A Home for Haley

by Mary Jane Morgan

  She stepped back from him, stirring the water. Ethan was right. What was she doing anyway? Shame washed over her like ocean waves going out with the tide. Dale might have been gone for almost two years, but until only a month ago, she’d been waiting on him to come home to her.

  With a shock, she realized this was the first time she had thought of Dale today. Sadness as well as guilt engulfed her.

  She stepped back, putting more distance between her and Ethan. “You’re right.” She hoisted herself out of the swimming pool while she had the strength to do what she knew was best for them both, grabbed her towel and went inside.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Ethan took one last glance around the empty townhouse. He locked the door and handed the key to Ashley. “You did good, Ash.”

  “Yeah. Too bad I didn’t know Ellie was going to be at Disneyland. Have you heard from her?”

  “No, and I hope to God I don’t.”

  “Me too.” Ashley hugged him and then called to the kids who were over by the car with Haley. They ran to her and she swept them in for a big hug. “I will see you two munchkins in a few months. Now give me a high-five.”

  Ryan slapped at her hand and she grabbed his fist and pretended to bite it. Giggling, he jerked his hand back and ran behind Haley’s legs. Kayla clung to her aunt, and Ethan’s stomach tightened. Dread for what lay ahead with Kayla seeped into him.

  Despite the encounter with Ellie, the rest of their week in California had flown by with Kayla seeming to enjoy it. The dolphin watch had been a real high for them all. He had gotten a few cool pictures of the kids watching with wide eyes as a mama dolphin tried to teach her baby to breach. They had seen several small PODs but hadn’t seen a huge one like California was known to have. All in all it had still been an awesome experience for everyone.

  “Let’s go, Kayla. We have a plane to catch.” She hung back. He reached for her and guided her toward the rental car with his hand on the back of her neck. He opened the door of the car and motioned her in. She turned and ran across the parking lot and he sprinted after her, catching her easily.

  “Let me go. Let me go,” she yelled, kicking and crying.

  Ethan held her close. “I’m not letting you go until you tell me what’s going on.”

  Kayla shut her mouth and glared at him. “I hate you.”

  Ethan’s heart dropped to his stomach. “Well, I love you so it looks like you’re stuck with me.”

  Kayla’s glare evaporated as she buried her face in his neck and sobbed. “Mommy’s here. I don’t want to go back home.”

  Ethan barely managed to hold in his own tears. Ashley walked over and stroked the back of Kayla’s head. “Your mother knows where you live, honey. She can find you anytime.”

  Ethan appreciated his sister’s efforts, but wasn’t sure she should have said that. Ellie would not come for her daughter, so there was no use giving her false hope “Here’s the deal, Kayla. We live in Tennessee. Everything we own is there and so is my work. We can’t stay here. Besides, Grandma Dottie would wring my neck if I didn’t get you back home for her to spoil.”

  Kayla hung her head. “Mama won’t ever come home. She knows you don’t want her.”

  That was the damn truth, but he couldn’t very well say that. In fact, he was at a total loss for words and halfway angry that Kayla blamed him for her mother’s lousy actions.

  “We’re going home, Kayla. Your grandmother is chomping at the bit to see you. She told me this morning she misses you, and so does Aunt Jo.”

  Kayla’s eyes teared up. “I miss her too, but I miss Mommy more.”

  Haley walked over to them. “Of course you miss your mommy, Kayla, but that doesn’t mean you can stay where your daddy doesn’t have a job, and your grandmother and aunt can’t see you. Plus I’m your nanny. What would I do if you stayed here?”

  Kayla shrugged.

  “She has a point,” Ashley said. “Besides, when I come to Tennessee for Labor Day, it just wouldn’t feel right if you weren’t there. We all love you so much.”

  Thank God Ashley and Haley could still think.

  “Okay,” Kayla finally said in a whisper, her lower lip trembling.

  “That’s my girl.” Ethan walked back to the car and set Kayla down by the open car door. She crawled in, buckled her seat belt and stared straight ahead.

  “KayKay sad?” Ryan asked, reaching for her. She shrugged away.

  “Kayla, I know you’re upset, but that doesn’t give you the right to act crummy to Ryan.” Ethan ran a hand over his daughter’s head. “He loves you like the rest of us do.”

  Kayla sliced Ryan a glance, then reached over and took his hand. Ryan grinned and offered her his Tommy Tippy cup.

  Haley got into the front seat and buckled her seat belt. After giving Ashley a long hug and watching her get in her car and pull away, Ethan slid into the rental, buckled up, and turned the car on.

  Haley leaned across the seat and rested a hand on his leg. Her touch was comforting and he squeezed her hand before giving the drive his full attention. He was ready to be home, and desperate to get professional help for Kayla. Maybe, in the long run, it was for the best they’d run into Ellie. Kayla had obviously been hiding a lot of hurt pretty well, and seeing her mother had caused all those feelings to resurface. At least Ethan now knew how deeply his daughter had been affected and, hopefully, he could help her work through this. It might take years of therapy, but he would do whatever he needed for Kayla to somehow deal with what her mom had done.

  ****

  Dottie greeted them at the back door with hugs and kisses. “Look! No cane,” she announced, holding her arms out from her side.

  “Where is it? I want to burn the thing,” Ethan said giving his mom a lingering hug and a peck on the cheek.

  “I’m not telling. I might have to haul it out sometime and smack you.”

  Chuckling, Ethan went back out for the rest of the luggage.

  “Where’s Aunt Jo?” Haley asked, as Dottie pulled her in and hugged her, squishing Ryan between them and making him laugh.

  “Jo’s upstairs putting fresh sheets on the beds.”

  “I can’t tell you how good my own bed sounds right now. It was a long day.” Haley ran her fingers through Ryan’s curls. “Great week though. We saw lots of cool stuff, right kids?”

  Kayla went to her grandmother and hugged her tight, resting her head on Dottie’s stomach. Haley’s heart ached for the girl. “The kids are pretty tired. I think a bedtime snack and bath is about all they can handle this evening.”

  Kayla raised her head and scrunched her eyebrows at her. “I’m not tired.”

  “Let me look at you.” Dottie held her granddaughter away from her and scrutinized the child’s face. “You could have fooled me, young lady. I see tired written all over you.”

  Ethan returned carrying an armful of luggage. “Want to come help me with the little stuff, Kayla?”

  She flounced into a chair. “I’m too tired.”

  Dottie sat beside Kayla and patted her leg, but Kayla refused to even look at her.

  “I’ll help,” Haley offered.

  “No worries. I can probably get the rest if I stack things right.”

  Haley watched him leave and let out a weary sigh. Ethan had held up pretty well this week, but she could tell he was eaten up with worry. She wished there was something she could do to help him.

  “I saw Mommy,” Kayla announced to her grandmother, the minute the door shut behind her dad. Her shoulders slumped. “I wanted to stay in California.”

  Dottie took her hand. “Your daddy called and told me that you saw her.”

  Kayla nodded. “She was at Disneyland.”

  “And?” Dottie prompted just as Ethan stepped back inside. Silence filled the room.

  Ethan’s jaw bunched with tension. Haley could tell he wasn’t ready for this conversation, but she also figured Dottie was right to get it out in the open.

  Kayla kicked at a wadded up napki
n on the floor. “She asked me to be on television with her, but she never called to see me again. Has she called here?” Kayla asked, her face brightening with hope.

  Dottie shook her head and patted her granddaughter’s leg. “Come sit on my lap. I’ve missed you something fierce.”

  Kayla scooted onto Dottie’s lap but held herself stiff. Her grandmother pulled her close and stroked her hair. Tears stung Haley’s eyes. It was obvious Dottie was trying hard to help Kayla and make sure she felt loved. Haley was relieved when Kayla finally relaxed against her. “Did you know my mommy lived California?” she asked, slicing her father a quick look.

  Dottie nodded. “Yes, I did. But I didn’t know much more than that, except that she wants to be an actress.”

  Haley could tell Dottie was working hard not to say something she might regret. She hoped Ethan realized what a good mother Dottie had been to her children. What Haley would give to have had this kind of support from either her mom or her grandmother.

  Kayla straightened. “She is an actress! Mommy’s been in lots of commercials,” Kayla announced with obvious pride. “She’s the prettiest woman in the world.”

  That was the truth, Haley thought, trying to ignore the stab of jealousy that twisted in her stomach as she wished she could look even half that good. She set Ryan down and went to the refrigerator, pulled out the milk and took some Oreo cookies and empty cups to the table. Ryan climbed into the high chair and Ethan snapped the tray on. Grinning, Ryan pounded on the tray. Haley handed him a cookie, then poured some milk into a Tommy Tippy cup and gave it to him.

  “I want some cookies and milk,” Kayla whined.

  Ethan arched a brow at her. “How do you ask?”

  Kayla blew out a sigh. “Can I please have some cookies and milk?”

  “Coming right up.” Haley smiled at Kayla as she set her snack on the table. “You want some, Dottie?”

  “I’d prefer a bottle of wine.”

  Shaking his head, Ethan went to the wine rack and grabbed a bottle of Chardonnay and a wine opener.

  Haley set three wine glasses on the counter. “Fill mine to the brim.”

  Ethan’s lips twitched as he poured each glass half full, handed his mom and Haley one, then took a big sip of his and sighed with contentment.

  Aunt Jo walked into the room. “Hey, everyone! Boy has this place been quiet with you kids gone.”

  Grinning, Jo hugged Ethan and Haley before kissing Ryan and Kayla on the cheek. “It’s way too quiet in here. Did everybody wear themselves out this week?”

  Ryan pounded his tray and grinned, but Kayla merely shrugged and kept eating, separating the chocolate wafer from the creamy inside of the cookie and licking it off.

  “I want to hear about your trip,” Jo prodded. Silence greeted her. Jo picked up a cookie. “Well, I have some news that will get you all chattering.”

  “What?” Ethan and Haley said in unison.

  “Don’t you dare,” Dottie warned.

  Jo grinned. “Dottie had a bona fide date with Amos a few nights ago. He even drove into town to pick her up. Plus they hung out when we were at the dude ranch. And, by the way, things are really shaping up out there. Even Hank is showing enthusiasm.”

  “Don’t be spreading rumors about Hank,” Ethan said, sipping more wine.

  Dottie smiled. “Someone needs to perk that man’s life up. You suppose he’s got himself a woman?” she asked, her eyes full of mischief.

  “It wouldn’t surprise me if that man had himself several women,” Jo responded, waggling her eyebrows.

  “Oh for goodness sake, Jo. That’s ridiculous. Hank keeps his business private because he’s a private kind of man, but he’s not a womanizer.”

  “He used to be,” Ethan said. “He was my idol for years.”

  Jo and Dottie both laughed. “I sure would like to know more about what goes on with him,” Jo said. “I have a feeling he needs a good woman in his life. One good woman, not a different one every week.”

  “Hey,” Dottie said. “No smack about one of my favorite young men.”

  Jo scowled at her sister. “I seriously doubt Hank ever has a dull moment. Aren’t you even the least bit curious?”

  “No. It’s none of your business and neither is my date with Amos.”

  Aunt Jo walked to the counter and poured herself some wine. “I haven’t had any juicy news to tell in forever, so quit spoiling my fun.”

  “You don’t have any juicy news now, so hush.” Dottie held out her empty wine glass and Ethan poured more, then opened another bottle.

  Kayla frowned at her grandmother. “Are you mad at Aunt Jo?”

  Dottie took a sip of wine. “Perturbed is what I am. Nothing you need to worry about. We’re sisters and we get perturbed at each other from time to time.”

  “What does that word mean?” Kayla asked, watching both women intently.

  “It means we love each other but she wants me to hush.” Aunt Jo bent down and kissed the top of Kayla’s head. “If I were the one dating someone, your grandmother would be begging for details.”

  “We would all be begging for details, Aunt Jo.” Ethan nudged her with an elbow, making her slosh some of her wine onto the table. She glowered at him.

  He leaned back in his chair and crossed his feet at the ankles. “I think it’s great Mom has a boyfriend. She’s gone practically a whole year without one.”

  Dottie scooted back from the table. “Thanks for the reminder, but you’re one to talk. Besides, I haven’t exactly been dating material with a bum knee.”

  Ethan swiped a cookie and popped it in his mouth. “My guess, but it’s only a guess, is that you’re the one who’s kept men at a distance.”

  “I just love the way you always cheer me up, son. Come on, Kayla. You and I are going upstairs for some quality time without your dad and Aunt Jo butting into our business. Right?”

  “Right.” Kayla grinned for the first time since they’d arrived back home.

  Dottie snatched a cookie off Kayla’s plate. “There are way too many smart alecks in this house.”

  Kayla stuffed the last cookie in her mouth and jumped up from the table, wiping her hands on her shorts. “I’ll race ya, Grandma,” she muttered around a full mouth.

  “Five years old and already harassing me. I hope you’re satisfied, Ethan Richardson.”

  “Home sweet home,” Ethan said, motioning Haley over and shoving out a chair with his foot. “How did I ever survive a week without Mother badgering me?”

  Aunt Jo took the seat Dottie had vacated and Haley sat in the chair Ethan had pulled out, enjoying being a part of this family’s comradery. “You’re just like your mother and you know it, Ethan.” Jo grinned at him. “Except you might be sweeter.”

  “Not true and men aren’t sweet,” Ethan replied with a scowl.

  “Some men are,” Haley couldn’t help but say, pulling an even bigger scowl from him. She wiped Ryan’s hands and face and when he held his arms out to her, she took off the tray and picked him up. “I think you’re outnumbered on this one, Ethan.”

  He twirled his wine glass between his finger and thumb. “I’m always outnumbered. Doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”

  “Doesn’t mean you’re right either.” Haley plopped Ryan onto her lap.

  “There are too many women in this house. Right little man?” Ethan gave Ryan a high-five and the toddler slapped at his hand and grinned.

  “You’ll be glad to know that you will be minus one woman in a few days,” his aunt announced.

  Ethan looked startled. “You leaving?”

  “Sure am,” Jo said. “It’s for the best. Kayla needs all her grandmother’s support she can get right now. Plus it’s time for me to go home, take care of my own matters.”

  Ethan leaned over and bumped her with his shoulder. “Got yourself a secret boyfriend?”

  “Not telling.” Jo winked at Haley and took a sip of wine.

  Ethan watched his aunt. “It’d be good for you, Aunt Jo. Yo
u ever even think about it?”

  Jo set her wine glass down. “I’m old, not dead. Now tell me if you have any plans on how you’re going to help Kayla get through this. If Miss High and Mighty Ellie lived closer, I’d go slap her for you.”

  “I’ll buy you a plane ticket,” Ethan offered.

  Jo snorted. “I imagine you’re only half joking. Now tell me how Kayla’s doing. For real.”

  Ethan let out a weary sigh. “It’s been rough and I’m sure this is only the beginning. I made a therapy appointment for her before we left California.”

  “Good.” Jo patted his arm. “You’re a great dad. I’m proud of you.”

  “He’s been wonderful with her,” Haley added, smiling at Ethan. “Kayla is a lucky little girl to have him as her father.”

  Ethan stood. “I’m the one who’s lucky, and I’ll do whatever I have to for Kayla to get through this and be happy again.” He grabbed the second bottle of wine from the counter and brought it back to the table. “Not that I don’t appreciate you ladies’ support, ’cuz I do.” He smiled at Haley. “You’ve been a real trooper through all this.” He saluted her with his wine glass, and their gazes locked.

  Haley’s heart skipped a beat. “Kayla is very special to me. You know I’ll do whatever I can to help,” she added softly, breaking eye contact. She wanted to offer comfort, be there for Ethan, but she needed to walk carefully through this. Right now, it was best for everyone, including her, if she and Ethan remain just friends. His life was filled with a whole lot of turmoil, and he needed to focus on Kayla. As did she. Plus she wasn’t ready for more than friendship even though her hormones said otherwise.

  Dottie came back into the kitchen and joined them at the table. “Kayla’s out like a light.” She nodded at Ryan and Haley looked down. His head rested on her arm and he was fast asleep. Haley kissed his soft hair. “Guess it’s a good thing I got most of the sticky off of him.” She scooted away from the table. “The kids aren’t the only ones tired. I think I’ll put Ryan down and get myself ready for bed. See everyone tomorrow.” She hated to leave this conversation, but she was beat and knew she’d better grab sleep while she could. Tomorrow morning would be here before she knew it.