The Wedding Shop

by Rachel Hauck

  “Why do you think God would want a 126-year-old shop reopened in Heart’s Bend? Or for me to do it?”

  He glanced back at her and the intensity in his gaze made her heart stutter. “Good question.”

  “Other than playing here as a kid, I don’t have any connection to the place. But I loved it.”

  “Maybe that’s all it takes,” Cole said. “To just love a place. Isn’t that the gospel, ‘For God so loved us’?”

  “But is it about the place or the people who will come here? The brides?”

  “I think you’re on to something.” He crouched down in front of her, his blue eyes searching hers. “I-I was . . .” He stopped, clearing the catch from his voice. “Would you like to come to the house tonight, eat pizza, watch a movie?”

  Her skin flamed with the intimacy of his voice, of his question. “Are you asking me on a date?”

  He grinned, glancing down, brushing at something imaginary on the floor. “Yeah, I think I am.”

  “Wow, okay, well . . .” But he’d been Tammy’s, even though in the end they had broken their engagement. Haley was nothing like her. “Cole, I’m not Tammy.”

  “I know.”

  “You realize you’re asking out Haley Morgan.”

  “Pretty sure I do.” His blue gaze watched her for a long moment. “Is it too weird?”

  “No, I’m just surprised.”

  He laughed and dropped down to the floor, resting his forearms on his raised knees. “I’ve known you twenty-some odd years, but I’m not sure I ever got to know you. Tammy or one of your brothers was always around. Except for that night we stayed up talking.”

  “Yea . . .”

  “I like the woman I’m getting to know.”

  “Cole, you should know there’s a Haley you don’t know. One who made some pretty dark choices in her life.”

  “Like that guy? Dax Mills? The one from the other day?”

  “Yes. You recognized him? Is that why you stopped?” Dax would be thrilled to know someone recognized him on the street. At one point, Haley thought it was his only true goal in life.

  “I recognized him. Used to work out to one of his videos. But I stopped at the shop because you looked upset.”

  “You saw I was upset from the street?”

  He shrugged. “Is that a crime? So how do you know Dax?”

  No, not at all. “We were in a relationship.”

  “Ah.” Cole thought for a moment. “Isn’t he married?”

  He was getting the picture without Haley coloring in all the numbers. “Do you still want to have pizza with me?”

  “Yeah, I do. I’m no saint, Haley. Are things over between you two?”

  “For me, yes. But he seems to think he can drop in on my life anytime he wants, tell me what to do.”

  “All right, then pizza and a movie at my place. Six?”

  “You sure?”

  He regarded her for a long blue moment. “I’m sure, but if you’re not—”

  “I’m game. Hey, if it creeps us both out, then we call it a fun experiment.”

  “Deal.” He stuck out his hand. When Haley slipped her hand into his, the same sensation washed over her as the first night they talked. On the shop porch. Gentle, warm, her cares falling from her shoulders.

  “But, Cole, you should know, I’m not looking for a relationship.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished them back. Her confession was presumptuous. Rude. And cast a shadow on Cole’s otherwise light countenance.

  “It’s pizza and a movie, Haley.” He started for the door. “Not a marriage proposal.”

  “Right.” Was he mad? “Six o’clock?”

  He paused at the door, his smile wide, forgiving. And she felt its energy all the way to her toes. “Don’t be late.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  HALEY

  Her keys. She just needed to find her keys and she’d be off. Ten till six. She might be a few minutes late to Cole’s, but she’d called Charlotte this afternoon for more advice on how to break in with designers and they ended up talking about life, love, and God.

  Having met her once and talked to her on the phone twice, Haley made a heart connection with Charlotte. She admired her. Already called her friend.

  In the light of Cole, Charlotte, and Mrs. Elliot’s ten-thousand-dollar check, Haley felt a breeze blowing through the dark tunnel that was Dax. She neared the end. Saw the light.

  Downstairs, she found her keys on the kitchen island. At the refrigerator, Mom took out a bottle of water.

  “Where are you headed?” she said. “Your dad and I were thinking of going out to dinner. There’s a new vegetarian place on the east side of town.”

  “Since when have I ever indicated I liked vegetarian?” Haley laughed. “I’m eating pizza.”

  “By yourself?”

  “If you must know, with Cole.”

  “Is that wise?” Mom took a short swig of her water. “I know he’s working with you on the shop . . .” There was definite ’tude when she said shop. “But if you hang out too much—”

  “What, Mom? We might like each other? Maybe make out? Have a few laughs?”

  “Fall in love.”

  “I’m not going to fall in love with him, but so what if I did? He’s a really great guy.”

  “Look, I don’t know what happened between you and Dax, but I know it tore you apart.” Mom used her intuition to shine her light behind Haley’s closed doors. “Between your breakup, Tammy’s death, reopening this crazy wedding shop, I think you’re trying to capture something that’s been lost. There’s a danger of transferring affection to Cole, thinking it’s love when it’s not.”

  “Mom, I’m fully aware of my breakup with Dax, of losing my best friend. And yes, opening the shop is very sentimental for me. And frustrating. But I’m not trying to capture anything. I’m trying to build something. A business. Cole is a friend. That’s all.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure. I already told him I didn’t want a relationship.”

  “No one ever accused you of not being honest.” Mom’s soft laugh cracked open Haley’s heart a wee bit to her. She was a perfectionist, an overachiever, and often more like a drill sergeant than a mom, but she loved her family.

  “I’m sorry, Mom.”

  She popped wide eyes at Haley. “For what?”

  “Judging you.”

  “Judging me?” Mom swigged from her water bottle, keeping her gaze on Haley.

  “Yeah, thinking you didn’t really love us, that your career and success were more important.”

  “Is that how I appeared to you?” Mom held steady, never one to back down from a confrontation or hard truth.

  “Pretty much. Didn’t think you had much use for a girl either. You preferred the boys.”

  “Haley, my goodness, the reason we had five kids was because I refused to give up on having a girl.”

  “So I was just something to achieve?”

  Mom came around the island, reaching for Haley, but hesitated and lowered her hand. “I wanted a daughter. My relationship with my mother was always so special. We were very close.”

  “But from my chair, you never wanted a relationship with me other than parent-child. You took good care of me, Mom. Not denying that, but I was a would-be boy until junior high. I never got the impression you wanted a daughter.”

  “Wow, well, then I apologize.” Mom’s eyes swam with her confession. “I wanted a daughter, though I never considered if I’d be a good mother of one.”

  Haley regarded her, then laughed softly. “No one ever said you’d get a good daughter either.”

  “You are a great daughter. I’m very proud of you.” Mom pressed her hand over her heart. “I’m sorry if you felt unwanted or unloved. That was never, ever in my heart.”

  Haley jiggled her keys. Time ticked away and Cole was waiting. “All things work together for good. I’m not sure I’d ever found God without the little hurts I carried.”

/>   “Hurts? Oh, Haley—”

  “Mom, it’s fine. I’m good, really.”

  Mom gently took hold of Haley’s arm. “I love you. Please know how much. You were wanted. If anyone should feel unwanted, it’s Seth. When the ultrasound told us it was a boy, I was ready to send him back.”

  “Don’t tell him. Abigail would have a field day psychoanalyzing that. Seth adores you. He’s a true mama’s boy.”

  “I know. And I can’t imagine life without him. Or you.”

  The sentiment hung between them. These spontaneous words were more than they’d shared in a long time. Probably since Haley was in high school and brokenhearted over Brandon Lutz—who went to homecoming with Misty Stone instead of her. Mom was a trooper during that dastardly teen drama.

  “So . . .” Mom drew a deep breath, twirling her water bottle between her hands. “H-how’s the shop?”

  Haley grinned. She was trying. “Um, good. I think. We still don’t have our permits. It’s been six weeks.” Haley glanced at the stove clock. She was officially late.

  “What about money?”

  “I’m getting there. Believe it or not, a woman came in today and gave me a check for ten grand.”

  Mom’s eyes popped wide. “You’re kidding.”

  “She was one of Miss Cora’s brides. Said the shop was important to her and she was glad someone was reopening it. Mrs. Peabody, Linus Peabody’s aunt, gave me money too.”

  Mom took a swig of water. “You know Linus was the one who spearheaded Akron coming to Heart’s Bend.”

  “Cole mentioned it. Do you think Linus might be behind the delayed permits?”

  “Would not surprise me.”

  “Okay, I might talk to Cole about it tonight.” Haley started for the door. “Thanks, Mom, for asking about the shop. I know you’re against it.”

  “I have no affection for it, but . . .” She exhaled. “I’m not against you.”

  “Then can I ask what you have against the wedding shop?”

  She hesitated, such a rare thing from Dr. Morgan, who was sharp and quick. “You’re jiggling your keys. You must be late.”

  “Cole can wait.”

  Mom headed out of the kitchen. “You best get going. Your father will be here soon, ready to eat. Have a good time.”

  “Are you ever going to tell me?” Haley said.

  “I don’t know,” she said without turning around. “There are times when I’m not really sure I know myself.”

  Cole greeted Haley at the front door in his bare feet, his Tennessee Volunteers T-shirt clinging to his shoulders and swinging loose about his waist.

  “You’re on chopping duty.”

  “Oooh, didn’t you get the memo?” Haley said. “I don’t do chopping. Or mixing. Or sautéing or cooking in general.” She set her backpack down by the front door, removing her gloves, still a bit chilled from the ride out. But still feeling the warmth of the honest moment with Mom.

  “Well, today you’re on chopping duty. Kick off your shoes. Make yourself at home.”

  “If you want me to make myself at home, I’m not chopping anything.” She wiggled out of her boots and followed him to the kitchen where he’d set out veggies and a cutting board on the quartz counter.

  “This is your station.” He passed her a large knife and turned back to his pizza dough with a glance at her. “You look good.”

  “Thank you.” She fluffed her hair free of the biker-helmet mash.

  Her gaze met his. He was smiling, watching her, a dancing light in his eyes. She reached for the knife, her pulse thumping a little faster.

  Keep it simple, easy breezy.

  “So, what do I do here?” She sat on the stool, noticing the guitar in a glass case stuck to the wall over the dining table. “Hey, is that the guitar you used to play when we were but wild-eyed teens?”

  He laughed. “Yeah, that’s the Fender Stratocaster.”

  “I remember Tammy telling me about it. Said it was worth some ridiculous amount of money.”

  “Dad bought it for us at an estate auction. It’s worth way more than he paid. I don’t think the auctioneer knew what he had.”

  “Why’d you put it in a glass case? Don’t you want to play it?”

  “Hey, sister,” Cole said, motioning to the pile of veggies in front of Haley. “Get to chopping.”

  Nice avoid. Haley considered pressing, but where the senior Danner was concerned Cole had little to share.

  Haley stared at the knife and the pepper, tomato, and onion waiting to be sliced and diced. “Do you think Linus is holding up our permits?”

  “There’s a good chance. But he’s smart enough to keep his fingerprints off any shenanigans.” Cole worked the pizza dough from a large bowl, dumping it onto the floured countertop.

  “Should we do something? I mean, if he’s holding up the works, then he can’t expect me to have the shop renovated by the end of April.”

  “Sure he can. He’s making up the rules as we go along.”

  “Then I’m going to see him tomorrow.”

  “I can stop by in the morning.” Cole peeked at her. “Check on it for you.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll go.”

  “Are you sure? I know folks in the permit office, I know Linus—”

  “I don’t need to be rescued, Cole.”

  “Never said you did.”

  Haley sighed. Lower your defenses, girl. “I should do it, don’t you think? This is my fight.”

  He sighed with a soft nod. “Yeah, sure. Just, you know, let me know if you need anything.”

  “I need some pizza. That’s what I need.” Haley set down the knife, watching Cole for a sec. Did he seem disappointed? He’d already done so much for her that she figured she should take on some battles for herself. It’s not like she needed him in the fray with her. If she was going to be a businesswoman in Heart’s Bend, she needed to learn the system. “S-so how’d you learn to make pizza?”

  “My grandmother was Italian. She taught us boys to cook.”

  “We had a cook when I was growing up. Remember her? Hilda.”

  “I do.” Cole made a face. “She wasn’t that good.”

  “You’re telling me. I swear she served boiled bark and roasted pine cones one time. Mom loved it. Did you know there’s a new vegetarian restaurant in town? The parents are trying it out tonight.” Haley shivered.

  “Ever wonder how you came from them?”

  “Almost daily when I was a kid. Dad I understood, but Mom? The only two women in a house of men and we could not have been more opposite. But Mom and I had a good chat about that tonight.” Haley rested her chin in her hand. “It was good.”

  “Yeah?” Cole glanced at her, working the dough, then stretching it out on one of three pizza stones. “Hey, you’re not chopping.”

  “I told you, I don’t chop.”

  He shook flour from his hands and walked around the island, standing behind Haley. “Take the knife . . .” He cupped his right hand around hers, taking up the utensil. His hand was soft with flour, warm, covering hers. A buzzing pulse shivered up her arm.

  “Take the pepper.” Cole set the vegetable on the chopping block, molded his left hand over Haley’s, and aimed the knife at the deep green skin. The scent of his skin, of his shirt, awakened cautious desires. “Curl your fingers back so you don’t cut them off. Good.”

  He surrounded her. With his body, with his voice, with the gentle motion of chopping a pepper. His breath grazed the side of her cheek and, at one point, she felt lost in his presence.

  But when she glanced up at him, he was focused on chopping. “See?” he said, looking at her as she looked at him.

  “Y-yes, I see.” But nothing about cutting peppers. She saw the cut of his jaw with the end-of-day beard, the sweet bow of his lips, the endless blue meadows in his eyes, and the steadiness of his countenance.

  “Haley—”

  “Cole.” His nearness robbed her breath. “I-I’m not looking for—”

&nbs
p; He stepped back. “For what? A relationship?” Returning to his pizza station, he gave her his back and finished spreading out the dough on a pizza stone. “You like veggie pizza? With pepperoni?”

  “I like everything but olives and anchovies.” Didn’t she sound the fool. Assigning her feelings to him.

  He grinned over his shoulder. “Me too.”

  But the light had gone out of him. Haley reached for the onion, cutting away the skin, doing her best not to cut off her thumb. “Dax was married when I met him, but I didn’t know it.”

  He regarded her for a long second. “You don’t have to tell me, Haley.”

  “But I do. I want to. He charmed the pants right off of me. Literally.”

  “Haley—”

  “I was head over heels. Wanted to marry him so bad. From almost the moment I met him. He was amazing. I’d never met anyone like him. When he started to pursue me, I was queen of the world. This gorgeous man wants me?”

  “You’re very beautiful, Haley.”

  She drove the knife through the onion, letting his compliment pass. Because she felt it. Because it carried more punch than she imagined.

  “Not like the women fawning over Dax. He was the type of man who dated amazon-like bikini models with rivers of gorgeous hair and perfect boobs. Now Tammy, she would’ve been his type. But not me, not a short, petite air force captain.”

  “What happened?” Cole took out a knife and reached for the pepper, but his attention was leveled on her.

  “When I found out he was married, it killed me.”

  “Did you leave him?”

  “No, I asked him to leave his wife. I’m not proud of it.”

  She waited. For the look. For the sad sigh. The shake of his head. She deserved it. Every ounce of his judgment.

  Instead, Cole shifted his attention from chopping and gazed at her with kindness. “I take it he didn’t leave his wife.”

  “He promised he would. For six months. Then I found out he had children and, man, it was like crashing into a mountain going a hundred miles an hour. What was I mixed up in? But I strung along for another six months.” Haley slipped from the stool and peered out the French doors leading to the patio and garage breezeway. “Home wrecker, that’s what I turned out to be. Captain Home wrecker.”