Georgia On His Mind (Hope Valley Book 1)

by Belle Calhoune

  Riley scratched his jaw. “I had no idea until Charlie told me. Of course Aunt Libby didn’t talk about you much. She thought I was a plum fool to leave town.” He quirked his mouth. “Now that I think of it, Mama didn’t mention it either.”

  “I’m not exactly Martha Stewart. I don’t even have a shop front. I bake out of this very kitchen.” A sheepish expression was stamped on her face. “It helps cut costs. Most businesses flounder in the first year. I don’t want to end up a statistic.”

  “Very wise,” Riley said with a nod. He could imagine Georgia having a shop on Main Street. A bakery with a big front window and pretty flower boxes. Customers could peek through the window and see all the baked goods lined up behind the counter.

  “I think so,” she said in a chirpy voice. “And as soon as I can save up a chunk of change, I’m going to open up a shop. Until then I’m still working part-time at Just Smiles.”

  Riley let out a groan. Just Smiles was a popular dental office in town. Georgia was a dental hygienist, but she didn’t enjoy working in the field. She’d always dreamed of having her own bakery. Riley shook his head. “But you hate working there.”

  “It’s a means to an end,” she said, her expression guarded. “It allows me to pay my mortgage and save up for a shop.” He thought he detected a defensive tone in her voice. Riley prayed Georgia didn’t think he was being dismissive. He wanted her to be happy in all areas of her life. Even though she might doubt it, he’d always been firmly planted in her corner.

  “Why not just take out a loan to open up a shop?” He blurted out the question.

  Georgia ducked her head and began focusing on the lemon bars. “I-I wouldn’t feel comfortable assuming so much debt. That’s one thing I learned growing up as the child of divorce. My parents struggled financially. My mother was raising us as a single mother and she had tons of bills that racked up.” Georgia shuddered. “We went through some hard times.”

  “I remember you telling me that, Georgia. I imagine it scares you to think you might be in debt, but it’s important to remember that expanding to a storefront will increase your revenue which will allow you to repay your loan at a fast rate.”

  Georgia bit her lip. “I’ve thought about it, Riley, but what if the shop doesn’t take off? It feels safe to keep doing it here out of my house.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “The thought of stepping out on my own is scary.”

  “I understand,” he said, moving toward her so that there was virtually no space between them. He reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders. She was looking up at him with such a troubled expression on her face. It was obvious that Georgia wanted to reach out for the brass ring, but she was afraid to do so. “It’s hard to do something when you aren’t sure what the consequences will be.”

  “Sounds like you’re speaking from personal experience.”

  “I am,” he said. “When I left Hope Valley I was leaving everything I held dear behind. At the time I was confused about the future. I didn’t really consider how much I’d be losing in the process.”

  Tears pooled in Georgia’s eyes. He raised a hand and swept it across her cheek. “Georgia. I wish I’d thought things through before I left. I wish—”

  The sound of the back door opening interrupted him. Georgia took a huge step back away from him. She darted a nervous glance at the door. Her sister, Eden, was standing there with an arm full of groceries.

  “Oh brother,” Eden muttered. “I would say I’m sorry for interrupting, but I think my presence is a God-send.”

  “Hello there, Eden,” Riley said, stepping toward her to help her with her bags.

  She sidestepped him and placed the bags down on the kitchen table. She sent Georgia a pointed glance. Georgia’s cheeks turned red. Clearly, Eden was sending Georgia some signals.

  “Hey, Riley. Welcome back,” Eden said. Riley winced. Her voice didn’t exactly sound welcoming. He really couldn’t blame her. He’d broken her sister’s heart into a million little pieces.

  “How’s everything?” he asked, trying to stem the tide of awkwardness flowing in the room.

  “Not much has changed in Hope Valley. Same old, same old.” Her gaze narrowed. “I suppose you can’t say the same. I hear you have a kid now.”

  Eden’s salty tone left no doubt as to her feelings toward him. He shouldn’t be surprised. Eden was Georgia’s sister. They were best friends. Eden was the type of sister who would take a bullet for her sibling. She was now letting him know in no uncertain terms what she thought of him. And it wasn’t much.

  “Yes,” he said with a nod. “I have a son, Aidan. He’s a great kid.” No matter what anyone in this town thought of him or the way he’d left Georgia in the lurch, he would never let anyone diminish his son. Aidan was blameless in this whole entire mess between him and Georgia.

  His son. He had assumed that role from the day Aidan came into the world. His promise to Molly had to be upheld, even during awkward moments such as this one when he could easily set things straight.

  But he couldn’t. Wouldn’t. He could take the slings and arrows thrown his way. His love for Aidan trumped anything else.

  Anything? Even Georgia? The question popped into his mind. It made him feel slightly dizzy. Georgia’s gaze narrowed as she stared at him.

  “Are you all right, Riley?” she asked, her beautiful face filled with concern.

  He sucked in a fortifying breath. Lord, please help me. For so long now it’s been all about my son. Raising him. Filling the void in his life left by not having a mother. Making sure his world was filled with joy and light and love. But now that I’m back in Hope Valley, Georgia is on my mind. Day and night.

  Two pairs of eyes stared at him. “I-I’m fine. I just remembered another errand I have to run.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Have a nice afternoon.” He locked gazes with Georgia. “I hope you enjoy the figurines. Aunt Libby really loved them.”

  Georgia flashed a warm smile in his direction. “I’ll treasure them always. I can’t wait to find a curio cabinet so I can display them.”

  Riley began moving toward the entranceway. He needed to get out of this house as fast as he possibly could. Strange thoughts were running through his head. Thoughts of kissing Georgia.

  With a feeble wave of his hand, Riley turned around and headed toward the front door. What had he been thinking in coming over here today? Spending time alone with Georgia only served to complicate matters. Who was he kidding? He could never think of her as a friend. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get past thinking of Georgia in a romantic way.

  And he was beginning to wonder if she would always be the one that got away? The one he had been extremely foolish to let slip through his fingers.

  Some things in life a person couldn’t go back and change. Or could they? He wondered. Wasn’t life all about second chances? Opportunities for redemption? If there was even a small shot at getting back what he’d so foolishly tossed aside, he would grab ahold of it in a heartbeat.

  **

  The moment the front door closed behind Riley, Georgia felt tension hovering in the air between her and Eden. It didn’t take long for Eden to make her feelings clear.

  “What in the world was going on here between the two of you?” Eden barked, looking as imperious as a drill sergeant. Her nostrils were flared and her cheeks were flushed. Even though she hadn’t done anything wrong, Georgia felt as if she’d been caught with her hands in the cookie jar.

  She rolled her eyes at her sister’s overly dramatic attitude. “Riley brought over the figurines Aunt Libby left me in her will. I was baking lemon bars so we made our way into the kitchen. Is there something wrong with that?” She folded her arms across her chest and began tapping her feet. She didn’t like her sister’s tone. Why was Eden always treating her as if she lacked common sense?

  “Did you kiss him?” Eden asked in a curt voice. “I really hope you didn’t lose your head and kiss him.”

  Her cheeks felt f
lushed. “No! Of course not! What kind of question is that?”

  Eden threw her hands in the air. “The two of you looked pretty intimate.”

  “Eden! You need to back off. If I had kissed Riley—which I didn’t—that’s my business.”

  Eden’s eyes were as wide as saucers. “I can’t believe you! I’m the one whose shoulder you cried on when he high tailed it out of town and broke your heart. I’m the one who held your hand and prayed with you and cried with you. Now it’s none of my business?”

  Georgia sighed. She hadn’t meant to hurt her sister’s feelings. Eden was her best friend. She loved her sister dearly. Georgia wasn’t sure what she would have done without Eden and Kit by her side during her breakup with Riley. But she was a grown woman. She wasn’t going to be treated like a little kid.

  She reached out for her sister’s hand and squeezed it. “I’ll never forget how you supported me during one of the worst times of my life. I would have crumbled if it hadn’t been for you and Kit. But what I learned during that time is I’m stronger than I know.”

  Eden’s lips began to tremble. “But what if he hurts you again?”

  It wasn’t easy seeing her sister so vulnerable and knowing it was due to her. Ever since they were toddlers, Eden had fought Georgia’s battles for her. Maybe it was high time she fought for herself.

  “What if the sky falls in? What if I stub my toe on the living room sofa?” Tears gathered in her eyes and she blinked them away. She and Eden were children of trauma. When their father had walked out on their mother in order to be with his secretary, their lives had exploded. He and Lucy had ended up having a child together—their half- brother, Josiah. Their father hadn’t stayed with Lucy for long—he’d moved on to numerous other women.

  Their mother had sunk into a depression that had made everything ten times worse. Having an absentee father had left both of them with issues regarding men and happy endings. Georgia knew deep in their hearts both of them feared they would relive their mother’s experiences all over again.

  “Part of living is opening ourselves up to the possibilities. I’ve decided I’d rather be friends with Riley than bear the weight of this anger I’ve been feeling toward him. I don’t think it makes me weak, Eden. I think it makes me strong. Working toward forgiving Riley isn’t just a gift for him. It’s for me as well. That’s what my faith tells me.”

  Eden heaved a tremendous sigh. “You’re right. Holding onto anger isn’t good for the soul. Maybe one of these days I’ll manage to forgive Daddy for all of his sins.”

  Georgia wasn’t sure that was possible for either of them. He’d done way too much damage over the years. Sadly, Georgia wasn’t sure he was finished. Every time he popped back up in their lives, drama ensued.

  “Just be careful with Riley,” Eden warned. Her eyes flashed with the wisdom of the ages.

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got this,” Georgia said, wishing she felt as confident as her voice indicated. Being around Riley was a heady experience. In many ways he was her Kryptonite. His very presence made her feel weak in the knees.

  On the other hand, she’d learned so much from the mistakes of the past. She was determined never to repeat them again. Showing Riley a measure of grace wasn’t falling back in love with him or giving him a pass for anything he may have done to betray their relationship. It was allowing herself to let go of all the pain and loss she’d been holding onto. It was moving forward with her life. For the last few years she had been stuck in quicksand. She was tired of it pulling her down.

  Georgia had plans for her future. She was going to reach for her dreams. And nothing was going to get in her way. Not even the only man who had ever owned her heart.

  Chapter Five

  “Thank you so much for meeting me for coffee,” Molly said to Georgia in a chirpy voice as they brought their coffees over to a table by the window of the Coffee Bean Café. The café had the best coffee in town.

  “I’ve missed you,” Georgia said as she placed her coffee down on the table and sat down.

  Molly sat down across from her. “I’ve missed you too. It’s been way too long since we’ve really sat down and talked. How are you, Georgia?”

  “I’m doing well,” she said with a nod. “How about you?”

  “Great. I’m in my last year of college,” she announced. She took a long sip of her coffee, then put her cup back down. “And then I’ll be ready to take the world by storm.”

  Georgia giggled. She could imagine Molly being a true tornado if she set her mind to it.

  “I’m ready to embrace everything the future has to offer. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Molly said, stretching her arms out wide as if she wanted to grab ahold of the entire world.

  “Are you seeing anyone special?” Georgia asked. Since she was single herself, it would make her feel good to hear about Molly’s love life. Hopefully she had found a special someone at college.

  Molly grinned at her. “There is someone I’m falling for. He’s sweet and kind and he has a close relationship with the Lord. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted for myself wrapped up in a big bow.” She let out a sigh. “But I want to take everything slowly this time around. I need to trust in God’s timing.”

  “Amen.” Georgia grinned. She could tell so much by Molly’s expression. There was love shining forth in her eyes. The way she spoke about her sweetheart spoke volumes. At the same time, Molly sounded a bit hesitant. Georgia knew she had gotten her heart broken before by her ex-boyfriend, Eric. It had happened not too long after her own break-up with Riley. Georgia didn’t know all the details, but Libby had told her it had been devastating for Molly.

  After Georgia’s break-up with Riley, his little sister had been MIA for quite some time, which is why she hadn’t heard it from Molly’s own lips about the end of her relationship with Eric. Georgia had tried not to be hurt by Molly’s lack of contact. Surely if she had to take sides, it would be Riley’s side she would take. Then—out of the blue—Molly had popped up back in Hope Valley during spring break and reached out to Georgia. She’d been over the moon to reconnect with Molly. Losing Riley had been hard enough. It had been a blessing not to lose Molly as well.

  Now, almost four years later, Molly had found love. It made Georgia hopeful. Perhaps she too could find a love to call her own.

  Against her will, Riley’s face flashed before her eyes. She cringed. Why couldn’t she get this man out of her head? What was the expression her mother used to say? There are plenty of fish in the sea. Why couldn’t she take her fishing rod and reel in another one?

  “You’re being very wise,” Georgia said, turning her attention back to Molly. “Sometimes the heart wants what it wants, but it’s always smart to use your head.”

  Molly nodded. “Yes. Unfortunately, Eric taught me that just because someone tells you he wants to spend the rest of his life with you, it isn’t always so black and white.” She made a face. “I learned the hard way.”

  “I’m sorry he disappointed you.” Clearly, Georgia had been out of the loop. At the time of Molly’s disappointing experience with love she had been reeling from her own heartbreak. She hadn’t been aware that Molly’s relationship had been quite so serious.

  Poor Molly! More than anyone, Georgia knew how it felt to be disappointed in love. She wouldn’t wish those feelings on her worst enemy. Molly was a sweet kid. Way too young to suffer heartache.

  Molly shrugged. “I’m older and wiser now. I would have walked through fire for Eric. Now I’m taking things one day at a time. I’m not sure I felt strong before. But after everything I’ve been through, I really feel strong now.”

  Molly’s comment caused goosebumps to pop up on her arms. She had spoken in such an intense manner. What had she gone through? Her words hinted at something dramatic. At one point in time she and Molly had been as thick as thieves. That had been dealt a huge blow after her relationship with Riley ended. She wasn’t in any position to pry any further into Molly’s personal bu
siness, even though she sensed there was something lurking under the surface.

  “I’m happy for you,” Georgia said, smiling at Molly. Riley’s sister grinned back at her.

  “I hope it’s okay to ask you this,” Molly said, biting her lip. “How does it feel to have Riley back in town?”

  “Of course it’s fine to ask, Molly. We’re friends,” Georgia said. “I hope we’ll always be in each other’s lives. I know things are different now than they used to be, but you’re still very important to me. I know you’re Riley’s little sister, but over the years you became mine as well.”

  “For a long time I was hoping you would become my sister in law,” Molly said in a hesitant voice. “I really wanted you and Riley to end up together.

  “I wanted that too, for a very long time.” She let out a ragged sigh. What was the point in hiding her feelings from Molly? Riley’s kid sister had been one of their biggest cheerleaders. She had cried her heart out when Riley had broken the news to her.

  “It’s fine having him back here. I know how much it must mean to your family, especially since he might be coming home for good.” She took a swig of her coffee then picked at her scone. “I have to admit, seeing Aidan was a shock. No one ever said a word about his existence, not even Libby.”

  Molly’s face turned pale. “H-he’s a great little boy. Aidan has done so much for him. I know it must be difficult to absorb, Georgia. I know you had dreams of having your own children with Riley. I’m so sorry if meeting Aidan knocked you for a loop.”

  She’s different, Georgia realized. She couldn’t quite place it, but Molly had transformed into a more mature, grounded young woman. She was sensitive and caring. It was as if she’d grown up all at once.

  “I still dream of having children, Molly. Just not with Riley.” The realization that she’d mentally moved on hit her out of the blue. She still had dreams of a happily ever after with a man who wanted to give her a lifetime commitment. It just wouldn’t be Riley Somers.