Country Wishes

by RaeAnne Hadley

  Completely unable to contain myself, I sent Melody a 3 a.m. text: We need to talk.

  Chapter Eight

  MELODY

  Parenting wasn’t for the faint of heart.

  Brandt was hard on Hailey, but after she roped me into one of her stunts, I had more respect for the difficulties he faced.

  I was torn. Hailey needed to go to the competition. She’d earned her spot, but she’d created her own mess. And if she hadn’t tricked her dad, she might not have gotten her application in. This was beyond normal teenage misbehaving, but it was an incredible opportunity that she found a way to make real.

  Leaving the city where I’d gotten mixed up with a fast crowd, I’d needed to clear my head and get my life in order. Too many opportunities to get in trouble. Ironically, Hopeful, Colorado embraced me and I brought trouble to them in the strangest way.

  Brandt understood I didn’t know about Hailey’s scam, but it had to eliminate any chance of resolving the relationship he’d already seemed to write off. I hoped he could at least reconcile with Hailey. I’d found a sub for my gigs, skipped my flight, and struggled to wait patiently for their resolution.

  That equated to tossing and turning in my bed worrying.

  My feelings for him would stay on the back burner. This was all about Hailey. No amount of good intentions could remedy how I’d stepped on his toes as a parent knowingly and unknowingly.

  When morning came around, I had a message from Brandt saying we needed to talk. It had come through in the middle of the night. A flicker of excitement raced through me. He was thinking of me at such a late hour, but he was probably agonizing over whether to send Hailey to New York.

  I texted back asking him when and where, but no response.

  A text from Hailey popped up: Not sure, but Dad might let me go.

  I wanted to ask her if he hated me, but putting her in the middle of our mess wasn’t right. Me: Yay! I decided to stay in town so we can do your lessons in person. Off to the grocery store since I’ll be around for the week.

  Hailey responded with a bunch of smiley face emojis.

  I got myself ready and trudged to the store.

  Only one month before Hurricane Melody would leave the once peaceful town of Hopeful, Colorado. I did my best to lay low. I would respect Brandt’s decision on Hailey even if I didn’t understand it. She was his responsibility. It didn’t matter if she followed closer in my footsteps than his. At a comparable age, I wouldn’t have progressed as far as she had in the competition. Maybe that was it. Was I trying to live through Hailey? I’d done great on my own, but she was a step ahead and I had a hard time containing my excitement for her.

  I chose Betty’s line at the grocery store curious what the daily scoop was. Her gossip made me smile even though I’d surely been her topic with other customers. Grocery shopping wouldn’t be nearly as fun without her insight when I moved back to the city.

  She smiled at me, slid my shopping bag to the bagging area then grabbed the telephone that was attached to the store intercom. I finished unloading my cart.

  “Relationship cleanup, checkout lane two,” her voice carried over the loud speaker.

  I glanced up. Had I heard her correctly? I watched as she sat the phone in the cradle and punched in a produce code for my lettuce like nothing unusual happened.

  “Betty?”

  She smiled at me. Yes, dear?”

  “Did you call for relationship cleanup?”

  “I did.” She scooted the lettuce to the bagging area and sat my apples on the scale.

  “It’s a lot more fun when you gossip about other people.”

  “It’s not gossip. Brandt told me to page him when you got in line.”

  My body tensed. I scanned the store and saw Brandt approaching from the café area, his expression serious. I turned back to Betty, trying to figure out if there was any way I could hurry her up? I reached for my bag to start loading everything, but Brandt’s hand wrapped around mine.

  I’d expected him to look happy. We needed to talk, but at home, not in public, and definitely not in front of Betty.

  “Melody.” His voice was low, desperate, and unraveling my willpower.

  Beyond Hailey, I wanted to convince him to give us another chance. I wanted to stay in Colorado and be a part of his world, disagree over things, but talk it out and move on. I wanted to explore the bond we’d shared because I didn’t think I could ever find anyone else to connect with the way we had.

  My eyes went to Betty. She’d stopped scanning my groceries and shifted her gaze between me and Brandt. She winked at him. Shit. Another shopper had stepped into line inadvertently trapping me.

  Brandt lifted my hand. I hadn’t pulled away from his touch. I’d missed it. Missed everything we’d had, but it was coming to an end and I saw no point in stirring up something ill fated.

  Sensing I wasn’t the only one with something bigger in mind, I asked, “What are you up to Betty?”

  “Little Brandty’s a good boy. He had a gleam in his eye when he asked me for help, it reminded me of the time he wanted to ask the Springer girl to be his girlfriend. When was that? Second grade?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I can’t believe you remember.”

  “She wasn’t the one for you, but you were adorable—"

  Brandt cut her off. “I’ll take it from here.”

  “All right,” Betty said then directed her attention to the customer behind me. “You might want to go to another lane. This could take a minute. Or not if she’s smart.”

  She wasn’t one for subtlety but I doubted she’d heard everything.

  “You’re right.” Brandt’s voice drew me back to him holding my hand, the touch I deeply loved despite our differences.

  “About what?”

  “I bought tickets to take Hailey to the contest.”

  I pulled my hand away and fussed over my groceries to cover my desire to hug him since we’d only accidentally gotten back on speaking terms. “Thank you for hearing her out. I hope she makes it to the finals.”

  “You’ll be the first to know.”

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  He reached to his back pocket and extended a paper. “Because you’ll be there.”

  “What?” I stopped bagging and took the paper. A plane ticket.

  “We’re all going.” Impulse took over and I wrapped him in a hug.

  He was stunned for a moment then embraced me.

  “Did you get me one?” Betty asked.

  “Sorry, Betty. I figured you needed to stay here to keep the town under control.”

  “I suppose. What would any of you would do without me?”

  Brandt held me against his broad chest, the place I’m felt most at home. The place a school teacher should not be with a student’s parent. I pushed away.

  “Thank you.” I held up the ticket. Would it be innocent redemption for my public display of affection?

  Brandt bagged my groceries. “I won’t be any use to her if she has a singing question. Might as well bring you along.”

  “Two hotel rooms,” Betty said.

  Brandt winked at her and his grin gave me hope there was something left between the two of us other than his daughter.

  Chapter Nine

  BRANDT

  Spring break meant calving season so I spent all of my time assessing how close the cows were to giving birth, assisting the complicated births, and warming calves in the cab of my truck when needed.

  Hailey helped as needed, but had a big report due the first day back, and other small assignments. Plus she was doing extra work around the house to make up for her dishonesty.

  In the extra time she had, Melody gave her tons of extra instruction. I asked multiple times if Hailey was taking up too much time, but Melody swore she loved every minute of it.

  My problem was it meant there was no time for me to hang out with Melody other than our brief initial conversation about the logistics of getting Hailey prepared for the contest. />
  I’d promised myself to speak to her honestly about all of my feelings, but it was possible I’d made a few excuses not to pour my heart out. Excuses were easy to find when you were run ragged all hours of the day and night.

  Spring break ended and I’d continued to let fear paralyze me. Time was wasting. Letting Melody believe Hailey was our only connection was the easy route. Risking my heart was less appealing. My words about good things not coming easily haunted me.

  Hailey went to a baseball game with friends, keeping her occupied for a while. Most of the town would be there. I texted Melody and found out the principal had asked her to stay after school. Hoping to surprise her, I waited in her office.

  Her meeting went on far too long for my liking and the confines of her tiny office would drive me nuts if I had to spend much time there. The main choir room was much larger, but I liked being in her space where I could smell her perfume.

  She had framed pictures with friends from her city life and I wondered which of the guys were boyfriends and which were platonic. Guys had their arms around her in every picture, as did the girls. They were young and carefree, the way I felt when I was with her. Only around eight years younger than me, but having a kid expanded the gap.

  Was it wrong to ask her to stay? Wrong to rope her into a relationship that came with bigger life issues than booking the next gig and taking care of herself?

  Second guessing myself, I resolved not to ask that much of her. She’d done wonders for Hailey and they had already talked about continuing lessons through video chats because that allowed Melody to have her life back while still helping Hailey.

  What had I done to myself? Hailey would be gone in a year. I’d be all alone. Everything I’d done had been for her. What would I have left other than the ranch? A boatload of lonely was the answer. Spring break had shown me that.

  But Melody had shown me I craved a woman’s touch. I’d have to try out one of those online dating sites when Hailey left.

  I grabbed my cowboy hat from her desk and headed out. Melody was entering her office at that exact moment and we collided. I fumbled my hat and ended up wrapping my arms around her the feel of her body against mine was the best and worst thing wrapped into a bundle. I glanced back at the pictures of her city life and patted her arm. “I was just leaving.”

  “Why were you in my office?”

  “I wanted to thank you for everything you’re doing with Hailey.”

  She continued blocking the doorway. “You texted me to find out if I was free so you could wait in my office to say thank you?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I don’t believe you. And weren’t we past the ma’am thing?”

  “Nervous habit.”

  “You’re nervous? Tell me why you’re really here.”

  “That’s it, wanted to say thank you.” I tried to step around her, but she stood her ground.

  “Darn. I thought you wanted to find out if the principal was offering me a job for next school year.”

  I studied her expression which she was doing a top-notch job of keeping blank. “You’re staying?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was reserved. Why wasn’t she happy?

  Damn. What was I waiting for? I glanced over my shoulder at her pictures. “Aren’t you going to miss your friends?”

  She stayed in the doorway but leaned in as if she needed to see what I was talking about. “I have friends here too. Some pretty close ones if I’m not mistaken. Guess I should update my pictures.”

  Her smile spoke straight to my heart. Friends, and lovers. I calmed myself when I heard wedding bells. Turns out it was the school bell ringing to sound the end of detention.

  “I wouldn’t want to get in trouble for passing notes in school, so I’ll just ask. Melody, will you go steady with me?” My heart was racing. I didn’t know how to do this dating shit. It was easier when passion took over.

  She cracked up then stepped forward and closed her office door.

  I’d already determined there were no windows and it was far too small, but with the door closed and her in it, there seemed to be the perfect amount of space and privacy.

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Epilogue

  MELODY

  We debated telling Hailey about our relationship before the trip to New York but she called us out on it. Her only demand was that we didn’t get gross in public.

  Not having any secrets made traveling much easier. I didn’t have to worry every time I grabbed Brandt’s hand or he put an arm around me. Traveling with them gave me an immediate sense of family. Her mom was going to meet us at the event, but they assured me I didn’t have to pretend to just be Hailey’s music teacher. That meant more than either of them would ever know.

  Backstage, Hailey handled the anticipation like a pro. She kept her nerves in check, better than her dad who resorted to pacing and getting an unhealthy number of drinks from the water fountain.

  Her mom ended up being a no show, said she had a last-minute meeting and couldn’t make it. Hailey brushed it off and I was proud of her for being able to handle disappointing news right before a performance. She was such a natural.

  The stage hand approached and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, you can wait over here while Hailey performs. She’s up next.”

  I started to correct him but Hailey winked at me and very deliberately said, “Thanks, Mom and Dad, it’s showtime.”

  A group hug drove the moment of full acceptance home.

  Epilogue

  BRANDT

  One year later

  I’d imagined Hailey’s senior year would be busy with college visits and applications, but the contest had bumped all of that drama.

  Hailey hadn’t won the competition, but it got her recognition from a few schools Melody said had excellent vocal programs. Out of the two main ones recruiting her, one offered a full ride, sealing her decision.

  Aside from having the tuition and fees covered, Melody surprised her with a check for graduation…all of the money she’d spent on private lessons. I hadn’t known Melody was putting the money away for Hailey. I would have objected which is probably why she didn’t tell me what she was doing. I couldn’t say much once the check was presented.

  And at the senior award ceremony, Hailey received the proceeds from the wishing well. The town culled the coins annually and gave the money away as a scholarship. Guess the well panned out in more ways than one for me.

  I’d spent the last eighteen years raising Hailey and in one fell swoop she’d be gone. I tried not to get overly dramatic about the bittersweet transition since she and Melody were constantly talking about the excitement ahead of her.

  The exciting news for me was I’d have Melody to myself. Or so I thought. When we went to the end of the year teacher banquet, she won the award of Teacher of the Year. I wasn’t the only one who had realized how amazing she was.

  More students had signed up for private lessons with her which made me more protective of our time together.

  Life had been such a whirlwind, we hadn’t talked about kids but the topic had to be addressed. She hadn’t mentioned wanting them, and I’d avoided bringing it up. If she said she wanted a baby, I would happy give her one. It was the least I could do, but I was ready for a break.

  Luckily when I broached the topic, she couldn’t believe I’d thought she wanted one. She considered her students her kids and liked not having to change diapers and wiping snotty noses. I wasn’t sure how fussing with teenagers was a good trade-off, but I didn’t have to understand her reasoning to accept her decision.

  With that topic out of the way, I took her to the barn and carried her up the ladder to the loft.

  I’d set a blanket out just like our first time. The window was open and the stars were shining.

  “I like your thinking.” She walked to the window and rested her hands on either side of the window.

  Standing back a few paces, I watched her recreate the moment, but pulled the r
ing out of my pocket, ready to add a twist.

  Stepping behind her, I reached around, hugged her, then pulled her left hand free. “Melody, will you marry me?”

  Her other hand gripped my arm. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  I’d hoped for a yes, but her silly comment made me the happiest man alive. As soon as I slid the ring onto her finger she spun around and kissed me.

  “Maybe there’s something to the wishing well after all.”

  “How do you figure?”

  “I wished for a man like you to sweep me off my feet. And that all of my feelings for you would find a healthy outlet, or something. Not what I’d expected, but this works.”

  “You really wished for that.”

  “Don’t judge. The whole cowboy thing was hitting me hard. I’d only been here a week or so. Plus I wished for a platonic relationship with you and to help Hailey with her vocal pursuits.”

  “You certainly helped Hailey, but platonic, that one’s busted.”

  “But you’re my best friend of all times. I’m going to count it as a win.”

  She was right. We had the best friendship I’d had with anyone. I’d felt it from the moment we met in the grocery store. And if I remembered correctly, Betty had sensed it from the start. Melody was special. But her saying I was her best friend caught me off guard. I’d considered myself the luckiest guy in town, and wondered how she ended up with me. She was a true blessing. Having incredible sex was a bonus. “You’re up to four now. Anything else.”

  “Four?”

  “Wishes. Anymore?”

  “That covers it. How many wishes did you make that night?”

  “Only two.”

  “Have they come true yet?”

  “The first one was for guidance with Hailey. Guess you came along just in time.”