ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  His cell phone vibrated. An unfamiliar number showed. With a frown, he flipped it open. “Hello?”

  “Who is this?” a male voice asked.

  “Hayden Winters. Who is this?”

  Silence.

  “Hello.”

  “I’m trying to get in touch with Katie. She gave me this number.”

  The breath went out of Hayden, as if he’d been kicked in the gut. He pulled the truck to the shoulder of the highway. “What kind of sick joke are you playing?”

  “It’s no joke. It’s Collin.”

  The Collin who took advantage of his little sister and left her pregnant and alone. The Collin whose last name Katie never revealed because she knew Hayden would find him and pound his face in.

  Heat boiled up inside his chest. “It’s a little late to be calling. Where were you three years ago?” Where were you seven years ago?

  “Being a jerk. Please.” A shaky sigh echoed. “Just tell me. Is she okay?” Hayden’s jaw clenched. “No, she’s not okay. She’s dead.”

  An audible gasp. “No.”

  “And you couldn’t even give her the time of day when she needed you most.”

  “I didn’t know.” Collin’s voice cracked.

  His temple pounded. “Don’t give me that.”

  “I didn’t. I swear.”

  “She sent you a letter, begging you to come, and you never even bothered to answer.”

  “You have to believe me. I never got it, until last week.”

  Hayden closed his eyes. He’d seen a few chewed-up envelopes stuck in the bottom of bar code sorters. But not for three years.

  “I believe you have something that belongs to me.”

  Chapter 2

  Brady is not a possession,” Hayden hissed.

  Collin sighed. “You know what I mean. He’s my son.”

  “Why now?” His throat convulsed.

  “I have legal rights and I want to see him.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that after abandoning him.”

  “I didn’t know he existed.” Collin bit out the words.

  Hayden swallowed all the hateful things he wanted to say. Collin had just as much ammo. He just didn’t realize it. Stay cool. Hayden clenched his fist tighter on the steering wheel. “Let me talk to him. Prepare him.”

  “Of course. Where do you live, so I can make my plans?”

  Tempted to hang up, somehow Hayden knew this complication wouldn’t go away. “Rose Bud, Arkansas.”

  “It just so happens, I know exactly where that is. I’ll make plans for a visit and be in touch.”

  He sucked in several deep breaths. A full fifteen minutes passed before he pulled back onto the highway.

  Turning into his drive, he killed the engine and pressed a fist to his mouth. “Not now, Lord. Brady’s happy. We’re settled.”

  A rhythmic bounce echoed through the evening stillness. Back and forth, Brady rolled his wheelchair across the house-wide porch, dribbling a basketball.

  The friends he’d made at church didn’t ask about his chair or make fun of him. His easy manner and humor blended right in. He was just one of the guys, and the other kids loved his wheelies and cool basketball tricks he’d learned from therapy and hours of practice. In August, he’d begin the second grade with a handful of friends already made.

  If only Hayden were the one in the chair instead. He ran a hand through his hair, stepped out of his pickup, and cut through the line of crape myrtle trees between his and his parents’ houses.

  But his nephew never complained, never accused. Sometimes Hayden wished Brady would just put the blame where it belonged.

  Squarely on Hayden’s shoulders.

  Brady saw him and stopped dribbling. “I aced registration. Justin and Mike are both in my class.”

  “Great.” Hayden stepped up on the porch and tousled the boy’s stiff brown hair. “Been in the gel again?”

  “All the kids wear it. You want me to fit in, don’t you?”

  “There’s fitting in, and there’s setting your own trend.”

  Brady rolled his eyes. “That’s what Grandma said.”

  “Grandma’s always right.”

  A barn swallow chirped from her perch in a crape myrtle tree, warning them away from her nest under the eave of the house.

  “I think they’re about to fly.” Wistfulness echoed in Brady’s voice.

  Soiled siding lined the area under the nest. He and Brady had spent hours watching the mother bird build her little mud nest and marveled at the five fuzzy heads peering over the edge. Then things got messy. Daily, Dad or Hayden hosed off the siding, while the mother bird swooped and twittered. But Brady’s sadness at their coming departure tugged at him.

  Hayden knelt beside Brady. Might as well get it over with. “I got a phone call today.”

  “From who?” Brady’s blue eyes narrowed. So much like Katie, sometimes it almost hurt to look at the boy.

  Hayden’s jaw began the familiar tic, and he tried to put some enthusiasm in his tone. “How would you like to see your dad?”

  “My dad?” Brady’s eyes widened and a smile quivered, but a frown won. “Why?”

  “He’d like to come for a visit.”

  The boy’s bottom lip trembled. “I thought he didn’t want me.”

  Hayden’s fists clenched. Oh, to sucker punch Collin. “No, Brady. Don’t ever think that. It just so happens, he didn’t know about you.”

  Brady frowned harder and a tear spilled. “How could he not know about me?”

  Hayden caught the moisture with his thumb and hugged his nephew. “Sometimes adult stuff is complicated. Your mom and dad broke up before she knew about you. So he never knew you were born. If he’d known, I’m sure he’d have come a long time ago, but he just recently learned about you.”

  “Hey, what’s going on?” The screen door opened, and Mom stepped out on the porch, a frown winged over her accusing eyes.

  “Hi, Mom. I was just telling Brady that his dad wants to come for a visit.”

  Her chin trembled.

  Come on, Mom, keep it positive. It’s just a visit. I hope. “It’ll be good for Brady to see his dad.”

  Mom nodded. Salt-and-pepper curls danced. When had she started going gray?

  “We’ve already eaten. Want me to warm you a plate?”

  His gut rumbled. Home-cooked food. But he couldn’t sit across the table from his folks. The blame in their eyes would sour his stomach. “I’ll get something at home. Ready, Brady?”

  “Yep.” The boy wiped his face with the back of his hand and started dribbling again. The rhythmic bouncing continued down the ramp.

  Laken’s cell vibrated in her pocket and she jumped, further jangling her nerves. Collin.

  “Collin.” Laken sank into the plaid couch. She pressed her fingertips over quivering lips as a rush of how badly she’d missed him threatened to crush her last semblance of composure. Eight years since she’d seen him. “Why haven’t you called me lately?”

  “This last week has been rough.”

  “Same here.” She closed her eyes.

  “Listen, I’ll be in town soon.”

  “You’re coming here?” Her heart leapt. She slipped off her tennis shoes and propped tired, achy feet on the coffee table. “Okay, so let’s get together.”

  “That’s why I’m calling. I need your help with something.”

  “Whatever I can do.” Almost like she actually had a family. Someone to talk to. Someone to lean on. Someone who cared. “It’ll be good to see you.”

  “I’ll call again when my plans are more definite. Don’t tell the parents.”

  She managed a fake laugh. “Like I talk to them.”

  “You haven’t?”

  Her gaze wandered to the bare walls, where no family portraits hung. “Well, I’ve had two run-ins with Mother since I’ve been here. It wasn’t pretty.”

  “I bet. I’d like to make it in and out of town without their knowledge.”

 
; “Good luck with that.” She nibbled on the inside of her lip. “Maybe we could meet in Little Rock.”

  “No, I have to come there.”

  She frowned. “What’s going on?”

  “I’ll explain when I arrive. See you, sis.”

  Tears burned, but she wiped them away. Her stomach growled a reminder that she’d skipped lunch. She wandered into the kitchen and grabbed a Coke and a package of shelled peanuts. The icy soft drink fizzed as she dumped the treat into the glass. She took a swig of her brother’s favorite beverage.

  Mmm, the salty sweetness hit the spot. How many times had they sneaked to her playhouse with their favorite snack, right before supper?

  Maybe her sort-of meals alone were almost over. At least, temporarily. Collin was coming home.

  Midweek, July opened with a blast of intense heat. Thank goodness Laken didn’t have a route to run. In the perfectly cool office, she marveled at how fast the envelopes flew as Hayden and Carol stood at their sorters, casing their routes by address.

  “So, Jim and I are going on the trail ride.” Carol’s amber eyes never left her bin. “Are you bringing Brady?”

  “I am.” Hayden nodded. “It’ll be nice to meet your husband.”

  “I’m hoping if he meets a few people, I might get him to come to church. He’s very shy.”

  “Really?”

  “I scared him to death the first time we met.” Carol paused and glanced at Laken. “If you don’t have plans, why don’t you come for the Fourth of July trail ride and picnic? You could meet people, and it’ll be over in plenty of time to go see the fireworks display in Searcy.”

  Laken’s nose wrinkled. She already knew entirely too many in this community. Why did Carol have to drag her into the conversation?

  “Oh come on. Do you like to ride horses?”

  A smile tugged at Laken’s mouth.

  “I’d say you do.” Carol snapped her fingers. “Your eyes just lit up. Don’t try to deny it.”

  “I always wanted to ride but never got the chance.”

  “Well, here’s your chance.”

  Laken shook her head. “I don’t attend the church, and I’m not interested in getting involved.”

  “Who said you had to? Come on, Hayden, help me talk her into it.”

  “Anyone can come.” Hayden continued his sorting. “And you used to attend there.”

  “Really?” Carol shrugged. “So, you could get reacquainted.”

  A weight settled on Laken’s shoulders. “I know what you’re up to.”

  “What?” Carol feigned her best innocent face.

  “You talked your husband into coming so you can rope him into going to church. No offense, but I’d rather not be roped.”

  Carol’s lips pursed. “Busted.”

  “Just come to the trail ride.” Hayden finished sorting and carried his case to the side door. “I promise I won’t bother you about attending church.”

  “Me, too,” Carol chimed in with a grin. “Just think, one trail ride, and we won’t bother you about church. Horses and a picnic lunch. Come on, it’ll be fun.”

  It did sound like fun. A lot more fun than drinking Coke and eating peanuts alone. And though Mother attended the church, she wouldn’t come for an outdoor event. She’d never risk sweating.

  As Hayden carried his case out the service exit, the lobby door opened.

  “Laken Kroft, I can’t believe you haven’t called me.”

  She’d know that voice anywhere. A bubble of good memories whooshed through her soul, followed by sadness. Bittersweet. As she scurried out to the lobby, tears threatened.

  “Grace, it’s so good to see you.” Laken shrugged. “I didn’t know if you were still around, and I’m still settling in.”

  Grace hugged her, and the tears won. “I’ll let it pass, this time.”

  Carol cleared her throat. “So I guess there’s no need to introduce y’all.”

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to ignore you, Carol.” Grace waved. “Laken and I were friends all through school.”

  “How’s Grayson?” Laken swiped at her eyes, but her words came out in a watery whisper.

  A frown marred Grace’s delicate brow. “He’s good. Really. He married a wonderful woman a few months ago, and she’s great with Dayne. We all love Adrea. Sara would’ve, too.”

  “I should have come home.”

  “You’re here now.” Grace linked arms with her. “We have to get together and catch up. In the meantime, I brought you something. Come out to the car for a minute. Carol can handle things here.”

  The two women walked outside. “What are you doing these days?” Laken asked.

  “I married the love of my life in January. Mark is Grayson’s associate pastor at the church and Adrea’s brother.” She patted her flat stomach. “And we just found out I’m pregnant.”

  A twinge of jealousy jabbed her. “That’s awesome!”

  “Even better. Adrea is, too, so come January and February, we’ll have double cousins. I’ll hire another employee then and cut down my hours.” Grace opened the back door of a cream-colored SUV.

  A mix of savory smells made Laken want to lick her lips. She read the lettering on the window. “You’re a caterer, just like you always wanted.”

  Grace deposited a flat box in Laken’s hands. “How about you? Are you married? Kids?”

  “No.” Laken pushed the familiar longing down deep and concentrated on identifying the contents of the box. “My favorite? Mexican pinwheels.”

  “Glad your tastes haven’t changed. Speaking of which, have you seen your mom?”

  Laken took a deep breath. “A couple of times.”

  “Are things any better between y’all?”

  “Not really.”

  They trailed back to the office.

  “I’ll pray about it.”

  Laken frowned.

  Back inside, Grace set a cellophane bag filled with blond cedar wood, spruce fronds, and walnuts on the counter. “I brought you a little present.”

  A woodsy, spicy aroma emanated from the bag.

  “Mmm.” Carol sniffed. “Walk in the Woods, my favorite Aromatique smell.”

  “My new sister-in-law owns the local floral shop so I picked it up there. It’s a welcome-home gift for Laken, but I bet she’ll share the Mexican pinwheels.”

  The service door opened and Hayden returned.

  “Hey, Hayden, I brought Mexican pinwheels.”

  “My favorite.” Hayden rubbed his palms together.

  “Laken and Grace are old friends.” Carol nabbed a treat. “Small world, huh?”

  Hayden raised a brow. “Seems Laken has lots of ties around here.”

  “Grace, you’ll be at the trail ride. Hayden and I were trying to talk Laken into going.” Carol popped another pinwheel into her mouth.

  “Grace was the natural.” Laken patted her friend’s shoulder. “I’d probably stink at it.”

  “Sara was too frilly, while Laken always wanted to get dirty, but her mother wouldn’t let her.” A smile tugged at Grace’s mouth. “Come with us, Laken. It’ll be fun. Grayson will be a familiar face, and you can meet Dayne, Adrea, and Mark.”

  Laken chewed at the inside of her lip. “When is it?”

  “Seven on Saturday. I’ll be busy with the food, but if you don’t mind going early, you can ride with Mark and me. That way, you don’t have to show up by yourself.”

  “Or Jim and I can pick you up.” Carol scooted her case toward the door.

  Laken shook her head. “I’ve never ridden, and I have no idea where to find a horse to ride, anyway.”

  “I know just the mare for you.” Hayden grinned. “Pearl, my parents’ dappled gray, is the calmest I’ve ever seen. Brady learned on her and he’s seven.”

  “Perfect.” Carol pushed wiry, silvered hair away from her face and grabbed her case. “It’s all set then. We’ll pick you up at a quarter to seven.”

  “But I didn’t—”

  The door shut behin
d Carol.

  Grace slung her purse higher on her shoulder and turned toward the lobby. “See you Saturday. I better get busy making deliveries.”

  Hayden opened the service door, held it with his foot, and picked up his other case.

  “I’m not going back to church.” Laken propped her hands on her hips.

  “I didn’t ask you to, and I won’t.” He shouldered the door open wider and left.

  So why did she feel pressured to go?

  The easy comfort between Carol and her husband put a dull ache in Laken’s heart. Though Jim barely said two words on the drive to the church in Rose Bud, his adoration for his wife shone in the way he listened to her almost constant commentary, the way he entwined his free hand with hers, and the way he immediately adjusted the air-conditioning when she complained about the heat.

  They pulled into the parking lot, and Laken’s stomach twisted. A small crowd of people and horses gathered under a large oak tree toward the back of the brick building.

  Jim got out of the car.

  Carol remained seated. “The trail cuts through the woods and winds back around to the Family Life Center.”

  Jim came around and opened Carol’s car door, then Laken’s, too.

  Humidity hung in the air as Laken stepped from the cool interior.

  “Want some?” Carol sprayed her ankles with an aerosol can.

  The fog smelled deadly. Laken’s nose scrunched. “Eau de Off. Sure.”

  Carol laughed.

  Hayden met them on the freshly mown lawn. “The pastor wants everyone to gather around back.”

  What could Grayson have to say? Restroom facility directions? Laken hung back, not certain she wanted to hear, uncomfortable with seeing Sara’s husband with another woman.

  Several familiar people from her childhood greeted her.

  “Hi, I’m Adrea Sterling.”

  Laken turned around. A pretty, dark-haired woman offered her hand. Grayson’s new wife. Her pregnancy undetectable.

  “I’m the pastor’s wife. We’re so glad you came today.”

  “Thanks. I’m Laken Kroft. Grace, Carol, and Hayden”—ganged up on me—“invited me.” Her new friends continued toward the crowd, apparently not noticing she’d stopped.