ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  Determined not to tell her it wasn’t anywhere close to heaven, Hayden clamped his mouth shut. He had to take it slow with her. “It’s a great place for large events, and the kids love the basketball court.”

  Three end-to-end tables laden with food buzzed with women uncovering dishes, stirring, and supplying dippers for each bowl. Grace waved to Laken from the middle of the huddle. More tables and chairs surrounded the makeshift buffet line.

  Several people greeted Laken with obvious joy at seeing her again.

  With a heaping plate, Brady sat at a table with his friends. But his interested gaze locked on the basketball goals at each end of the gym.

  “He doesn’t like for me to hover.” Hayden smoothed sweat-soaked hair away from his face. “I try to give him space, but it’s hard.”

  Laken gasped.

  “What?” Hayden followed her gaze. Her mother stood across the gym, openmouthed. “Do you want to leave?”

  “No. I’m fine.” Laken turned her back on the redhead.

  In Hayden’s experience, Sylvie Kroft was hard to ignore. What was with these two anyway? Of course, he wasn’t one to wonder about others’ family issues. He had his own.

  Someone clinked silverware against glass, and Pastor Grayson prayed over the meal. At the close of the blessing, a line formed. Hayden ushered Laken ahead of him.

  Carol stopped near them with a case of Cokes. “I just heard you’re Sylvie’s daughter and you practically grew up in this church.”

  “Let me get that.” Hayden took the load from her.

  “You’re our guest.” Carol linked her arm through Laken’s. “Come on, you shouldn’t be so far back in line.”

  Laken blushed. “No. I’m fine here.”

  “I insist, and could you move it along?” Carol motioned toward Hayden’s load. “That thing’s kinda heavy.”

  “Don’t rush on my account.” Hayden grinned. “But you might as well go with Carol. She won’t leave you alone.”

  “You, too, Hayden, since she’s your guest.”

  “Uh, I think you gave the initial invite.” Hayden nudged Laken with a gentle elbow. “But Carol’s right. Guests go first.”

  Laken’s mouth straight-lined, but she gave in.

  Carol led Laken toward where her mother stood farther up in line.

  “Really.” Laken’s eyes widened. “This is so unnecessary.”

  “Everyone.” Carol clapped her hands until the gathering quieted. “Some of you probably remember Sylvie Kroft’s daughter, Laken. She’s the new postmaster over at Romance. Be sure and welcome her home.”

  The crowd applauded with a few shouts of welcome.

  Red-cheeked, Laken’s body stiffened. She glanced toward the door.

  Hayden tensed, half-expecting her to flee.

  “Laken,” Sylvie whispered, her eyes begging. “Please.”

  The entire room fell silent, awaiting Laken’s response. She took in a sea of familiar faces from her childhood, along with a smattering of new families. Grace offered moral support with a wink.

  Laken wanted to tell them Romance was the last place she wanted to be, that she hadn’t spoken to her mother in eight years, and she was nothing like her mother. She cleared her throat.

  “It’s wonderful to be here,” she mumbled. “Thank you.”

  Beside her, Hayden blew out a sigh.

  The chatter of numerous conversations resumed.

  A deep breath filled her senses with the savory smell of fried chicken and baked beans. Foods that would usually make her mouth water, but tension crashed through every nerve ending in tidal waves, stealing her appetite.

  Laken concentrated on filling her plate and claimed a seat at the end of a table. Mother settled beside her, with Hayden across from them.

  “This is Virgie Patton and Doreen Hughes.” Hayden gestured to two ladies.

  Mother patted the seat beside her. “My dearest friends.”

  “Nice to meet you.” With a fake smile in place, Laken picked at her coleslaw, the only thing she could possibly stomach.

  Virgie took the seat beside Hayden. She didn’t fit in with the other two. Her silver hair was natural and unfussed with, her jewelry sedate and modest, her blouse and skirt probably from Walmart.

  Doreen settled beside Mother, completing Mother’s clique perfectly. Her too-dark hair, fresh from her hairdresser’s shampoo and set, curled perfectly around her too-made-up face. Her nails modeled a professional manicure with flashy rings on almost every finger. Her designer perfume hung heavy in the air, complemented by a trendy high-dollar dress.

  “So, Laken.” Doreen took a sip of her iced tea. “Why are we just now meeting you?”

  Laken swallowed hard. “I’ve spent the last several years concentrating on my career. Unfortunately, that left little time for much else.” Why was she working so hard at convincing everyone things were fine with Mother? Like they hadn’t been estranged for the last eight years. To save face? Uphold the charade Mother lived?

  A wrinkled hand settled on Laken’s shoulder. Turning, she looked up into the kind eyes of Helen Fenwick.

  Hayden grinned. “Helen. How are you?”

  “Fine. I wanted to welcome Laken.”

  Laken’s smile reached her heart. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  Mother’s mouth tightened into an outward show of disapproval.

  “One of the sweetest ladies I know.” Hayden winked at Helen.

  The older woman blushed. “I’m glad you’re here, Laken. Your mom needs you near.” Helen limped past.

  Mother leaned close to Laken. “Last year, her son, Wade, confessed to Sara’s murder and tried to kill himself. He used to live in your rental house.”

  The facade slipped. Laken’s smile fizzled. Sara’s death was painful enough for those who loved her, without dredging up the details for gossip. “And why did that come up?”

  Not taking the hint, Mother continued. “I just wanted to fill you in on what’s happened around here. Pastor Grayson had a horrid time dealing with our dear Sara’s death, and poor Adrea was once engaged to—”

  “Wade.” Doreen butted in. “His confession came about the time Adrea and Pastor Grayson were falling for each other. Heavens, I don’t know how they ever got past all that baggage.”

  “The Lord mended their spirits together.” Virgie nodded with certainty. “And just look at them now. I can’t wait till the baby comes.”

  How had such a nice lady gotten sucked into Mother’s circle? Laken’s temple throbbed. She couldn’t pretend, not for another moment. Her chair scraped against the concrete as she pushed it back and stood. “I’m afraid I’m not very hungry and I’m developing a headache.”

  “Probably the heat.” Concern tinged Virgie’s voice. “Have Hayden take you home, dear.”

  “No, that’s not necessary. Where is the restroom?”

  Hayden stood. “I’ll show you.”

  “Take care of her, Hayden.” Disappointment shone in Mother’s eyes.

  With a nod, he ushered her to a hall with restrooms on each side and an exit at the end.

  Laken hurried outside. The sun had begun its descent. The warm evening air felt good against her air conditioner–chilled skin.

  “I don’t need to go to the restroom.” The muscles around her mouth ached from forcing a continuous smile.

  “You okay?” Hayden raised an eyebrow.

  “I just had to get out of there.” Laken ran her hands over her forearms, where the abrupt temperature change raised chill bumps. “The heat didn’t induce my headache. My mother did. I’m sorry, I hate to make you leave early.”

  “You’re not. I was finished eating. The picnic will break up soon, and Brady and I are going to see the fireworks. Want to come?”

  His boyish enthusiasm tugged at her. Laken’s heart turned giddy and skipped a beat. Why did he have to be so handsome? And so easy to talk to? She could easily dump her life story on him.

  “It sounds nice, but I think I’d just li
ke to go home.”

  Sunday evening, Brady wheeled himself down the ramp after services. Hayden used to try to push. But self-sufficient Brady didn’t want anyone to help any more than absolutely necessary.

  A freckled boy with blond hair waved to Brady. “See you later.”

  “ ’Bye, Scott.”

  “Who’s Scott?”

  “He’s new. He was at the trail ride yesterday.”

  “I’m glad you made another new friend.”

  “Me, too. Are you dating Laken?”

  Hayden’s eyebrows rose at the rapid subject change. “No. She’s not a Christian.”

  Brady frowned. “We sure don’t need another Jan.”

  “Trust me.” With a chuckle, Hayden continued toward the van. “The only thing the two have in common is lack of belief.” But Jan hadn’t revealed her true self until he’d needed her the most. Inside, was Laken just as shallow and self-centered? What did it matter anyway? He certainly wasn’t interested in anything other than friendship and introducing her to his Savior.

  “Did you tell Laken about Jesus?”

  “She’s very resistant to anything to do with church, so I’m taking it slow. If I beat her over the head with it, she’ll run.” Why did Laken have such issues? Her mother never missed a service, and Laken had been raised in church. He’d pray about it and trust the Lord to give him insight on how to help get her beyond the past.

  Who was he kidding? He couldn’t get past the past.

  “What if she dies tonight?”

  A chill crept down Hayden’s spine. “You’re right. I’ll ask the Lord to help me figure out how to speed things along.”

  “Let’s ask her to go horseback riding soon.”

  Hayden chuckled. “Let her recover from this round. Back to you. Tell me more about Scott.”

  “He came to the trail ride, but he’d never ridden before. I love riding. It’s like…”

  Like he could walk again. Hayden silently finished Brady’s thought.

  At the van, Brady pressed the button that let down the lift and situated his chair. Once at the right level, he hit Stop, maneuvered his chair inside, locked it in place, and slid the door shut.

  Perspiration beaded both their foreheads, but Brady wore a smile of accomplishment.

  Hayden’s cell phone vibrated against his thigh, and he dug it from his pocket, flipping it open without looking. “Hello.”

  “It’s me. Did you talk to him yet?” Collin’s tone was all business.

  “Yes.” He strode to the back of the van, out of Brady’s earshot.

  “Good. I’ll be coming in two weeks.”

  “There’s something you need to know.” Brady’s in a wheelchair and it’s my fault.

  Chapter 4

  Can we meet first?” Hayden closed his eyes.

  Collin’s exasperated sigh echoed through the cell. “Just tell me now.”

  “This isn’t something that can be covered over the phone.”

  “I’m warning you, Hayden. I won’t take no for an answer. No amount of cajoling will make me go away. I intend to see my son.”

  “Fine, but we need to talk first. I’ll plan on seeing you midmonth.”

  “And I’ll plan on seeing Brady then.”

  Hayden climbed into the van. Adjusting his seat belt, he checked his mirrors, cautiously eased forward, and pulled onto the highway. Despite the pricey bumper camera he’d had installed, he never parked where he’d have to back up unless there were no other options.

  “Who was that?”

  “Your dad.” Hayden tried to keep his tone even. He stomped the brake as the car ahead of him came to a dead stop. A few vehicles approaching them passed and the car turned left, with no blinker. “He’ll be here in two weeks.”

  “Does he know I can’t walk?” The tremulous voice didn’t sound like Brady.

  Hayden tried to swallow the lump in his throat. “Not yet.”

  “Are you gonna tell him?”

  “Do you want me to tell him before you meet him?” Did Brady fear seeing his dad look at him with shock or pity?

  “Yeah.” A moment passed before Brady added, “And tell him I’m really good at doing stuff by myself.”

  “Okay.”

  “Do you think he’ll still want to see me?” Brady’s voice quivered.

  “I don’t know, Brady. I don’t know him.”

  If Collin changed his mind after learning about Brady’s paralysis, Hayden would kill him. Not really, Lord, but I’d want to.

  “I honestly don’t know.” He’d better want to see Brady, and if Collin wanted to know how his son was, he should have read Katie’s letter when he received it. Hayden blew out a deep breath. He wasn’t even thinking rationally anymore. “Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine.”

  Brady scrubbed a hand across his face and nodded.

  The day after a holiday always brought tons of mail. Not as big as if the day off had fallen on a Friday, but Laken looked forward to it as she parked next to the post office. A nice distraction. She grabbed her cell from the console to see who had called while she drove. A blue highlighted line across the bottom announced: NEW MESSAGE. She pushed a button and listened. “Laken, it’s Collin. I’ll be there in two weeks.”

  Her heart somersaulted.

  “I’m renting a car, so I’ll have wheels during my stay. Your rental house is the old Fletcher place, right?”

  Her hands tightened on the steering wheel.

  “My flight is supposed to arrive at seven p.m., but you know how that goes. I’m looking forward to seeing you.”

  “Me, too,” she said aloud, flipped the phone closed, and dropped it in her purse. Slinging its strap over her shoulder, she hurried to the building. Would she and Collin still have a bond after not seeing each other for eight years? Or would they have to get reacquainted?

  Her fingers trembled as she unlocked the employee entry.

  “Good morning.” Carol sounded perky as ever. “You okay? You left the picnic rather abruptly.”

  “I meant to thank you for inviting me, but my caboose is sore.” Laken ran a hand down her bruised backside. “Horseback riding certainly wasn’t what I expected, and it was embarrassing when I got lost. Especially since Hayden had to play hero.”

  “What’s up with you and your mom?” Carol’s hand jerked to her mouth. “Forget I asked. Absolutely none of my business.” Caring brown eyes showed concern, not nosiness.

  Laken sighed. “It’s okay. We don’t get along so well, and pretending we do grated on my nerves.”

  “My fault. I’m so sorry.”

  “You had no way of knowing.” The air conditioner kicked on with a whoosh. “I shouldn’t have walked out. Surely no one likes her any more than I do.”

  “Laken! She gave birth to you. That’s more than a lot of pregnant women do these days.”

  Laken hung her head. “She’s just always so uppity, clinging to her gossip and the charade that she’s high above everyone else. I’d have loved to rip the farce out from under her.”

  “Your mother’s hurting.” Carol touched Laken’s forearm. “Maybe over your relationship. But whatever it is, I think she uses her persona to hide her pain.”

  Something in Mother’s eyes had reached out to Laken’s soul. She hugged herself.

  “Maybe y’all could work things out.” Carol turned to her sorter. “Jim and I have a grown daughter, and if anything happened to our relationship, it would kill part of me.”

  “I always envied Sara’s and Grace’s families. Theirs were so close, so perfect. Mine was just a mess.”

  “Come to church Sunday. It could be the first step in healing for you and your mom.”

  Too many memories to dredge up. “You promised not to ask.” Laken shook her head.

  “Sorry, but I like you, Laken. I’d kind of like to see you in heaven someday.”

  The words jolted through Laken. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

  Carol scooped up her case an
d turned toward the side door. “At least Jim fell for the roping. He promised to come with me. See you this afternoon.”

  Laken leaned against the counter.

  All in all, Independence Day had been dismal, except for Hayden. Spending time with him had been pleasant. A smile tugged at her mouth.

  She ran her hands over her upper arms.

  The side door opened, and the object of her thoughts strode inside.

  “Hey.” Hayden set his mailbag near her desk. “Brady wants you to go riding with us.”

  Laken’s pulse fluttered. “When?”

  “Yesterday.” He chuckled. “I talked him into letting you recover from the other day. I was thinking some evening, so it won’t be so hot. How about Saturday?”

  “Sounds fun.” And it did, more fun than she wanted to admit.

  After a busy workweek, Laken pulled into Hayden’s drive as he waited with the horses. “Where’s Brady?”

  “At Bob’s getting in a lesson. The woods behind our house connect with Bob’s place, so we’ll ride over and meet him.” Hayden untied Pearl, knelt beside her, and made a stirrup with his hands.

  Accepting his offer, Laken wallowed into the saddle a little easier than the first time.

  He turned to his mount, a tan-colored horse with black lower legs, tail, and mane. With one foot in the stirrup, Hayden swung his other leg, landing perfectly astride his horse.

  “How do you do that?”

  “Just takes a little practice. The first several times I tried, it didn’t go so well.”

  The horse responded to the slight snap of Hayden’s reins and click of his tongue.

  He made it look so easy. Maybe if she learned a few things, she wouldn’t feel so off-kilter. “What kind of horse is that?”

  “A buckskin. His name’s Buck.” He shot her a lopsided grin. “Spot, Pearl, Buck. Real original.”

  “So, he’s a stallion.”

  “Was.” Hayden chuckled. “Buck’s a gelding.”

  Unfamiliar with the word, she eventually figured out what it meant. Her cheeks warmed. “Oh.”

  The horses ambled toward the woods. Despite the slow gait, Laken bounced and flounced while trying to relax and remember Hayden’s instructions. With each jostle, her still-tender bottom ached more.