Liam looked up from the chessboard.
Hey, Riley. I was wondering
He hesitated before asking his question.
Liam was the newcomer to the household. Riley had no plans to adopt the tall, gangly kid with red hair and blue eyes. But she had rescued him from a drunken father who had beaten him up. He needed a place to live right now.
What is it, Liam? Riley asked.
Is it OK if I go to a chess competition tomorrow?
Could I go too? April asked.
Riley smiled again. Liam and April had been dating when Liam had come to live down here in the family room, but they had promised to keep that relationship on hold for the time being. They had to be hermanos solamente, as Gabriela had put it brother and sister only.
Riley liked Liam, all the more so because of the positive influence the bright boy had on April. Hed gotten April interested in chess and foreign languages and schoolwork in general.
Of course you can go, both of you, she said.
But then she felt a renewed burst of worry. She got out her cell phone and found some photos of Shane Hatcher and showed them to all three kids.
But youve got to watch out for Shane Hatcher, she said. Youve got these pictures on your own phones. Always remember exactly what he looks like. Contact me right away if you see anyone who looks anything like him.
Liam and April looked at Riley with surprise.
Youve told us all this before, Jilly said. And weve looked at those pictures a thousand times. Has something changed?
Riley wavered for a moment. She didnt want to scare the kids. But she felt that they needed to be warned.
I got a message from Hatcher a little while ago, she said. It was
She hesitated again.
It was a threat. Thats why I want you all to be especially on your guard.
To Rileys surprise, Jilly grinned at her.
Does this mean we get to stay home from school when spring break is over? she asked.
Riley was startled by Jillys nonchalance. She also briefly wondered maybe Jilly had the right idea. Should she keep the kids out of school? And should Liam and April not go to that chess competition tomorrow?
Before she could think things through, April said, Dont be silly, Jilly. Of course were going to keep right on going to school. Its not like we can put our lives on hold.
Then turning to Riley, April added, Its not a real threat. Even I know that. Remember what happened in January?
Riley remembered all too well. Hatcher had saved April and Rileys ex-husband, Ryan, from a killer bent on revenge against Riley. She also remembered how Shane Hatcher had delivered the killer bound and gagged for Riley to deal with at her own discretion.
April went on, Hatcher wouldnt hurt us. He went to a lot of trouble to save me.
Maybe Aprils got a point, Riley thought. At least where she and the other kids are concerned. But she was still glad that the agents were stationed outside.
April shrugged a little and added, Life goes on. Weve all got to keep doing what we do.
Jilly said, And that goes for you too, Mom. Its a good thing you got home early. Youve got plenty of time to get ready for tonight.
For a second, Riley couldnt remember what Jilly meant.
Then it came back to her she had a date tonight with her handsome former neighbor, Blaine Hildreth. Blaine was the owner of one of the nicest casual restaurants here in Fredericksburg. He was planning to come by and pick Riley up and treat her to a wonderful dinner.
April hopped to her feet.
Hey, thats right! she said. Come on, Mom. Lets go upstairs and Ill help you choose something to wear.
*Later that evening, Riley was sitting on the candlelit patio at Blaines Grill, enjoying wonderful weather, excellent food, and charming company. Across the table from her, Blaine cut a handsome figure as always. He was just a little younger than Riley, lean and fit, with a slightly receding hairline that he wasnt the least bit vain about.
Riley also found him to be a pleasant conversationalist. As they ate a delicious dinner of rosemary chicken pasta, they chatted about current events, memories of long-ago times and travels, and goings-on in Fredericksburg.
Riley was delighted that their talk never once turned to her work at the BAU. She was in no mood to even think about that. Blaine seemed to sense that and steer clear of the subject. One thing Riley really liked about Blaine was his sensitivity to her moods.
In fact, there was very little about Blaine that Riley didnt like. True, theyd had a bit of a spat not long ago. Blaine had tried to make Riley jealous over a woman friend, and he had succeeded all too well. Now they were both able to laugh about how childish theyd both been.
Maybe it was partly the wine, but Riley felt warm and relaxed inside. Blaine was comfortable company fairly recently divorced like Riley, and anxious to get on with life without quite knowing how.
Dessert finally arrived Rileys favorite, raspberry cheesecake. She smiled a little as she remembered how April had secretly called Blaine before an earlier date to alert him to some of Rileys favorite things, including raspberry cheesecake and her favorite song One More Night by Phil Collins.
As she enjoyed her cheesecake, Riley talked about her kids, especially how Liam was settling in.
I was a little worried at first, she admitted. But hes an awfully good kid, and we all love having him around the house.
Riley paused for a moment. It felt positively luxurious to have someone to talk to about her domestic doubts and worries.
Blaine, I dont know what Im going to do with Liam in the long run. I just cant send him back to that drunken brute of a father, and God only knows whats become of his mother. But I dont see how I can legally adopt him. Taking in Jilly has been really complicated and its not settled yet. I dont know if I can do it again.
Blaine smiled at her sympathetically.
Youll just take things one day at a time, I guess, he said. And whatever you do, it will be the best thing for him.
Riley shook her head a bit sadly.
I wish I knew that for sure, she said.
Blaine reached across the table and took hold of her hand.
Well, take my word for it, he said. What youve already done for Liam and Jilly is wonderful and generous. I admire you so much for it.
Riley felt a lump form in her throat. How often did anyone ever say anything like that to her? She was often praised for her work in the BAU, and had even received a Medal of Perseverance recently. But she was not accustomed to being praised for simple human things. She hardly knew how to take it.
Then Blaine said, Youre a good woman, Riley Paige.
Riley felt tears well up in her eyes. She laughed nervously as she wiped them away.
Oh, look what youve done, she said. Youve made me cry.
Blaine shrugged, and his smile grew even warmer.
Sorry. Just trying to be brutally honest. The truth sometimes hurts, I guess.
They laughed together for a few moments.
Finally Riley said, But I havent asked about your daughter. Hows Crystal doing?
Blaine looked away with a bittersweet smile.
Crystals doing just great good grades, happy and cheerful. Shes away right now for spring break, at the beach with her cousins and my sister.
Blaine sighed a little. Its only been a couple of days, but its amazing how fast I start missing her.