Running After a Heartbreaker (Brides on the Run #4)

by Jami Albright

  Hank choked on his drink.

  Charlie chuckled.

  And Hailey had a mild heart attack. Why in the world would he say that? It was disconcerting, especially considering the conversation between her and Hank. A tiny niggle of unease tingled at the back of Hailey’s neck. Maybe she should have Hank run a background check. She plastered on a smile and set the drink before Beau. “Here you are.”

  “Thank you.” He drained the glass in two swallows then chuckled. “Guess I was thirsty.” He stood and picked the glass up. “Should I set this in the sink or the dishwasher?”

  “Just leave it.” Hailey rose and went to the pantry.

  “I can put it away.”

  “Leave it!”

  He held up his hands in surrender. “Fine.”

  She returned with a ziplock bag. The bag went over the glass, and she slid it toward Hank, careful not to touch any part not covered in plastic.

  Charlie groaned.

  Hank dropped his head in his hand.

  The corners of Beau’s eyes crinkled in confusion. “What’s going on?”

  She gave him her homecoming queen smile, which might’ve missed the mark since she’d never worn the crown. “Nothing.”

  “It doesn’t look like nothing.” He glanced at the glass with the baggie over it.

  “Really, it’s nothing.” She hoped she was convincing, but she knew she had on her lie face.

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to preserve my fingerprints.”

  “What?” Her voice rose about six octaves. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “Are you sure? Because you gave the glass to the sheriff.”

  Hailey laughed and flipped her hand toward him, while Charlie and Hank looked decidedly uncomfortable. “Hank offered to wash the dishes, but he’s a bit of a germophobe.” She wiggled her fingers in the air. “Can’t stand germs.”

  “I know what a germophobe is, Hailey.” Beau rested one hand on the back of the chair he was standing behind. “And you’re full of shit.”

  She’d lost her mind. But Hank’s warning and Beau’s statement had triggered her mama bear instincts. “Okay, fine. Hank wants to run a background check on you since you’re going to live here. The fingerprints are to make sure you’re not in the system.”

  Hank shook his head. “Hailey, it’s a good thing you never went into law enforcement. You’re horrible at it.”

  “You think I’m a dangerous criminal moonlighting as a country music singer?” Beau sounded more amused than offended.

  Hailey picked at her French manicure. “Well, when you put it that way…”

  “It sounds as ridiculous as it is,” Charlie finished. “You’ll have to excuse these two, Beau. They’ve listened to too many true crime podcasts.”

  “Hey, I am the law.” Hank did sound offended. “I’ve seen real-life bad shit.”

  Beau laughed. “It’s all good. I understand. If it makes you feel better, Hailey, then run the check.” He dropped back into the chair. “You’re a great mom. I know you only want to keep Lottie safe.”

  Her breath caught at his praise. That was the nicest thing he could’ve said to her.

  He held up his hands like a magician showing the audience he had nothing up his sleeve. “I have nothing to hide. Except for the time I stole a pack of candy cigarettes.” He glanced at Hank. “The dime store didn’t file charges. I guess they thought it’d be bad for business to run a six-year-old up the river. But don’t worry, since I did the crime, I did the time. Clyde made sure of that.”

  Everyone laughed, but Beau kept one eye on Hailey in case she decided she wanted a hair sample for a follicle test.

  “Clyde?” Charlie popped a pacifier in a fussy Phoebe’s mouth.

  “My grandfather. He raised me after my parents died.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” A pink flush flashed across Charlie’s cheeks.

  He shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”

  “How old were you?” Hailey asked.

  “Four. I don’t remember them. Sometimes I’ll get a flash of a memory, but it’s all vague.” And according to Clyde, it was a good thing he didn’t remember.

  “How’d they die?” Hank barreled into the conversation like a bull off his meds.

  “Hank.” Charlie’s reprimand made Phoebe jump.

  Beau held his hand up to stop Charlie. “No, it’s fine. They died in an alcohol-related car accident. We were living in New Orleans at the time.”

  Hailey dropped the knife she was using to cut vegetables and turned to face him. “I hope they got the guy that caused it.”

  He drummed his fingers on the table and watched the light catch on his dad’s wedding ring that he wore on his thumb. “He died at the scene. It was a one-car accident.”

  The impact of that statement filled the room like the noxious fumes from a nuclear power plant. The only sound was the baby sucking her pacifier. He didn’t look up from the table. He couldn’t stand the pitying looks that always followed that revelation.

  What would they think if they knew that alcohol hadn’t been his parents’ worst addiction? Methamphetamine was their drug of choice.

  “Then you went to live with Clyde?” Hailey swooped in for the rescue and blocked any words of consolation that meant very little to him.

  He hadn’t known his parents, and the only thing he knew about them now was that they loved their vices more than they loved their son. That shit will make a guy wonder what’s wrong with him. “Yeah. Clyde was a musician on the road, and he gave it up to raise me.”

  “He sounds like a great guy.” Charlie rocked baby Phoebe from side to side.

  He chuckled. “He was a character and a good guy. It was hard for him to come off the road and take on the role of father, but he made it work.” The old familiar guilt of having ruined his grandfather’s dream pulled at him.

  “And then you moved to West Virginia?” Hank asked. “Where exactly?”

  “Slocomb. That’s S-L-O-C-O-M-B, in case you need it for the background check.”

  Hank gave him a caught me grin.

  “Oh, my, Lord.” Charlie stood and slung the baby backpack across onto one shoulder. “Come on, Sheriff. Let’s get out of here before you offend Beau so much that he won’t want to be our friend.” She handed her husband the baby and turned to Hailey. A fierce hug united the women. “Call me if you need to talk about the whole Roger thing.”

  Hailey nodded. But even Beau could tell by the look on Hailey’s face that she wouldn’t.

  “I’ll see you at poker on Tuesday, Beau.” Hank held out his free hand.

  He stood and took it. “Bring your money and come prepared to lose.”

  “You wish.” Hank laughed.

  Hailey walked them to the door, leaving him alone in the kitchen. He lifted the lid of the pot boiling on the stove. The smell made his stomach growl. He realized he hadn’t eaten all day.

  “It’s chicken noodle soup, Lottie’s favorite.”

  “Smells delicious.”

  “Want to stay for dinner?”

  Yes, he did, but the reason behind wanting to stay was why he declined. “Naw, I better not. I’ve got stuff to do tonight.”

  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 Twelve

  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.