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.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Peter finished his last appointment. His mind kept jumping ahead to Mar y Sol. Although he would have preferred t
o ask Hailey on a date in his own way, he had to laugh at her grandmother’s insistence. Or was that audacity? And the blush that colored Hailey’s cheeks made him smile. It was the same color as when she spilled her salad on him.
He hoped he wasn’t crossing some sort of line by taking a patient’s granddaughter on a date.
“So what are you up to tonight?’ Joyce said as she leaned against the doorjamb.
“Uh, not much.”
“A few of us are going out for drinks and dancing. You should meet us there.” Joyce ran her fingers through her hair. It was probably meant to be enticing, but it only made Peter want to run as fast and as far away from her as possible.
“Actually, I can’t.” He wrote a few notes, hoping Joyce would think he was busy and leave him alone.
“Why not?” He could hear the pout in her voice.
“I already have plans.” He suddenly felt grateful for Hailey’s grandmother.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She licked her lips. “Maybe next time.”
He had no desire to spend a social evening with Joyce, especially dancing with her. No thank you. Peter didn’t want to offend her, so he said, “Maybe.” He clicked off his computer and grabbed a file folder. “Can you take this to the front?”
Joyce begrudgingly held out her hand and took the folder. “Sure.”
Peter stood and said, “Thanks for all you do, Joyce. I appreciate it.” Before she could say anything laced with innuendos, Peter stepped past her into the hall and made his way out the back door.
In his car, he took a few moments to contemplate. Was it wise to go on this date with Hailey? He’d been adamant about avoiding any complicated relationships at work because he didn’t want any problems, and especially because he didn’t want to get involved with Joyce. She wasn’t his type. She was the opposite of his type.
It was different with Hailey. He’d been drawn to her the first time they’d met. Her sweet smile and natural beauty appealed to him, but more than that, the way she loved her grandfather showed him how kind and caring she was.
His phone vibrated and he pulled it from his pocket.
Benji wants you to come over for a movie tonight.
He pondered what to text back so he didn’t let on that he had a date with Hailey. I’d love to, but I can’t.
Why not?
What should he say? He didn’t want to lie to Laura, but he didn’t want her to hit him with a bunch of questions either. I’m going to Mar y Sol.
That festival?
Yeah.
What time? Benji and I can meet you there.
Now what? He tapped out, I’m not going by myself.
Who with?
He didn’t want to answer. What if he didn’t text back? He knew that wouldn’t work, because Laura would start calling him. Maybe if he said he was going with a friend that’d work. Because he and Hailey were friends. That was all. A friend.
A woman?
Why did his sister have to be so nosy? Yes.
His phone started ringing. Great. Exactly what I didn’t want. But Laura wouldn’t give up, so he reluctantly answered. “Hello?”
“Are you going on a date?”
He forced out a puff of air. “Yes.”
“With who?” his sister asked eagerly.
He might as well tell her and get it over with. “Hailey.” There, he’d said it.
A long silence passed, and then Laura asked, “The woman at the restaurant?”
“Yes.”
“How did that happen?” He could picture his sister’s face filled with anticipation.
He didn’t have time to tell her. “It’s a long story, but I need to go.”
“I want the details,” she demanded.
“Okay.”
“Text me later. After the date. I want to know all about it.” Laura was probably jumping up and down that he was finally going on a date.
“I will.”
“Peter?” she said softly.
“Yeah?” What was she going to say now?
“I’m happy to hear this. Go out and have fun.”
“Thanks.” He ended the call.
He dropped the phone in his lap. He’d been playing it safe for years. Ever since Sara. Maybe it was worth the risk to get to know Hailey. After all, he still wanted the dream—a house, wife, kids with bikes strewn on the front lawn. He thought he’d had it, but it had slipped through his fingers like grains of sand. He could keep protecting his heart, but that would leave him empty and alone. Like Laura said last night, he’d be a lonely old man. Hailey seemed to be the kind of woman he’d want to date. Maybe even the kind of woman he’d want to love.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Hailey sat in the living room, her right foot shaking and her heart playing leapfrog with her lungs. This was dangerous. Peter wasn’t at all like Darren. He wasn’t safe, and she was taking a big risk going out with him. Of course, maybe he wasn’t interested in her but was simply being a gentleman after Gran backed him into the date.
Gran walked into the room, her floral scent close behind her. “Wow, you look beautiful. I like that blouse.”
“Thanks.” Hailey still wasn’t pleased with Gran's earlier antics.
Gran stepped over to Gramps and slung her arm around him. “We’ll get her married off one way or another, right, Harry?”
They both laughed, which made Hailey's blood burn. “The two of you are incorrigible. This is only a date that Gran pressured him into. Nothing else.” Her voice had an edge to it.
“My lands”—Gran slapped her knee—“you are blind if you think that.”
A knock sounded and Hailey’s heart plummeted to her stomach. She hadn’t been this nervous since she had to tell her mom that she’d backed their new car into the neighbor’s mailbox.
Gran rushed over and opened the door. “Hello. Please come in.” Her tone was much too enthusiastic.
Peter stepped inside and Hailey’s breath hitched. He wore khaki shorts and an aqua V-neck T-shirt that hugged him in all the right places and made his eyes even bluer—if that was even possible. She had to slyly let out a long breath to calm her sizzling nerves.
“Hi,” Peter said. “You look nice.”
“Thank you,” Gran said with a smile as she smoothed her hair. “You look quite dashing in that blue shirt.”
Peter’s cheeks colored and he shifted his weight.
“Aw, now, don't be embarrassed.” Gran touched him on the arm. “I know you meant Hailey.”
“Oh, well, you also look nice, too, June,” he stammered.
Hailey shot Gran a sharp look. Poor man. “Thank you, Peter,” Hailey said.
He turned to Gramps. “How are you this evening?” He reached out his hand.
Gramps shook it and said, “G-good . . . . You?”
Peter smiled. “Glad to hear you talking.”
“I’m all ready to go.” Hailey said. She wanted to hurry out before Gran asked him something preposterous, like if he planned to propose tonight or something, because she wouldn’t put it past her.
“We won’t wait up for you, Hailey.” Gran elbowed Gramps, and she smiled like she’d won the lottery. Hailey wanted to bop her.
Outside, Hailey said, “Sorry about that. Gran can be a little outrageous.”
“No worries.” He opened the passenger door of his black Audi and she slid into the seat.
When he got inside, Hailey said, “Are your grandparents still alive?”
“My dad’s parents are, but my mom’s father passed away more than forty years ago. And her mother had a stroke when I was a teenager and came to live with us.”
Hailey tried to pull her gaze from Peter, but found it nearly impossible. “Did you help take care of her?”
“Yeah. Actually, I practiced her speech with her every day until she died.” Peter started up the car.
“Is that why you decided to become a therapist?” Hailey was interested in knowing more about this man—purely because it would be good to know ab
out Gramps's therapist, of course. No other reason.
He nodded. “I loved working with Grandma Vera and seeing her verbal skills improve. When I got into college, I found the concept of language and speech fascinating, so I decided to study it.”
“How long have you been working at the rehabilitation hospital?” Hailey watched him, noticing his well-defined jaw line. Is it hot in this car? I think I need some more AC. Full blast.
“About four years. And I really enjoy it.” Peter rested his right hand on his thigh and Hailey couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to feel her hand encased in his. Stop. Right now. Get control of yourself.
She finally tore her gaze from him and looked ahead at the spattering of clouds across the deep blue sky. “Gramps sure likes you.”
“Harry is a fine man. I often think about my patients and wonder what they were like before I met them.” His voice had a tinge of sadness.
“Gramps was a police sergeant. He was on the force in Denver forever. I used to love to see him all ready for work.” An image of Gramps fully decked out in his uniform flashed through her mind. “He was so strong and vibrant,” she said wistfully.
“It’s hard to watch those we love become weak and unable to do the things they used to do.” Peter said it in such a tender way that it made Hailey’s heart swoon.
“Very hard.” Hailey gazed at the palm trees along the road. Florida scenery was certainly different than Colorado.
“Are Harry and June your mom’s parents?”
“No. My dad’s. He died when I was a girl, so my grandparents were super involved with me and my sister Brittany when we were growing up. Until they retired and moved to Florida.” The memory of the day they left still made her throat thick.
Peter glanced at her. “Florida is a popular place to retire.”
“Well, Gramps is a NASCAR fanatic. He loves the Daytona 500. Came here one year in the nineties to watch it and decided they’d move here when he left the force.” Hailey tried not to notice how Peter’s cologne wafted through the car and made her want to snuggle up to him.
When they turned down a side street, cars were parked all over. Several signs indicating public parking lined the road. They pulled into a lot and Peter paid the man standing there.
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