Fallon took Owen’s hand and let him lead her away.
Riley unconsciously bit her lower lip. What would she do without Fallon?
***
Ida grabbed Fallon by the arm. “Walk me to my car?”
“Sure.”
“Fallon…”
“Yeah?”
Ida stopped and looked at her daughter.
“Mom? What is it?”
“You know, Andi cares about you.”
Fallon was confused. Of course, she knew that Andi cared about her. She cared about Andi. “I care about her.”
“I know you do.”
“Mom, what is this about? Is Andi okay? You two disappeared for a while.”
Ida wasn’t sure how to answer. As much as Fallon liked to claim that Ida was opinionated about her children’s lives; Ida never sought to interfere. She reveled in teasing Fallon. Denying that would be pointless. Everyone knew it. She wondered if Fallon realized how much ending her relationship with Andi would hurt them both. She adored Riley. Riley and Fallon were on a collision course with the emotions they held for the other. She also knew that pursuing a relationship with Riley would not be akin to a peaceful sunset sail. The overflowing well of feelings that would be unleashed was bound to create some murky landscapes to navigate. Falling in love with someone new didn’t always mean you stopped loving the person you’d been holding. Ida and Andi had many long conversations. Andi understood that intimately. Ida feared that Fallon might underestimate the fallout of change, even if it was change for the best.
“Andi’s okay,” Ida said. “What about you?”
“Me? Why does everyone keep asking that?”
“Love is a wonderful thing, Fallon. Despite what people like to say it can hurt.”
“I know,” Fallon bit.
Ida sighed. “Yes, you do. We all get that lesson sooner or later. Be careful, Fallon.”
Fallon wanted to argue. Andi was like a second daughter to Ida. It stood to reason that she would be worried about them both. Jake was due back in a few days. Dave and Jacob were both planning on coming home from school for the summer. All of it would complicate things for Andi and Fallon. Fallon sensed her mother was referencing something or rather, someone else. She had no intention of exploring that topic. “It’s only a few weeks,” Fallon said, “We’ll all try not to break any hearts—at least until you’re back.”
Ida shook her head. “You’re a pain in the ass.”
“I know.”
Ida embraced her daughter. “I love you, Fallon.”
Fallon held onto her mother tightly. For some reason, she didn’t want to let go. Ida was the one person on earth that Fallon could count on no matter what. That’s what moms were for. She closed her eyes and thought about Andi and Jacob. Her thoughts drifted to Riley and Owen. Yeah, that’s what moms are for. Fallon pulled away. “I love you too, Mom. Call me when you land, okay?”
“I will. Remember your promise.”
“I made a promise?”
Ida rolled her eyes.
“I won’t move into Murphy’s Law.”
“Good.”
Fallon watched her mother drive away. She sensed a presence behind her.
“You okay?” Riley gently took Fallon’s arm.
“Yeah. I wish she wasn’t going.”
Riley made no comment. Instead, she took hold of Fallon’s hand and led her back up the hill toward the house. “It’s just Marge left at the house,” she said. “She’s cleaning up. It looks like Armageddon.”
Fallon laughed. Yeah, it probably does.
“Silly string?” Riley shook her head.
“I have a shop-vac.”
“Well, maybe we can just vacuum Owen too.”
“Why?” Fallon stopped speaking when Owen started toward them on his truck. “Oh…”
“See what I mean?”
Owen was covered in silly string. He seemed delighted by his condition. “How did that happen?”
Riley shrugged. “I don’t think I want to know.”
“Mommy!” Owen called out. “Wook!”
“I see.”
“I dwive! Fawon, I dwive!”
“How can he see to drive?” Fallon muttered.
Riley laughed. “You get the vacuum. I’ll get Dale Earnhardt.”
“It’s a truck, Riley,” Fallon said. She moved toward Owen.
“Yeah?”
“Dale Earnhardt is a race car driver.”
“So?”
Fallon spotted a can of silly string in a small compartment of Owen’s truck. She grabbed it. “I’m going to get Mommy,” she whispered in Owen’s ear. She turned to face Riley, holding the can behind her back. “So?”
“Fallon, do you have a point?” Riley asked indignantly.
“Yeah, you need a lesson.”
Riley blinked. “A lesson?”
Fallon’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Yep!” She charged Riley with the can.
“Fallon! No! Fallon!”
“Oh, yes, I think so.”
Riley ran as fast as her feet could carry her. It wasn’t fast enough. Fallon was on her heels in less than a second, spraying with abandon.
“Stop!” Riley laughed and grabbed for the can. Fallon tried to pivot away but Riley managed to get a grip on the can. The playful struggle sent them both to the ground, Fallon falling on top of Riley.
The laughter abruptly stopped when Riley’s eyes met Fallon’s. Fallon felt Riley beneath her, pressed against her. A gentle tug pulled at her heart. She wondered in that instant if anything existed between them—even air. It seemed there was no air to breathe. It had been siphoned away in Riley’s presence, in her gaze. Fallon’s eyes fell from soft pools of brown to the curve of Riley’s lips. Riley was so close, closer than Fallon had ever dared to imagine. She lifted her gaze back to Riley’s eyes. How long had they been here? Days? Hours? Moments? Riley.
A deep ache rose from within Riley, advancing like a wave before it tumbles ashore. It made sense. Fallon’s eyes were so blue she was certain she could swim in them, drown in them. Had she ever seen anything so blue? They seemed to reflect the cresting wave rolling through Riley—blue, white, and stormy—Fallon.
“Mommy!” Owen’s voice shattered the connection between them.
Riley’s lips twitched deviously.
Fallon tilted her head. Without warning, a blast of silly string fell over her eyes.
“Ha!” Riley exclaimed triumphantly.
Owen laughed. “Fawon, Mommy gots you! Mommy gots you!”
“Oh, yeah?” Fallon rolled off Riley and grabbed hold of Owen. “Well, I’ve got you!”
“Fawon!” Owen giggled uncontrollably. “Mommy! Fawon gots me!”
Riley found her feet and watched as Fallon tossed silly string from the ground at Owen, letting him get a slight running start before pretending to struggle to catch him. The wave finally crested and crashed as happiness washed over her. Fallon, what would I do without you.
May 20th
Riley looked at the time on her phone. How long had she been talking to her sister? Too long. Only fifteen minutes? How was that possible? She flopped back onto the sofa and covered her eyes as Mary continued her diatribe.
“I don’t understand why you insist on staying there,” Mary said. “How are you ever going to meet someone in a town that has less people than where I work?”
Riley massaged her eyes. The last thing she wanted to deal with now was her sister’s candid opinions about life—her life.
“Riley, are you there?”
“I’m here.”
“Well? What is so appealing about living there? All your friends are here.”
No, they aren’t. “Not really.”
“You’ve known these people a few months and suddenly they’re more important than everyone who’s stood by you all these years?”
“That’s not what I’m saying, and you know it. I didn’t come here for a vacation, Mary. I came here to try something new—to get a
fresh start.”
Mary groaned. “What about Owen?”
“Owen?”
“Yes, Owen—your son?”
Riley was reaching the limit of her patience. Owen was thriving in Whiskey Springs. Riley was still adjusting. Thriving would take time. It always did. “Owen loves it here. He has a playgroup with friends. He loved the snow.” Riley giggled. Probably because Fallon let him get so messy. “He’s happy, Mary.”
“And, you?”
“It takes time.”
“So, you’re not happy.”
“I didn’t say that. I have friends too,” she said.
“You have friends here.”
“So, you have reminded me.”
“What about that offer?”
“What offer?”
Mary sighed. “Derek Peters told me he reached out to you about a job.”
Derek Peters was a friend of Riley’s father, Doug. He’d worked for a major publisher for more than twenty years. He had reached out with an offer to Riley. The offer would entail her moving to either New York City or back to the West Coast. It also would mean that she would need to work in an office. She would have the opportunity to work with well-established and popular authors. It would help her make connections. She had considered it—seriously considered it. She didn’t need the extra money. She could have taken a substantial amount of time off work had she cared to. Robert had left her enough money to support herself and Owen for a few years without working at all. She’d received a sizable settlement from the accident. Working was her choice. She needed to be self-sufficient. More than that, Riley loved her work. She didn’t love her work more than she loved Owen. She had career aspirations. There was no role that Riley aspired to excel at more than being a mother. She was content and confident with her decision to work as a freelance editor from home.
“I’m not going to work for Derek,” she told her sister.
“Riley, you can’t be serious. All you’ve talked about since I can remember is writing a book. Derek can help you. Why would you pass this up?”
Riley’s head was beginning to throb. Why? Why? Why? Mary’s constant questioning reminded her of Owen’s persistent, “Mommy. Mommy, Mommy.” She chuckled. Or Fawon, Fawon, Fawon.
“Is something I said funny?” Mary’s impatience was obvious.
“No.” No, it’s annoying. “I know you mean well…”
“I worry about you.”
“I appreciate that. You don’t need to. Honestly, things here are good.”
“Good? Good or okay?”
“Good.”
“At least tell me you still plan on visiting.”
“I’ll be there on the tenth just like we planned,” Riley replied.
“What about your birthday?”
Riley sighed.
“What are you planning?”
“Nothing,” Riley said.
“None of your friends are planning anything?” Mary asked.
Tread lightly, Mary. “I don’t think so.”
“That’s…”
“No one knows it’s my birthday.”
Mary was stunned. “I know it’s a hard day, but…”
“It’s just a day.”
Oh, Riley, no it’s not. “Why don’t you come home sooner? Grab a flight.”
“I’m all right,” Riley promised. “Owen had a blast at his party. Everyone was here for that.” Everyone.
Riley found herself smiling. She’d invited the families from Owen’s playgroup, Andi, Ida, Carol and Charlie, and Marge. Fallon had “mentioned” the party to everyone she knew. It had taken an hour to get through opening Owen’s presents. There had been games for the kids and loads of lively adult conversation. The day had ended with Owen asleep between Riley and Fallon on the sofa. Riley had glanced over to find Fallon had drifted off as well. She’d been content to sip her wine quietly until her glass was drained and her eyes fluttered and closed. She had a vague impression of Fallon covering her and Owen with a blanket. She didn’t need to celebrate her birthday. Owen’s party had turned into a two-day event. The next morning, they had shared breakfast, piled Owen’s presents in Fallon’s truck, and headed to Riley’s. Day turned to evening, and Riley found herself making dinner for them. Fallon finally left when Owen fell asleep. It was the best present anyone could have given her.
“You should do something for your birthday.”
Please, let this go. “I’ll be happy with a nice bottle of wine and a good book,” Riley said. “Listen, I should go. I need to feed Owen.”
“Call me if you need anything,” Mary said.
Riley knew the offer was genuine. It occurred to her as she replied that if she needed anything she would dial Andi or Fallon first. “I will,” she replied.
“Love you.”
“I love you too,” Riley replied. She did love her sister. She didn’t feel the need to spend boat loads of time with Mary. Riley closed her eyes. I’m glad that’s over.
***
Fallon opened her front door. “Hey.”
“Fawon!”
“Hey, buddy!”
“Sorry to just drop in on you. I was on my way to Burlington. Owen wanted to see you.” Okay, maybe I did too.
Fallon picked up Owen. “You can drop in any time. You know that. What are you headed to Burlington for?”
“I need to go to the mall.”
“The mall? Returning some of the noisy toys?” Like maybe the chattering dinosaur.
Riley laughed. “No. I need some new luggage.”
“Luggage?”
“Yeah, for my trip home. Mine is… Well, it’s not pretty.”
Fallon nodded. “Feel like some company?”
“Aren’t you working?”
“Nope. Not today.”
“Really?”
“I promised Mom I wouldn’t live at the pub. I’m betting that she has Andi keeping a calendar or something.”
Riley could believe that. “No plans?”
“Not until later.”
“In that case, if you think you can tolerate chicken nuggets for lunch, we’d love it. Wouldn’t we, Owen?”
“Nuggets! Fawon, you get nuggets?”
“Ah, I see. McDonald’s is the bonus, huh? Are you sick of my macaroni and cheese?” Fallon teased.
“Nuggets!” Owen exclaimed.
“Guess that answers that question. I don’t blame you. Let me grab my jacket.”
Owen followed on Fallon’s heels. “Oh, you want to help?”
Owen grinned.
“I can use all the help I can get.”
Riley heard Fallon tell Owen that she loved nuggets too. She shook her head. Two of a kind.
***
Fallon knocked on Andi’s door. She smiled when Andi opened it. Dear God, she is gorgeous. She hadn’t been able to spend any alone time with Andi in a few days. Jake had been home for a couple of days before taking off again. Dave was due home the following week, and Jacob shortly after that. She hated imagining a summer with sporadic visits with Andi. It wasn’t only the sex she would miss. Jake was typically on the road at least three weeks out of every month. Fallon had grown used to dropping in to see Andi. There were many times when they sat in front of a fire or ended up cooking dinner and talking with little more than a kiss passing between them.
“Hi,” Fallon said.
“Well, get in here.”
Fallon stepped through the door. She looked at Andi and tried to determine what she saw flickering in her lover’s eyes.
Andi smiled and pressed her lips to Fallon’s. “I’m glad you’re here.” I missed you, Fallon.
“Me too.”
“Hungry?” Andi asked.
“Did you cook?”
“I promised you dinner, didn’t I?”
“You did.”
Andi took Fallon’s hand and led her to the dining room.
Fallon looked at the table. “What are we having?”
“Something I know you’ll like?”
“You’re making my scallops?”
Andi smiled. Jacob and Fallon had the same favorite meal—brown butter scallops with risotto. She often thought she could serve the pair the dish every night without either ever tiring of it. Each time she prepared it, Fallon would rave. Somewhere over the years, Fallon had deemed the meal hers. I probably should rename it Fallon’s Scallops. One thing Andi was confident she had a talent for was cooking. She’d never taken a lesson. Trial and error, and endless experimentation had been Andi’s teachers. Tonight, she wanted to do something special for Fallon, something memorable. She intended every moment of their evening to be memorable.
“Pour the wine and I’ll finish dinner,” Andi said.
Fallon poured them each a glass of wine and carried them into the kitchen where Andi was starting dinner.
“Thank you,” Andi said.
Fallon leaned against the counter and watched Andi toss the scallops in the pan. “You should’ve been a chef or something.”
“Or something?”
“Well, it’s not your only talent,” Fallon teased.
“Good to know. I’m not sure how marketable my other skills are.”
“Oh, I think you’d be surprised how many people would be interested in them.”
Andi chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Fallon smiled at her lover. She loved to watch Andi in the kitchen. She loved to watch Andi with her boys. She loved to watch Andi when she was laughing or sipping her margarita. She loved to watch Andi as Andi’s body submitted to her touch. She loved to…
“What are you thinking about?” Andi asked.
“Dessert.”
***
Fallon stood behind Andi, her hands found Andi’s waist. “You’re so beautiful.”
Andi leaned into Fallon’s embrace. Could anything feel better? Could anyone make her feel the way Fallon could? The sound of Fallon’s voice was like velvet. The warmth of Fallon’s breath as it tickled her neck made her sigh. Fallon. She needed Fallon now. More than lust, beyond desire, Andi needed Fallon. She turned in Fallon’s arms and looked in Fallon’s eyes. Fallon always told her she was beautiful. Do you see yourself?
“What?” Fallon wondered. Her fingertips brushed an errant strand of hair from Andi’s eyes.
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