Chapter 4RILEY
CHAPTER 4
RILEY
I should’ve known Aunt Dotty was up to something when she shoved a tray of cookies into my hands this morning and insisted I bring them to the community baking event. I had other plans for my Saturday, but let’s face it—when Aunt Dotty gets that sparkle in her eye, resistance is futile. Besides, it’s not like my plans were all that exciting. Working in the hardware store doesn’t exactly scream “wild weekend.”
“Oh, come on, Riley,” she’d said, practically shoving me out the door. “It’ll be good for you to get out. Plus, everyone loves my oatmeal raisin cookies.”
“They love them because they think they’re chocolate chip,” I muttered, but she just waved me off.
Aunt Dotty meant well, and I wasn’t about to disappoint her, even if oatmeal raisin cookies are just a cruel trick disguised as dessert. But now, here I am, standing awkwardly at the edge of the park, holding the cookie tray like a peace offering I don’t remember agreeing to. The event is in full swing—kids running around, music blaring from a scratchy speaker, and half the town milling about like it’s the highlight of the year.
I glance around at the sea of cheerful faces, feeling out of place. Events like this aren’t my thing, but Aunt Dotty’s smile this morning made it hard to say no.
“Riley!”
I turn to see Mia bounding toward me like a golden retriever with a secret. She’s wearing a perfectly coordinated outfit, complete with wedges that she somehow maneuvers effortlessly across the grass.
“Oh no,” I mutter under my breath.
“Oh yes,” she replies, grinning as if she heard me. “You came! I’m so glad you chose the bake-off over hiding in your hardware store all day.”
“It’s not hiding if it’s my job. I came because Aunt Dotty practically shoved me out the door,” I reply, narrowing my eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re here to cause trouble. What’s the real reason, Mia?”
“Just enjoying the event,” she says, completely unconvincing. “And you know, catching up with my favorite cousin.”
I glance around, trying to spot Ethan. He’s not hard to find, standing by a table full of carnival games, looking way too relaxed in jeans and a T-shirt. Of course, he’s surrounded by a group of admirers—mostly women laughing too loudly at whatever he’s saying.
Mia follows my gaze and smirks. “Oh, look, there he is. Why don’t you go say hi?”
“No thanks,” I say, quickly looking away. “I’m just here to drop off these cookies and leave.”
But before I can escape, Aunt Dotty appears out of nowhere, carrying a clipboard and wearing her “volunteer queen” sash like she’s running for mayor.
“Riley! Perfect timing!” she chirps.
“Aunt Dotty, no,” I start, already feeling the trap closing in.
“Oh, hush now,” she says, ignoring me entirely. “We’re pairing people up for the scavenger hunt, and wouldn’t you know it? You and Ethan are both without partners!”
I blink at her, my brain short-circuiting. “What? No, I?—”
“Perfect!” Mia cuts in, clapping her hands. “It’s meant to be.”
“No, it’s not,” I say, glaring at both of them. “There’s nothing meant to be about this.”
But it’s too late. Aunt Dotty is already waving Ethan over, and I can see the moment he realizes what’s happening.
I groan internally as Aunt Dotty and Mia practically shove us together, but there’s no point in fighting it. Ethan’s grinning like this is the highlight of his week, and for a second, I envy how easy everything seems to come to him.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite neighbor,” he says as he approaches, hands in his pockets and that stupid, charming smirk plastered on his face.
“I thought you’d be too busy mowing the lawn at dawn to make it to this,” I reply dryly, crossing my arms.
He chuckles, completely unfazed. “Nah, I figured I’d take the day off and see how the locals spend their weekends.” He glances at the clipboard in Aunt Dotty’s hand. “So, what’s this? Some team-building exercise?”
“Exactly,” Aunt Dotty says, clearly delighted. “A scavenger hunt! You and Riley will make a wonderful team.”
“Great,” Ethan says, looking at me with a sparkle of mischief in his eyes. “Looks like I got the best partner.”
I groan internally, clutching the cookie tray a little tighter. “Don’t get too comfortable. I’m not carrying this team, but maybe I’ll let you handle the heavy lifting.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” he says, leaning just close enough to be annoying. “I’m excellent at scavenger hunts. It’s all about charm and strategy, you know.”
“Yeah, you’re halfway there,” I mutter, but Aunt Dotty and Mia are already ushering us toward the starting point.
“Have fun, you two!” Mia calls out, looking entirely too pleased with herself.
I glance at Ethan as we stand side by side, waiting for the hunt to begin. “This is your fault,” I whisper.
“How is this my fault?” he whispers back, grinning.
“You exist,” I reply flatly .
He chuckles again, and I can’t decide if I want to punch him or laugh with him. Probably both.
W e set off on the scavenger hunt armed with a list of random items that seem specifically designed to provoke debate. A rusty nail? A red feather? Who thinks this stuff up?
Ethan, of course, takes it all in stride. He folds the list neatly and tucks it into his back pocket like he’s about to conquer Wall Street, not wander around looking for a rock shaped like a heart.
“All right, partner,” he says with that signature smirk. “You call the shots, and I’ll do the heavy lifting.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not sure you’re cut out for heavy lifting, city boy. Unless you’ve got a briefcase full of stocks to hoist around.”
He chuckles, unbothered as usual. “You’d be surprised. I can handle a little dirt, too.”
“Sure you can,” I say, walking ahead of him.
We scour the park, picking through bushes and scouring under benches for the bizarre items on the list. Despite my initial annoyance, I have to admit he’s making the whole thing bearable. I’m almost impressed by how unbothered he is. No snide remarks, no frustration. Just easy charm and determination, like he’s actually enjoying this. He doesn’t complain, even when I deliberately make him do all the awkward tasks—like digging through a pile of leaves for a pinecone.
“Find anything yet?” I ask, leaning casually against a tree.
“Not yet,” he says, crouched on the ground, his hands sifting through the leaves. “But I’m determined to prove to you that I’m more than just a ‘city boy.’”
I smirk, crossing my arms. “Good luck with that.”
He stands up, brushing his hands off his jeans, and triumphantly holds up the pinecone. “Step one accomplished.”
I laugh despite myself and snatch it from him. “Fine. I’ll give you that one. But don’t get cocky.”
“Too late,” he says with a wink.
We make our way toward the playground, where a small group of kids is running around laughing, their parents watching from nearby. I glance at the list, spotting the next item: a ribbon tied to a swing set. Easy enough.
But just as we approach, an older woman trips on the edge of the pavement and stumbles forward, nearly falling. Before I can react, Ethan is already there.
“Whoa, gotcha,” he says, catching her by the arm and steadying her. “You okay?”
The woman nods, her face flushed. “I’m fine, just clumsy as always. Thank you, young man.”
“No problem,” Ethan says, smiling warmly. “You sure you’re all right?”
She nods again, patting his arm. “I am, thanks to you.”
I stand a few steps away, watching the exchange with my arms crossed, trying not to let my surprise show. This is the same guy I’ve been rolling my eyes at for days—the one I pegged as a spoiled, self-absorbed, rich kid. But the way he just reacted so quickly and genuinely threw me off.
I watch as Ethan steadies the woman, his voice calm and reassuring. It’s such a small thing, but the sincerity in his expression catches me off guard. And then it hits me: I might’ve been wrong about him. Maybe Aunt Dotty is right and there’s more to him than I’ve let myself see. I might have judged him a little too harshly, and that was wrong.
“Earth to Riley,” Ethan says, waving a hand in front of my face. “We’ve got a scavenger hunt to win, remember?”
I snap out of it, narrowing my eyes at him. “You realize we lost time because of that, right? Even if it was for a good cause.”
His grin doesn’t waver. “Whatever you say.”
“Let’s just find that ribbon before we lose even more time.”
By the time we reach the swing set, another team has already snagged the ribbon. I shoot Ethan a look, but he just shrugs, completely unbothered.
“We’ll get the next one,” he says, his tone easy and confident.
For the rest of the hunt, I catch myself watching him more closely. The way he jokes with the kids who dart past us, the way he compliments an older couple on their dog, even the way he doesn’t get frustrated when I bark orders at him. As the clock ticks by, I find myself relaxing more around him, even enjoying myself a little—not that I’d admit it to him.
“You know, if you hadn’t stopped to play hero back there, we might actually be winning,” I tease as we head back toward the starting line.
He laughs, running a hand through his hair. “You’re not really mad about that, are you?”
I shake my head. “No. Just saying you’re lucky I’m letting you off the hook this time. Don’t make it a habit.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that,” he says with a wink. “I only swoop in when it’s necessary.”
“Good to know,” I reply, smirking.
As we hand in our list—half-complete, thanks to Ethan’s detour—I can’t help but feel like something shifted today. Ethan isn’t just the guy I thought he was, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to let my guard down yet. He’s still Ethan Wilson, after all—charming, infuriating, and entirely too sure of himself.
Near the main area of the park, I spot Aunt Dotty and Mia near the baked goods table, heads bent together in what looks suspiciously like scheming. They’re both grinning like they’ve won the lottery, and as much as I want to be mad, I can’t help but feel a twinge of gratitude. They mean well, even if their methods are wildly obnoxious.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Ethan, already striding toward them.
He raises a brow. “Sure. I’ll grab some lemonade.”
I glance back to see him stroll off casually, already chatting up the vendor. Typical .
When I reach Aunt Dotty and Mia, I don’t mince words. “I know you two are up to something, and I’m not falling for it. Not again.”
They both look up at me as if they’re the picture of innocence.
“Whatever do you mean, sugar?” Aunt Dotty asks, clearly feigning ignorance.
“Yes, Riley,” Mia adds, grinning. “We’re just here enjoying the community event. No schemes whatsoever.”
I narrow my eyes. “Oh, really? Pairing me up with Ethan for the scavenger hunt wasn’t planned?”
“Pairing you up?” Mia shrugs, biting into a cookie. “That was Dotty’s idea.”
“And who put the idea in her head?” I counter.
Aunt Dotty pats my hand with a knowing smile. “Now, Riley, you’re reading too much into this. It’s just a little fun.”
“Fun for who?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder. Ethan’s still at the lemonade stand, smiling like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“For everyone,” Mia says smoothly. “But if it’s bothering you that much, maybe you’re the one making it a big deal.”
I glare at her, feeling my cheeks heat. “I’m not making it a big deal!”
“Of course not,” Mia says, smirking. “ Now, go play nice.”
Aunt Dotty beams. “Yes, sugar. You’ll be fine. Go on before Ethan thinks you’ve run off.”
I shoot them one last glare and stomp off toward Ethan.
“Everything okay?” he asks, holding out a cup of lemonade.
“Not even close,” I mutter, snatching it from his hand. Even though I’ve seen a different side to him today, I’m not exactly sure what to do with the realization—or the mixed feelings it gives me.