Hooked on You, Kathleen Fuller [book club suggestions TXT] 📗

I lovedher any less. She had problems . . . lots of problems. We tried to deal with them the best we could, but we failed. Then whenTracey showed up with you on my doorstep, it was an answer to prayer, not a deal or a payoff. Not to me.” She started to sob.“It was a miracle.”

*  *  *

Riley’s heart didn’t budge. She had shut it down almost completely after she left Hayden, intending to come here and go straightto her room to start packing. She’d even searched on her phone for an available flight, only to find out they were full untilTuesday. She would have to wait until then, but she would at least have her bags packed. If they were, she wouldn’t be temptedto change her mind and stay in Maple Falls.

Then she’d overheard her mother and grandmother arguing, and her world crashed around her again. Mimi, the one person shethought she could trust in this entire world, had betrayed her.

A part of her wasn’t surprised Tracey was adopted. That explained a lot of things, especially the fact that Tracey wasn’tanything like Mimi, in looks or personality. But there had been plenty of opportunities for Mimi to tell Riley the truth.Not just about the adoption, but about the money.

A volcano of emotions erupted inside her. The memories of the times she’d cried alone in strange places, wishing her grandmotherwould rescue her, only to be disappointed again and again. This was just another in a long list of disappointments and pain.That she could feel anything at all right now was a marvel.

Then suddenly everything shut off inside until she was numb. She looked at Mimi, who was leaning against the table, pain evidenton her face.

“I’m leaving Tuesday,” Riley said, the chill back in her tone. “I already booked my flight.”

“Riley, please.” Mimi held her hands together, almost begging. “Sit down. We need to talk this through.”

“No, we don’t.” She turned and went upstairs, quickly packed her things, and came back down. Mimi was in the living room,wincing and limping more than usual as she made her way to the recliner. She practically fell into it.

Seeing her grandmother suffering almost stopped Riley. But she firmed up her resolve.

“Where are you going?” Mimi asked.

“I don’t know.” She opened the door. “I’ll figure it out.”

“Riley—”

She let the door shut as she walked out.

Her eyes were dry as she walked down the road, the suitcase dragging behind her. As she made her way down her grandmother’sroad in the muggy heat, her mind began to clear a bit. Where was she going to go? She still had to figure out how to get tothe airport, although that would be solved easily with an Uber. But her flight wasn’t until Tuesday. And she was almost backto where she’d been financially when she arrived in Maple Falls. She’d only received two paychecks from Mimi and was slatedto get a third this week. Most of that had gone to buying an airline ticket on short notice, and she had put a little bitmore into buying art supplies and canvases for the artwork she was going to make for the store. That was never going to happennow.

She walked at least another mile, until she was so hot and sweaty and thirsty she had to stop. She couldn’t walk aimlesslyaround Maple Falls for the next two days. She pulled out her phone and dialed.

“Riley?” Bea’s confused voice came out of the speaker.

“Can I stay with you tonight?” She’d figure out where she would land tomorrow night later.

“Is something wrong with Erma?”

“No.” What was one more lie in a lifetime of lies?

A pause. “Well, of course you can.”

“Would you mind picking me up?” She gave Bea her location.

“I’ll be right there, honey. Won’t take me but a jiff to jump in the car.”

“Thanks.” She turned off her phone and stuck it in her pocket. Emotionless, she moved to a shade tree on the side of the streetand waited for Bea. Her heart had been so filled with pain after pushing Hayden away. It was empty now.

She felt . . . nothing.

*  *  *

The next morning, Riley woke to a huge breakfast spread, more than she could possibly eat. Bacon, eggs, sausage, fresh biscuitsslathered in butter, orange juice, coffee, milk, apple turnovers, and blueberry muffins.

“I fixed you a little something,” Bea said, plopping a platter of hotcakes on the table.

“I see.” Riley blanched, still full from the huge meal Bea made last night. One thing she had forgotten about Bea was thatthe woman cooked when she was upset or nervous. Riley’s suspicion was confirmed when Billy, Bea’s husband, who had somehowstayed thin and wiry for the fifty-three years he and Bea had been married, walked into the kitchen and put his arm aroundher plump shoulders.

“Looks good, honey.” He kissed her round cheek, then sat down at the table. “Doesn’t it, Riley?”

“Very good.” She didn’t know how she was going to force down even a fraction of this food, but she wasn’t going to rejectit either. “Thank you, Bea.”

“You’re welcome.” She sat down and mopped her brow with one of the napkins on the table. “Now, let’s say grace, and then we’lleat.”

Riley bowed her head, but her mind was as empty as her heart. When the prayer was over, she saw Bea piling food on a plate.She handed it to Billy, who promptly dove in as she began adding food to another plate, then gave it to Riley.

“There’s pure maple syrup for those hotcakes.” Bea’s extra-wide grin had a nervous edge to it.

Guilt broke through her numbness. Obviously, her presence upset Bea, even though she was trying to hide it under Southernhospitality and rich cooking. Riley cut into the eggs, both scrambled and sunny side.

She’d made plans to stay with Harper tonight, and Harper had also agreed to take her to the airport. Funny that out of thegroup of three friends, Riley had formed a bond with the one who couldn’t be more opposite from her. But since the first timethey met, Harper was the one to reach out to her. They