her friend. Riley wasn’t sure how to approach the subject.

  “Thanks for helping,” Riley said.

  “I think I should be thanking you.”

  “What are you talking about? You’re letting me have Owen’s party at your house. You’re spending a Friday night putting party favors in bags. I’m sure there are things you’d rather be doing.” Fallon’s halfhearted smiled tugged at Riley’s heart.

  “Not really. Besides, you’ve done two loads of laundry since you’ve been here.”

  “Ah, the real reason you suggested the party move to your house.”

  Fallon chuckled. She was happy to offer her house to Riley. It was larger than Riley’s and would accommodate Owen’s playmates and Riley’s friends regardless of the weather. Riley seeking out Fallon’s laundry and sorting it was a bonus to be sure. Riley being at Fallon’s was always a bonus.

  “Fallon?”

  “Hum?”

  “Is there something bothering you?”

  Fallon sighed.

  “Everything okay with you and Andi?”

  What is she talking about? “Why? Did Andi say something to make you think it isn’t?”

  “Not at all. You just seem a little off tonight.”

  “My mom is leaving Sunday for a month.”

  “Leaving? Where is she going?”

  “Dean’s being sent overseas.”

  “Oh...”

  Fallon sighed again. “Apparently, my sister-in-law is pregnant. He doesn’t want to leave her alone. Mom’s going to stay until Evan’s out of school.”

  “I know you’ll miss her.”

  “I will.”

  Riley studied Fallon for a moment. “It’s not just that, is it?”

  Fallon took a deep breath. She’d been feeling incredibly emotional all day. Preparing for Owen’s party seemed to heighten that.

  “Fallon?”

  “It’s stupid.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Okay, it’s selfish.”

  Riley doubted that as well. “Care to share what’s so stupid and selfish?”

  Fallon hesitated. She didn’t like talking about her feelings. Riley’s eyes held concern—genuine concern. She could tell Riley anything. Riley would listen. Still, she hesitated. It was selfish and it was stupid as far as Fallon was concerned. She should be happy for Dean and Beth. She should’ve been happy for Olivia and Barb too. It wasn’t that she didn’t wish them well. There was a hole in Fallon’s life, one that she wasn’t sure anyone or anything would ever be able to fill. Sitting with Riley watching Owen run through her house while they prepared for his party reminded Fallon of that void. When Owen had grown tired, he’d sought out Fallon. She and Riley had tucked him into the lower bunk of the bedroom Fallon kept for her goddaughters; a bedroom that was quickly filling with more of Owen’s toys than anything Emily, Summer or Evan would find interesting. She loved having Owen at the house. That wasn’t the issue. The issue was that she hated seeing him leave.

  When Fallon took any time to examine her feelings, she found them ludicrous. She enjoyed close relationships with both her goddaughters, with Evan, with Jacob, and now with Owen. Fallon was the “cool” aunt. She was the adult that had the luxury of spending fun time with the children in her life without having to play a significant role as a disciplinarian. Wasn’t that the best of all worlds? Olivia often commented that Fallon got the best deal after their break-up. Dean had told his sister that she should count herself lucky not to have to endure daily diapers, colicky nights, defiant phases, and the stress that came with children finding their way. Those comments cut Fallon to the core. What did everyone think? Did everyone in her life think so little of her that they believed she would grow tired of a child? She placed some goodies in a bag, set it aside, and smiled.

  “Fallon, you don’t have to tell me anything.”

  “Sometimes, I guess I feel a little sorry for myself.”

  “I think we all do,” Riley offered.

  “Maybe. I know that I should be calling Dean to congratulate him on Beth’s pregnancy.”

  “But?”

  “I don’t know. I will. It just… Sometimes, Riley I wonder what I did wrong.”

  Riley’s brow furrowed. “Wrong?”

  “When we sat down with the contractor to build this house, I thought we’d be having birthday parties here every year for years and years.”

  Riley understood. “If having Owen’s party here is too much…”

  “What? No,” Fallon dismissed Riley’s concern. “No. I want you to have it here.” I do.

  More than Fallon wanted to share, she was excited about Owen’s party. Since Riley’s arrival in town, Fallon had developed a bond with Owen. She saw him at least three times a week, and often saw him every day. When she didn’t see him, Riley would often call so that he could say goodnight. Fallon had fallen in love with the toddler. She looked at Riley and her heart suddenly lurched in her chest. Perhaps it wasn’t just Owen who had captured her heart. Don’t go there, Fallon.

  Riley smiled gently at her friend. “You never know what might happen,” she said. Fallon’s eyes seemed to implore her for something. What was it? Was it hope? She reached across the table and took Fallon’s hand. “Who’s to say this house won’t have toddlers running amok one day.”

  Fallon’s stomach fluttered at Riley’s touch. Something else happened when she met Riley’s gaze; her spirits lightened measurably. “Yeah, tomorrow,” Fallon replied cheekily.

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I’m not sure about that, Riley.”

  Riley wasn’t sure what to say. Her conversation with Andi that afternoon came to mind. She’d often thought Fallon was the Pied Piper in disguise. The truth was that Fallon loved children. Fallon loved people. It was also obvious that Fallon had been hurt. For Fallon, that pain equated to lost trust. Riley was beginning to realize that it wasn’t only trust in others that Fallon struggled with; it was trusting herself—trusting the future held possibility for her. It pained Riley. Fallon would make an amazing partner for someone. She was sensitive and caring, honest, intelligent, and most importantly, Fallon was devoted to the people she loved. It made her easy to love. Ri
ley squeezed Fallon’s hand. You are easy to love. It might be easy to love Fallon; Riley knew it would not be as simple to convince Fallon to invest in a relationship. The wound that Olivia’s departure left was deep. It might have appeared to have healed, the scars it left were reluctance and doubt.

  “Well,” Riley began. “Tomorrow is unpredictable, Fallon. I need to believe that if it can be turned upside down by tragedy, it can be forever altered by something unexpected and wonderful. If that was your reality right now, we probably wouldn’t be sitting here. I hope you don’t mind if I selfishly enjoy the benefit of having you to do this with me.”

  “This?”

  “Owen’s party. I guess I haven’t said it; I don’t know if I would have the strength to do this without you. I know it wouldn’t be as much fun.” That’s the truth.

  Riley’s words surprised Fallon. It made sense. In some way, Owen’s birthday had to remind Riley of Robert. “I know there’s no substitute for Robert being here.”

  Riley smiled. The next two weeks would be difficult for her. It wasn’t just the memory of Robert standing beside her when Owen was born. It wasn’t only the way that image conjured a renewed sense of loss, of what Robert would miss—of what she missed. It reminded her that Owen would never know the man who gave him life, and that hurt Riley more than anything else. Owen’s birthday had fallen a week before hers. Riley’s birthday was also the day she had married Robert. So many beginnings to celebrate, and they all seemed hell bent on summoning feelings of loss. Fallon’s presence eased Riley’s sadness. All the loss had led Riley here, here to Whiskey Springs and to people she had grown to love more than she could fathom in a short time.

  “No,” Riley said. “There’s no substitute.”

  Fallon tried to smile.

  “There’s something new,” Riley said. Voicing that truth nearly took her breath away. There was something new. She was looking forward to the next day, largely because Fallon would be part of it.

  Fallon held her breath. Silence hovered. Riley’s hand was still holding hers. Unconsciously, Riley’s thumb had begun to caress Fallon’s palm. Riley’s touch aroused something far more potent than lust. Fallon didn’t want to break the spell between them. Fallon, stop. She forced herself to take a breath and let it out slowly. “How about we cap the evening with an adult beverage and an adult movie?”

  Riley arched an amused brow.

  “That did not come out the way I meant it.”

  “Fallon, are you blushing?” Riley teased.

  “No, I probably need to turn down the heat.”

  Riley struggled to keep her laughter in check. You are adorable sometimes. “So, what are you saying? You don’t want to watch an adult movie with me?”

  Fallon’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of crimson.

  Riley grinned. Few things made her happier than being with Fallon. Behind Fallon’s bravado existed the silliest, most sensitive person Riley had ever encountered. No one could ask for a better friend. Based on the way Andi’s eyes glistened whenever Fallon was in the room or her name was raised, and the fact that Olivia seemed to know where Fallon was at every moment when she visited; Riley guessed that Fallon was an equally incredible lover. That thought made her heart beat slightly faster. Jesus, Riley, you really need to do something about this frustration. You’re wondering about Fallon? What is wrong with you? The next thought she had made her giggle. At least, you weren’t thinking about Pete again.

  “What are you giggling about?” Fallon asked. “If you really want to watch a grown-up movie, I can make that happen.”

  Riley shrugged. “What; do you own some perverted version of Friends I’ve never heard of?”

  “I wish,” Fallon said.

  Riley fell into a fit of laughter.

  “That was out loud, wasn’t it?” Fallon grimaced.

  “Tell you what, you pick the movie. I’m happy to take perverted over Super Why. I’ll make some popcorn.”

  “What’s wrong with Super Why?”

  “You’re serious.”

  Fallon shrugged. “Owen loves it.”

  Mm-hum. Owen loves it because you watch it with him. “Well, you can watch it with Owen before his party.”

  “Speaking of that.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Why don’t you just crash here?”

  “Fallon, I don’t have anything here.”

  “Owen’s out like a light. You have to be back here around eleven anyway. Run home and get what you need.”

  Riley stared at Fallon with disbelief.

  “What? It’s only nine. It’ll take you half an hour at most.”

  Riley wondered what was driving Fallon’s request. It doesn’t matter. Fallon didn’t need to explain anything. Loneliness, that was the culprit and Riley and Owen were the cure. At least, they were for tonight. She smiled. “Okay.”

  Why was Fallon surprised? She had made the request.

  Riley chuckled at the dumfounded look on Fallon’s face. “Change your mind already?”

  “What? No. I just…”

  “Didn’t expect me to agree?”

  “I don’t know,” Fallon admitted.

  “Is the offer still good?”

  “The offer is always good.” Did I just say that?

  Riley smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She kissed Fallon on the cheek. “I’m going to grab my jacket. I’ll be back. How about you call Tony and order us a pizza? I’ll pick it up on my way back.”

  “Are you hungry?” Fallon asked.

  “Movies and pizza sound good to me, and one of your margaritas.”

  Fallon followed Riley to the front door. What is it with the women in my life and margaritas? “What do you want on the pizza?”

  Riley shrugged and opened the door. “Surprise me.”

  “Be careful, Riley. You might not like it.”

  Riley winked. “I’m not worried.” She closed the door.

  Fallon’s mouth went dry. Jesus. “Margaritas? I think I’ll skip straight to the tequila.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “Good Lord, is the whole town here?” Ida asked.

  “She certainly meant it when she said she’d spread the word,” Riley replied.

  Ida shook her head. “I think she’s having more fun than Owen.”

  Riley looked on affectionately. Fallon had purchased Owen a toddler basketball hoop. She had a group of children engaged in what could only have been deemed a ridiculous attempt at a basketball game. It might have looked absurd, six children with Fallon and Charlie making a pathetic attempt to instruct them. Laughter filled the air. Delighted squeals resulted in toddlers falling to the ground in fits of laughter. Riley wasn’t sure who would need a nap more at the end of the party, Fallon or Owen. She laughed when Owen managed to grab the small ball. Fallon swooped in, picked him up and carried him to the hoop that stood at roughly his height.

  “Slam dunk!” Fallon called out and spun Owen around.

  “Fawon!” Owen laughed hysterically.

  “She’s certainly in her element,” Andi commented.

  Riley couldn’t have wiped the stupid grin off her face if she tried, and she had no desire to try.

  Andi watched as Fallon and Riley’s eyes met. She felt Ida’s hand press into her back. How they could deny it, avoid it or fail to see what was developing between them perplexed Andi. Fallon’s eyes drifted to Andi’s and immediately expressed worry. Andi offered her a smile. Fallon’s expression continued to convey her concern, and Andi forced herself to wink.

  Ida wasn’t sure whether her heart would burst with hope at seeing the way Fallon’s eyes danced when they met Riley’s or break from the sadness emanating from Andi. No matter how much living she did, Ida continued to be amazed at how love could be simple and complicated at the same time. Watching her children grow and her grandchildren thrive, losing the man she’d shared a lifetime with, all her living led Ida to the conclusion that the human heart was a well. It ran deep and it begged to be filled. Som
etimes, a person could give so much that the well started to run dry. Other times it ran over, spilling out rivers that had nowhere to go. Love was like the rain. It poured down nurturing everything in its wake, filling the waiting well. Fallon’s well had been depleted before she started her affair with Andi. Andi was the first sprinkle to fall into Fallon’s heart in many years. Her presence had begun to refill the void that had left Fallon lonely. Riley? Riley was the looming storm. Ida thought that when the clouds broke, the well was sure to flow over, drowning the soft trickle that was Andi. Ida loved Andi Maguire like a daughter. She cherished her as a friend, and she was grateful to her as a mother.

  “I hear there’s some wine in the kitchen. Can I buy you a free drink?” Ida asked Andi.

  “I’m game if you think we can find the tequila,” Andi said. She squeezed Riley’s shoulder and followed Ida to the kitchen.

  Fallon managed to weave through a traffic jam of toddlers. She jogged over to Riley.

  “Who won?” Riley asked.

  “I don’t know,” Fallon confessed. “I lost track in the kerfuffle.”

  “Kerfuffle?”

  “What? It’s a word.”

  Riley smirked.

  “It’s in Harry Potter.”

  “Yes, it is.” Riley’s hand found Fallon’s. “Thank you, Fallon.”

  “For what? The kerfuffle?”

  “For everything.”

  Riley held Fallon’s gaze steadily. Fallon’s body tingled with the truth. No, Fallon. You are seeing what you want to see. Let it go. It’s Riley.

  Riley squeezed Fallon’s hand. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She spoke the words so softly that Fallon had to strain to hear them.

  “You don’t ever have to find that out,” Fallon promised.

  Riley’s eyes searched Fallon’s. Emotions bubbled through her veins so quickly she couldn’t think to name one. I hope so.

  “Fawon!” Owen nearly tripped over his feet. “You help wif my twuck?”

  Fallon beamed. Andi had purchased Owen a ride-on truck. Owen had tried it once before being lured away by Charlie to the basketball hoop. She flashed Riley a cheesy, hopeful grin.

  “Go.” Riley chuckled.