CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

After they put the bowl of fruit in the refrigerator to keep it cool for dinner, Hailey spent some time inputting receipts that one of her clients had scanned and emailed her. She added numbers to a spreadsheet, then updated a few files, including one for a new client. She wished Mr. Michaels would stop sending her new accounts. The ones she had were more than enough right now.

“Hailey? Are you ready for supper? We’re both hungry,” Gran said down the hallway.

Hailey saved her work, then went into the kitchen.

“Would you please whip up the cream?” Gran asked, handing her a glass bowl.

“Sure.” While Hailey whipped the cream, she thought back to her conversation earlier with Gran. She wasn’t convinced that going to see Peter was a good idea. What would she say anyway? Hey, Peter, I think you are amazing and I’d like to go out with you, even though I’m going back to Colorado, so it’s kind of a waste of time. And, PS, my ex called me today and made me a little nuts and that’s why I didn’t come to the therapy session. She shook her head. Yeah, that makes me sound insane.

Good thing Gran had interrupted them before they kissed last night or this would be even more complicated. Why did things have to be so confusing anyway? Best thing to do was to put it out of her mind.

“Door,” Gramps said from the living room.

Hailey set the bowl of whipped cream on the table and went to the front door. She opened it to Peter standing on the porch, which sent her heart plunging into her stomach.

“Oh, hi,” she said, trying to be calm and casual, but her racing pulse and moist palms wouldn’t listen.

“June left this today.” He handed her Gran’s knitting bag.

“That’s so nice of you, but you didn’t have to bring it over here,” Hailey said. He’s so thoughtful and kind to go out of his way.

“I was worried she’d wonder where it was.” He gave a slight smile.

“She probably was wondering.” Except Hailey was certain her well-meaning, but quite devious, grandmother had planted that bag there in the hopes he’d bring it over. The image of the binder overflowing with photos and bios flashed through her mind. Gran and her little band of matchmaking minions are such schemers.

“Hello,” Gran said innocently as she walked over to the door. “Won’t you come in?”

“He brought your knitting.” Hailey held up the bag, then gave Gran an I-can-see-right-through-you look, but Gran ignored it.

“Oh, that’s where it was. I’d leave my head if it wasn’t attached.” She laughed. “Sorry to be such a scatterbrain.”

Hailey didn’t buy her act. Not. One. Bit.

“No problem,” Peter said.

“Thank you for bringing it over. That was mighty kind of you.” Gran slipped a quick glance at Hailey. “We’re about to sit down and eat some fruit salad. Would you like to join us?”

Peter looked at Hailey. “I don’t want to impose,” he said.

“Don’t be silly. You brought my knitting all the way over here. The least I can do is feed you.” Gran guided Peter over to the table. “You can sit by Hailey,” Gran said in her best bossy tone. “Harry, it’s time for dinner.”

“This looks delicious.” Peter sat.

“It’s been so hot and humid today it seemed like the best option,” Gran said as she helped Gramps take his seat.

Gran dished some salad on Gramps’s plate and then on her own. She handed the large orange bowl to Hailey, who spooned some onto her plate. She, in turn, passed the bowl to Peter.

After Peter filled his plate, he picked up his fork.

“We need to say grace,” Gran said. “Everyone holds hands while we say it.”

Gran is so transparent. Hailey noted the upturn of Gran’s mouth, then reached out her hand. Peter slipped his hand in hers. The same warmth from the night before radiated up her arm, enveloping her in quiet contentment as if this were as natural as breathing.

Gran said grace, but Hailey was too distracted by the gentle strength of Peter’s hand in hers to hear any of the words.

When Gran finished, Gramps said a loud and enthusiastic amen, which made Hailey giggle.

“Why don’t you tell us about yourself, Peter?” Gran plopped a dollop of whipped cream on her plate.

“Not a lot to tell. I grew up in Orlando. My mom still lives there. I have a sister and a nephew that live here in Daytona Beach. I spend most of my time working, but I really enjoy my job.”

“He also sings,” Hailey said.

“Like an angel,” Peter said under his breath, but Hailey caught it.

“Hailey mentioned you took her to one of those singing bars,” Gran said. “What kind of songs do you like to sing?”

“Ballads mostly. But I enjoy country music, too.”

“He also owns the entire collection of Beatles albums.” Hailey bit into a grape and it exploded inside her mouth.

Gran sipped her lemonade. “I remember when they first appeared on TV on the Ed Sullivan Show. Harry has always been a big fan.”

Gramps started to sing something that sort of resembled “Here Comes the Sun.”

Peter joined in. Watching the two of them singing together made Hailey’s heart feel happy and squishy. When the impromptu song was finished, she clapped.

“I told you he could sing,” Hailey said to Gran.

They continued to chat as they finished eating.

After dinner, Gran said, “It’s a little warm, but still a nice evening for a walk. Don’t you think?”

“A walk would be nice. Thanks, Gran,” Hailey said. Gran was completely entrenched in matchmaking mode.

Hailey followed Peter out the door. “Sorry,” she said.

“About what?” He peered at her with his magnetic eyes.

“My grandma. She’s so obvious.”

Peter laughed. “I think she’s funny.”

They started down the street. The air was still hot and muggy, but, at this point, it was preferable to staying in the house with her grandparents. Who knows what else Gran will say? “I’m glad you came over,” Hailey said, hoping it didn’t sound too forward.

“You are?” Peter sounded relieved.

He was a good man. Hailey didn’t want to play games or make him feel bad, so she decided it was time to be honest. “I didn’t come to the appointment today because I had some thinking to do.”

“Oh yeah?”

“My ex-boyfriend called earlier. Before the appointment.” She paused while they continued to walk for a few moments. “It’s a long story.”

“I like long stories.” The way he said it encouraged her to continue.

“Maybe I can give you the short version.” She drew in a breath. “Kevin and I dated for a little over a year. I thought we were going to get married because we’d talked about it. We’d made plans. I expected a proposal, but instead I discovered he was cheating on me with at least two other women.” The razor-sharp memory sliced through her. “He ripped my heart out with his betrayal. I felt so broken. So sad. I realized it was all a lie, and my world came crashing down around me.”

“I’m sorry,” he said in a compassionate tone.

“It was rough.” She bit her lip, trying to keep the painful images from seeping into her mind. “When Gramps had his stroke, it seemed like a good opportunity to get away and heal. But then Kevin called, and it all came rushing back.”

Peter nodded, but he didn’t say anything.

They walked to a nearby park. Peter sat on one of the swings. “Would you like to swing with me?”

Hailey hadn’t been on a swing in years. “I don’t know.”

“Come on,” he encouraged. “Life’s greatest problems have been solved while swinging.”

She gave him a skeptical look. “Oh, really?”

“Absolutely.” He pushed himself back and then lifted his feet and started to swing.

Hailey did the same, the thick air lifting the ends of her hair.

“I have to warn you,” he said as he passed her in the air. “I’m the Lakeridge jumping champ.”

“You don’t say.” She was never one for jumping out of anything, especially a moving swing.

“I could out swing and out jump anyone. We used to have contests every week at our neighborhood park. I always won.”

“I hadn’t pegged you as a swinging champ.” She laughed.

“Kids came from other neighborhoods to try to beat me. But I won every time.”

“Did you end up with some kind of trophy or something?” She imagined some bronzed swing as his prize.

“Nah. Just the recognition. I almost went into it professionally, but decided to go to college instead.” He said it as if swinging were a real profession, and Hailey had to purse her lips to keep from grinning.

“That was probably a wise choice.” She tried to sound authoritative.

“My mother agreed,” he said as he swung past her. “Now I only swing for the enjoyment of it.”

This conversation bordered on the ridiculous.

“I’m glad to learn this about you, Mr. Stafford. It engenders a whole new level of respect and admiration.”

“Admiration?” He flashed her a smile.

Oh no. Did she say admiration? “I mean, acknowledgment of an amazing skill.”

“I could be coaxed out of retirement for the right incentive.” He leaned back in the swing.

“You mean a bet of sorts?” Hailey watched him. This man was competitive, but in an endearing way.

“Yes. If you’re okay with losing again.” He said it with so much confidence it could’ve been mistaken for conceit, but somehow it captivated her.

“I didn’t lose,” she reminded him. It was a little odd trying to have a conversation while swinging. She’d never done this before.

“Yeah, you did. And you owe me,” he said as he whooshed past her.

“Wasn’t it dinner?”

“I believe so,” he said over his shoulder.

She was quick to say, “And you ate dinner tonight.”

“Wait a minute . . . I guess, technically, that’s true.”

“Then the debt is paid.” Hailey one, Peter zero in this match of wits.

He swung a few times, then said, “All right, let’s bet again.”

In her most innocent tone, she said, “I’m not sure about all this gambling, sir.”

“Not gambling. It’s more like a friendly wager. No money is involved.”

She smiled. “That does sound better.”

“Are you game?” He looked back at her.

“Sure.” I wonder where this will lead.

“Winner owes the loser a dessert,” he said.

Hailey scrunched her nose. “Don’t you mean the loser owes the winner?”

“Nope.” With that he jumped out of the swing. “See if you can beat that.”

Hailey pumped her legs and then catapulted forward. She was at least a couple of feet short of where Peter landed.

“I win.” He did a little dance that made Hailey start to laugh.

“Which means you owe me a dessert,” Hailey said, pointing to herself.

“Yep.”

She blinked a few times. “Somehow, this seems backwards.”

“You got me.” He held his hand up. “I want to take you out for dessert.”

“That’s coincidental. Because I love dessert.”

He gazed at her with his inviting eyes. “I guess that makes us a good pair.”

Suddenly, her heartbeat sped up—like four times. The air felt even heavier. Was he implying something? That they could be a pair, as in a couple? Was she ready for that? Feeling anxious, Hailey checked her watch. “I better get back to Gran and Gramps.”

They began walking back toward the house, a sweet, flowery scent floating in the air. As they approached the front porch, Hailey’s mind shot back to the night before. Would Peter try to kiss her goodnight again? Did she want him to? Even after Kevin’s call? She hadn’t kissed anyone since Kevin, and her feelings were still a little jumbled. Yet the thought of kissing Peter erupted into tiny sensations that congregated in a twisting motion in her stomach, and all she could think about was his lips on hers.

“I enjoyed spending this time with you, Hailey,” Peter said with a frankness that left no doubt he meant it.

“Me too. Although,” she paused, “I still think I could’ve beat you jumping out of the swing.”

“And I still owe you dessert.”

He stepped closer to her. The back of her neck warmed and her heart thudded with each movement he made as the anticipation grew.

Suddenly, her phone started to ring. I thought I silenced that stupid thing. She wanted to throw it across the yard and never see it again. But she couldn’t. Because it wasn’t just any ring—it belonged to her boss.

Peter stepped back. “Do you need to get that?”

Hailey wanted to scream. Her boss had the world’s worst timing. “I probably should. It’s my boss.” She pulled it out of her pocket and tapped accept.

Peter gave her a wave, turned and left.

“Hello?” she said.

“Hailey, I need some figures right away for the Henderson account.” Mr. Michaels seemed frazzled.

“I can get those to you,” she said with assurance, trying to leave out the irritation she felt.

“When?”

“Now.” She was grateful she’d updated the Henderson file earlier.

“I need everything from the last quarter.” He sounded almost frantic.

“Yes, sir. I will send that to you.” You couldn’t have called any other time for this?

“Thank you.” He ended the call. No time for pleasantries. Mr. Michaels was all business, especially when he was stressed. She glanced down the street at the lost opportunity with Peter, then hurried inside to retrieve the information for her boss.

After sending him what he requested, Hailey walked into the living room where Gran was knitting and Gramps was snoozing in his chair. Hailey flopped on the couch next to Gran.

“Tell me about your walk,” Gran said with eagerness.

“You mean the one you set up?”

Gran put down her knitting. “I merely made a suggestion.”

“It was fun.” Actually, it was awesome. Hailey played with the fringe on one of the couch cushions.

“He’s a nice young man.”

“That he is,” Hailey said, feeling wistful.

Amid the clicking of her needles, Gran stated, “And you are falling for him.”

“I don’t know.” Hailey closed her eyes. “Maybe.”

“You deserve to be happy.”

“It’s so easy to talk to Peter.” Hailey leaned her head on Gran’s shoulder. “And we have fun together.”

“Sounds like there’s a but in there.”

“I’m not sure where it can even go.” If she let her mind wander even the least little bit, it settled on all sorts of possibilities.

Gran stopped knitting and held Hailey’s hand. “How will you know unless you give it a chance?”

“I’m afraid. My heart is still fragile. And Kevin’s call has me all sorts of mixed up. I don’t want to be hurt like that again.” That kind of heartbreak didn’t need to be repeated.

“Peter doesn’t strike me as a man who would hurt you.” Gran patted Hailey’s hand.

“I don’t know.” She hadn’t thought Kevin would hurt her, but he trounced all over her heart.

“Did he kiss you tonight?”

Hailey’s head popped up. “Gran. Really?”

“Well?”

A smile edged across Hailey’s lips. “I think he wanted to, but my boss called. Great timing, right?” She shrugged. “But I’m not even sure I wanted him to. I mean, I wanted him to, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea.” Once she kissed Peter, she feared there would be no turning back.

That night Hailey lay in bed going over the second almost-kiss. This was starting to be a pattern. If Mr. Michaels hadn’t called, she would’ve kissed Peter, but she didn’t want to leave a piece of her heart here in Florida. Her career and her home were in Colorado. His home was here in Florida. This was doomed before it even started.

Hailey rolled to her side. She could enjoy some dates with him knowing it had no future, but that wasn’t what she wanted. She moved to her back and stared at the revolutions of the ceiling fan. Could she do a long-distance relationship? If Peter was even interested in a relationship—maybe he wanted a fling. Wait, did he think she wanted a fling? No, he didn’t seem like a fling kind of guy.

And what about Kevin? How did she feel about him? Did he deserve a second chance when she returned to Colorado Springs?

Her head hammered with questions, and Hailey didn’t have any answers. She’d never had so many conflicting emotions ping-ponging inside her, making her whole body ache. Somehow, she needed to figure it all out.