Know Me Well

by Kait Nolan

  “Barely. But yeah. The thing is, I’ve been stubborn and proud and really, really foolish. Things are bad. I’ve been hanging on by a thread. And things would be so much worse, if y’all hadn’t been looking out for me despite myself. I’ve joked in the past that you have to hold a gun to my head to get me to ask for help—not something I’ll be kidding about in the future, by the way—but it seems like that’s true. Because this is me doing what I should’ve done months ago.” She took a bracing breath. “I’m asking for your help. Because I’m in way over my head, going under for the third time, and I don’t know what to do.”

  Molly wrapped an arm around her in another hug. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.”

  Together.

  She’d spent most of her life believing that together was something to avoid, that depending on someone else made her weak. And her way had almost lost her everything.

  Definitely time for a change.

  “That sounds amazing.”

  Molly made French toast, as she’d done for family breakfasts countless times before. Judd texted the all clear to let them back in the pharmacy. While his mother manned the griddle, Liam made calls to organize a work force to deal with the cleaning and last of the renovations. And Riley sat at the table, drinking her coffee, feeling more positive than she had in months. She didn’t know how they were going to fix things, but she was so grateful not to be in it alone.

  Molly heaped French toast onto Riley’s plate. “I have something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about for a while now that will, I think, alleviate a lot of the strain you’ve been under.”

  Riley braced herself. If Molly was about to suggest buying the business entirely back, it wasn’t like she was in a position to argue. Clearly she hadn’t been ready for the full responsibility of owning the pharmacy.

  “I want to buy back part of the business. Come back as a full partner.”

  Partners? Not something she’d considered. But surely if Molly was interested in doing something like that, it would’ve come up before Riley bought her out last year.

  “I hate for you to have to break your retirement because of me.”

  “Don’t you dare look at this as some reflection of you or some sign of failure. The fact is, I didn’t really want to fully retire.”

  That was news to Riley. “Why didn’t you say something?”

  “Because you buying me out was what we’d agreed to when you came to work for me after college. You’d been working toward it for years, and when we came up with that plan, the idea was that I’d retire, and John and I would go take some of those trips we always talked about. When he died, you picked up all the slack, while I grieved. You’d made it yours, and you wanted so much to spread your wings, so it didn’t seem fair to go back on my word. And I thought I’d go ahead and make the most of it. To a certain extent I have. I’ve loved the work I’ve done with Norah and the coalition, helping breathe life back into this town. But truthfully, I am so bored with retirement, I can’t even tell you. You’d be doing me a favor for my sanity by letting me come back.”

  “Letting you? Please, Molly, it’s still your business. And God, I would love to have you come back as a full partner. I’m beyond grateful that you’re willing.”

  “Good. I’ll talk to Vivian, get the paperwork drawn up.”

  “We should probably go over the books.” A necessary but painful evil.

  “That can wait a bit. Insurance and distributors first.”

  The sound of a car door slamming pulled their attention to the door.

  “Looks like we’ve got more company.” Liam waved in Norah when she appeared at the kitchen door.

  As Norah stepped inside, dressed with her usual big city flair, Riley looked down at the clothes she’d robbed from Liam’s closet. She hadn’t expected to be seeing anyone but family until she had a chance to go by her own place to change.

  “Sorry it’s so early.” Norah held up a covered dish. “Spicy cheese grits. I’d hoped to get here in time for your breakfast. Consider me the first wave of food. The Casserole Patrol is already active and cooking. I saw Miss Maudie Bell at church early, so I expect you’ll have a flood after the late service.”

  “Nobody died or had a baby. Why has the Casserole Patrol been activated?” Riley wanted to know.

  Norah set the dish on the counter and came to squeeze Riley’s shoulder. “Because cooking is what we can do to show we care about you. You shouldn’t have to cook a thing for at least two weeks.”

  Riley’s throat went tight. “Thanks.”

  “Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us,” Molly invited.

  At home, Norah hit up the coffee pot. “I’m actually here for another reason. Y’all are going for exclusivity contracts for Peyton Consolidated. Gerald is going to be here at the end of the week to check the progress on his latest baby, so you’ve got the perfect shot to hit him up. I’ve already penciled you into the schedule for Friday.”

  “Friday?” Riley’s heart bucked. “But with all the…I couldn’t possibly…I don’t—”

  Molly laid a hand over hers, stemming the babble. “Together, remember.”

  “You can and you will. Because you have me to help you tailor everything to hit all of Gerald’s soft spots. I landed contracts with Peyton Consolidated for the entire town. This will be cake.”

  Together.

  Riley took a breath. “Okay, when do we start?”

  Chapter 19

  Norah clapped her hands together. “What a fabulous idea!” She whipped out one of her ever-present notebooks and began scribbling things down, with a backdrop of hammering, the whine of saws, the thunk of nail guns. “I will make this happen. How quickly do you think the space will be ready?”

  Liam surveyed the six men rounded up for the job, based on recommendations from both Mitch and Tyler Edison at the hardware store. All were fairly seasoned and had been out of steady local work for some time, due to the economy. This job would be a good trial run. If any of them worked out, it’d be a great start to forming his own crew.

  “Obviously, our focus is on getting the main pharmacy back to normal. But given the group we’ve got out there right now, I think that’s going to happen within a week. The goal is to get all the flooring installed and vacuumed today. I’m planning on staining and sealing tomorrow. The longest part there will be waiting on the stain and sealant on the new floors to dry. Three days for that. Mitch and I already finalized the designs, so I can get the rest started while that’s going on. So…maybe two weeks?”

  “Good. Keep me posted on timeline. I’ll handle my end. I want to talk to Riley about setting up an open house to show off the new space anyway, and that would be a great means of launching this as well.”

  “You really think you can pull it together that fast?”

  Norah gave him a pitying look. “Please. Have you met me?”

  Liam laughed. “Fair point. I want you to keep this under your hat, at least until we’re finished. I want to surprise Riley.”

  Norah crossed her heart. “Discretion is my middle name.” She checked her watch. “With that in mind, I’m going to get out of here. Your lady fair will probably be finishing her presentation soon, and I want to be back to talk to Gerald when it’s through.”

  “How did she look?” Liam asked.

  “Like a million bucks. Maybe a little bit nervous, but she’d already gotten off on a tangent about essential oils when she busted Gerald’s headache in thirty seconds, so I think she’s going to be fine. She nailed all the practice runs of the presentation. I’m betting a celebration will be in order later.”

  “Good. She needs a win in her column. It’s been a rough summer for her.”

  “Not all bad.” Norah stroked a hand down his arm. “She got you.”

  “True enough.” But Liam wasn’t sure Riley was as comfortable with that as he was.

  “I’ll be in touch. Bye, Molly!” She sent a sunny wave to his mother, who perched on a sto
ol behind the counter.

  As the door jangled, Molly pinned him with a Look. “You’re up to something.”

  “I am.” He was, in fact, up to several somethings. “Working on a surprise for Riley.”

  “Is this the kind of surprise that’s going to make her angry? Because that didn’t work out well for you before.”

  “No. It was her idea, actually. I’m just bringing it to fruition. And in keeping with that, I need to go.”

  “You’re leaving in the middle of all this work?”

  “Gotta pick up more supplies at the hardware store. I’ve had a few things on special order, and Tyler texted earlier to say they were in.”

  She smiled at him. “You like it. Building things.”

  “I like seeing the possibilities and maximizing potential. And yeah, it’s good seeing solid results of the work. Having a real finished product that will last.”

  “It suits you. And, with that in mind, perhaps it’s time to start talking about turning the garage into a proper wood shop for you. Unless you plan to get your own place sooner rather than later.”

  Liam thought about the other plans kicking around in his brain. “That depends.”

  “Well, I’m not trying to rush you out. You know I love having you home. But if your plans change, I completely understand.”

  She knew. She was standing there looking all innocent and casual, but she knew. Who knew how. Her Mom-dar put military intelligence to shame. Time for a tactical retreat.

  “There’s plenty of other stuff to worry about for now. You okay holding down the fort until I get back?”

  “You go ahead. I’ve got this.”

  As the weather was gorgeous and unseasonably cool for this close to August, Liam rolled the windows down on his truck and took the long way, weaving through the shady streets of town. The parking lot at Waldrop Park was half full as he drove by. On impulse, he swung into the lot and got out to inspect the new fence. He’d been on deck to help assemble it, but with everything that had happened, he hadn’t been able to make it to the work day.

  Norah had wanted whitewashed pickets, but Mitch convinced her to go with a better quality stain and sealant. The final result wrapped the perimeter of the property. Liam walked the length of it, reading names of the individuals and businesses that had donated. Children’s laughter split the air and drew his attention to the playground proper.

  A trio of boys pounded across the new bridge.

  “Get to higher ground! The dragon’s almost on us!”

  The one bringing up the rear dove off the side with a fairly impressive roll, coming up to face his imaginary foe with a sword branch in his hand.

  Liam grinned, thinking of his brothers. They’d fought their fair share of dragons back in the day.

  The banks of swings were full. Young mothers pushed toddlers and chatted. At the other end, a dark-haired little girl kicked her legs hard, her pink bow slipping down her curls as she rose higher. He remembered Riley at that age and Wynne, though neither of them would’ve been caught dead wearing a bow. They usually had scraped knees and grass stains on their clothes, so determined to keep up with the boys.

  “Again!” At one of the lower slides, a little boy, maybe three years old, ran from the foot of the slide to the ladder. His dad lifted him up and set him at the top, where he slid into the arms of his waiting mother with a delighted giggle. Then he raced around to do it all over again. The parents looked at each other with a shared smile that shot a sharp pang of yearning through Liam’s chest.

  He wanted that. Wanted that foundation of family, that new beginning. For all the fumbling he’d done in his first months back, he was ready for the next chapter of his life. He’d been heading there the moment he got involved with Riley.

  “You look like you’re thinking deep thoughts.”

  Liam jolted, wondering how long Autumn had been standing there. “I suppose I am. What are you doing here?”

  She held up a book. “Just got off work and thought I’d enjoy the pretty day by reading in the park. What’s your excuse? I know you’re doing floors at the pharmacy today.”

  “Detour on my way to the hardware store.”

  “Odd place to detour to for you. What’s on your mind?”

  “Do you think I’m impulsive?”

  “No. You’re one of the most decisive people I know. You don’t make decisions without considering all the angles. That being said, you don’t lollygag around once you’ve made up your mind. You’re a man of action.”

  “I think that’s the problem. I’m ready to act on something, and I’m not sure it’s the smart thing to do.”

  “With the exception of a few select adventures back in high school, I can’t ever recall you doing anything stupid.”

  Because he needed something to do with his hands, Liam gripped the top of the fence. “Well, it’s less that what I want is stupid and more that I’m not sure how it would be received, at this point.”

  “Okay let’s just drop the oblique speak. Riley loves you.”

  He huffed out a laugh. “I know. But even so, I’m not entirely sure we’re on the same page.”

  “And you think what you want is rushing things.”

  “My gut says no. More practical people would say yes.”

  “Screw practicality.”

  Liam arched a brow at her vehemence.

  “I mean it. Nobody’s in this relationship but the two of you and nobody else’s timeline applies. Love isn’t supposed to be practical. You love her; she loves you. Period. End of story. And if you want to do something that’s an expression of that, I say go for it.”

  Autumn Buchanan, always a champion of love.

  “I’d need some help to pull it off.”

  “Lay it on me.”

  She was all but dancing by the time he finished explaining what he wanted to do. “Oh my God, Liam! That’s just—”

  Smiling, he waved his hands in a tone-it-down motion. “I’m glad you approve.”

  “I approve this so hard, I just can’t even.” She did some kind of celebratory booty shake, ending with a double fist pump.

  “So you’ll help?”

  Autumn swatted his arm. “Of course, I’ll help. I’ll even offer a few suggestions for how you can take an already awesome concept and elevate it to stupendous.”

  “I’m open to suggestions.” He pointed a finger at her. “But you tell no one. I don’t want one whiff of this getting back to Riley.”

  She offered a smart salute and clicked her heels together. “You can count on me, sir!”

  ~*~

  “Here’s to Peyton Consolidated. May they be the first of many lucrative contracts. Well done, Riley.” Molly tapped her glass to Riley’s and grinned.

  “Couldn’t have done it without your help and Norah’s. I don’t know how she does it, getting up in front of people and talking all the time. Give me one-on-one any day.” Riley sipped the champagne. Now this is a celebration.

  The white tablecloths and fine china of Tosca were a far cry from the emergency bar of Toblerone at the beginning of the summer. And, at last, she wasn’t alone. Liam and Molly sat on either side of her, and Sharilyn and Matthew McSweeney rounded out the party. Riley wasn’t quite sure how to feel about that, but she was feeling far too mellow and pleased about her success with Gerald Peyton to let it spoil the evening.

  “I have a toast, too.” Riley lifted her glass to Liam. “Here’s to finished floors and my own personal Superman, who’s busting his chops getting things back to normal.”

  “Hear, hear!”

  Liam tapped his glass to hers and leaned in for a follow-up kiss.

  “While we’re in a celebrating mood, I’ve got something else to toast.” Across the table, Matthew took Sharilyn’s hand.

  Riley tensed. Oh God, not again.

  Her mother glanced up at him, then across the table. Riley didn’t miss the quick flash of hurt.

  Damn it. She liked Matthew. She really did. But she wasn�
�t ready for her mother to dive headlong into another too serious, too soon relationship.

  Beneath the table, Liam curled his fingers around hers and squeezed.

  “Back in the beginning of July, this sweet lady here came to me with the idea for the Good Food For Good Neighbors program, as a way the store could give back to the community and help those in need.”

  Riley blinked. She’d heard about the program, of course. But being wrapped up in her own troubles, she’d given no thought to it past the round up donations she’d made doing her grocery shopping since then. It’d been her mom’s idea? She thought back to that family dinner and to Tara Honeycutt. Clearly she hadn’t been the only one to feel a need to take action.

  “I’m pleased to report the program has been a raging success, and we’ve already been able to help fifty families.”

  Fifty families. So much good. Pride swelled in Riley’s chest. “That’s amazing, Mom. Truly.”

  “It was an inspired idea.” Molly lifted her glass.

  Sharilyn’s cheeks pinked. “I just wanted to do something to give back. So many people helped me when I needed it. It’s my turn to help now.”

  “Well, I’m glad you said that, Shari, because we’re getting more and more applicants every day, and somebody has to go through and determine eligibility. I want to promote you to full-time head of the program, along with a commensurate raise in pay to go along with the responsibility.”

  Sharilyn gaped at him. “Are you serious?”

  “I told you we had something else to celebrate. To your success.” Matthew clinked her glass with his.

  Riley raised her glass. “Congratulations. You’ve earned it.”

  As additional congratulations swept the table, she thought back to that quick flash of hurt and felt the sandpaper rasp of guilt along her conscience. Her mom didn’t deserve that knee-jerk response of dread. She’d well and truly lived up to her promise and turned over a new leaf.

  Riley continued to mull it over as their meal was served and conversation flowed around her. And she watched Matthew and Sharilyn, noting the casual way they swapped half their entrees for a surf and turf, seeing the attentive way he leaned toward her when she spoke, and a half dozen other tiny intimacies that said more than words ever could. Sharilyn herself smiled often, but it was a different smile than Riley was used to seeing when she was with a beau—and Matthew was most definitely a beau. She seemed…relaxed and confident. No trace of that sense of trying too hard, as if by will alone she could make him into what she wanted, what she needed. Because maybe Matthew McSweeney was what she needed.