“I’m sorry, too. I don’t know why you don’t trust me to take care of myself. I’m starting to feel a little insulted. I’m not an idiot, you know.”
“I never said you were.” She was taking this all wrong.
“No. You just implied it.”
“Grace, I think you are a wonderful person. You’re generous and caring. But it’s so easy for people to take advantage of someone with your sweet nature.”
“What am I supposed to do? Hire you to oversee my life? Get your approval on every decision I make? Don’t you have enough to worry about with your own family?”
Since his father’s death, Riley had become the unofficial head of the family. Ian was the oldest, but somehow Riley was the one the family came to when they needed help, whether it was a shoulder to cry on or a loan to tide them over.
When he pulled up in front of her house, she barely waited for him to stop before she jumped out. She slammed the car door without saying good-bye and stormed up the walk to her house.
Riley parked the car and came after her. She looked surprised when he walked in the door just behind her.
“Forget it. The evening’s ruined, Riley. Go home.”
“I don’t want it to end like this. I have to tell you something.” His eyes pleaded with her.
Grace crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine. What do you want to tell me?”
“Don’t be like this Gracie.”
“What am I supposed to be like? I don’t know what’s gotten into you, Riley.”
He gave up. Words were only making things worse. He’d just have to show her.
He grasped her arms and pulled her to him. He could feel her surprise as he lowered his mouth to hers, but she didn’t push him away, so he pulled her closer, into the circle of his arms. If he had known this would feel so right, he would have given Steve a run for his money years ago. He tightened his arms around her and kept kissing her until he had to come up for air.
She stared at him with wide, shocked eyes and lifted her hand to her mouth. “That’s what’s gotten into me, Gracie. I wish you had told me a long time ago that you had doubts about you and Steve.”
Then he turned and left.
TITLE
Chapter Four
Grace went to work on Saturday, but she was so distracted and clumsy that she’d probably have been more help if she’d stayed home. Her whole brain was still in shock. Riley O’Neil had kissed her. And it wasn’t an ordinary kiss—it was a passionate, full throttle ‘I definitely want to be more than friends’ type of kiss. It scared her to death.
On Sunday, the worship service was led by the Sunday School, which presented their version of the Nativity. Normally Grace thoroughly enjoyed watching the children and seeing their own discovery of the wonder of Jesus’ birth. But today her attention kept drifting to the man sitting ahead of her and across the aisle: Riley O’Neil.
She had never thought of Riley as more than her best friend. They had gone to elementary school and high school together. They’d started college together, but Riley left before long because of his father’s death. He said it didn’t matter because he would have taken over the family business eventually anyway, but Grace knew he missed the chance he would have had for a few years of freedom.
Some people wondered why it was Riley who took over and not Ian. Even now, when Ian had moved back to Orchard Hill, the family still looked to Riley instead of to Ian, the eldest and technically, in Orchard Hill minds, the head of the family. Most Orchard Hill residents just didn’t understand.
But Grace did. She knew, even though he tried to hide it, Riley was much more sensitive than Ian would ever be. He picked up on things like emotions and body language. It was hard to avoid telling him what was wrong because he always noticed when something was bothering you, no matter how hard you tried to hide it.
Ian was a good guy, but he was analytical and logical where Riley was observant and intuitive. Riley was the kind of person you could tell things to.
And even though she knew all these things about Riley that no on else knew, she had never once realized—not even suspected—that he had feelings for her other than friendship.
Dating Riley. It was an idea that was both inviting and terrifying at the same time. She already loved Riley as a friend. But if dating didn’t work out, she’d lose his friendship, wouldn’t she? Now that she’d lost Steve, who had also been very much her friend, Grace didn’t think she could spare Riley.
After the Christmas program, refreshments were served in the gathering space. She smiled and made small talk with her friends and neighbors. She complimented Joy Harper on the Christmas program. Joy, the church organist, always worked with the Sunday School children on the music for the program. Then, she asked Jeff Bradley how he liked living in Orchard Hill
All the while, she had a strange feeling that someone was watching her. Glancing around, Grace noticed that Pansy Parker and Misty Green were together in a corner, looking at her and whispering to one another. That was odd. Usually that pair didn’t get along at all. And why would they be looking at her? Did she spill punch on her dress?
Grace dismissed it and sought out her friend Lily. “How’s business?” she asked as a conversation starter.
“It’s busy,” Lily replied. “Everyone wants their hair to look good in the family photos at Christmas.”
“That’s coming up fast,” said Grace. “What are you doing over the holidays?”
“I guess I’m going to my aunt’s in Milwaukee. My mom will be there. What are you doing?”
Before Grace could answer, Pansy popped up in front of her, dragging Riley by the arm. “Grace, there you are,” she said with a hint of false sweetness. “We were just looking for you.”
Grace tried not to notice that Riley looked ready to gnaw his arm off to get away. “What do you need, Pansy?”
“Well, I was talking to Irene Nelson yesterday, and she was telling me that they need more people to decorate for the New Year’s Eve Dance at the community center. So I was thinking about it, and I realized you and Riley would be the perfect team.”
“What makes you think we’d do such a good job?”
Pansy hesitated, as if thinking, then said, “Well, Grace, you’re so creative. You always do the nicest displays for your shop. I’m sure you’d be good at it.”
“What about Riley? Where does he come in?”
“He can bring the ladder,” said Pansy hastily. “So how about it? Can I tell Irene you’ll do it?”
Riley shrugged. “Okay. I’m in.”
Grace hesitated, not sure she wanted to do a project with Riley right now. But brain freeze had set in, and she couldn’t seem to think of even a flimsy excuse. Finally, she answered, “I think I’ll have time.”
“Great. I’ll call Irene, and she can call you two with the details.” Pansy turned to Lily and began to steer her toward the refreshment table. “Have you tried the mint fudge? It’s a new recipe I found.”
Grace and Riley were left staring at each other. Riley looked away first, dropping his gaze to his shoes. “So, are you avoiding me now?”
“No,” said Grace with a twinge of guilt for lying in the church building. They both knew that normally Riley would have been the first person she sought out to talk to.
“Well, I guess I should be going. I’ve had all the cookies and punch I can hold.”
“Riley.”
He stopped and turned back to her..
She put a hand on his arm. “I’m afraid. I don’t think I’m ready for things to change between us.”
“That’s too bad then, because they already have.”
When he shrugged off her hand and walked away, Grace felt abandoned. This wasn’t fair. She’d already lost Steve. Did she have to give up Riley, too?
****
Riley didn’t come into The Grace Place all week. Grace pretended she didn’t care because she had so much work to do getting ready for the annual Christmas party. On Saturday night, sh
e was serving hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. They’d been baking cookies all week. Several local church groups were going to perform, and the evening would end with a sing-along.
“I’m so excited,” Vanessa told Grace as she lugged a heavy pan of dishes back to the kitchen after the morning rush. “I wonder if Riley will come. It sounds like something he’d like.” Vanessa was particularly looking forward to it, because she had never been to one of Grace’s parties before.
“Maybe,” Grace replied.
“I haven’t seen him in here lately, come to think of it.”
Grace cringed. She hoped no one else had noticed.
“I thought he came in every day.”
“He’s probably busy with Christmas stuff, too.”
“Yeah, probably.” Vanessa disappeared into the kitchen, and Grace gave a sigh of relief.
Her relief was short lived. She looked up just in time to see Steve enter the shop. Her breath caught in her throat. Were they back already? She’d been so wrapped up in her problems with Riley, she had actually forgotten about Steve.
“Hi Grace,” he said, advancing to where she stood behind the counter and smiling shyly at her.
She stood there like a deer caught in someone’s headlights and let him come right up to her. “Hi Steve.” She managed to force the greeting out.
“Look, I’m sorry about the wedding. I just couldn’t go through with it.”
As shock subsided, her anger woke. “Isn’t this conversation a little personal to be having in public?”
He smiled a little more. “Well, I figured here you wouldn’t start throwing things at me.”
“I’m not the sort of person who does that, Steve.” She may have been glad they didn’t get married, but she was still angry about how he’d run out on her and betrayed her, the coward.
“Anyway, I’m sorry. Is there anything you need me to do? Do I owe your dad anything for lost deposits or whatever?”
****
Riley thought that maybe he’d given Grace enough space. Maybe it was time to try talking to her again. So, on his break he walked down to The Grace Place. The sun was shining, making snow glisten everywhere. He could feel Christmas spirit in the air. It was going to be a good day.
He heard his name and turned. Jeff was jogging across the street toward him. “Hey, Riley, how about a cup of coffee? I’ll buy.”
“I’m in a generous mood today. I’ll let you buy.” Riley laughed at his own joke.
They walked into Grace’s. Riley saw Steve immediately, saw that he was smiling at Gracie, turning on the charm. It was easy to read the hurt and anger on her face. She looked alone and vulnerable. Something inside Riley let go…
And the next thing he knew, Jeff was pulling him off Steve, who was lying on the ground with blood streaming from his nose.
TITLE
Chapter Five
Eventually, when he had cooled down, Riley found himself at the door of Steve’s apartment. He knocked and his friend opened the door.
“Did you come to finish the job?”
Riley looked at Steve’s swollen, bruised face. “No, I came to apologize.”
Steve sighed and stepped back. “Come in then.”
He stood inside the door, feeling awkward. “I didn’t like how you treated Gracie. It was wrong and you really hurt her. But I shouldn’t have hit you. I’m sorry.”
“Forget it. I deserved it.” Steve led the way to the beat up couch where he and Riley had watched countless football and basketball games. He flopped down. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“You were thinking you didn’t want to marry Gracie.” Riley flopped down next to him. He couldn’t quite eliminate the harshness from his voice.
“It’s no use, you know. I love Grace. She’s always good to me, and we enjoy each other’s company. What was missing?”
“You’re asking me? Do I look like Dr. Phil or something?”
They sat in silence for awhile. Steve fiddled with the clicker but he didn’t turn the TV on. “I guess maybe Grace was like a security blanket. With her around, I never had to worry about being alone. But maybe it’s better to risk being alone than to settle for something that wasn’t meant to be.”
“Wow, Steve. That almost sounded wise.” Sarcasm edged Riley’s voice, but he couldn’t help it. He had no success in trying to keep his emotions in check today.
Steve didn’t take offense. “I’ve had a lot of time to think. Tami took off on me after the second day.”
“That surprised you, did it?”
He laughed. “Not at all. Man, did I screw things up or what, Riley? Do you think Grace will ever forgive me?”
“Do you mean will she take you back?” Riley lifted himself on one elbow and turned toward him.
“No,” Steve shook his head. “I know better now. We aren’t meant to be together. But do you think we’ll ever be friends again?”
“Maybe. Gracie is pretty soft when it comes to you, you know.” He flopped back down into the lumpy cushions.
****
It was half past seven and The Grace Place Christmas party was in full swing. On one side of the shop, Vanessa and one of the other waitresses were in charge of keeping guests supplied with hot chocolate and Christmas punch. Grace circulated through the crowd carrying a tray piled high with Christmas cookies. A trio of teenagers had the stage, singing “updated” versions of traditional carols.
Grace tried unsuccessfully to stop herself from watching the door. Obviously Riley wasn’t coming.
And that was a good thing she told herself, as she stopped, smiled and offered cookies to a table full of people. She didn’t want him here. His behavior toward Steve had been inexcusable. Of course, Steve’s behavior toward her had been pretty rotten, too.
Grace ducked into the kitchen to refill her tray. She remembered Riley saying that he’d given Steve a black eye the one time he knew Steve had cheated on her. Had he been protecting her all these years? What else didn’t she know?
Her chest tightened, and her stomach lurched, as she thought that she may have been dating the wrong friend all these years. That couldn’t be. She couldn’t have made a mistake that big.
Could she?
All she wanted to do was go home to bed and curl up into a ball of misery. Instead, Grace finished refilling her tray, forced a smile and headed back into the party.
With surprise, she saw that Pansy Parker and Misty Green were sitting together. Usually, these two managed nothing between them warmer than stiff politeness.
She stopped at their table to offer them cookies. “Are you ladies enjoying yourselves?”
“Yes Grace,” answered Misty. “Your Christmas parties are always wonderful. I wish I could convince you to serve more healthful refreshments, though. I have a wonderful recipe for cookies that have no sugar and no flour.”
Grace tactfully ignored Misty’s suggestion. “I’ll get you a cup of herbal tea. Would you like a cookie Pansy?”
“Yes, please. I don’t much care for these young fellows with the guitars and drums. I think it’s shameful what they did to ‘O Come all Ye Faithful.’ When is our choir going on?”
“We can’t go on until Joy gets here,” Misty said, looking at her watch. “We need our accompanist. I wonder what’s keeping her?”
Pansy smiled sweetly. “I’m sure she’ll be along any minute.”
“And where’s Riley? I can’t believe he’d miss your party, Grace.”
Grace ducked that question, too. “I’ll be right back with your tea Misty.”
Back to the kitchen. Grace made Misty’s tea and checked on their punch supply, added a few more cookies to her tray and walked back out just in time to see Riley come in—with Joy Harper.
Grace froze. Had Riley moved on? It was less than two weeks since he’d kissed her. Had he given up on her already?
She forced herself to move, tea in one hand, cookie tray in the other. Unfortunately Riley and Joy were heading that way, too. They a
ll arrived at Pansy and Misty’s table together.
“There you are, Joy,” cried Misty. “I thought you were a no-show.”
“I’m sorry,” said Joy, wringing her hands. “I was at the church all afternoon going through music. When I came out my car battery was dead.”
“Really,” said Misty, glancing at Pansy. “Let me guess. You left your lights on.”
“Yes, but the funny thing is, I don’t remember turning them on. Pansy suggested I call Riley. He was nice enough to come over and give my car a jump.”
Orchard Hill Volume One Page 4