Too late. The nerve in his jaw ticked a steady rhythm as he got out of the truck and came around to open her door.
She climbed out and waved.
Hayden slowly backed out of her driveway, continually checking the bumper cam, craning his neck from side to side, looking behind him.
Try as she might, Laken couldn’t concentrate on her work. Not with the calendar-worthy hunk of mailman sorting beside her. As his biceps flexed each time he stuffed an envelope into his case, she couldn’t get the warmth of his arms around her out of her head. So strong, yet so vulnerable. Secure enough to show his emotions, unashamed in his love for her nephew.
Sitting with him last night at midweek Bible study hadn’t helped. So close, yet so far.
Worry carved lines in his handsome face. She wanted to smooth them away. Kiss them away. Laken stifled a gasp. Why did her thoughts keep straying in that direction?
Tension throbbed through him. Two days ago, he’d cried on her shoulder. Since then, they’d barely spoken two words to one another, as Hayden held everything inside. Typical male.
The main entrance door opened.
“Hey, y’all.” Grace set a stack of envelopes on the counter. “It was great seeing you at church again last night, Laken. Both Sunday services and Wednesday night Bible study. You’re becoming a regular.”
“It was”—Laken searched for a word to describe the unnerving experience—“nice.” Only a little white lie.
“Nice to see you, Grace. I better get going.” Hayden finished sorting his route, propped two cases on his hip, and hurried out the door.
“What’s with him?”
Laken plopped in her chair. “Why can’t my heart do what my brain tells it to?”
“Hmm.” Grace tapped her chin with a perfectly French-manicured fingertip. “Need more info before I can summon up wise counsel.”
“I think I have a crush.” A weight lifted from her shoulders at the admission.
“I knew it.” Grace pointed at her. “You’re into Hayden.”
“It’s insane. I’ve known him a little over a month, and if you tell anybody, I’ll tell Mark about the crush you had on Collin in school.”
Grace grinned. “Actually, I already told him, but…” She made a zipper motion across her mouth and held her hand up as if taking an oath. “Scout’s honor. So spill.”
“He’s so gentle, honest, and caring, but it can’t work. He’s into God and I’m totally not.”
“Quite an obstacle.” Grace pursed her lips. “Hayden would never go against the Bible. You know, the unequally yoked thing.”
Laken’s eyes widened. “I didn’t say anything about getting married.”
“No, but it’s unwise to entertain thoughts of a relationship with someone you wouldn’t want to marry.” Grace fingered one of the envelopes in her stack. “You were raised in church, but I’ve sensed your discomfort lately. Don’t you like Palisade?”
Laken let the chair spin in a slow circle. Where to start? “You know how dysfunctional my family is, but we attended church every time the doors opened. After a while, the whole fake mess turned my stomach.”
“I imagine there are a lot of people hiding their truths, but there’s nothing superficial about Hayden or his faith.”
“I know, but even if we could meet in the middle on that issue, there are more obstacles than we could ever overcome.”
“Such as?”
Laken stopped the twirling chair. “My brother is Brady’s dad.”
“Collin?” Grace pressed a hand to her heart.
“Long story, but he didn’t know Brady existed until recently. Now that he does, I think he wants Brady, and I’m caught in the middle.” She sprang from her chair and paced the office. “I promised Hayden I’d do my best to get Collin to move here. But, if Collin takes Brady to California, I don’t think Hayden would survive.” Her words flew as pent-up tension released. “And poor Brady.”
“Whoa.”
“Now you see why Hayden’s on edge?”
“He’s crazy about Brady.”
“So am I. You know, I always wanted a real family and kids, but I was too afraid of marriage to pursue it. Having a nephew, it’s almost like having my own child.”
“You’re crazy about Hayden, too.”
Laken skidded to a halt. “I wouldn’t put it quite that way.”
“I would.” Grace drummed her fingernails on the counter. “We just have to get the two of you on the same wavelength with God and convince Collin to move here.”
“Oh, is that all? I’m with you on the second part.”
“But you’ve been coming to church. So maybe…”
Maybe nothing. “I came the first time because Brady asked me to. After that, I’ve been trying to keep him from telling my mother who he is until Collin gets here tomorrow night. I won’t fake Christianity.” Pressure started to build in her chest, just like during the altar call.
“And I wouldn’t want you to. If you’ll just keep coming to church and keep an open mind, you’ll be amazed at what God can do.”
“We’ll see.” Go ahead and try, God. You think You can fix me? Have at it. “Right now I have to concentrate on conquering the life hurdle known as Mother.”
“Honor your mother and father. That’s from the Bible, you know.” Grace turned toward the door then stopped midstride to lean against the counter and peer out the barred window. “Oh look, a wedding.”
Not again.
“I wish people would do the whole shebang around here. How’s a caterer supposed to get by with all these simple weddings? When you and Hayden get married, will you please let me cater it? Of course, since you’re my friend, I’d have to do yours at cost, so that wouldn’t help.”
Laken blushed. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about me getting married.” It won’t happen. And definitely not with Hayden as the groom.
With Collin pacing Laken’s living room, tension vibrated off Hayden in waves she could almost see. His stiff posture in her kitchen chair belied the casual calm he tried to adopt.
Staring out the window above the sink, Laken tried to concentrate on the pink-and-orange-washed sunset, but a scream welled within her. If Mother didn’t arrive soon, it just might escape.
Gravel crunched as a car pulled into the drive, and Laken hurried to peek between the living room curtains. “She’s here.”
Collin skidded to a halt in the middle of the living room. “Did you tell her I’m here?”
Oozing practiced boarding-school perfection, Mother sashayed across the yard.
“No.” Willing Mother to hurry, Laken jerked the door open.
“Laken, I was so glad you called. Is everything all right?”
Mother’s mouth opened, clamped shut, and opened again. She ran toward her son, every bit of elegant dignity replaced by elation.
“Oh Collin, I’ve missed you so.” Mother lunged into him.
His arms remained at his sides.
The muscles around Mother’s mouth quivered. “You’re still angry with me. I tried to shield you from Martin’s wrath. I really did.” She hugged a little tighter.
Still, Collin didn’t return her affection and pushed her away. “You enable him.”
Tears pooled in Mother’s eyes. “I most certainly do not.”
“No, you just shell out the money for as much booze as he can down.”
True, but suddenly Laken wanted to spare her mother the indignity of Collin’s cold greeting. She touched her arm. “Mother, we have something to tell you.”
Mother noticed Hayden. Startled, she backed away from Collin. Color suffused her face. “Hayden, I didn’t know you were here. What’s going on?”
“I’m here…” With a heavy sigh, Collin shut the door. “Because I have a son. Laken and Hayden thought you needed to know.”
Mother’s hand flew to her mouth.
Just like that, no easing into it.
“Where is he?”
Hayden ducked his he
ad. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Kroft, but I didn’t know Collin was your son until this past weekend.”
“What does that have to do with my grandson?”
Laken almost wanted to hug her. Almost. “Brady is Collin’s son, Mother.”
More tears surfaced, and Mother’s mouth twisted. “All this time, we’ve lived in the same town. What about you, Laken? I know we haven’t been overly close the last few years, but I can’t believe I’m the last one in on this little bomb.” Splotches of red marred Mother’s cheeks.
Hayden stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Laken didn’t know until this past weekend.”
“But Collin always confides in her. They were always like two peas in a pod. Collin never would have gotten married without Laken knowing about it.”
“We never married.”
“Collin, please.” Mother pressed a fingertip to her temple. “Let’s not—”
“Air our dirty laundry.” Even under pressure, Mother had to keep up appearances. Cover it up. Keep everything nice and tidy. Hide the family’s embarrassing little secrets.
“Your mother is upset enough.” Hayden grazed Laken’s elbow with a featherlight touch. “I’ve told Brady all about you, Mrs. Kroft, and he’s dying to get to know you better. You can visit with him at my folks’ during the day or at our house in the evening.”
“That’s all fine. I mean, that’s great.” Mother paced the living room and turned to Collin. “So, Brady’s illegitimate. What will people think? We can’t let that get out.”
Laken rolled her eyes. Leave it to Mother. The woman just learned she has a grandson and she’s worried about keeping up appearances. It would seem sweet if she were thinking of Brady. But Mother only thought of herself. “In this day and age, no one uses that term anymore.”
“It’s still important in the right circles, and people will wonder why I didn’t know until now that he’s my grandson.” She tapped an elegant nail against the countertop separating the kitchen. “Maybe we should keep this quiet. Just between us.”
“Brady goes by Winters.” The tic in Hayden’s jaw started up. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but either you accept my nephew or you won’t be seeing him at all.”
“It’s not that I’m ashamed of him. You must understand—it’s embarrassing to learn your children keep such life-altering secrets.”
“Or when your parents do.” Laken pushed the words through clenched teeth.
Mother paled.
Laken’s fists balled until her nails dug into her palms.
“Listen, ma’am.” Hayden scrubbed his hand across the day’s growth covering his jaw. “No one has to know you didn’t know. Just introduce him as your grandson. Most folks won’t ask questions.”
Polite folks. People not like you.
“Well, I guess if you’re raising my grandson, you should call me Sylvie.” Mother turned to Collin. “Just why is Hayden raising Brady?”
Hayden opened the door. “Laken, let’s give Collin and your mom some privacy.”
Collin’s eyes shot her the desperate plea of a drowning man.
Stay and support her brother or run for her life?
Hayden linked arms with Laken, effectively ushering her out.
She stood on the porch, staring at the closed door.
“They’ll be fine.” Hayden nodded toward his pickup. “Let’s go for a drive.”
“You go ahead. I’ll just hang around here.”
“And rescue your brother from his own mess. Come on.” Tucking her hand in his elbow, he led her to the truck.
Craning his neck, checking the camera and all three mirrors numerous times, he backed out of the drive. “How long has it been since they’ve seen one another?”
“Ten years. Now you know why our family has such close ties. You’ve seen her in action. One minute I feel sorry for her, the next I want to fillet her with words the way she does everyone else.”
“Telling somebody off feels good for a minute or two, but regret follows. She certainly isn’t an easy person to figure out, but she’s hurting.”
“I know.”
He turned onto the gravel road by the old general store.
Laken snapped to attention, her spine rigid. “Where are we going?”
“My favorite place.” He turned through the massive, white-iron, Victorian-style gate. “It calms me. And since you have an enormous painting of the falls on your living room wall, I figured you liked it here, too.”
“I was in a coworker’s wedding here a few years ago. Her father did the painting for her, and she gave all of her attendants a print.”
Hayden parked and killed the engine. “Nice gift.”
“Do the owners mind us coming here? Shouldn’t we stop at the house and ask?”
“As long as the gate’s open, it’s okay.” He came around to her side.
She stared at the perfectly groomed hedges.
“You okay?”
Laken cleared her throat. “I always thought this would be a great place for a wedding.” If I ever got brave enough to give marriage a shot, that is.
“I was engaged once.” He drew her out of the truck.
Her mouth went dry. She didn’t want to think of him with anyone else. “Really? Was it supposed to be here?”
“We never got around to planning the wedding, but I doubt it. I don’t think she had a romantic bone in her pinkie toe.”
“I’m sorry.” She walked under the vine-covered archway with lavender silk wisteria hanging overhead. A few months ago, the blooms had probably been real.
“Don’t be. It was a very good thing that it ended when it did. Remember that first wedding at the post office after you came?”
“The white doves. The most beautiful, peaceful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Hayden nodded. “Except that the dove handler was my ex-fiancée.”
Chapter 7
Laken gasped. She could never compete with such perfection. “She looked like a model.”
“Her insides didn’t match the outside.”
Outside, Laken was ordinary; inside she was empty, a tumble of mixed hurts, disappointments, and fears. She sniffed the air, trying to concentrate on the fragrant yellow moss rose, red begonias, and blue bellflowers bursting from terra-cotta pots lining the walkway. “Did you come here with her?”
The heart-shaped flower bed overflowed with coral geraniums, orange daylilies, and other blossoms she couldn’t identify. The splash of the falls didn’t soothe the whirling in her soul.
“No. She never had time for such frivolity.” Hayden took her hand as they walked under the heart-shaped archway and descended the brick steps.
They passed the fountain with the white marble lady pouring her vessel out. Small pavilions dotted each side of the path overlooking the falls. The path narrowed, and Hayden tucked her hand in the crook of his arm as they descended the strategically placed rock steps.
“But you loved her. What happened?”
Disappointment registered with a slight twist of his mouth.
Laken turned to gaze across the falls, seeking calm in the peaceful surroundings, unable to watch the hurt displayed on his face, put there by another woman. The trees and bushes contrasting against the jutting rocks and the blue green pool at the bottom couldn’t calm the quake surging inside her. The cascading water didn’t sound soothing anymore as the foamy torrent crashed over the rocks.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s okay.”
“Let’s just say I fell for someone pretending to be something she wasn’t.” His fingers grazed her elbow. “What about you? Ever been in love?”
She shivered. Not until now.
He took her hands in his, forcing her to face him. “Tell me.”
Still, she couldn’t meet his gaze. “I’ve never let anyone get close enough.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want to end up like my parents.”
Gently he rubbed his thumbs over the backs of her hands. “Despite the as
tounding divorce rate, there is such a thing as a good marriage.”
“If you say so. I never had any example of a nurturing relationship, but deep down, despite the fear, I always wanted children.”
“You’re great with Brady.”
“He fills a void in my life.”
Hayden pushed a strand of hair away from her face. “Come to church with me Sunday. I know Someone who can fill that emptiness.”
She pulled away. “I know exactly who you mean, and I’m not interested.”
“Please, Laken, just give Him a try.”
“Look how much He’s helped you.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“He has helped me. If not for Him, I wouldn’t have been able to function after the accident.”
“You still haven’t forgiven yourself.”
“No, but He has. And that makes life tolerable. On most days, I have peace.”
Until Collin showed up. Two squirrels scampered up and around a large oak in a spiral pattern, chattering and swishing their bushy tails. Oh, to be so carefree.
“I just don’t see how something you can’t even see could help with anything.”
“Give Him one more try, Laken. ‘The peace of God, which passeth all understanding.’ It’s waiting in the open arms of God. All you have to do is ask for it.”
Something flickered deep in her soul.
“You’ve tried everything else. You moved away. You started over. You sought fulfillment in your career. Has any of it helped?” Her heart gave a precarious tilt. “Okay. I’ll go.”
Laken added sugar to her cappuccino and sat down at her kitchen table. Classical music played softly from the stereo, yet her nerves wouldn’t settle. She tried to concentrate on the newspaper. But the drama in her life topped the drama of the headlines, and she couldn’t focus.
For the first time ever, Laken dreaded dealing with her brother. He’d been gone when she got home last night and didn’t come in until the wee hours. Now she’d get to spend the morning hearing him complain about Mother. Not her favorite subject.
The floorboards creaked in the hallway. She pretended extreme interest in an article.
“Hey.”
ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION Page 25
