CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The early morning sun rays peeked through the blinds in Hailey’s room. Was today Thursday or Friday? She wasn’t sure. Since coming to Florida, she’d lost track of time. She’d need to check her email and do some work this morning, but first she’d go for a run. It’d help clear her head.

Since Gran and Gramps weren’t up yet, she dressed in her shorts and tank top and then slipped outside to begin her swim through the air. It took less than five minutes for her shirt to become soaked with perspiration.

Hailey had come to Florida to help her grandparents, not to find a man. She had to admit, though, Darren was handsome. He was fun and easy to talk to. He wasn’t permanent, and she could enjoy a few dates with him—no attachment or entanglements.

Her mind shifted to Peter. For some reason, he made her heart pound, her nerves tingle, and her knees wobble. Seeing him in the restaurant made her mouth forget to work and her brain go on hiatus. Then there was the incident at the salad bar and the laugh that fell out of her mouth when he told her that woman was his sister. His sister. Yep, being around him made her into a ninny, as Gran would say.

Hailey picked up her pace and fell into a nice run. She would for sure have to shower before taking Gramps to his appointment. She’d have to get Gran to come with them so she could avoid talking to Peter. She didn’t want things to be any more awkward than they already were. Admittedly, she was attracted to him, but it wouldn’t—couldn’t—go anywhere. It was much better to go on dates with Darren. He was safe.

After forty minutes, she returned to her grandparents’ house, breathing hard, but happy she’d exercised and cleared the muddy waters in her mind. She would go on some fun dates with Darren, if he asked. And she’d forget about Peter. It was simple.

Hailey showered, then spent some time going through expenses for Crandall Automotive. She ran the report that showed where the budget for the previous month had been exceeded and emailed it directly to Mr. Crandall. She answered a couple of emails and updated the spreadsheet for Renee Thompson’s hair salons. She also sent a new bio to Mr. Michaels for the company website that was being overhauled.

After finishing her work, Hailey dressed in her black shorts and a turquoise shirt. She walked out into the living room.

“You look lovely today, dear,” Gran said. “That shirt really brings out the blue in your eyes.”

“Thanks.” Hailey adjusted her shirt and convinced herself she wasn’t wearing it to impress anyone. “You’re coming with us today, right?”

Gran rummaged through her purse. “I need to run some errands.”

“Great. I’m happy to take you after the appointment. You can learn more of what to do so you can help Gramps after I go back home.” Seemed reasonable and made perfect sense to her.

Gran frowned. “I don’t want to think about that. I’m enjoying having you here too much.”

“I plan to stay a while longer, but, eventually, I have to go back to my life. What’s left of it anyway. And I have a new nephew.”

“Your mom called while you were gone and gave me all the details.” Gran applied some red lipstick. “I’m sure he’s adorable.”

“I can’t wait to see him.” A part of Hailey was disappointed that she wasn’t there with her sister, but she knew Gran and Gramps needed her, and it was nice to feel needed.

Gran wrote a few things down on a piece of paper and put it in her large flowered bag. “I have to write myself notes so I don’t forget what errands I need to run.”

Hailey glanced around. “I haven’t seen Regina today.”

“She left while you were out exercising. Said she was going to do some things. I don’t know what that means.” Gran gazed at Hailey with melancholy eyes. “I don’t think I want to know.”

Hailey gave her grandmother a slight smile. “I’m going to fill my water bottle before we leave.” She made her way over to the refrigerator. While she was filling her bottle, she noticed a binder on the counter next to the refrigerator and started thumbing through it. Her eyes widened as she saw photos and what appeared to be biographies of men and women of all ages in page protectors. What in the world? She finished filling her bottle and looked through more of the binder. She found a page about her. In the back was what looked like a chart, with names and dates, check marks, stars, and big Xs next to some of the names. What is going on? When she found her name and Roger’s name intersected with a big red X, she sang out, “Gran!”

Her grandmother turned, and when she saw that Hailey held the binder, the color drained from her face and she dropped her purse.

“What is this?” Hailey suspected what it was, but wanted to hear it from Gran’s own lips.

Gran rushed over and grabbed the binder. “Never mind. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Uh, I beg to differ. There’s a photo of me from a few years ago and a page about me with lots of details.” Hailey wasn’t sure if she should be angry or what.

“Oh.” Gran pursed her lips. “I . . . uh . . . this is just a collection of memories. That’s all. I thought I put that away.” Gran went to grab the binder, but Hailey moved it out of her grasp.

Hailey stared at her grandmother. “I don’t believe you. I want you to tell me what this is.”

“It’s really nothing.” Gran waved her hand.

“You’re lying to me. You want to know what I think it is?” Hailey said, holding the binder with one hand and her other hand perched on her hip.

“Not really.” Gran grabbed the binder from Hailey and cradled it to her chest.

“I think you and your friends are running an escort service.” It sounded outlandish, but it seemed like the obvious answer.

An indignant expression crossed Gran’s face. “My lands, girl, we certainly are not madams, if that’s what you think. This is all perfectly innocent.”

“Why don’t you explain it to me then?” Hailey tapped her foot.

“Fine.” Gran sat on the sofa and set the binder on her lap. “Lila and I, with a few others, help our friends find dates for their kids and grandkids. And sometimes we help others in our community find dates. It’s all very innocent, I assure you.”

Hailey rubbed her forehead. Gran was running a dating service out of her retirement community? When Hailey had accused her grandmother of matchmaking, she didn’t actually think it was a real thing. But the binder said otherwise. Hailey couldn’t even wrap her mind around Gran being a professional matchmaker. “This is a business?”

“Not technically a business. We don’t charge any money.”

Hailey sat next to Gran. “So you fix people up and keep track of it in your binder?”

Gran nodded. “We have regular meetings to discuss possible matches.”

A realization hit Hailey. “That’s why you were acting so weird at bingo. And that woman handed you a photo. It was for this.”

Gran nodded. “It’s harmless.”

“I’m not sure that messing with people’s hearts is harmless, Gran.”

“We only introduce people. That’s all.” Gran opened the binder. “People are lonely or they have family members who are.” She pointed at a photo. “This is Amelia’s granddaughter, Kirsten. She was engaged but her fiancé was killed in a motorcycle accident.”

Hailey laid her hand across her chest. “That’s so sad.”

“Kirsten hadn’t dated for a couple of years. We introduced her to Wanda’s nephew and they liked each other.” Gran flipped through pages to the end of the book where there were photos of couples. She pointed to a picture of a red-haired woman whose arms were wrapped around a man with curly black hair. “Got married last year.”

Hailey studied Gran. “How long have you been doing this?”

“About eight years now.”

“Wow.” Hailey raised her eyebrows. “And you thought Roger and I would be a good match?”

Gran laughed. “Oh, goodness, no. But Dee was insistent. Poor Roger.”

“I guess it’s not a big deal. Except for me. I do not want to be included in this.” She raised her index finger. “And I don’t want you to try to pair me up with anyone. At all.”

“But—”

“No buts. Seriously. I am off limits.” She gave Gran her stern face.

Gran let out a long breath. “I suppose. But I worry about you being alone.”

Gramps shuffled into the living room and gave Hailey a smile. She stepped over to him and kissed him on the cheek. “Are you ready to work today?” she asked.

Gramps shot her a do-I-have-a-choice look. He went over to the kitchen table and grabbed something, but Hailey couldn’t see what it was.

“The therapist says you need to keep working hard to regain your speech. The world needs your corny jokes,” she said, trying to be cheery.

Gramps shrugged as if dismissing the idea.

“Harry, you have to listen. You can’t be so bullheaded if you want to be able to talk again,” Gran said.

Gramps nodded, then walked over to Gran and extended his hand, exposing the carnation he’d taken from the vase on the kitchen table. “F-f-for . . . you.”

“The flower?” she asked.

“All . . . of . . . it.”

Gran stood then hugged him. She looked directly into his eyes. “I know this is hard for you.”

He gave her a tight smile. It didn’t take words to understand his meaning. He was doing his best and working hard to please Gran because he loved her.

Hailey swung her arm around him. “Let’s get you into the car.”

The three of them arrived at the clinic. The apprehension of seeing Peter intensified with each step Hailey took, and her stomach roiled in anticipation. “Maybe you should go in with Gramps this time, and I’ll wait for you in the lobby.”

Gramps frowned at her.

“I’m sure we’d be fine,” Gran said. “But I’d feel better if you went in with us. Then you can hear what he says and help me understand it all.”

Hailey let out a breath. She was being ridiculous anyway. Peter probably wouldn’t even remember running into her—actually, she’d literally run into him—and the high-pitched laugh that escaped her lips when he introduced his sister. “Okay, I’ll come with you.”

After a few minutes in the waiting room, a nurse showed them to a back room. While they waited, the room seemed to shrink around them, making it hard for Hailey to breathe. The door swung open and Peter stepped inside. Hailey’s heartbeat kicked up a hundred notches, and the back of her neck warmed.

“Good to see you again,” he said as he looked at Hailey.

She gave him a forced smile.

He turned to Gran. “And you too. I’m glad you came today.”

“Harry has really started to improve.” Gran paused and glanced at Hailey, then back at Peter. “You are a wonderful therapist.”

Hailey fidgeted in her seat. Gran better not say anything else.

“Thank you. I have a great patient.”

Peter began working with Gramps and even coaxed some new words out of him. Hailey watched the easy interplay between Peter and her grandfather, marveling at how well they got along. Each time that Peter pronounced a word and Gramps tried to mimic it, though, sadness pricked Hailey’s heart. Learning to speak again was a struggle for Gramps and a stark reminder that he’d had a stroke. With his advancing age, she had to face the harsh reality that she might not have many more years with him. Add to that her demanding work schedule and suddenly her throat began to swell with emotion. Time was her nemesis.

“Put your lips together like this,” Peter said to Gramps. Hailey found herself trying to do the same with her own lips. She watched Gramps work hard to say even the simplest words and wished she could somehow help him more. The least she could do was to make it a priority to visit more often after this. No matter how much Mr. Michaels expected from her, she’d have to ask for more time off to make regular visits.

“Excellent, Harry. You’re making great progress,” Peter said with enthusiasm. Hailey’s gaze shifted to Peter and the way he peered at Gramps with laser-focused attention. It was easy to tell that Peter not only loved his job, but truly cared for his patients. The way he spoke with such kindness and gentleness touched Hailey. His sincerity and genuine concern were very attractive qualities in a man. If she were looking for such qualities. Or a man. Which she wasn’t.

After the session, Peter patted Gramps on the shoulder and said, “Fantastic session today.”

He turned to Hailey and Gran. “Keep encouraging him to use common words. He doesn’t have to say things in a way that’s grammatically correct, but you can model proper sentence structure for him so his brain begins to recognize it again.”

“Hailey practices with him. She’s been such a big help.” Gran patted Hailey on the leg.

“I can see the improvement already,” Peter said to Gran.

Hailey held her breath, hoping Gran wouldn’t spring into action and try to embarrass her any more.

“I sure appreciate your help. It was such a shock when he had the stroke.” Gran laced her fingers in her lap, then absently rubbed her thumbs together.

“It’s amazing how the brain can compensate, and with some work we can restore your speech, Harry.”

“Are you from around here?” Gran asked and Hailey stiffened. Do not ask him any personal questions.

“I grew up in Orlando, but I’ve been living here for four years.” Peter leaned back in his chair.

“You know, Hailey has been wonderful taking me to bingo and spending time with us old folks, but I’d like her to do some things young people do. I hear there’s a Latin festival at the Oceanwalk this weekend.”

Hailey shot Gran a warning look, but Gran paid no attention.

“Ah, yes. Mar y Sol. There will be lots of food and music,” Peter said brightly.

“Maybe you could take Hailey?” Gran said.

Hailey’s face blazed with fire and she wanted to shove her grandmother out of the room before she said anything else. I cannot believe you just said that. I am so going to strangle you. “Gran, I’m sure that he has another appointment right now,” Hailey said, keeping her hands at her side so she didn’t slip them around Gran’s neck.

Peter cleared his throat, then snuck a glance at Hailey. “Uh, sure . . . I’d be happy to take you . . . Tonight . . . If you’re interested.”

A smile stole across Gran’s face and Hailey wanted to scream at the obvious way Gran cornered the poor therapist into a mercy date.

“You don’t need to do that.” Hailey shook her head. “I’m pretty busy taking care of—”

“We don’t need her at all tonight,” Gran offered quickly.

Peter blinked, then said, “Okay. I’m free . . . if you are.”

What could she say? Do? Gran had thrust her into an embarrassing situation from which she had no escape.

“She’s free,” Gran said with a much too cheery tone.

Having no other option, Hailey said, “I’d love to go.” She fumed. Gran is outrageous. She’s been bold before, but never like this. As soon as we are out of the office, I’m going to let her have it. Until then, I need to be polite and smile.

“I’ll be by about six o’clock,” Peter said.

“I’ll see you then.” Hailey smiled with gritted teeth.

They walked out of the office. Gramps wore a silly grin and Gran walked like a proud peacock. When they got to the car Hailey said, “Gran, how could you?”

“What do you mean?” She wore an oblivious expression as if she had no idea that she’d practically held a gun to Peter’s head to force him to take Hailey to some festival.

“That was so inappropriate.” Hailey tried to keep her voice down, but she wasn’t being very successful. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“You could say thank you.”

This woman is maddening. “Gran, I told you my dating life was off-limits. I’m not part of your matchmaking book.” She rubbed her temples.

Gran got into the car and shut her door. Hailey helped Gramps into the back and then got in herself.

“You don’t think he’s attractive?” Gran asked.

“That is beside the point.” Hailey secured her seatbelt, then sunk the key into the ignition. “You totally disregarded what I said.”

“But you do think he’s attractive?”

“Gran!” Hailey stared at her grandmother. “He is Gramps’s speech therapist. He shouldn’t be going on dates with—”

“Harry? Because you aren’t his patient. Your grandfather is. Nothing wrong with you going out with him.” Gran gave a certain jerk of her chin.

Hailey pushed out a breath. This was hopeless.

“Just see what happens, dear,” Gran said.

“Like either of us had any choice,” Hailey said. They’d both been hoodwinked into a date.

“I know people.” Gran nodded. “I have intuition about these things. He’s a good man, and you need a good man.”

“I don’t need a man.” Hailey started the car and backed out of the parking space. She drove through the parking lot. “And you didn’t even know if he was single.”

“I could tell by the way he looked at you that he was single.”

“What?” She put on the brake and jolted the car. Hailey looked over her shoulder. “Sorry, Gramps.”

“You heard me.” Gran kept her gaze straight ahead. “He is surely sweet on you.”

Hailey shook her head. Gran was making outrageous claims. “He was being a good therapist. That’s all.”

“No, no.” Gran shook her head. “Much more than that. I know these things.”

Hailey drew in a deep breath of frustration. It was a losing battle.

“You should wear that pretty blue dress you have.”

Hailey glanced at Gramps in the rearview mirror and he winked at her. They were both plotting against her. “I’ll go out to this festival thing with him, but then you have to promise to drop it. And no more matchmaking for me. I mean it.”

“I will.” Gran settled back in her seat, wearing a confident smile. “I promise.”

They drove to the house in silence and Hailey went to her room. How could this have happened? Yes, she admitted it. She was attracted to Peter. Yes, she would like to go on a date with him. But now it was like he’d been forced at gunpoint, or at least Gran point. He probably wasn’t even interested in going out with her but did the honorable thing when Gran put him on the spot.

She retrieved her blue dress from the closet and gazed at it. As a sign of rebellion, she tossed it on the bed, refusing to wear it. Instead she found her white lace shorts and a flowing peach blouse—casual and easygoing.