“Sounds like a lot,” Hailey leaned up and looked through the window over the booth.
“How’s things at the orchard?” Ash asked.
“Oh, pretty much how they always are I guess.”
Tom got the drinks ready and went back to his seat. Setting Hailey’s glass in front of her, he caught a whiff of those lilies again, and then nearly dumped the drink in her lap when a clash of thunder roared directly overhead.
“Little scared there, Tom?” Ash teased.
“No.” Tom took a napkin and cleaned the drink from his hand and off the table. “Sorry.”
“No worries.”
“Well, I guess I’m going to get wet.”
“Why not wait it out?” Hailey asked.
“Because my friend Marcy needs a ride and I’m it. Besides, this place is empty.”
“Yeah, go ahead. I’ll just turn off the sign. No one else is coming out tonight.”
“Alright boss, I’ll see you tomorrow. If grandma calls again, tell her I’m coming by next week.”
“Okay,” Tom said and took his seat. The door swung wide as Tom caught side of the rain. It was coming down so fast and heavy that he started to feel a little happy, that Hailey wouldn’t be able to leave just yet.
“Grandma?”
“Yep.”
“You guys have the same grandma?”
“Oh, yeah. Ash is my cousin.”
Hailey had a soft smile on her face now, like she was relieved.
“Did you think—”
“It doesn’t matter now.”
Another roar of thunder and Hailey stiffened in her seat.
“You know, I should probably get back to the orchard.” Hailey put her papers into a pile and got up from the booth.
“You can’t go out in this.”
“She just did.”
“I’m not worried about her.”
“And you’re worried about me?”
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
“Well, you don’t have to. I’m a big girl, Tom.”
Tom got up and grabbed a hold of her arms, stilling her where she stood. Her eyes took on a do what you will gaze that caught Tom by surprise. He just stood there trying to understand exactly what it was she wanted. He could force her to stay; she did have a couple of drinks and it was storming pretty bad. But then he knew she’d just be stubborn and walk out anyway. He loosened his grip just a little and she was back to piling her papers together to leave.
“Hang on a minute,” he told her and then rushed into the kitchen. When he returned, he had a blue and gray flannel in his hands.
“Oh, you don’t—”
“This should keep you a little dry,” he hushed her as he put the flannel over her shoulders. He pulled the collar up close and could feel her warmth. “Leave the papers. They’ll just get all wet.”
“Thanks,” she whispered to him, gazing upward with those heart-melting, brown eyes of hers. Tom couldn’t ignore those feelings like he wanted, like he meant. As much as he feared getting his heart broken all over again, he just couldn’t let Hailey slip through his fingers. With his hands still tight on the flannel, Tom could feel her breath against his skin. A yearning, an aching deep down in places he had ignored for too long, was keeping him from letting her go. And the way she was staring up at him, her lips plump and moist, her eyebrows twitching in curiosity, he knew she wanted to be held. Without wasting another moment, Tom leaned down and pressed his lips to hers as she moaned there in his hands. And when the thunder hit again, neither of them noticed.
Chapter Thirteen
Nothing was going right. Rushing around the big old house, Hailey had been searching for her phone for nearly thirty minutes. It could have been anywhere. In her car, out on the porch, back at the bar… She stripped the bed, dumped her bags, ransacked the bathroom and the kitchen, but nothing. If she was being honest with herself, she’d just call the meeting off.
Honestly, who was this Matt Porter anyway? Just two days after Dierdre’s passing, Matt had called Hailey’s mother to arrange the sales meeting that was about to take place. After that initial call, Hailey spoke with Matt herself, learning more about the man who couldn’t wait to see the place again. Trusting someone else with something so important is no easy step in a relationship. And with someone she had never met, well, it was truly unlike her.
Mr. Whitmore, a man Dierdre had trusted for longer than Hailey was alive, knew of Matt and therefore agreed to be at the meeting. Hailey thought that meant the man would be trustworthy and a good choice for the sale of the orchard. Maybe she was wrong.
There hadn’t been too much talk about Matt, mostly because Hailey wasn’t a public person who went around talking about her life with total strangers. But when she did talk about Matt, the response was always the same: trouble.
If Hailey would take a moment to truly think over her plans, she’d call off the meeting. Hailey Holloway, though, didn’t break her plans so easily.
Walking back through the place, with about an hour left to get ready, Hailey spotted Tom’s flannel laying on the dining table. She almost couldn’t touch it. Last night was a lot of things, but more than anything it was frightening. Not that the storm was all that bad. Of course, Hailey wasn’t a fan of storms, but the weather wasn’t what had her worrying. It was Tom. He’d been sweet and kind, and he was willing to help her out just because that was the type of man he was. Then there was that kiss. What was she going to do with that? The plan was still the same, sell the orchard, go back to Lansing. But things were complicated now. That worn flannel begging her to pick it up was proof enough.
A few beeps and her eyes went to the table, and to her phone that had been laying beneath the flannel. A roll of the eyes and Hailey silenced her notification for the meeting. She had time still to take a quick shower and dry her hair properly, but she just didn’t mind how she looked. This meeting with Matt was important to her since it would lift the orchard from her hands and let her return to Lansing. Now, though, she almost didn’t want to go. Otherwise, she’d be trying to look her best, maybe paint her nails, maybe shave her legs. Of course, she shaved her legs yesterday for Tom.
Tom. There he was again, taking up space in her mind when she should have been thinking about the meeting. Hailey let out a long breath and slumped into one of the dining room chairs. Shaking her head, she looked over her phone, wishing someone would call and pull her away from everything. It wasn’t like meetings were hard for her, she’d put together many in her time at the museum. She was just, well, she was ready for a true vacation. A step away from work and plans and things that had to be done.
Blowing her bangs from her eyes, Hailey got up and went to the bathroom to check her hair and teeth. A quick fluff to the frizzy mess and she was fine with the look. With her bag in hand, Hailey hit the door and went out to her car.
“Hiya!” Laney was pulling boxes from her car with another woman.
“Oh, hey Laney. How are you?”
“Great. This is Nikki, my sister.”
“Hi there,” Hailey waved to the younger woman. Nikki had freckles and bright green eyes that caught the sun just right.
“Nice to meet you, Hailey.”
“What are you two doing today?”
“We’ve got some jam to make for the festival. How’s the planning going?”
It was like Laney could read Hailey’s mind.
“Well,” Hailey took a long breath.
“That bad?”
“I just don’t know about this guy.”
“Who?” Nikki peaked around a large box that she was carrying to the pie shop. “Is he handsome?”
“I don’t know yet,” Hailey laughed. “I’m meeting him and Mr. Whitmore about selling the orchard.”
“Oh, right, I heard about that,” Laney said.
“Does it worry you?”
“Nah. If you sell to someone and they no longer want me to run this little roadside shop, then I’ll just start making my pies down at t
he bakery. It’s what I used to do when I was a teen. Dierdre actually asked me to come and bake for her.”
“That’s cool.”
“Jacob and Daniel renovated this place for me; it used to be shed.”
“And then I came along and made her hire me,” Nikki grinned.
“If only you weren’t so busy with midterms, then we could just open our own restaurant.”
“Maybe someday.”
“What are you going to school for?” Hailey asked.
“Business.”
“Sounds like you’ll still get that opportunity.”
“One more year and I’m officially educated.”
“Well, you guys have a good day, it’s so nice out.”
“We will,” Laney waved. “Have fun with your mystery man.”
“Oh, it’s Matt Porter,” Hailey almost didn’t want to say his name. She just knew they’d have something to say about it. And boy was she right. Nikki dropped the box of pie tins and they clanged all over the place.
“No way. You cannot sell the orchard to him.”
“Nikki, it’s not your place,” Laney corrected her.
“Why not? Everyone keeps saying that, but no one has told me what’s so bad about him.”
“Alright, listen,” Nikki came right to Hailey and pointed her finger. “I might not be Tom’s number one fan, but his brother is scum.”
“His brother?”
“Matt tried to take his bar away.”
“He took Caroline,” Laney shook her head.
“Who’s Caroline?”
“Hailey, Matt’s no good. Please don’t sell to him.”
Hearing Laney ask Hailey not to sell the beloved town orchard to Matt Porter, after just saying she was unaffected by a sale of any sort, was the last straw. It wasn’t that he’d come in and get rid of the hard workers who’d spent their adult lives at the orchard. Those workers would walk out on him. The orchard would completely sink, and all that her family had worked for would be lost before the next harvest.
“I can’t believe I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay. You’d know if you saw him. They have the same blue eyes.”
“Nikki, let’s get this cleaned up,” Laney said, and together they started to pick up the tins.
“Let me help,” Hailey offered.
“No, it’s okay. Just maybe call off your meeting?”
“Done.”
“Oh, and, I’m sorry, but I can’t make it to the ceremony for Dierdre. I’ve got to help my dad,” Laney said.
“That’s alright. Thanks again.”
Hailey went right back inside and paced around for a few seconds. Her hunch was right; this guy was no good and she had to end the whole sale before it got started. She pulled out her phone and got ahold of Mr. Whitmore, but his phone went to voicemail. Maybe he had turned it off so they wouldn’t be interrupted. Either way, she couldn’t just stand him up. Matt, well, she didn’t care about him anymore, but Nathaniel Whitmore was a close friend of Dierdre, and therefore the family orchard.
Hailey went back outside and jumped in her car. The Cadmon sisters were in their shop now, no longer hauling things back and forth from their car to the back door. She turned on the engine and went right down the drive, hurrying through town until she reached the diner.
Without grabbing her bag, Hailey got out and went right inside. She didn’t plan to stay long.
“Hey, Hailey,” Josie waved from the same booth they had shared the other day.
“Hey,” Hailey waved and then turned to scan the dining room for Mr. Whitmore.
“Looking for someone?” Iris came by with her tray full of hot food.
“Um, nope. I see him.”
Over in the back corner, Mr. Whitmore sat facing toward Hailey. Looking over the papers on the table, he and another man—Matt, of course—were talking privately. Hailey took a deep breath and went right to them.
“Miss Holloway, dear, how are you?” Mr. Whitmore started to get up when he noticed Hailey approaching. “This is Mathew—”
“I’m not selling to you.”
“Excuse me?” Matt leaned back with a smug grin on his face. It was true, he did have the same blue eyes as Tom, and Hailey could clearly see how they were brothers now that she’d seen him. “You wait until now to tell me?”
“Don’t act like I’m the one to blame here. My workers won’t stay for you. The orchard will just fall apart.”
Matt raised a brow and sighed in disgust.
“You’ve hurt too many people here.”
“And who are you to say that? You don’t belong here anymore than me.”
“Well, now,” Mr. Whitmore tried to ease the air, but Hailey was angry, and it was only getting worse by the second. Mostly at herself for not realizing who Matt really was, but also at her so-called friends who didn’t actually tell her. Oh, and, of course, here was Matt, sitting all slick in his suit and tie, looking like all the other men Hailey knew back in the city.
“I belong because I have friends here. You do not.”
“Thanks, Nathaniel, for wasting my time.”
Hailey crossed her arms, stepping back to let Matt get up and leave. And on his way, he turned and sneered at her with a glare that made her uncomfortable. Now she knew why they called him a snake.
Chapter Fourteen
Tom pulled up to the orchard and got out as his mirror slipped and fell again. He needed a new truck, but that old thing had gotten him through a lot, including the year his mom died. It kept strong for him; he wasn’t about to abandon it just yet.
In the passenger seat was an urn. Mr. Whitmore had allowed Tom to pick up the ashes from funeral home that morning. It should have been Hailey, but she didn’t care too much for her great-aunt. Anyone with eyes could see that. Tom carried the urn to the front porch and set it down in the shade. There was a nice breeze coming from the east, one that carried the sweet scent of berries and apples. The bushes over near Laney’s shop were leaning over from the weight of the ripe berries. Hailey must not have asked anyone to pick them yet. And Jacob and his men were usually too busy with the apples to remember the berries.
Tom took a seat on one of the chairs near the door. Dierdre had a swing long ago, but over the past year it had only made her dizzy. Chairs were stable and strong, just like trees.
Iris was going to come along after her shift at the diner, and Mr. Whitmore wanted to say a few words as well. Tom had been trying to get Ash to answer her phone, but so far nothing. Just like Hailey. All morning Tom had texted and called, but there was no reply. It was like every step he took one way gained him two in the other direction. Was she avoiding him because of their kiss? It didn’t seem like it bothered her, in fact, she melted in his arms like butter on a skillet. She seemed pleased, happy even.
Down the gravel road came that little dollop now. Her car coming toward the house like something had gone terribly wrong. Tom could only guess. Matt and his false charm, what ignorant words did he put together this time?
Hailey came to a lengthy stop as dirt hit the air in clouds. Tom leaned up and watched as she got out, slammed her door, and strutted right up the stairs. Standing to see her eye to eye, well, somewhat anyway. Hailey was a little shorter than him, at least without her heels. It was a good height though, just perfect to hold and look down upon, and kiss.
Hailey must not have had kissing on her mind, though, since she hauled back and slapped Tom right on the face.
“The hell, Hails?” he rubbed his cheek. “What’d I do now?”
“You know exactly what you did.” She inched closer and stomped her foot. When he squared up his gaze, she leaned back once more, but this time Tom intercepted her swing.
“That’s about enough of that.”
“He’s your brother! Tom, why would you let me walk into that meeting without knowing?” Hailey huffed around on the porch for a second, then went back down to the driveway as she waved her shirt for air.
“I guess I figure
d you would sell it to him if you wanted to. There isn’t much I can do when it comes to Matt.”
“What do you mean?”
“He always gets his way, Hails,” Tom stood there on the porch rubbing his cheek. She had one hell of a slap. It stung deeper than anything he’d felt in over a year. Well, almost anything. “I help him and he leaves me with a mess to clean up. That’s what big brother’s do.”
“No, that’s what you do. And you almost put that on me.”
“Hails, I’m sorry,” he started toward the stairs, but she was on a rant.
“Sorry wouldn’t have prevented me from selling the orchard to him. What about all these friends of yours?”
“Oh, and now you care about the people of this town?”
“After what he did to you,” she paused and crossed her arms. Tom saw something in her then, something tender. She cared about more than she led on, and she was good at hiding it. “Nikki told me that he almost took your bar.”
“Yeah, well…”
“He’s the one who ruined up your engagement, too. Isn’t he?”
Tom leaned on the banister. “I can’t blame him for all of it.”
“Why wouldn’t you warn me?” There was that softness again. It almost hurt to hear her voice shift like that. But as much as he needed to answer her, he just didn’t have the right words. “Don’t you care about me?”
Tom went to take a deep breath and just froze. How was he supposed to answer that?
“I know you have a lot of friends around here, and I know you want the best for them, but what about me? We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Friends?” was all he could get out right then. Standing there with his heart beating heavier by the second, Tom was flushed with the fear of crossing the line of no return. Something he’d tried hard not to do all year.
“Yeah. I mean, last night was—”
“Was what, Hailey? Because I tried to call you this morning and you must have noticed.”
“I know, I had a lot on my mind.”
“Did you last night when you left the bar? Without saying anything, while I went to the kitchen to make us dessert.”
“Tom, what do you want me to say? I’m leaving in a few days. This isn’t easy, you know.”
Out of the Blue Page 9
