Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller (hot novels to read .txt) 📕

“Riley—”

“I’ve gotta go.” She opened the car door, forgetting that she had agreed to let him do it. “Mimi has an early doctor’s appointment.”Which was true, but it wasn’t that early. She scrambled out of the seat. “Thanks. Bye.” She slammed the door and fumbled inher purse for her keys. She didn’t glance back as she got in the car and fled from Hayden—again.

Although this time she had to do everything in her power not to go back to him.

*  *  *

On Thursday morning, Hayden was ready to talk to his parents. That, however, was not what was on his mind after he’d gonefor a quick run before breakfast. Riley was, particularly the way she ran off last night. He’d been serious about having agood time with her, especially when she relaxed while they were discussing business. Then she’d turned playful during dessert,and that was when he’d been a goner. Although she sped out of his car like a jackrabbit, he’d been sure she wanted to kisshim again, maybe as much as he wanted to kiss her.

Strangely enough, he was glad she hadn’t. That would have complicated things, and he’d rather be around Riley as friends thankissing her and destroying their fragile friendship. The best thing he could do right now was get her off his mind and focuson his meeting with his parents.

After returning from his run, he quickly showered and dressed, then went downstairs and into the kitchen where his motherwas finishing breakfast. When they were all seated at the table and had started eating, he told them he wanted to talk.

“About what, dear?” Mom sipped her white coffee that was mostly milk and sugar with a splash of actual coffee.

“The store.”

Both parents gaped at him. “You want to talk about the hardware store?” his dad asked.

“Yes.” Hayden leaned forward. “I know you’re selling the business.”

His parents exchanged a glance, then his father spoke. “How did you find out?”

Hayden told them, apologizing for reading personal mail. “I called Henry and he confirmed it, but he didn’t give me any details.”

“I’m sorry, Hayden.” Mom grimaced. “We were going to tell you—”

“—when the time was right,” Dad said.

“You’ve been so busy with baseball and then rehabbing your shoulder.”

Hayden moved his hands under the table as he tried not to clench them into fists. His parents had never been deceptive aboutanything before. He needed to hear them out.

“I understand,” he said evenly. “But I’ve been back more than six months.”

“We didn’t have a deal in place until recently.” Dad tapped the handle of his coffee cup. “I thought—”

“We thought,” Mom interjected. “It was a joint decision.”

“We thought we would tell you after the sale.” Dad turned to Hayden. “I’m surprised you’re upset about this.”

“Why wouldn’t I be upset?”

“We weren’t keeping it a secret from you,” Mom insisted.

That was debatable but not the point. “I don’t care that you didn’t tell me. I’m upset about the sale. I can’t believe youdon’t want to run the store anymore.”

His shoulders drooped. “I’m tired, son. I’ve been tired for a while. It’s hard having a business nowadays. Not just in a smalltown, but in lots of places. Although small-town businesses have been hit the worst. People are shopping in bigger cities,bigger stores.”

“Those strip malls.” Mom sniffed. “They and online shopping have been the death of small businesses.”

“I’m tired of fighting, son. Maybe if I was younger I’d be able to handle it better.” Dad sighed, then took Mom’s hand. “Wehave things we want to do. Travel. Go see the grandkids together. We always have to take separate trips because someone hasto mind the store.”

Hayden sat back in his chair. “I didn’t realize how difficult it was for you.”

“Oh, you know your father,” Mom said. “Never wants anyone to think he’s anything but a ray of sunshine.”

Dad frowned and tugged on his salt-and-pepper mustache. “That’s not true. Not totally anyway.”

“Honey, it’s a done deal. Your father is signing the papers tomorrow afternoon.”

Hayden stilled. He’d hoped for more time than that, but beggars couldn’t be choosers, especially in a situation like this.“I want to buy the store.”

“What?” his parents exclaimed.

“I have a good chunk of money saved from playing ball. Enough to make a decent offer, I’m sure.” He didn’t think it was necessaryto explain financial details further than that.

“It’s not about the money,” Dad said. “You don’t understand what you’re getting into.”

“Then tell me. Explain everything I need to know about running a hardware store. I can’t imagine there’s anything else youdidn’t teach me about the place when I was growing up.”

“There’s a few things. That’s still not the point. Hayden, it’s not just hard. Running a failing business is defeating.”

Hayden thought for a moment. “Maybe it doesn’t have to fail. What is the buyer planning to do with the property?”

“I’m not sure. Henry is handling the sale, and I’ve never met the guy, but he’s bought up two other buildings on the streettoo.”

That didn’t sound good at all. Mass purchases of buildings or land usually meant new development. Hearing that made him moredetermined than ever to go through with his plans for Maple Falls. He’d just have to get through to his parents first. “Thatdoesn’t bother you?”

“It does, but what can I do about it?” Dad frowned, his expression somber. “I don’t want to saddle you with this, Hayden.I’m sure you have other things you’d rather do with your future.”

“Other than finish rehabbing that house I bought two months ago, I can’t think of anything more important than this.” Rileyinstantly came to mind, but he had to keep his focus on Price’s Hardware right now. He had to get his point across to hisparents.

“You’ve had a lot of changes in your life in a short time.” Compassion filled his mother’s eyes. “It’s been less than a yearsince . . .”

“Since the injury that ended my career. You can say that, Mom. We can talk about it too.”

Dad shook his head. “I don’t see how you accepted it so easily.” His gaze was direct.