Susan just stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. Something told her she wasn’t going to like what was coming.
“She’s talking about leaving, saying she’s not comfortable in Misty Lake, that people are talking behind her back, and that no one has made her feel welcome.”
“Small town, she probably should have expected that.”
Riley shrugged. “I’m worried about her leaving with Ryan. I don’t think she’s well and I’m not convinced she’s capable of taking care of him. She seems to be in a daze sometimes, she’s moody, forgetful, she doesn’t show much interest in Ryan’s well-being…I can’t help but worry.”
Susan thought back to her first impression of the woman and being fairly certain Lissa was an addict. It had only been a few minutes, though, and it was possible she had read Lissa wrong. While she didn’t feel any sense of loyalty to the woman, she didn’t want to falsely accuse her, either. “So what are you saying?”
“I don’t really know what I’m saying. I don’t want to leave here…I can’t leave here. My business, my family, my life is here. But I don’t know how I can let her take him away.”
“Leave? You’re thinking about leaving?” She could hardly get the words out.
When Susan’s eyes widened and the color drained from her face, Riley rushed to explain. “No, I’m not. I’m just trying to figure out what to do and she’s not making it easy. I don’t want to be thousands of miles away from my son. I’ve tried to convince her to stay somewhere nearby. Even if she’s not in Misty Lake she could be in Minnesota. She argued that she doesn’t know anyone and I guess I understand that.” Susan remained stony and Riley continued hesitantly. “She’s hinted that the only way she’ll stay in Misty Lake is if we are in some kind of relationship. She thinks that will keep people from talking and maybe even begin to accept her. I told her—”
“What?” Susan interrupted. “What do you mean, a relationship?” The words burned in her throat and came out shrill.
“There’s no relationship. There’s not going to be a relationship. I’m just trying to figure out how to keep my son in my life. Can you understand that?”
It was Susan’s turn to pace. Could she understand? She honestly didn’t know. Everyone she’d talked to—Sam, her mom, Mia, Cassie— had all said the same thing. The fact that Riley had a son didn’t mean their relationship had to change. They’d all told her, over and over, that things would work out, that she just needed to give it some time and be patient while Riley figured things out with the boy’s mother. Easy for them to say, they weren’t in the middle of it. They weren’t listening to the man they love talk about moving across the country or working on a relationship with another woman. She was supposed to understand that? And be patient? How? She turned back to face him.
“I don’t know, Riley. It’s a lot to process.”
“I know and I wish I could tell you more but things are just very unsettled right now.”
She didn’t like his answer, but his appearance worried her and she didn’t want be the cause of even more stress. “How’s Ryan handling everything?” It seemed easier to focus on the child.
“He doesn’t know what’s going on…at least I haven’t told him anything. I’ve just been trying to spend as much time as I can with him.”
“Did he know before they came to Misty Lake that you were his father? Is he old enough to understand what that means?”
“He doesn’t know. I’m not certain how he’ll take the news, but based on how he’s dealt with what sounds like quite a bit of disruption in his life up to this point, I have to assume he’ll take it in stride.”
“He doesn’t know you’re his father? They’ve been here for a week. Why not?”
“Lissa wants to wait until he’s comfortable with me, I guess. Although, like I said, nothing much gets to him. I agreed to go along with it until the paternity test is done.”
Susan snapped to attention. “Paternity test? You’re not even certain he’s your son?” Susan’s voice was rising and she was unable to stop it. The absurdity of the situation struck her, and forgetting her earlier concerns, now wanted to scream sense into Riley.
“It’s not that I doubt it, I just want something official to prove it. Lissa doesn’t have his birth certificate or any other documentation with her so it seems like the logical thing to do.”
“Logical? I would say so,” she scoffed. “Why haven’t you done it yet?”
“Lissa said Ryan is terrified of the doctor and she wants him to get settled here before springing it on him. He’s due for a check-up, I guess, so she’s going to combine the two. She said she made an appointment for next week. She’s taking him to a clinic out of town to avoid gossip.”
“She’s taking him? Don’t you have to go along? I assume a sample is needed from you, too.”
“She’s taking him to a pediatrician. They will collect the sample there and send it to the lab that does the testing. I guess I can have a sample collected anywhere and forwarded to the lab.”
“Hmmm…”
“Listen, Susan, it’s just something to make things legal. If it comes down to a custody battle, I’ll need that on my side.”
Susan didn’t answer, just eyed him skeptically.
“Can we talk about us now? I’ve missed you so much. Can’t we try to get things back to the way they were before?”
“I’ve missed you, too,” she conceded, “but it seems like you have a lot to deal with right now. I think you need to take care of that before we can think about anything else.”
“No. It doesn’t have to be that way. I’ll admit there’s a lot going on, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have time for you…for us.”
She studied him. “When’s the last time you had a decent night’s sleep, Riley?”
He merely shook his head at her concern. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. You look like you’re ready to fall down where you’re standing. Are you eating?”
“Of course, I’m eating.” He scratched his head as if trying to remember. “I had an energy bar this morning…maybe that was yesterday…I know I had an ice cream cone with Ryan last night...” he continued muttering and looking confused.
“Go home, have something to eat and get some sleep.”
“I’m picking up Ryan in about thirty minutes. Come with me? Please? He asks about you and about Gusto, I know he’d love to see both of you.”
“No, not tonight.”
“What about Sunday? It’s Easter. You’ll be at my parents’ house, right? We had that planned.”
“I don’t know for sure…”
“Please, Susan? I want to spend some time with you. Promise me you’ll be there on Sunday.”
“I’ll try.” It was the best she could do.
Riley glanced at his watch. “I really need to get going. Are you sure you won’t come with me?”
“No, you go. We’ll talk later.”
Riley moved to hug her and while she hugged him back, it was strained. Riley looked as though he wanted to say more, but just kissed her and left without another word.
Susan watched him leave. She waited five minutes after his truck pulled away before she let herself cry.
30
It took until Easter morning for Sam to convince Susan to go to dinner at the McCabe’s. Susan had told herself she wouldn’t. She didn’t want to face Riley, his son, his family, and most of all, the questions. Even worse was the thought that everyone would try to act as though nothing had changed. She was certain her being there would add to the tension for everyone, but Sam wouldn’t relent and she finally agreed.
They went to the McCabe’s straight from church. Since Lissa wouldn’t let Riley take Ryan to church, arguing that she didn’t want him on display for the whole town to gawk at, Riley had gone to pick him up and Susan found herself with his entire family, except for him.
As she had expected, they all went out of their way to chat with her. They asked about the inn,
about her trip to Chicago, about her family, about everything except Riley and his son. Susan was surprised to learn that none of them had yet met the boy. She watched as one after the other, they glanced at the door, out the window, and down the street anxiously waiting for them to arrive.
When they did, Susan was glad she’d let Sam convince her to be there. No matter her feelings, it would have been impossible not to be touched by the scene. When the door opened, the room grew silent. Anna and Sean reached for one another’s hands and held on tightly. Susan saw Anna’s lip began to tremble. Riley’s brothers’ conversation about the start of the baseball season came to a halt. Shauna and Karen, who had been on the floor with Dylan, jumped to their feet, eyes wide. Even Rose and Kate quieted and looked curiously toward the door.
Ryan looked from one person to the next, holding securely to Riley’s hand. When he spotted Susan, he brightened and asked, “Is your dog here?”
“No, sorry. He had to stay home today.”
Anna stepped forward. “Hi, Ryan. I’m glad you’re here.” Susan knew it took everything Anna had not to grab the boy and wrap him in a hug. As it was, she reached a hand out and ran it tenderly over his hair.
“I think there’s something for you in the kitchen, Ryan,” Riley said.
Ryan looked up with interest. “What is it?”
“Well, I didn’t look too closely but it is Easter…”
“You mean the Easter Bunny was here?” Ryan asked skeptically.
“It looked like it. Let’s go check it out.”
Riley led Ryan to the kitchen with most everyone following. Ryan’s eyes grew wide as he spotted the giant Easter basket on the kitchen table.
“Come take a look,” Anna encouraged.
Ryan climbed up on a chair and began unloading the contents. “Can I eat some of these?” he asked, holding up a handful of jellybeans.
“I think that would be okay. It’s Easter after all,” Sean answered as he took in the scene in front of him.
“Whatsis?” Ryan managed with his mouth full of jellybeans.
“It looks like a mini hockey set. My brothers and I had one when we were kids. It’s pretty fun.”
Ryan cocked his head. “You have brothers? I don’t.”
“Yeah, these guys are all my brothers.” Riley pointed at Frank, Joe, and Jake. “And that’s my sister,” he added with a wave in Shauna’s direction.
“I’m Shauna. Can I take a look at your stuff from the Easter bunny?”
“Kay.”
Shauna snuggled in next to Ryan on the chair and began sorting through his basket with him.
Susan watched from a distance. Riley’s family was wrapped up in his son, as they should be, but she felt like an outsider looking in. With Ryan busy with Shauna, Riley went to Susan.
“Happy Easter.”
“Thanks, you too.”
“He seems pretty happy, don’t you think?” Riley asked with a nod toward Ryan.
“I’d say so. Your family, too. Look at your parents.”
Riley looked over to see his mom and dad in an embrace, his mom’s face buried in his dad’s shoulder. When she picked up her head and looked at Sean, both had to wipe away the tears.
“Why isn’t Lissa here?” Susan knew her tone was bitter, but she found she couldn’t mask her feelings.
Riley sighed. “Like I said, she claims she’s not comfortable around my family, or anyone else for that matter, as long as there’s nothing between the two of us.” Susan started to turn away but Riley grabbed her arm. “It’s not like I begged her to come along if that’s what you’re thinking. I don’t have any feelings for her, Susan. You have to believe that.”
“It looks like your son needs you,” Susan answered as she turned again, and this time walked away.
Ryan was struggling to lift the box holding the hockey set and looking around the room. When he spotted Riley he asked, “Can you open this?”
Riley watched Susan walk away from him, his pain apparent. Unable to be two places at once, he headed for Ryan.
“What do you say we get a couple of my brothers and go downstairs and give this game a try?”
Susan wandered into the living room where Rose and Kate were chatting by the window.
“How are you, Susan? How’s that inn of yours coming along?” Kate asked as Susan sat down next to them.
“Very well, thank you. It’s a lot of work, but the changes are incredible. I hope you can both come see it one of these days.”
“That would be nice,” Kate smiled while Rose gazed out the window and didn’t respond.
“What about you, though, how are you? Anna has filled us in on what’s been happening with Riley and his boy. It can’t be easy for you.” Kate patted Susan’s knee and studied her with kind eyes.
“Oh, I’m doing fine.” Susan forced a smile but figured she wasn’t fooling anyone. She needed to change the subject. “Rose, how are you feeling? I know it was a rough winter, are you feeling better now that spring seems to finally be here?”
When Rose didn’t respond, Kate nudged her. “Rosie! Susan asked you how you’re feeling?”
“Fine, fine,” she answered, but determinedly kept her gaze out the window.
“I think she’s still miffed about the new gal at the beauty parlor. Rosie went in for her regular appointment yesterday and someone was filling in for Geri. Rose was angry that no one had told her and that she had to try to explain to someone new how to fix her hair.”
That seemed to get Rose’s attention. “Hmpf,” she snorted. “You’d be miffed too if you had someone named Aphrodite telling you you’ve been mistreating your hair for sixty years. What sort of nonsense is that?”
“Her name was Annalise, not Aphrodite,” Kate corrected.
Rose rolled her eyes. “Regardless, she was a foolish thing, hardly old enough to drive herself to work, and she’s going to tell me what to do with my hair? I don’t think so.”
Susan watched the volley between the sisters and felt herself relax for the first time in days. Dinner preparations continued but when her offer to help was gently brushed aside by Anna and Karen, saying things were well under control, she busied herself playing with Dylan and checking in periodically with Kate and Rose. When the men were called up from the basement and appeared, sweaty, red-faced, and mumbling about penalties and cheap shots, Susan joined the crowd and took her seat at the table.
Dinner was pleasant enough with most of the focus on Ryan. That suited Susan fine. She didn’t feel up to fielding questions. As soon as the meal was over and the dishes washed, she started to look for an excuse to leave. She had insisted on driving knowing Jake would probably drive Sam home anyway, so there was nothing keeping her at the McCabe’s.
Before she could start to make her exit, Rose approached her.
“Susan, I wonder if you’re planning on leaving soon? I’d like to head home and thought maybe you’d be able to give me a ride.”
It wasn’t hard to spot the unease in Rose’s expression and in her voice.
“Aren’t you feeling well?” Susan asked.
Rose shot a quick look around the room before answering. “I’d just like to leave. It’s been a long day.”
“Of course. Let me just say a quick goodbye and grab my purse.”
Susan wasn’t sure what to make of the desperation she was sensing from Rose, but was grateful for a way out without having to dream up an excuse. Riley tried to convince her to stay, but Susan and Rose made a quick exit.
“Would you please walk me in?” Rose asked when they arrived at her apartment building. “Maybe you would like to stay for a cup of tea?”
Curious and more than a little concerned that something was wrong, Susan agreed. Once they were inside and seated with cups of tea in front of them, Rose seemed to become even more agitated. Without saying anything, she got up quickly and disappeared into the bedroom. She returned shortly carrying a small box.
“I’ve been avoiding you since last fall,”
Rose admitted. “It wasn’t right.”
“Avoiding me? Why? I hope I didn’t do something to offend you.”
“Oh, no dear, nothing like that. I just wanted to avoid dealing with some things and, in turn, that meant avoiding you. I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize. Truthfully, I wasn’t aware you were avoiding me specifically. I know you’ve missed some family gatherings, but thought it was just due to the illness that seemed to want to hang on.”
“I’m afraid I used that as an excuse. I was rid of the cold within a week or so…it was the rest that wasn’t so easy to get rid of.”
Susan was utterly confused. “I’m not sure I follow.”
Rose didn’t meet Susan’s eyes, instead stared intently at her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Of course you don’t, I’m not making any sense.”
“If there’s something I can help you with I will certainly try,” Susan offered, grasping at straws. She was starting to worry and wonder if she should try to contact Anna.
“I’m the one who can help you.” She was silent for what seemed like a long time as she gingerly fingered the box in front of her. “I haven’t opened this in years.”
“What is it?”
Again Rose paused, but then seemed to steel herself and met Susan’s eyes.
“I have something to tell you, Susan.” She took a deep breath. “I’m Rosemary. Charlie’s Rosemary,” she said firmly.
For a brief moment Susan was confused. Then she gasped. Charlie Walker’s true love. Rose was the Rosemary in the journal.
“I…you…you are?”
“It was so many years ago. I’ve done my best not to think about Charlie or those days so when you brought up his name and his journal, it was quite a shock. There aren’t many people left in town who remember Charlie. Certainly no one has mentioned him for a very long time.”
“What happened?” Shocked and fascinated by the information, Susan spoke without thinking and regretted her words. “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business,” she added, hoping Rose would forgive her insensitivity.
The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series Page 25
