Chapter Three
Riley looked around the room at his relatives who were gathered for the reading of Aunt Libby’s will. It was two days after her funeral and the harsh reality about his aunt’s death was slowly beginning to settle in. There would be no more Aunt Libby to remind him to put sunscreen on when he walked through the apple orchards in the blazing sun. Never again would he be able to take her out for her favorite ice cream treat in town. Despite his grief, he had to smile. She had stipulated that everyone in attendance had to wear blue jeans. Jeans had been Aunt Libby’s favorite article of clothing. Most of the townsfolk had memories of her digging amidst her flowers in the garden on the side of her house by the veranda.
It felt so strange that he would never again see her wearing her over-sized sun hat and the rubber Hunter boots she always wore when it was raining. He should have come back home more often in the past few years. Life had become so busy, especially having a child to look after and raise. Guilt now relentlessly stabbed at him. How many times had Aunt Libby asked to see Aidan again? He had seen her last year when she’d flown out to New York to visit for a week.
Georgia walked into the room, providing a sucker punch to his gut. He took a deep breath. With her hair pulled away from her face and twisted into an up-do, she looked sleek and polished. Her beauty radiated like the sun. He had always thought Georgia was a classic beauty. She made jeans and a white oxford shirt look anything but ordinary. The set of pearls gracing her throat added the perfect touch.
With her peaches and cream complexion and warm hazel eyes, she was a stunning woman. Way more attractive than she might ever realize. Georgia had always thought her sister Eden was the beauty in her family. Although Eden was attractive, Riley had always thought Georgia was in a class of her own.
Unforgettable!
“Thanks for the heads up about Georgia,” he said in a low voice to his younger brother, Charlie.
“Anytime,” Charlie said with a grin. “I figured it wouldn’t matter one way or another considering you and Georgia haven’t been an item in quite some time.” His brother’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Riley glared at Charlie. “You’re really asking for it.” Charlie was two years younger than Riley. Although they were close, Charlie enjoyed needling Riley to no end.
“Are the two of you still fighting?” Molly asked as she walked up, heavily rolling her eyes. “You’re acting so juvenile. Aidan is more mature than the two of you.” Molly’s eyes trailed after Aidan, who was playing on the other side of the room with a fire engine. Riley couldn’t help but notice the way his sister couldn’t seem to take her eyes off Aidan. This was the first time Molly had spent any amount of time around Aidan in quite some time. Despite her insistence that she didn’t want to raise the son she’d carried in her stomach for nine months, Aidan couldn’t help but wonder if his little sister was having second thoughts. Or was she just going through growing pains?
He hoped she wasn’t going to rock the boat, because although he would always be sympathetic to his sister’s circumstances, Aidan was his son.
Riley locked gazes with Georgia. She was talking to his mother, who was looking at Georgia as if she’d hung the moon. She had always had a soft spot in her heart for Georgia. It had made it all the more painful when they had broken up. His mother had been heartbroken.
Just as he was about to go over to Georgia and break the ice between them, the executor of Aunt Libby’s will called the meeting to order. Connie Quinton, Esq. had been one of Aunt Libby’s oldest and dearest friends. With her no-nonsense attitude, Riley felt certain she would handle Aunt Libby’s estate with finesse. Riley couldn’t help but wonder what his aunt had left Georgia in his will. She was the only non-family member in the room. Connie began the proceedings, rattling off the individual bequests one by one. Riley smiled at his own particular bequest. In addition to a nice sum of money, he had been given Aunt Libby’s favorite horse, Oreo. Although the money had been a kind gesture, Riley really didn’t need it. Riley had been given a vast trust fund at birth, along with all of his siblings and cousins, along with shares in the family’s’ cider business. Although Riley had walked away from the family business, Hope Valley Cider Company, in order to pursue other avenues in New York, he still had a large stake in the corporation. Lately, he’d been thinking of getting back in the game.
Georgia began dabbing at her eyes with a tissue when it was revealed that Aunt Libby had left her the glass figurine collection she’d loved so dearly. Georgia bowed her head and closed her eyes as if in prayer. Riley had forgotten how Aunt Libby and Georgia had bonded over her glass figurine collections. Aunt Libby had collected the figurines ever since she was a little girl. Her father—Riley’s great grandfather Portland—had once gifted her with a glass ballerina after coming home from a business trip to San Francisco. The thoughtful gift had started Aunt Libby’s lifelong hobby. As a result, she had hundreds of glass figurines in her collection that Georgia would now be inheriting.
As the reading of the will came to an end, Riley made his way over toward Georgia. She greeted him warily. He couldn’t help but think of the words she’d hurled at him after Aunt Libby’s service. He hated knowing that she thought so poorly of him. Perhaps he could let her know Aidan wasn’t his biological child. But wouldn’t that be going against Molly’s wishes? And stirring up a hornet’s nest in the process.
Although it wasn’t a crime to have a child at seventeen years old, Molly harbored a great deal of shame about it. Riley also thought she felt guilty about not raising her son and her failed quickie marriage. She worried about what people would think of her. Riley thought Molly’s decision had been courageous and wise. He hoped in the years to come she would be able to appreciate her own actions as noble.
His mother flung the French doors open, allowing the October sunshine to stream inside the room. Everyone began to trickle outside. Riley walked over to where Georgia was standing by the patio table all alone.
“Hey, Georgia,” he said, praying she didn’t unload on him. Riley was hoping to smooth things over between them. For way too long now they had been at odds. He knew most of it was his fault, but somehow he needed to find a way to fix things.
“Riley,” she said with a nod. “You must be tickled about Oreo. I know how much you used to love riding him.”
He nodded his head. “I’m happy she thought of me. I grew up riding Oreo, whenever Aunt Libby would let me. It’s an honor that she left him to me. It will help me deal with losing her knowing she wanted me to have him.”
“Are you going to bring him to New York or leave him here in Hope Valley?” Georgia asked, her brows knitted together.
“To be honest, I have no idea. The farm is what he’s used to. I imagine if he had a voice he’d like to stay right here. And lately—” His voice trailed off. After their showdown, he wasn’t sure he should say anything to Georgia. He wasn’t sure how she would respond.
“Lately what?” she asked.
“Lately I’ve been thinking about moving back home.” He blurted out the words.
He watched as her hazel eyes widened. “Really? Why? You couldn’t wait to leave Hope Valley for New York. Aren’t you happy there?” Riley could hear the surprise emanating from her voice.
“Life is good, but I miss this town. I miss my family. And I miss being in the cider business. I suppose I took it all for granted.” He didn’t tell her he missed her, although it was the honest to goodness truth. Georgia didn’t want to hear that, not after the way they had ended things. Not after the way he’d run away from Hope Valley and left Georgia shattered.
“Your family would love to have you back,” she murmured. “I know they miss you being here in town.”
“And you?” he asked. “How would you feel about it?”
She let out a sigh. “What are you asking me, Riley? Things have been over between us for almost four years now. I have no say in your life. What difference does it make what I think? If moving back here is a good thing for you and Aidan, go for it.”
“I hate that there’s this wall between us,” he admitted. “I know I hurt you. All I can say from my heart is that I was young and I didn’t know what I wanted. But I miss talking to you. It sounds like a cliché, but I miss your friendship.”
Georgia met his gaze. There was a quiet strength radiating from her orbs. “Riley, it hasn’t been easy on me. I loved you. I wanted to be your wife. More than anything, I believe that people have the right to make their own destinies. Even though it hurt, I understand why you did what you did. You weren’t sure about us. And I miss your friendship too. I miss laughing at your jokes. I miss going to the movies with you and putting m & m candies in with the popcorn.”
He reached out and squeezed her hand. “I miss those things too.”
She shook her head, her honey blonde hair swirling about her shoulders. “I’m just not sure we can be friends, Riley. Not after everything we’ve meant to one another.”
“But isn’t that why we should try to be friends, Georgia? Our history bonds us. We grew up together. Our memories go all the way back to the sandbox.”
A hint of a smile twitched at Georgia’s lips. “They do.” She wrinkled her nose. “That’s pretty funny considering you used to eat sand. Remember?”
Riley threw his head back and laughed. “How could I forget? I used to get the worst bellyaches. And Mama wasn’t impressed at all. After several trips to the ER, she told me if I ever ate sand again I was going to be in a world of trouble.”
“Well, it made you stand out in my mind. Before I knew your name, I thought of you as sandbox boy.”
Riley grinned at her. “And I thought of you as the girl with the twinkling eyes.”
Something hovered in the air between them. The memories from the past would always be a bridge between them. It was one of the reasons Riley had never been able to move on with another woman. Sometimes—in the hours between darkness and dawn—he would toss and turn, thinking about Georgia and kicking himself for allowing fear to get in the way of their love. What might have been if he hadn’t been so conflicted about pledging forever to Georgia.
But he couldn’t go back in time and change things. The man of four years ago had acted on his feelings at that time. He shouldn’t beat himself up about it. Life was about growth and change. Life and time had transformed him.
“That’s the thing about you, Riley. I could never stay angry at you for long.”
Riley pressed a hand over his heart. “That’s a relief to hear, Georgia, because you’re the last person I ever want to be at odds with.”
Tears shone in Georgia’s eyes. She nodded at him. “I don’t like it either, Ry,” using her pet name for him. “In Libby’s name, I’ll do my best to be your friend, even though I still have unanswered questions.”
Riley knew she was referencing Aidan. He didn’t want to get into a discussion about his son, not when there were so many things he couldn’t fully explain to her. It would be like getting too close to a fire.
For now, he was simply overjoyed that Georgia had decided they could be friends. In a perfect world, Georgia would be much more than a friend. But, for now, he would take friendship. He just wanted to be in her orbit, to soak her in like a warm summer rain.
**
One look into Riley’s mesmerizing eyes and Georgia had caved in like a house of cards. She knew Eden would have a fit if she’d seen her being so cordial to Riley. Georgia smirked. Her sister was the type who would have read him the riot act for even suggesting friendship.
She let out a ragged sigh. The effect Riley had on her was unnerving. Friends? It was a stretch to think she could ever view Riley Somers as merely a friend. He was the guy she’d hoped to walk down the aisle toward wearing the lace ivory gown she had inherited from her grandmother. Georgia Somers. Hadn’t she written that name on a pad of paper over and over again until her hand cramped up? Hadn’t she envisioned living in the big, sprawling family house owned by Riley’s parents? She let out a sigh. It had all slipped through her fingers like grains of sand.
And now, she might have to face Riley’s permanent return. Hadn’t it been a tad bit easier when he wasn’t physically around to distract her? A man like Riley wouldn’t stay single for long in a town like Hope Valley. Georgia grimaced at the thought of at least a dozen women here in town who she knew would be over the moon to date him. Ugh. The very thought of it made her nauseous.
But she had no right to be territorial over Riley. He hadn’t been her man for a very long time. He had every right to date whomever he pleased. Surely at some point he would want a mother for Aidan.
Georgia made her way into the The Copper Kettle. It was a quaint tea shop that also offered a gourmet lunch. She was meeting Kit so she could check up on her. Although she knew her mother tended to be a busy body, she was still worried about Kit. She was such a romantic at heart. It would tear her friend’s world apart if things didn’t work out with her and Jayden.
Georgia had extended the invitation to her best friend so she could offer herself up as a listening ear. At the same time, she couldn’t wait to tell Kit all about Riley’s return. As soon as Georgia entered the tea room, she spotted Kit sitting at a table by the window. With the sunlight streaming in, it made her friend appear even more dazzling than usual. With her warm brown skin and doe-like brown eyes, Kit was stunning. A heart-shaped face and a pair of dimples added to her overall charm.
Kit waved to her from the window table. Georgia quickly made her way over to the table. Kit stood up and the two friends warmly embraced. The scent of jasmine—Kit’s signature scent—hovered around her like a halo.
Georgia sat down across from Kit and heaved a heavy sigh.
“What was that sigh about? Rough morning?” Kit asked.
“Sort of. I went to the reading of Libby’s will. Of course I came face to face with Riley.”
Kit made a face. “I still can’t believe he has a child. Of all the twists I wasn’t expecting that has to be it.”
“Tell me about it. I was tempted to do something that would make news all over town.”
Kit leaned forward in her chair. Her eyes were lit up with interest. “What? Tell me. I could use a distraction.”
Georgia laughed. “I don’t know. Kick him in the shins. Scream at the top of my lungs. Pound my fists against his chest. Throw a pie in his face.”
Kit burst into giggles. “A pie? Where would you have gotten a pie standing outside of the church?”
Georgia laughed. “I don’t know, but the visual in my head is very satisfying. It makes me feel…vindicated.”
“I’m sorry,” Kit said, reaching across the table and squeezing her hand. “I know it must have been incredibly painful to see Riley’s child, especially when no one gave you a head’s up about it.”
“I feel so selfish saying it, because that little boy is adorable and a gift from God, but his very presence represents Riley’s disloyalty toward me. How am I supposed to feel about it? And Riley?”
“Maybe it’s not as bad as it looks,” Kit said. “Perhaps he didn’t betray you.”
Georgia met Kit’s gaze across the table. She shook her head. “You are the most positive person I’ve ever known. Only you would try to spin it in a good light.”
“I just hate to see you hurting. And I’ve always liked Riley. To be honest, I’m a bit shocked. He always seemed like such a stand up guy.”
“He was. Maybe he still is.” She shrugged. “I don’t know, Kit. It’s all so confusing. When I saw him, all the old feelings came back. I must be a glutton for punishment.”
“Stop beating yourself up. You two were in love. You had a great relationship for such a long time.”
Georgia quirked her mouth. “Until everything came to a crashing halt and I scared him away.”
Samantha, the waitress, suddenly appeared at their table with a bright smile and a peppy attitude. “Welcome back to the Copper Kettle. I’d love to start you ladies off with some tea. Have you decided what you want?”
Kit looked at Georgia. “I’m going to have the mint tea as usual. You?”
“I think I’ll try the white peach tea,” she said. “Could you bring an extra tea bag?”
“Sure thing. I’ll be back with your tea and ready to take your lunch order,” the waitress said.
“This place is so calming,” Kit said. “Just being here almost makes me forget all of my troubles. If only for a little while.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Georgia asked. “I know things have been tense at home.”
“I feel like I don’t even know Jayden anymore. We’re on completely different pages with almost everything in our lives. He’s been talking about moving away from Hope Valley. He’s considering free agency. He has some notion about us moving to Los Angeles so he can pursue high profile endorsements.”
“Move to LA? Wow,” Georgia said. She couldn’t even imagine her best friend living in a big city like Los Angeles. Kit loved the small town community of Hope Valley. She was a Colorado girl born and bred. The very idea of it seemed off. It didn’t mesh with Kit’s personality or the things she held dear in her life.
“Yes. Jayden thinks living here is limiting his career.” Kit bit her lip. Georgia could tell she was trying not to cry. “Trying to have a baby under these circumstances is so stressful. Things are so strained we really aren’t trying at the moment.” Kit let out a tremendous sigh. “I just don’t know how things crumbled so fast between us.”
“Oh, Kit. You and Jayden have been through so much. I’m so sorry. I know how much you want a baby,” Georgia said in a low voice. She didn’t want anyone to overhear their private conversation, especially since Jayden was a famous athlete. It would be a mess if the news spread all over town and was picked up by the media.
“But maybe God is trying to tell me something,” Kit said with a sob. “It’s not fair to bring a child into a rocky situation.”
“God brought the two of you together, Kit. I know I’m far from an expert on relationships, but dig down deep. Fight for what the two of you have built. Remember why you exchanged those wedding vows. Can you really imagine your life without him?”
“I love Jayden. I love being his wife. But I never imagined things would get so tough, so fast. I never thought in a million years there would be such a wide chasm between us. It’s like there’s this huge rushing river standing between us and I don’t know what to do to make things better.”
“Have you prayed?” Georgia asked.
“Yes,” Kit said with a nod. “I have. But sometimes it seems as if God isn’t listening.”
“He is, Kit. I’ve been in your shoes before and I know what it feels like to pray for answers and solutions that never materialize. It’s frustrating. I’m here for you. And I just want to let you know that if you ever want me to pray with you, I’ll be there in a heartbeat. Just know that each and every day I’m praying for you and Jayden.”
Kit wiped away a few stray tears that had slipped past her lids. “Thank you, my friend. It means the world to me.”
Just then the waitress appeared at their table with their tea. As Kit asked the waitress about an item on the lunch menu, Georgia let her mind wander to Riley. Years ago she had been under the belief that marriage would have solved all of her problems in life. She’d thought it would serve as a magic wand, turning her life into something magical. Kit was showing her that even when you thought you had the fairytale in the palm of your hand, that wasn’t necessarily the final chapter.
Life was hard. And love was even harder.