CHAPTER ONE

Hailey Baker sunk her key into the doorknob and opened the door to her still-undecorated one-bedroom apartment. She kicked off her red wedges and rubbed the back of her heel where a blister had begun to form. Why is it that the cutest shoes are the most uncomfortable?

She made her way to her bedroom and slipped into her well-worn black yoga pants and oversized Denver Nuggets T-shirt. She didn’t mind wearing business attire to the accounting firm, but the moment Hailey stepped inside her apartment, it was time to lose those stuffy clothes.

She plopped on the sofa and set her aching feet on the coffee table. It had been another long day at the office juggling accounts, creating spreadsheets, and balancing ledgers for her clients.

Her new Nikes, piled in the corner where she’d left them months ago, caught her eye. One of these days I need to get back to running and going to the gym. She blew out a long breath.

Grabbing the remote, she flicked on the TV. Friday night alone—again. What exciting thing could she do? She found her trusty companion as of late, Netflix, and started scanning through series she could binge watch. Nothing jumped out at her.

Hailey refused to feel sorry for herself or to think about what Kevin might be doing tonight. It had been almost three months since Valentine’s Day—the day she’d expected a marriage proposal. Instead her world had come crashing down around her when she witnessed the intimate embrace that left no doubt in Hailey’s mind that Kevin had betrayed her. The memory still sent a piercing pain through her heart. She’d booted him out of her life, and she needed to stop letting him take up space in her head. He didn’t deserve it after what he’d done. The lyrics to Carrie Underwood’s song Before He Cheats popped into her head, and she smiled. If only.

She rose, went to the compact kitchen, and opened the refrigerator. Something smelled like it had crawled in and died. She rummaged through the contents and pulled out a Styrofoam container from a luncheon she’d had with her coworkers before the tax season rush last month. This needs a trip straight to the dumpster.

With the offensive container in hand, Hailey slid her feet into her flip-flops and walked to the trash area next to her complex.

She tossed in the rotting mess and began making her way back to her apartment.

Before she could avoid him, Jimmy Vaughn headed her way.

“Hailey, baby. What’s going on? You are looking hot.” Jimmy gave her his slimiest smile as he smoothed his stringy black hair.

“Hi, Jimmy.” She said it in a monotone voice, hoping he’d get the hint she didn’t want to talk to him.

“How about you and me—”

“Sorry, Jimmy. I have plans tonight.” When it came to Jimmy, she had plans every night. For the rest of eternity.

“But you broke up with that slob you used to date—”

“Yeah, I know.” The whole world seemed to know that she was single. Did she have a neon sign blinking above her head?

“So?” Jimmy licked his lips, then raised a bushy eyebrow.

She shook her head and started walking.

Jimmy sidled up next to her and walked in step. “Then how about me and you taking a ride on my bike up into the mountains tomorrow? We could make it a long weekend and go to Aspen.”

Ew, no. I’d rather walk barefoot across broken glass. Hailey clucked her tongue. “I’d love to, but I need to work tomorrow.”

“It’s Saturday,” he said with an accusatory tone.

“We’re open on Saturdays, and I have to go over some accounting with one of my clients.” Hailey picked up her pace. She wished her apartment wasn’t ten hundred miles away.

“Geez, Hail, you work all the time.”

“I know, Jimmy.” No one needed to remind her that her life revolved around accounting. At least numbers couldn’t rip your heart out, then make mincemeat of it.

“Rain check?” he asked.

Opening her door, Hailey kept it close behind her as she backed inside. She shut the door without answering him. It’d be worth moving to another apartment to get away from Jimmy. His beady stare made her feel like she needed a shower. She was sure his mother must love him, but no way on this green earth would she ever agree to a date with him. Even if she had several cans of pepper spray with her.

Hailey popped a burrito into the microwave, and while waiting for it to heat through, she grasped her long hair, twisted it into a messy bun, and secured it with a hair tie, reminding herself she was due for a trim. When the microwave timer dinged, Hailey took the plate to the couch and sat.

After a couple of bites, her phone started playing Beethoven’s “Für Elise.” “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, sweetie. How are you?”

“Good. Has Brit had the baby yet?” Hailey couldn’t wait to be an aunt again.

“No. The doctor says it may be a few more days. I’m staying at Brit’s house so I don’t have to drive all the way back to Denver every night, and I can help with Kyle.”

“I’m sure he loves having his grandma there full-time to spoil him.” Someday Hailey would have babies for her mom to spoil. At least she hoped so.

After a long pause, her mom said, “I have some bad news.”

“What?” Hailey drew in a deep breath.

“Harry had a stroke.”

Hailey’s heart plummeted to her stomach. Not Gramps. “Oh, no. When?”

“They think it was during the night sometime.”

“How is he?” She clenched her jaw while she waited for her mother’s reply.

“He’s stable, but he’s lost his ability to speak.”

“Forever?” She couldn’t imagine her animated grandpa, who loved to tell tall tales every chance he got, unable to speak.

“I don’t know. I’d like to go help, but with Brit having the baby any day, I can’t.” Hailey could hear the desperation in her mom’s voice. “I’m not sure what to do.”

“Do you have any details?”

“When June woke him he couldn’t speak. She wasn’t sure what to do, so she called 911.”

“Poor Gran. I bet she was terrified.” Hailey wanted to magically transport herself to Florida, give her grandma a hug, and tell her everything would be okay—because it had to be.

“What’s the prognosis?” Hailey steeled herself for the answer.

“He’ll need some speech therapy for sure. I don’t know what else.”

Hailey rubbed her forehead. “Will he be able to live in his house anymore?”

“I don’t know. You know how stressed Grandma June gets, and with all her eye problems she doesn’t drive anymore. I don’t know what they’ll do. They can’t afford to put him in a facility and—”

Rustling sounded, as if the phone had been dropped. “Mom? Are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here. Sorry. Oh, hang on a minute, Hailey . . . Kyle, I’m coming. Let me tell Aunt Hailey goodbye . . . I better go, honey.”

“Okay, but please keep me updated on him. And on Brit. I’m planning to drive up to Fort Collins when she has the baby.”

“I will.”

Hailey ended the call. She was no longer interested in eating her burrito, so she headed to her bedroom. Memories of her grandparents swirled around her head. After her father died, they had doted on her and Brit. They’d lived a few streets over until Gramps retired from the police force and he and Gran moved to Florida.

Hailey lay on her bed and turned to her side, anxiety and fear enveloping her. What would her grandparents do now? They needed help, and their only daughter, also known as her loser aunt, wouldn’t be any. No one even knew where Regina was these days. Probably in some bar hustling customers.

If only Hailey could do something. But what? She was in Colorado Springs, almost two thousand miles away from Gran and Gramps. How could she possibly help, especially with her job? She tossed and turned through the night, alternating between warm, happy memories and the cold reality that Gramps had had a stroke.

After a fitful sleep, Hailey trudged into the bathroom. She gazed at her dark circles and dull eyes. I look awesome. She blew out a breath. I need to do something to help Gramps.

An idea sparked, but she wasn’t sure if she could pull it off. Hailey hurried to her closet, pulled on some navy slacks and a pink paisley shirt, brushed her teeth, and then dragged a brush through her tangled hair.

On her way to the office, she practiced what she was going to say to her boss and made adjustments here and there. When she arrived at the parking lot, she knew exactly what she wanted to say.

“Hey, Jenna, is Mr. Michaels in?” Hailey asked the young receptionist who always wore vivid pink lipstick and had long manicured nails.

“Uh, yeah. He’s in his office with a client. What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“You look stressed or something. Your face is all red.”

Hailey wiped at her cheeks. “My mom called last night about my grandfather.”

“Oh no.” She wore a sympathetic expression. “Bad news?”

“He had a stroke.” She hated saying those words.

“Does he live here?” Jenna asked, her brown eyes filled with compassion.

“No. He and Gran live in Daytona Beach.”

“That’s right.” Jenna tapped her temple. “I remember you talking about them. I’m sorry to hear about his stroke. Is there anything I can do?”

“I don’t think so, but I need to talk to Mr. Michaels.” Hailey squared her shoulders as if that would give her the dose of courage she needed.

Jenna checked her computer screen. “Hmm. He should be free soon. He doesn’t have another appointment until 10:30.”

“Thanks. Can you let me know when this client leaves?” The sooner she could speak with him, the better.

“Sure.” Jenna nodded.

Hailey made her way back to her office, still rehearsing what she wanted to say to convince her boss to let her take some time off. She was certain about what needed to happen. If she could go to Florida for a few weeks, or even a month, she could provide the help and support her grandparents needed while Gramps recovered.

About twenty minutes later, Jenna called to let Hailey know Mr. Michaels was free. He was a decent guy and had been a good boss for the last four years. Hailey hoped he’d be reasonable and let her take the time off.

Hailey knocked on his door and he told her to come inside.

“Hi, Mr. Michaels.”

“Hailey, how are you today?” He adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses and focused on her.

“I’ve been better.”

He looked at her with concern. “What’s wrong?”

“My grandfather had a stroke night before last.” Hailey tried to keep the emotion out of her voice.

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” he said with sincerity.

“And, I, well, I,” she stammered. Don’t be such a scaredy cat. Just say it.

Mr. Michaels studied her. Asking for time off wasn’t as easy as she’d hoped. “Is there something you want to say?” he asked.

All the careful rehearsing she’d done previously fell right out of her brain. She struggled to find the right words. “I . . . uh . . . you see . . . I’d like to . . .”

“Yes?”

“Can I take some time off?” Hailey finally blurted out.

Mr. Michaels pulled his dark eyebrows together and sat back in his brown leather chair, making it creak with his movement.

Hailey swallowed. “I need to go to Florida. My grandparents have always been so good to me, and they need help right now since my grandma doesn’t drive anymore. There isn’t anyone else that can do it. Tax season is over, and I haven’t used much of my vacation time since I started working here. And,” she added, “I can continue to work for clients while I’m there.” She chewed her lip in anticipation.

“You are one of my best accountants. And one of the hardest workers.” He smoothed his thick salt-and-pepper hair.

Hailey relaxed a bit, waiting for him to agree to her time off.

“But, I don’t think I can spare you right now. We’re going to start doing the bookkeeping for the Tundar Corporation and I need you to head that up.”

Hailey’s shoulders fell. She didn’t want to disappoint her boss, but she couldn’t think about anything but going to Florida. “Oh.”

“I really need you to be here,” he said as he laced his fingers together. “I’m sorry. I know you haven’t taken much personal time and you are concerned about your grandfather, but the firm must come first. You understand.”

“Yes, sir. I do.” Except she didn’t. Not at all. Work was important, but it shouldn’t supersede family. Why didn’t he understand that? “Thank you for considering my request.” Numbly, she turned and walked out of his office, a massive weight hanging around her neck.

Maybe Gran and Gramps would be okay without her. Nurses and in-home caretakers were abundant there because Florida was the retirement capital of the world. She could hire some help for them and they’d probably be fine. Maybe Mr. Michaels was right and her first loyalty should be to the accounting firm, especially because she was only beginning her career and didn’t want to risk losing her job at this prestigious firm. After all, that’s why she agreed to work on Saturdays. If she wanted to get ahead, she had to sacrifice.

During her lunch break, she sat in her office and gazed out the window trying to convince herself everything would be all right. The more Hailey thought about hiring help, the less she liked it. Gran and Gramps had stepped in when she needed them—they hadn’t hired someone else to do it. She let out a long breath.

A knock sounded at her door.

“Come in.”

Jenna poked her head in. “When are you leaving for Florida?”

“I’m not.” Tears built behind her eyes. Even though her boss was probably right, Hailey wasn’t at all convinced. She wanted to help her grandparents, first and foremost, but part of her also saw this as a welcome break from all the memories of Kevin that seemed to haunt her.

“Why?” Jenna came inside the office and sat in the chair opposite Hailey’s desk. “What happened?”

“We’re getting a big client and Mr. Michaels doesn’t feel like he can let me take any vacation time right now. At least not until we get everything organized for this Tundar Corporation.” As she said it, her resentment built.

“Maybe you can go after that?” Jenna said in a hopeful tone.

“I have no idea how long it will be. And my grandparents need help now, not in a few weeks or months.” She rubbed her forehead. “I could hire some help for them, but I hate the idea of strangers being with them. They need family, and there isn’t anyone else who can help. I have to do something, but I don’t know what.”

“I’m sorry Mr. Michaels said no.”

“Me too.” Hailey felt like a week-old wilted flower.

“Do you want to go out and get some comfort food?” Jenna raised her professionally shaped eyebrows.

“No, thanks. I need to finish up some reports for Crandall Automotive.” Maybe doing some work would keep Hailey’s mind off Gramps. Or not.

“I can bring you something back.” Jenna rose.

“I’ll be fine.” Hailey wasn’t interested in food, only in figuring out how to help her grandparents. There simply had to be a way.

After Jenna left, Hailey cradled her head in her hands. Why was her boss being so unreasonable? Other accountants could handle this new corporation. Wanting to help her grandparents seemed like the right thing to do. Her stomach twisted into double and triple knots. All she could think about was Gramps and poor Gran, who was probably sick with worry and shouldering so much stress. Memories of all the times her grandparents had been there for her after her dad died played in Hailey’s mind. Now it was her turn to be there for them. She had to do something.

Hailey stood and sucked in a deep breath of courage. She marched herself down to her boss’s office again. Lifting her quaking hand, she knocked on the door, but didn’t wait to be invited in.

Mr. Michaels gave her a sharp look and said, “Excuse me for a moment,” into the receiver of his phone. He punched a key to mute the call. “Hailey, I’m speaking with a client right now.”

“I apologize. I’ll wait.” She sat in the chair across from his desk, her heart rapping against her ribs.

When he finished his call, he glared at her and she resisted the urge to run screaming from his office.

“What is it?” he asked curtly.

“I really do need to take some time off to help my grandparents.”

His jaw tightened. “We already discussed this.”

“I realize I’m putting my job at risk, but, in this case, family has to come first. My grandparents desperately need help. They need their family, and I’m the only one who can go. Without me, they’ll really struggle, and I can’t live with that.”

Mr. Michaels tapped the desk with his fingers while Hailey’s heartbeat thrummed in her ears. She’d never been so bold before and wasn’t sure what had gotten into her. She hoped it wouldn’t result in her termination from the company, but if it did, she’d have to deal with it after she went to Florida.

Finally, Mr. Michaels said, “I suppose we can make arrangements. I will assign someone else to the Tundar Corporation. You understand you are passing up a valuable opportunity that may have significant repercussions to your career?”

She licked her parched lips. “Yes, I understand.”

“If you will commit to working long distance and maintain your clients without any problems, you may take some time off.”

“Thank you.” Relief washed over her.

With a stern tone, he said, “I expect you back in this office before the beginning of next quarter.”

“I will be here by the end of June.” She’d have to make it all work somehow.

“If not,” he peered at her over his glasses, “you will need to find another job.”

“Thank you.” Her gratitude outweighed her fear, but only by a fraction.

Hailey stood. Before she got to the door, Mr. Michaels said, “Hailey?”

She turned to look at him, bracing herself for more conditions to her leave of absence.

“I hope your grandfather recovers.” He sat back in his chair and gazed at her. “You’re doing a good thing.”

Hailey nodded and left, taken aback at his unexpected kindness. Mr. Michaels has a heart after all. Who knew?