Brides on the Run (Books 1-4): Small-Town Romance Series

by Jami Albright

She moved back to the cutting board on the counter. “I’m sorry about your parents and about what I said.”

  “It’s really fine, Hailey. You only said what anyone else would. You certainly don’t have to offer to feed me to make up for it.” He grinned at the guilty look on her face.

  “It’s just…I…well…I’m sorry. I know about parents who could’ve done better and didn’t. It makes you feel like you weren’t important enough for them to give a crap.”

  He stared at her. Did she have the ability to read minds? “Yes. Exactly that.” He picked up a miniature hourglass and inspected it. “But it’s all good. No harm, no foul.”

  She scooped up the vegetables she’d been cutting in both hands and dropped them into the boiling pot. “Yeah, I don’t like to talk about mine either.”

  He set the hourglass down. “Both of yours?”

  “No, just my dad.” A sad smile ghosted across her face. “My mom was my hero.”

  “That’s why the bar means so much to you.” He didn’t ask a question. He knew he’d just stated the obvious.

  She moved to the fridge and took out a stick of butter. “Yes. I will not let it die on my watch. I promised her I’d keep it going.”

  “That’s a lot to promise.”

  A quick shrug while she washed her hands. “You don’t say no to someone on their deathbed. Besides, it’s my bar too.”

  That was a lot to put on a person. It didn’t really seem fair for her mother to have asked that of her, but what did he know? He popped a piece of carrot that hadn’t made it into the soup into his mouth. “Then I’m happy I can help.”

  She placed her hand on his arm. “Thank you.”

  The air between them sparked with the same electricity that it had earlier, when he’d held her in his arms. He had to stop it for both their sakes. “Well, I guess I better get out of your hair. Thanks for the iced tea.”

  Her body relaxed when he stepped away from her and a grateful expression passed over her features. Yeah, she felt it too and didn’t want it any more than him.

  A piece of hair fell in her face and she blew it out of the way. “What time do you think you’ll go to the park tomorrow?”

  He slipped his fingers in the front pockets of his jeans to keep from reaching for her. “What time does she get out of school?”

  “I pick her up at three thirty.” She sliced off a piece of butter and dropped it in the pot. “Tell you what, why don’t you and Walter come with me to pick her up? Then we can all go to the park.” Her smile wasn’t the same easy lifting of her lips that it had been a few minutes before.

  “It was the serial killer remark, wasn’t it?”

  The laugh seemed to surprise her. “Well, that didn’t help.”

  “Alright. Just text me when you’re ready to go get her, and Walter and I will tag along.”

  She wiped her hands on a dish towel. “It’s a date. I mean…”

  He laughed. “I know what you mean. But there are worse things than having a date with two pretty ladies.”

  Her head was shaking before he finished the sentence. “A shameless flirt.” She popped the towel in his direction. “Get out of here, so I can feed my kid.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He exited the house, wondering how in the hell he’d gotten himself into a date with not just one woman, but two.

  Chapter 12

  Beau waited with Walter in front of Hailey’s house. She’d texted to say she’d gotten held up at the bar and would pick them up on the way to get Lottie. He knelt beside the dog and scratched behind his floppy ears. “Walt, how did I get myself into this?”

  The dog just groaned and leaned into his hand.

  “And don’t say it’s because I like the attention of women. Well, I do, but that’s not what’s going on here. Hailey and I are friends.” At the dog’s doubtful look, he added, “Just friends. And Lottie’s…well, Lottie.” There was something about being with Hailey that was so different from being with other women. She was so strong, in control, and unpredictable that it kept him on his toes.

  A horn honked, interrupting his conversation with the animal. Hailey pulled up in a small SUV that had seen some miles. “Hey, sorry you had to wait. Get in. It stresses Lottie out if I’m late. You ready?”

  He made a gun with his thumb and index finger and gave her the wink he knew she hated. “Born ready.”

  “Oh my Lord, you’re not giving that up, are you?”

  He shook his head. “I’m bringing it back.”

  She laughed. “Good luck with that.”

  He opened the back door and Walter jumped in, then he settled himself in the front seat. Despite their joking around, it looked like Lottie wasn’t the only one stressed, if Hailey’s lined forehead and the bottom lip caught between her teeth were any indication. “Everything okay?”

  She checked over her shoulder then pulled away from the curb. “No, we’ve got a plumbing issue at the bar.”

  “Sorry to hear that.”

  Her elbow went to the door, and she rested her head in her hand. “The worst part is that Marty the plumber reworked most of the plumbing three months ago, and we’ve had nothing but problems since. And do you know, that little weasel wanted to charge me full price for what he did today.”

  “Poor guy. I’m sure you set him straight on that.”

  The chuckle that filled the vehicle was downright diabolical. “I told him that if he wanted to keep his reputation and his balls, he’d find out what the problem was and fix it, and that I’d pay for his service fee but nothing more.”

  Beau laughed. “What did he say?”

  The sly smirk said it all. “Yes, ma’am.”

  He was sure the man had. In the short time he’d been rehearsing at the bar and watching her in action, he’d been impressed with how she handled her business and how she didn’t take one ounce of shit from anybody, including him. “Was he crying when you left?”

  “Not quite.” She turned onto the street that led to the school and groaned. Cars were already lined up for a block. “Ugh, carpool—where you’re sure to lose your religion.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  “You have no idea.” She maneuvered in behind a minivan with decals of a family on the back. Little white cutouts of a mom, dad, five kids, a dog, and two cats were stuck to the rear window.

  He rubbed Walter’s chin when the dog stuck his head between them. “Do you pick her up every day?”

  “I try. If I can’t, her babysitter May picks her up on those days.” She rolled both windows down and put the car into park. “Get comfortable. It takes a while.”

  He unbuckled his seatbelt and adjusted his position. “Have I met May?” He’d met so many people since moving to Zachsville that they’d started to run together.

  “I don’t know. Have you met a beautiful sixty-something woman with flawless black skin and a wit and intellect sharp enough to slice you to ribbons?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  Hailey laughed. “If you’d met May Martin, you’d know.”

  “Then I guess I haven’t.” He took his ball cap off and smoothed his hair back. “Has she always been Lottie’s babysitter?”

  “No, but I’ve known her forever. She was my fifth-grade teacher.”

  He turned in his seat to face her. “Really?”

  “Yeah. After she retired from teaching, she wanted something to fill her time. I’m so lucky to have her. She helps Lottie with homework, and gives me peace of mind that my kid is in good hands.” She leaned an elbow on the console between them and rested her chin in her hand. “She’s completely overqualified to be my sitter, but I think she gets lonely, and we give her a family to fuss over. So it works out for both of us.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She never married or had kids, and her parents passed away years ago. Her twin sister June lives here in town, but she has her own family.”

  “May and June?” He chuckled, and rested his arm on the console too.

 
She shifted so she faced him. “Yep. And her parents’ names were August and April.”

  “You’re lying.”

  “I’m not. I swear.” Laughter tumbled from her mouth.

  A rosy flush bathed her skin, her eyes sparkled with happiness, and the weight of the world seemed to slide from her shoulders. He laughed too, but got lost in the sight of her losing herself in the moment.

  “What?” She’d mostly gotten herself under control.

  “Nothing.”

  Her long finger pointed to his face. “If it’s nothing, then why do you have that funny look on your face?”

  Busted.

  He needed to rein in and lock down whatever it was that had him mooning over her like a stupid teenager. “It’s nothing. Really.” A shake of his head to get the moon pies out of his eyes. “I was just thinking that I can’t wait to meet May.”

  “Oh, you’ll love her. She’s a mess.” A warm smile lit her face. “She’s kind of like a substitute grandmother to Lottie. They do lots of things my mom never got to do with my girl because she was always at the bar.” Dark brows drew together, her mouth pulled into a straight line, and she bit her lip. “I mean, she did do stuff with Lottie.” The defensive tone of her voice made it sound like she was in an argument, but he hadn’t said a word. “She couldn’t help it if she was tired from all the late hours at Boon’s.”

  “I’m sure she was tired.”

  “She was.”

  “I bet, I’ve seen how hard you work.”

  Her amber gaze scrutinized him like she was mining for the truth in his words. She must’ve found it because she relaxed her posture. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The sound of the school bell rang through the air. Hailey started the car and put it into drive. Before she could pull forward, a car cut in front of hers and slipped into the spot in front of them. Beau braced himself for the verbal barrage that was sure to come. There was nothing quite like Hailey Odom when she got riled up. He was a little embarrassed at his gleeful anticipation.

  But nothing came out of her mouth. No swear words, no insults, and not one death threat to be heard. He checked for signs that an explosion was imminent. Nothing. She looked…resigned. “You’re not going to say anything about that car cutting you off?”

  One shoulder rose and fell. “It’s no big deal.”

  “But she cut you off.”

  “Yeah, I know.” The words barely had substance.

  “I’ve seen you emasculate grown men for far less.”

  “That’s at the bar. This is different.”

  Somehow, she’d become smaller in the last few minutes. Gone was the kickass woman who’d threatened to cut off the plumber’s balls, and in her place was a mousy woman hunched over the steering wheel hiding behind a curtain of black hair. It was the most bizarre transformation he’d ever seen.

  They inched along in silence. The only sounds were the other cars and the kids as they barreled out of the school. They turned the corner into the school drive-through where there was one line of traffic, but two lanes.

  “Why don’t they form two rows? Seems like you’d get through this nightmare faster.” They were still at least eleven cars back from the front of the line.

  “That’s the emergency lane. It’s against the rules to be in it.”

  Before the last words were out of Hailey’s mouth, a baby blue Mercedes pulled up beside her in the illegal emergency lane. The passenger window slid down, revealing a blonde with her hair in a high ponytail. Her makeup was flawless, and she waved a perfectly manicured hand at them. “Hailey, will you be a dear, and let me go in front of you? You know how Henry gets if I’m late, and my nail appointment ran over today.”

  Beau looked from Carpool Barbie to the badass in the driver’s seat. No way she’d let this woman cut in front of her.

  “Sure, Marla. Go ahead.”

  What? He checked to make sure zombies weren’t forming on the periphery of the school grounds because surely this signaled the beginning of the apocalypse.

  “Thanks, girl! You’re the best.” She put both hands on the wheel, then turned back to Hailey. “Oh, before I forget, can I count on you for cleanup duty after the first graders’ paint-a-thon?”

  Hailey had her head turned slightly away from him, but he could still see her smile was as fake as Marla’s breasts. “Happy to.”

  Marla pointed her finger at Hailey. “Like I said, the best. Thanks.” She waved, then maneuvered her car in front of theirs. The badass woman beside him gave Marla a finger wave.

  “What kind of crazy hell is going on with you?” The words shot out of his mouth. He couldn’t help it.

  “What?” The crease between her eyes indicated that she was genuinely clueless. How was that possible?

  He pointed to Marla’s car. “That, and the car before. How could you just let them cut in line like that? And what’s with the plastic smiles and…finger waving? In all the time I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you finger wave.”

  She pushed her hair from her face with her slender hand. “Marla’s son gets very upset if she’s not at the front of the line.” She gave him that same one-shoulder shrug. “Like I said, it’s not a big deal.”

  “Didn’t you say that Lottie doesn’t like it when you’re late?”

  The cars inched forward. “Yes, but I’m right here, what does it matter if I’m the eleventh or the twelfth car? It’s a small price to pay for peace.” She murmured the last sentence, but he heard her.

  Peace. What was she talking about? Another thought hit him. “Isn’t Lottie in the fourth grade?”

  She glanced over at him. “Yes, why?”

  “Then why did you say you’d be in charge of cleanup for the first grade’s paint-a-thon? Which sounds terrible, by the way.”

  “Marla’s the PTO president.”

  He must’ve had a confused look on his face. Why wouldn’t he? This whole thing was like stepping into the twilight zone.

  “Parent Teacher Organization,” she explained. “Anyway, they always have trouble getting volunteers because so many parents work. I don’t mind doing my part.”

  “You have a job. And I bet it’s a harder job than most people have. Doesn’t seem like they respect what you do.”

  She waved away his words. “No, that’s not it. I work at night, mostly. So I’m available during the day.”

  He might’ve believed all of that if she hadn’t sounded like she was trying to convince herself as much as him.

  “There’s Lottie.” She pointed to the front of the school.

  “Why is she standing like that?” This kid didn’t look like the same child who’d conned him into taking her to the park. She stood off to the side, by herself, and she had the same hunched posture as her mother.

  “What do you mean? She’s standing like a normal person.” But the defensiveness in her tone told him she knew exactly what he was talking about.

  They pulled up, and a woman with a lanyard on opened the back door.

  “Beau!” Lottie yelled, and ran toward the vehicle, her demeanor changing immediately.

  He grabbed Walter’s collar. “Hey, gal.”

  “Walter!” Lottie climbed in and buckled into her booster seat. “Come here, little dog,” she said in a baby voice that usually annoyed Beau, but coming from her was the cutest thing he’d ever heard.

  Hailey turned in her seat so she could see the woman holding the door. “Hello, Ms. Phillips, how was the day?”

  “We had a great day, didn’t we, Lottie?”

  “Yes.” One word seemed to be all the kid could get out around Walter’s licks and her giggles.

  Ms. Phillips started to close the door then stopped. “Oh, Hailey. I almost forgot. I put the things you’ll need for that project you agreed to do in Lottie’s backpack. You’re really saving the fourth-grade teacher’s bacon by cutting out all those snowflakes.”

  “Sure.” Hailey glanced at him then looked back at the teacher.
“Not a problem.”

  “Remember, we need three per child, and if you could have them to us by Friday, that would be awesome.” Ms. Phillips closed the door and glanced in the front window. “Oh.” She smoothed her hair from her face and gave him the smile. The one that said she was totally available. “I’m Dee Phillips.”

  “Beau Callen.”

  “Well, we better get going.” Hailey took her foot off the brake. “See you tomorrow, Ms. Phillips.”

  “Teachers didn’t look like her when I was in school.” A brow waggle should be enough to set the bait. If Hailey didn’t take it, then he was rushing her to the hospital.

  “Shut up.” There was enough disdain in those two words to knock him out of the vehicle.

  He released the breath he’d been holding. Thank God, all was right with the world again.

  “Mom, come play with us.” Lottie dangled upside down on the monkey bars.

  Beau hung by his arms a few rungs down from her daughter. “Yeah, come play, Mom.”

  The tan patch of skin exposed from his shirt riding up, and the golden trail of hair that disappeared below the waistband of his jeans, was enough motivation for Hailey to stay far away. Plus, she had work to do. That was the good and bad thing about smartphones. “You guys go ahead. I’ve got some things to take care of.”

  “See, I told you she wouldn’t. She always has to work,” Lottie whispered. The kid was the worst whisperer in the world.

  Guilt reared up and kicked her in the stomach.

  That wasn’t true. She played with Lottie. Okay, she may not be one of those moms who gets down on the floor and plays dolls or tea party, but she did stuff. She couldn’t help that between the bar, the house, and all her volunteer duties, there just weren’t enough hours in the day to stop and play all the time.

  She was only here today to make sure Beau wasn’t a serial killer. Which of course he wasn’t. But you could never be too careful.

  She glanced up to see Beau standing next to where Lottie was hanging upside down with her knees wrapped around the bar. “Hold on with your arms and flip your legs through.”

  “I’m scared.” Lottie’s little voice was weak and tinny.