ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  Tears clouded her vision. “Hayden, I want that surrender, that peace, that forgiveness Grayson preached about.”

  His eyes sparkled. “You want to accept Jesus?”

  Chapter 8

  Yes.” Her answer came out wobbly and wet-sounding.

  He took her hand and stepped down from the table, then knelt.

  She knelt beside him. Not knowing where to begin, she hoped God knew.

  Hayden’s arm wrapped around her shoulders. “Do you want me to pray?”

  “I’ll do it.” The weight pressing on her chest eased. “Dear Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. I know that only Your blood can cleanse me of my sin. Forgive me of my sins.” She wiped tears before they could drip off her chin. “I give You my life, trusting You completely for my salvation. I accept You as my Lord and Savior, Jesus. Guide me and lead me. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. In Your precious name, amen.”

  Peace like she’d never known flowed through her soul. “Now what?”

  He stood and helped her to her feet. “That’s it. Go to church. Tell people about your decision. If you have any questions, you can ask me or you can talk to Grayson if you want. He’ll want to talk to you about getting baptized.”

  It sounded so simple.

  “I’ll see you Sunday then. For now I better get going.” But she didn’t want to. She wanted to stay with him, in the peaceful park. Forever. She slipped her shoes on.

  “Laken?”

  “Hmm.” She turned to face him.

  “I’m really glad you know Jesus now.”

  “Me, too.” She grinned. “It makes everything better. Thanks for inviting me to church.”

  “Congratulations.” He hugged her.

  She snuggled in his arms, her cheek resting against his rock-hard chest. A featherlight kiss grazed her temple. Laken pulled away enough to see him.

  His gaze settled on her lips. Spicy aftershave filled her senses. The birds’ chorus echoed the song in her heart.

  Clearing his throat, Hayden took a step backward. “We better go.” He tucked her hand in his elbow.

  “I should really check on Collin.” She tried to sound natural as his bicep rippled beneath her fingers.

  “I need to speak with him. Is it okay if I follow you?”

  “Sure.” Breathe normal. It was just a little kiss and not even anywhere near her mouth.

  Hayden stayed a few car lengths behind Laken, ready to trail her wherever she led. Was this love? Being so near her had turned his insides to squash.

  She was saved now. Blood-bought and heaven-bound. He wanted to leap in the air and click his heels together.

  Laken had begun anew. Could they make a new start together?

  Since she’d given her heart to Christ, he wanted what was left of it. To have and to hold forever. To protect her and shield her from life’s hurts. To run his fingers through the silky softness of her hair and kiss all her cares away.

  If Brady left, he’d need her to ease his hurt.

  She turned into the drive, and he parked behind her.

  As they strolled toward the house, he entwined his fingers with hers. It felt right.

  The door opened and Collin stepped outside. “Look, sis, I’m sorry…” His gaze landed on Hayden, then their clasped hands. “I didn’t realize we had company.”

  Laken pulled out of his grasp.

  We’re tearing her in two, right along with Brady. Hayden cleared his throat but couldn’t get around the knot lodged there. “I came to speak my piece.”

  “Good, I was hoping to spend some more time with Brady.”

  Hayden’s gut twisted, and he forced out the words he didn’t want to say. “That’s up to him.”

  “It is?” Collin’s brow rose.

  “I won’t play tug-of-war with Brady.” The knot in his throat swelled. He swallowed. “If you want custody, I won’t put up a fight.”

  Laken gasped.

  “Is that so?” Collin’s voice dripped sarcasm.

  “I’m not playing games. I want what’s best for Brady, and getting ping-ponged between the two of us isn’t good for him.” A crushing weight settled on Hayden’s chest and he closed his eyes. “If you want to take him to California, I’ll ease the transition as much as possible.”

  Laken’s soft hand wriggled back into Hayden’s.

  He opened his eyes and squeezed her fingers. The tic in his jaw started up.

  “I’ve got some business to attend to in Little Rock.” Collin shot him a victorious smile. “I’ll be back next Friday for the weekend, then head there on Sunday evening. Since school doesn’t start for another week after that, it would be the perfect time for Brady and me to spend some time together.”

  “So you can leave him in a hotel room with some hired caretaker while you work twenty-four/seven?” Laken shook her head. “I think not.”

  Collin’s gaze drilled holes through her. “When did you get any say in the matter?”

  “Stop.” Hayden spat the word through clenched teeth. “No more arguing.”

  “For your information”—Collin pointed at Laken—“I’ll do my work from my hotel room, mostly on the phone, and the few associates I’ll need to meet with will come to me. Brady will be in my very capable care twenty-four/seven.”

  Hayden ran a hand through his hair and willed the quaking in his soul to stop. “I don’t mind Brady going with you. But his care can be complicated. You’ll have to accommodate his needs, bathe him, help him in the bathroom, and get him into his bed.”

  “It’s only a week, and it’ll be a test, to see how well we acclimate to one another.” Collin crossed his arms over his chest. “We’ll be back the following Friday.”

  “Okay.” Hayden squeezed Laken’s hand again. “If it’s what Brady wants, it’s fine by me, as long as you make sure he gets in bed at a decent hour and up fairly early. I’ve been trying to get him back on his school schedule. I’ll head home and run it by him.”

  “Without swaying him against the idea?” Collin’s tone issued a challenge.

  Laken propped her hands on both slim hips. “Hayden’s word is as pure as gold. He doesn’t want Brady pulled back and forth between you. You can trust him.”

  At least she respected him. Could she trust him with her heart? “I’ll call you later.” He drew her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss on the back of it.

  A pretty blush colored her cheeks.

  Collin’s glare skewered Hayden.

  While his legs would still hold him up, he turned to his truck. Home to convince Brady to spend time with Collin. Eventually permanently.

  Laken brushed past Collin and hurried inside.

  The door slammed behind her.

  “It’s worse than I thought.” Collin sighed. “You’re sleeping with the enemy.”

  Her jaw dropped.

  “But it could have advantages. That’s why he changed his mind. You did it for me, didn’t you?”

  Whirling around, Laken slapped him. “He isn’t like that. And neither am I.”

  “Oh, come on.” Collin pressed fingertips to his reddening cheek. “Maybe you’re not like that, but he’s a man.”

  “Not your typical man. He’s a Christian and I am, too.”

  “Spare me the details.” Collin rolled his eyes and stalked toward the guest room. “I will say this, though—that was a mighty Christian slap.” A door slammed behind him.

  With a big sigh, she pulled a chair out and plopped at the kitchen table with her face in her hands.

  Her cell phone rang.

  Tempted not to answer, she checked the number. Mother. “Hello?”

  “Laken, did you talk Collin into coming yet?” Mother’s anxiety rang clear.

  “It’s been an eventful afternoon. I just got home.” And we’re not speaking at the moment.

  “Let me talk to him.”

  “Sure.” Better you than me. She traipsed down the hall and rapped her knuckles on the guest room door.

  The door swung open
. Collin glared. “What?”

  “It’s for you.”

  She jabbed the phone at him, turned, and bolted outside.

  Early August basted Laken in a sheen of sweat, but she’d rather roast than go inside and face her brother. Barefoot, with strappy white sandals in hand, still wearing her fuchsia and red floral dress, Laken eased down on the porch steps, careful not to snag the material on anything. With an overlay of sheer flowered fabric, it was softer, frillier, and more feminine than what she usually wore. But she’d bought it with Hayden in mind and decided to wear it this morning, hoping the bright colors might improve her outlook.

  Though Hayden seemed to approve, the cheery dress didn’t help her mood.

  She and Collin hadn’t spoken since their argument. They’d avoided one another since he stormed out after Mother’s phone call. Saturday, he’d taken Brady swimming alone and didn’t come home until she was already in bed. This morning, before church, he stayed in his room.

  Hayden had worried about her all through morning services and during lunch, but she couldn’t tell him what was wrong. If he knew the things Collin had said to her, he’d resent Collin more and worry more about Brady’s welfare.

  Tears seeped from the corners of her eyes, and she swiped them away. Why was Collin being such a jerk? He was getting his way.

  Poor Brady. Such a big decision resting on such small shoulders. The uncle he loved or the father he barely knew. Laken faced the same choice: the man she loved or the brother who’d grown distant.

  She pressed her fingers to quivery lips, remembering the kiss that wasn’t even really a kiss, that had sped her heart until it almost leapt from her chest.

  The door opened behind her. She straightened, bracing herself for another onslaught.

  “Hey.” His tone gentle, Collin sat beside her. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry for hitting you.” She leaned her head against his shoulder.

  “I deserved it. I shouldn’t have said those things. You’re not like that.”

  “How do you know? We haven’t spent much time together as adults.”

  “I just know.” Collin sighed. “I’m sorry you’ve felt torn between Hayden and me. You obviously have feelings for him.”

  She sucked in a quivery breath. “I imagine Brady feels the same way. Please don’t put any pressure on him. If he says no to next week’s Little Rock trip, just accept it and try again later.”

  Collin nodded. “You’re right.”

  “Hayden’s trying. This is so hard on him.”

  “I’m just not sure I can trust him.”

  “He’s one of the most trustworthy men I’ve ever met.”

  “You’re in love with him.” He dropped a kiss on the crown of her head. “And it has nothing to do with who Brady lives with. Congratulations.”

  “For what?”

  “Falling in love. I loved Katie like that, you know? And I took out all my frustrations on her. I don’t know why I hurt the ones I love most.”

  Like father, like son. She slid her shoes on. “Let’s go in and get something cold to drink. I’d really like to change out of this dress, and then we’ll fill in the holes of the eight years we missed of each other’s lives while we wait for Brady’s decision.”

  He stood and offered a hand to help her up. “Everything?”

  “The good, the bad, the ugly.” The chill of the air-conditioning swept goose bumps over her. “Did Mother beg you to come to the house?” She hurried to the kitchen.

  “It’s of the utmost importance,” he mimicked as he settled on the couch.

  “I’m worried, Collin.” She clinked ice in two glasses and poured the sweet tea. “Something isn’t right with her.”

  “She said you two called a truce. And she’s already sucking you in?”

  Laken handed him a glass and plopped into her favorite armchair. “This is different.”

  “I know.”

  “Will you go with me?” “I’ll think about it.”

  Hayden sorted his mail by route, stacking the magazines and catalogs in the flats bin. At least it was Monday, the busiest day of the week, lots of mail to keep him busy. Going through the motions, with a gaping Brady-shaped hole in his heart. He’s just in Little Rock. Not that far, but it was only the tenth. He wouldn’t be back until the fourteenth. Hayden had never dreamed a mere week could stretch into eternity.

  With a precise nonstop rhythm, Laken stamped mail. “How’d it go? Seeing Brady off last night?”

  “I did great, put on a brave face. After he left, I bawled like a baby. The house is way too quiet, way too empty.”

  The stamping stopped, and she touched his elbow for only a second before returning to her work counter.

  He longed for the softness of her arms, the coconut smell and silky feel of her hair. But one little embrace in the office could get them both fired. And this was only the first day of working with her since he’d come to terms with his feelings.

  “If it helps any, I spoke with Brady after they got to the hotel last night. He was really excited but missing you already.”

  Warmth wrapped around Hayden’s soul. “It makes the selfish part of me feel better.”

  “You don’t have a selfish molecule in your entire makeup.”

  “Somehow, you seem to have gotten the wrong impression that I’m Mr. Perfect.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.” She carried her bin to Carol’s sorter and began stuffing envelopes into the slots. “Just rest assured that Collin’s crazy about Brady.”

  “Do you really believe he never received Katie’s letter until a few months ago?” His voice had a hard edge to it.

  “Yes. If Collin had known she was sick, he’d have been by her side.”

  Hayden swallowed hard. “Then why didn’t he marry her?”

  At the counter, Laken stacked the mail to be postmarked in a neat pile and began stamping another mound. “Dysfunctional families give you a warped outlook on marriage.”

  “Does marriage still scare you?” Hayden glanced her way.

  Though she didn’t stop stamping, her fingers trembled. “A little. But maybe if I found the right guy, it would be different than anything I ever witnessed as a child.”

  “My parents’ marriage was always great. We were one big happy family until Katie died. Then it seemed like everything fell apart there for a while.”

  “I’m glad things are mended.”

  “I’ll give Collin credit for one thing. At least he didn’t take Katie off to California. I treasure those last years with her.”

  “I’m still trying to derail California.”

  “I know, and I hate putting you through this. You shouldn’t have to stand against your own brother.”

  “It’s no big deal.”

  “Let me make it up to you. Since you think I’m such a great guy.” He stepped over next to her. “Have dinner with me…” Tonight, tomorrow, every night? He didn’t want to wait, but better make it date night, so she’d know he meant more than a friendly dinner. “Friday night.”

  Laken’s stamping stopped, hand hovering over the stack of envelopes. “Friday night? Okay.” Her voice quivered.

  Yes. Hayden’s insides did a little dance. “I was thinking Colton’s in Searcy.”

  “Sounds great.”

  Hayden grinned and went back to his sorter.

  A minute or two passed before her stamping started up again, not quite so rhythmic.

  The turquoise tank top gave new depth to Laken’s eyes. Hayden could barely keep his gaze off her. Wearing white capris and sandals, with a matching sweater draped casually around her slim shoulders, she was lovely. Inside and out.

  His porterhouse steak and baked potato swimming in butter dwarfed Laken’s loaded chicken and salad.

  Finished with his salad, he downed half his steak while she nibbled. “Aren’t you hungry?”

  “Yes. It’s wonderful.”

  “Don’t you like steak?”

  She scrunched her
nose. “Not particularly.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? We could have gone somewhere else.”

  “I love their chicken. I’m just…”

  “What?”

  “Nervous.”

  Her admission melted him into a puddle at her feet. He knew the grin on his face was downright goofy, but he couldn’t do a thing about it. “With me? We see each other almost every day. Twice on weekdays.”

  “I know, but this is a date.”

  His eyes widened. “It is?”

  Her eyes saucered. “I mean—I thought…”

  “Calm down, I’m teasing you.”

  A blush pinked her cheeks and she giggled.

  “Relax. Next time, you choose the place.”

  An arched eyebrow rose. “Next time?”

  He covered her hand with his. “Definitely.”

  A warm smile put a sparkle in her eyes, but then she frowned and pulled her hand away. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “One thing I don’t understand—Christians still sin, right?”

  Where did that come from? Lord, am I making her think about sinning? “As long as we’re on this earth, sin tempts, and if we give in to it, it sometimes rules us. We pray and strive, but often we fail. When we do, we ask God’s forgiveness and restore fellowship with Him.”

  “I don’t think I’ll ever understand it all.”

  “That’s why you need to go to church, read your Bible, and pray. We may not ever understand it all. On this side of heaven anyway.”

  Good, she wasn’t thinking about sinning. Instead, she longed to know more. That new believer fire, the fire he’d lost as he’d gotten comfortable and taken his salvation for granted.

  “How long have you been a Christian?”

  “Not very long, I’m afraid. When Katie got sick, she and I started attending church with Mom and Dad. We both accepted Christ.”

  A relieved sigh escaped her. “So you know she’s in heaven. I’m so glad.”

  “Me, too. Knowing I’ll see her in glory someday makes losing her tolerable.”

  She nibbled on her lip. “I wonder about my father. We went to church for years, but I don’t know if he ever accepted Jesus.”