ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “911, what’s your emergency?”

  “My friend just got stung by a scorpion and he can’t breathe.”

  “Miss Kroft, we have your address as—”

  “I’m not home. Where are we, Hayden?”

  She held the phone to his mouth as he slurred the address, then jerked it back. “Please hurry.”

  The operator repeated the address back to her. “Ma’am, please stay on—”

  Laken flipped the phone shut.

  “Just relax. Inhale. Exhale.” Tears streaming, she traced his jaw with the back of her hand and helplessly watched him struggle.

  “Drive to Bob’s.”

  “I’ve never driven one of these things.”

  “Just drive.”

  Laken mashed the gas and whiplashed them toward the woods.

  An angry red welt swelled amongst streaks swirling around his wrist.

  “This isn’t normal, is it?”

  “Maybe allergic.” Hayden wheezed and gasped for each breath, so pale. Oh God, please help him breathe.

  An eternity after they arrived at the house, the ambulance barreled into Bob’s drive. Two EMTs jumped out, unloaded a gurney, and helped Hayden out of the mule.

  He collapsed on the gurney.

  “You’re sure it was a scorpion, ma’am?”

  “I killed it and cooked it in our bonfire.” Laken hugged herself, hovering near as they worked.

  “It was huge.” Hayden’s slurred words were barely audible. “Ouch.”

  “Sorry, sir, it’s the IV.”

  “Thought it was another.”

  “Have you ever had an allergic reaction to a scorpion sting before, sir?”

  “Never stung afore.”

  “What’s happening?” Laken frowned. “Will he be all right?”

  “Your friend’s having an extreme allergic reaction. Anaphylactic shock.” The paramedic slipped an oxygen mask over Hayden’s face, and the gurney jolted as they loaded him in the ambulance.

  “Please, can I go with him?” Her words came out high-pitched and panicky.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we don’t have room. You’ll have to follow.”

  She wanted to argue, but that would only delay Hayden’s treatment. Instead, she sprinted to her car and tore out of the drive after the ambulance.

  “Hayden, are you all right?”

  He couldn’t answer. He wanted to see Laken. To know it wasn’t his brain playing tricks. That she was really there.

  But someone had glued his eyes shut. If he could just get his hands up to his face, he could pry them open, but his arms didn’t seem to work either. He groaned.

  “Hayden? You’re in the emergency room.” Laken sounded scared. “You had an extreme allergic reaction to the sting, but they gave you medicine. The doctor says…”

  As her voice trailed away, a cushion of darkness swirled around him.

  “You’re going to be fine.” Laken touched his cheek. “Just rest.”

  “Glad…” you’re here, he wanted to add. But his cottony, pillow-sized tongue wouldn’t move anymore. The darkness won.

  Bright light pierced his consciousness. A weight pressed against his chest. Coconut. Finally, his heavy eyelids lifted. Caramel silken tendrils splayed over him, tickling his chin.

  “Laken.”

  She jumped up. Tear-filled eyes met his. “You’re awake.”

  A nurse came in. “Look who’s back with us. I told you he’d be fine.”

  “What time is it?”

  “It’s Sunday.” Laken checked her watch. “Almost ten p.m.”

  “Where’s Brady?”

  “At your parents’ house. He’s fine.”

  The nurse checked his monitor. “Your friend’s been here ever since we admitted you. The only time she left your side was when the doctor ran her out.”

  Laken blushed.

  “You know, it’s very exotic to be allergic to scorpions.” The nurse grinned. “Maybe not very manly, but definitely exotic.”

  Hayden’s stomach roiled. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”

  Pretty blue eyes widened. Laken grabbed a trash can.

  A melancholy group gathered at the home of Hayden’s parents for Christmas Eve. Two days until departure. Collin had flown in and everyone except Father gathered around the loaded Winters’ table. Despite the repeat of Thanksgiving’s fare, Laken had no appetite.

  Hayden still looked ashen a week after his ordeal. The bruise on his wrist from the sting paled in comparison to the one on his other hand from the IV.

  She drank her sweet tea. Strain showed on the faces of those she loved, even Collin’s. And he was getting his way.

  After the meal, Laken and Mother helped Hayden’s mom clean the kitchen and load the dishwasher, then joined the men in the living room.

  Football blared. Laken’s least favorite sport. She didn’t understand the rules and didn’t care enough to learn. Mesmerized by the game, Hayden’s dad, Brady, and Collin didn’t even know when the women entered the room, but Hayden’s gaze locked on her.

  “Maye, thank you so much for inviting us.” Mother picked a chair away from the televison. “It was a wonderful meal.”

  “My Maye can definitely cook.” Paul patted his stomach. “That’s why I married her. Remember that when you find a bride, son.”

  Maye swatted playfully at her husband.

  “I will.” Hayden stood and ushered Laken toward the door. “Your soup was great. Sorry I slept through your visit, but that’s all I’ve been capable of lately.”

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

  “Let’s go to my house,” he whispered.

  “You need to rest,” Laken mumbled. “And besides, I don’t want to fight anymore.”

  “I’ve rested for a week and who said anything about fighting?” Hayden’s breath stirred her hair.

  She shivered as he held her coat for her. Her eyes burned at the memory of his closeness. His embrace. His kiss. She blinked until her vision cleared.

  The starlit night revealed each exhale in the frigid air. They ducked through the line of dormant crape myrtles. Soon she stepped inside Hayden’s house, and he steered her in front of the fireplace as sparks crackled and popped.

  He took both her hands in his. Turning her palms up, he kissed each one. “I’m a horrible person for not trusting you, and a selfish lout for not wanting you to move to California.”

  The firelight flickered in his eyes as shudders moved through her. “So you trust me now? Why? What changed?”

  “Can we talk about it later?” He kissed the tip of her nose, and his gaze moved to her lips.

  “No.” She took a step back. “Tell me now.”

  Hayden sighed. “It goes back to my ex-fiancée, and I don’t want to talk about her.”

  Wanting to throw herself into his arms and stay there forever, she forced herself to think. “How can we have any kind of future if we can’t talk about the past?”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “When Katie got sick, I helped take care of her. Jan grew distant. After the funeral, she gave me an ultimatum: Brady or her. She had me totally snowed, pretending she was all about family and children. In reality, she didn’t want kids. Not mine and definitely not my nephew.”

  “So what does that have to do with me?”

  “I promised myself I’d never trust another woman again. Then you came along and made me forget my vow.” He kissed each palm again.

  Pulling away, she shoved her hands into her pockets. “So since I’m female, you decided I must be conspiring against you.”

  “She claimed to love me and lied to me.” Hayden touched her cheek. “But you’re nothing like Jan, and I’ve known that from the beginning.” He pulled her into his arms.

  She should pull away, but his nearness threatened to turn her brain to Jell-O. Her thoughts fought to the surface. “So what took you so long to let me in on your change of heart?”

  “I lost a fight with a scorpion. Did you see th
e size of that thing? At least two inches. Maybe three.” He laughed. “Amazing how such a little critter can bring a man down to size.”

  “It’s not funny.” Her voice cracked. “You could have died.”

  He kissed her temple.

  “I was there when you woke up. Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I wanted to make sure I could make sense when I said”—he pulled away to gaze into her eyes, sincerity shining in the green depths of his—“I love you and I trust you. Completely. I love you even more for being so selfless on Brady’s behalf.”

  “I don’t know about that. Right now, I feel more selfish than selfless. I want to stay right here forever.” Her laugh came out watery as her last bit of resistance melted. She curled her arms around his waist and pressed her damp cheek against his chest. “For the next two weeks, I’ll torment Collin, try to talk him into moving back here, and pray he’ll do what’s right.”

  “I know you will. I’ll pray, too.” He tipped her chin up with gentle fingers.

  As his sweet kiss deepened, she clung to him. Partly because she never wanted to let go and partly because he made her light-headed enough to fall.

  He ended the kiss, and Laken’s tears spilled.

  “Don’t cry.” He traced her cheek with a gentle fingertip and leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m going with you.”

  She sucked in a breath. “You are?”

  “You didn’t really think I’d let two of the people I love most in the world move halfway across the country, did you?”

  He pressed something into her hand. Something small, velvety, and square.

  Laken’s gorgeous blue eyes widened. With a gasp, she looked down at the ring box.

  Hayden’s hand trembled as he flipped the lid open. What if she said no? Holding the box just so, he made sure the light set the solitaire diamond afire, shooting sparks in every direction.

  “Oh Hayden.” Her tears brimmed as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him. A kiss full of promise and the future.

  “Merry Christmas,” he mumbled, ending the captivating kiss, anxious for an answer. “Can I take that as a yes?”

  “It’s all happening so fast. We’ve only known each other six months.”

  His heart crashed against his ribs. “Long enough in my book.”

  “This feels rushed because of California lurking. If it was a sure thing that I’d come back, would you be asking this question now?”

  “Maybe not now.” He traced her cheek with a fingertip. “But definitely in the future.”

  “Don’t rush us. I want to make sure everything is right with us. You can’t move.”

  “I’m ready to follow you to Timbuktu.”

  “But your life is here. You got the promotion you’ve been wanting. Your family is here and your relationship with them is back intact.”

  “I moved here for Brady’s sake. Now I’m moving to California for his sake.” He cupped her chin with tender fingers. “And I just found you. I can’t let you go.”

  One winged eyebrow rose. “What about finances? I know you won’t sell the house.”

  “It belongs to Brady.”

  “And you won’t want to rent it out. So you’ll be making payments on it and have to find a place in California, where the cost of living is exorbitant compared to here.”

  He pulled her closer. “If we get married, we can share living expenses.”

  “I don’t want to get married just to share living expenses.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I know. I’m just saying let’s slow down.” She closed the lid of the box with a spring-loaded click.

  A piece of him died.

  “It’s not that I don’t want to marry you. I do.”

  He nodded. “Let’s just go to California and see what happens.”

  “We need to stick to the original plan. I’ll go to California. If Brady stays, I’ll stay. Then we’ll talk about you. For now, let’s take it two weeks at a time.” She snuggled in his embrace.

  Two weeks. Why did two weeks sound like an eternity?

  Being at church helped Laken’s troubled soul, even though she’d fly to California with Collin and Brady in the morning. Without Hayden.

  What had she been thinking? With everything in her, she wanted to accept his ring and marry him tomorrow.

  But only a month ago, Hayden had distrusted her. And with only her parents as an example, could she really build a real relationship with anyone?

  Glancing to her right, she leaned back a bit to see around Hayden.

  Brady caught her gaze and winked, his face scrunching with effort.

  Her heart warmed. What if she failed him?

  After a series of Christmas carols, the harpist trilled “He Whispers Sweet Peace to Me.” Just what she needed. Laken closed her eyes, breathing in His peace. It seemed so right for Christmas to be on Sunday. Especially since she was celebrating Christ’s birth for the first time as a Christian.

  Hayden squeezed her hand.

  Gently, she traced the faint yellowed bruise on his wrist, thankful the paramedics had arrived in time.

  From the middle aisle, Mother joined them. Dabbing her eyes, she sat next to Laken.

  Laken bit her lip.

  A few minutes later, Collin arrived. They all shuffled to the left so he could sit beside Brady at the end of the pew.

  As the song service closed and Pastor Grayson stepped to the pulpit, Laken prayed for Collin to change his mind. Something has to convict him, Lord. Please. Today.

  The pastor ended his sermon and the altar call began. Dejected, Laken squeezed around Hayden, Collin, and Brady. Hayden took her hand and walked with her to the altar. There they knelt together. A shaky hand clasped Laken’s as Mother joined them.

  Oh Lord, if there’s no way to change Collin’s mind, ease Brady’s worries. Help him to fit in at his new school and make friends. Help the new kids to be kind. Help Hayden and me not to rush into anything, but to follow Your timing for us. Be with my father, Lord. Give him strength to fight alcohol. I place it all in Your mighty hands. Amen.

  Finally, she stood and turned back to her pew.

  Collin was already gone. As they stepped outside, most of the parking lot had cleared. The thump of a basketball against the backboard drew Hayden’s gaze to the court. Collin rebounded and shot the ball again. Once more, it bounced off the rim.

  Hayden nudged Brady’s arm. “I think your dad wants to play ball before we go home.”

  Brady’s mouth twitched. “I don’t want to.”

  “Listen.” Laken knelt beside him. “Let’s not make our last day here sad. It’s Christmas.”

  “And it’s not the last day.” Hayden squeezed Brady’s shoulder. “We’ll have lots of visits to look forward to.”

  “I guess.” Brady shrugged.

  “We’ve still got presents to open.” Sylvie smiled, red-eyed, valiantly trying for cheerfulness. “Aren’t you anxious?”

  “I guess.” Brady shrugged again.

  “Okay.” Collin jogged toward them.

  “Okay, what?” Laken raised a brow.

  Chapter 12

  I give.” Collin nonchalantly dropped the ball in Brady’s lap. “I can’t take all these long faces. I’ll move here, no matter what it costs me.” Laken gasped.

  A weight lifted from Hayden’s shoulders. Relief washed over him in waves. Thank You, Lord.

  Brady’s shoulders relaxed.

  Sylvie giggled. Giggled?

  Collin’s hand shook as he raked it through his hair. “I’m not sure if I’ll live here and commute or get a place in Little Rock, but the only reason I’m going back to California is to move. And Brady isn’t going with me.”

  “I’m so proud of you.” Laken hugged him. “You’re doing the right thing.”

  “I’m not sure if it’s right for my career. But it’s right for Brady.” Collin tousled Brady’s hair. “Does this make you happy, son?”

  Brady’s eyes hadn’t been
so bright since before Collin started talking about California. “Yes.” But his smile was only halfhearted.

  “And something else.” Scooping up the ball, Collin dribbled it between his legs. “While I’m making myself indispensible with my new company, I’ll have to put in extra hours, which means I won’t have much time for basketball.”

  “That’s okay. Hayden will be close. He can play with me.”

  “You’re right, but I’m thinking since I’ll be working so much, maybe you could keep living with Hayden and visit me, when I’m not working.”

  Tears filled Brady’s eyes.

  Disappointment? Rejection? What was that precious little heart feeling?

  “Does that sound okay with you?” Collin passed the ball to Brady.

  “Yes, sir.” Brady’s chin trembled as he caught the ball.

  Collin kissed the top of his son’s head. “We’ve all got leftovers and Christmas presents waiting at Maye’s.” He gave a thumbs-up, despite watery eyes. “Mother, can I ride with you?”

  “Of course, darling.”

  Two car doors shut. Minutes later, Sylvie drove by with a stoic Collin.

  “We’re not going to California,” Brady whispered.

  “Hallelujah.” Laken looked heavenward.

  Hayden knelt beside his nephew. “You okay with that?”

  Brady’s little face crumpled. “I didn’t want to go.”

  “Oh sweetie, you don’t have to.” Laken stroked his hair. “Don’t cry.”

  “I didn’t want to hurt Dad’s feelings.”

  Hayden sighed, relief and peace firmly back in place. “It’s over. No one’s taking you anywhere.”

  As the little arms curled around his neck, Hayden’s vision blurred.

  Laken completed the hug, wrapping her arms around them both.

  Right where he wanted to be, in Arkansas, with Laken and Brady. Hayden’s tears flowed.

  “Hey, Laken.” Brady’s voice sounded stronger.

  “Hmm.” She sniffled.

  “Will you marry Hayden now?”

  She sucked in a breath as laughter bubbled out.

  Not exactly the romantic second proposal he’d had in mind. Hayden kissed her cheek. “Well, will you?”

  “Didn’t I say I needed some time?”