Hailey took another swig of her water and silently commanded her pulse to stop zipping through her veins. “You had heart surgery as a kid?”
“I was born with a hole in my heart.” He nodded.
“That must’ve been scary.”
“For my mom. I was too young to remember much of it. Apparently, it worked.” He smiled.
“I’m glad.” Did she say that out loud? She hurried to change the subject. “What’s your favorite Beatles song?”
Peter drummed his fingers on the table. “That’s hard. I enjoy all of them.”
“And you sing.”
A flash of humility crossed his face. “Yeah.”
What else could this fascinating man do? “You play an instrument?”
“The guitar. Piano.” He smoothed his hair. “And the violin in middle school.”
“That’s awesome.” She had no idea Peter was so musically inclined. “I took piano lessons, but I think I’m tone deaf.”
After dinner, they moved over to the bar and sat in some chairs to the left of the stage. A few people got up and sang. The first guy wasn’t too bad, but the next one, a woman with spiky blue hair and an eagle tattoo on her arm, was terrible. Hailey wanted to cover her ears, but she didn’t want to be rude, so she endured what sounded like the woman was being strangled. Maybe her own voice wasn’t as bad as she thought.
She turned to Peter. “So are you going to sing?”
Peter sat back. “I didn’t lose the bet.”
“But you could still get up there. For fun.” Hailey wanted to hear him sing.
“Maybe.”
She touched him on the shoulder. “Come on. Sing me a song.” She tilted her head and gave him her best do-it-for-me-please look.
A smile edged around his mouth. “How can I refuse now?”
Peter stood and walked up to the side of the stage. After the next woman finished, he stood on the wooden platform, microphone in hand.
A young man with a dark goatee stood in front of the crowd and said, “We now have Mr. Peter Stafford, who will be singing, See You Tonight, made famous by Scotty McCreery.”
The music began and Peter started singing. Hailey’s mouth curled up. Peter’s voice was so smooth—like Dove dark chocolate melting on her tongue. He was good. Better than good. The more he sang, the more he got into the song. Hailey stared at him as he sang, her heartbeat thrumming to the beat of the song. She found herself wishing she’d be the girl Peter might be holding under the porch light tonight.
Toward the end of the song, the crowd started clapping with him. A couple of women whistled and shouted out at him to keep singing.
After Peter finished, the applause erupted. The DJ said, “The audience liked that. Stay tuned to see if you win the prize tonight, sir.”
Peter waved at the crowd, then took his seat next to Hailey.
“That was incredible.” She hadn’t been prepared for the way his singing wound around her heart.
“Thanks.” He scooted closer to her and his shoulder touched hers. “I haven’t sung in front of anyone for a long time.”
“Why not?”
“I guess,” he paused, “I lost the music for a time.”
“And Scotty McCreery?”
“Okay.” He held his hand up. “I have a confession.”
“This sounds interesting.”
He cupped his hand over his mouth and whispered, his breath tickling her ear, “I watched American Idol. Every season of it.”
“You did?” She looked at him with surprise.
He nodded, then lowered his head. “I hope I don’t have to turn in my man card because of it.”
“No way. Not after you sang like that. You should’ve been on American Idol yourself.”
He laughed. “My sister said the same thing.”
“So why didn’t you audition?” She could see him singing on stage while the women watching him worked themselves into a dither. Dither? There I go sounding like Gran again.
“I guess I was too busy with life.” He played with the edge of the napkin. “And I didn’t have enough confidence.”
“Seriously?” Hailey held her hands out in front of her. “You sing like an angel.”
“I do?” His grin sent ripples across her stomach as if a kaleidoscope of butterflies was trying to escape.
“Uh, did I say that out loud?” Sometimes her mouth worked faster than her brain.
“You did.”
She didn’t care if he knew she loved his voice. “Well, it’s true.”
When Hailey sat back, she noticed Peter’s arm was draped around the back of her chair. Within a minute, his arm was around her shoulders. She settled in, liking how she seemed to fit perfectly there.
They listened to several more singers. Some were better than others and a few sounded like they were in pain. Hailey wished someone would put them out of her misery.
The DJ jumped up on the stage. He raised his hand and said, “We have a winner.”
“It better be you,” Hailey said as she elbowed Peter.
The DJ scanned the audience. “Peter Stafford, come on up.”
“Woo hoo,” Hailey shouted. She whistled.
Peter walked to the stage while the crowd applauded.
“You’ve won a T-shirt.” The DJ handed him a bright yellow shirt. “You have a great voice, man.” He clapped Peter on the shoulder.
“Thanks.”
Peter came back to the table, shirt in hand.
“Congratulations,” Hailey said. “You were obviously the best one here.”
“Thanks.” He inclined his head toward the door. “What do you say we go for a walk?”
“I’d like that.”
They exited the lounge, dropped the T-shirt off at the car, and then headed toward the beach area. The air was warm and moist and a gentle wind caressed Hailey’s face. The moon hung low in the sky and stars twinkled above them.
Hailey drew in a deep breath through her nose. “I love the salty air here.”
“Don’t get much of that in Colorado?”
“Nope. Not a lot.” Hailey kicked off her sandals and held them in her hand. The cool sand felt like satin beneath her feet. “I love the ocean and listening to the cadence of the breaking waves. It’s like listening to nature’s music.”
“The beach is my favorite place to come and think.” He glanced at her. Even under the moonlight it was easy to see his appealing features. “I’ve spent a decent amount of time here.”
“Had a lot to think about?”
Peter looked out toward the ocean. “You could say that.”
“Anything you want to share?”
They continued walking on the silky sand, only the sound of the water lapping at the shore between them. After a few minutes, Peter said, “When I was a freshman in college, I met a woman. We dated for a couple of years and then got married.”
He was married? More importantly, is he still married? Hailey remained silent and hoped Peter would continue.
He glanced up at the night sky. “By the time I earned my master’s, she was gone.”
Hailey clutched at her chest. “She died?”
“No.” He shook his head. “She left me, but I felt like I’d died.”
“I’m so sorry.” She didn’t want to pry, but she wanted to know what happened and hoped he’d tell her more.
“She wasn’t a big fan of being a married college student. She particularly disliked not having much money. One day, I came home from school and her suitcase was packed. She said she was sorry, but getting married was a mistake. I think she liked the idea of being married more than she liked actually being married. At least to me.”
Hailey’s heart hurt. Poor Peter. “Wow. That must’ve been awful.”
“It was pretty hard. I was in it for the long haul, but she wasn’t.” He drew in a deep breath. “That was about six years ago.”
“Whatever happened to her?” She regretted asking such a prying question. “I’m sorry, I sho
uldn’t have asked that.”
“She married a wealthy attorney three years ago.”
Hailey wasn’t sure what to say or why Peter had chosen to share that with her, but she felt a stronger connection to him because of it.
“So, yeah, I’ve spent a lot of thinking time here. What about you?” He looked at her. “Did you have a thinking spot?”
Hailey nodded, remembering her special place. “Up in the mountains. I’d hike up to my favorite area right above this creek.”
“I’ve never spent much time in the mountains.”
“Oh, I love the Rockies, but I also love the beach. I’ve missed Florida over the last few years. Work has kept me in Colorado, and I haven’t been able to visit.”
“Have you ever thought about moving to the beach?” he asked in a quiet voice.
Was he fishing or merely curious? Regardless, she said, “I thought I’d always live in Colorado, but I’m not so sure anymore. Things haven’t worked out exactly like I’d planned.”
Peter laughed softly. “Life can sure throw us curveballs.”
“Yes, it can.”
He turned and peered at her. The moonlight streamed across his face and highlighted his strong jaw. “Here’s to turning those curveballs into home runs.”
“Sounds good to me.” She loved his optimism.
They started walking closer to the edge of the water. A wave broke and water rushed around their feet. Hailey squealed, then jumped back, but she lost her footing and tumbled backward, landing on her backside.
Peter immediately extended his hand. She grabbed it and attempted to pull herself up, but was off-balance and fell back again. She started laughing to cover her humiliation.
Peter took a few balancing steps and then fell next to her in the sand.
“We’re a pair, aren’t we?” she said wiping at the sand on her dress.
“Please don’t remind me about how I fell the other night. I’m trying to forget that ever happened.” He stretched out his legs in front of him. “I have another confession.”
“Go on. I like your confessions.” She was anxious to hear what he’d say.
“I was so embarrassed.” He picked up a handful of sand and let it sift through his fingers. “I wasn’t going to call you again.”
“Seriously?” He was so embarrassed he wasn’t going to call me?
“My sister convinced me.”
She looked at him sideways. “I’m so glad she did.” Uh, oh. Did I say that aloud? Again?
Peter smiled. He jumped to his feet, then pulled Hailey to hers. They lingered there for a moment under the night sky. “I need to get you home. I don’t want June to be mad that I’m bringing you home late. I want to stay in her good graces.”
Hailey laughed. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.” Gran would love it if I ran off and married you right now.
As they walked back toward the car, Peter reached his hand out and gently took Hailey’s in his. Their hands fit together so naturally, as if they were a matched pair. What’s happening? She bit her lip. Who am I kidding? She knew exactly what was happening. But was she prepared for it?
In the car on the way back, Hailey asked, “So you like to sing, you were in theater, and you had heart surgery. Anything else?” She wanted to know as much about this man as she could.
“I’m pretty good at cards.”
“Oh, really?” She looked at him. “Ever play gin?”
“Yeah, among others. I play with my mom. She likes to play with some of her friends and practices on me.” He laughed.
“Interesting.”
“Why? Do you play cards?”
She turned in her seat toward Peter, wishing she wasn’t wearing such a confining seatbelt. “I don’t wanna brag, but I’ve been known to beat the socks off Gramps.”
He tapped the steering wheel with his fingers. “I bet he lets you win.”
“Are you kidding me?” Her voice rose. “He’s as competitive as it comes. I win fair and square every time.”
“Maybe we can play a game or two sometime with Harry.”
“You’re on.” She playfully touched him on the forearm and before she knew it, his hand held hers.
“I’ll warn you, though, I’m pretty good,” he said confidently.
With a flick of her head she said, “I guess we’ll see.”
They drove past a restaurant with a sign offering the best gator in the area. “Have you eaten gator?” he asked.
“Not this trip, but I love it.” A memory of the first time she had alligator with her grandparents rushed through her mind. “Well, I didn’t love it the first time. Gramps convinced me to try it, and I spit it right out. Even wiped my tongue with the napkin and everything.”
“Was that last year?”
“Very funny.” She tapped his hand with hers. “I was much, much younger. I tried it again last time I was here, and now I’m hooked.”
“We’ll have to get some.” He squeezed her hand. “I have a favorite restaurant.”
“Sounds good.” Hailey looked out the window. It sounded as if Peter were planning things to do in the future, like he planned to spend more time with her. How did she feel about that? She gazed down at their intertwined fingers. Pretty good. Actually, she felt better than pretty good—a lot better—about spending more time with him, even if her time in Florida would be up soon. She pushed that thought from her mind and refused to let it pop back in.
They arrived at the house and walked up to the porch.
“Thank you for going with me tonight. I had a great time,” he said.
“Thanks for asking.” She rolled the fabric of her dress between her forefinger and thumb like she was a nervous teenager on her very first date. “I hope you’ll sing for me again.”
“Since I have the voice of an angel . . .”
She slapped at his chest and he caught her hand, sending a torrent of flutters through her body. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud,” she said.
He smiled and her stomach knotted. The words from the song Peter had sung earlier echoed in her ears. Would he hold her under the porch light? Would he kiss her? Would she like it?
They stood there on the porch for several moments, their gazes locked on each other and electricity dancing between them. Hailey’s heart somersaulted in her chest and the edges of her ears burned as she anticipated, even yearned for, a kiss. She could almost feel his lips on hers and taste his kiss as he leaned in toward her.
Suddenly, the door whipped open and Gran stood there. “I thought I heard voices.”
Hailey stepped back, dazed. The moment with Peter vanished.
Gran looked from Hailey to Peter and then back to Hailey. “Oh. I’m sorry. I interrupted . . . something.”
“No worries. I need to get home anyway,” Peter said as he backed away. “Thanks again.”
Hailey watched him walk down the pathway to his car and waved as he drove away. Disappointment welled up inside her. If only Gran hadn’t opened the door.
“I’m so sorry. It’s been ages since I’ve had someone go on dates. I opened the door because I thought it might be Regina. And I was glad to see it was you, but then I . . .” Gran stopped rambling. “Was it fun?”
Hailey stepped in the house and shut the door. “Yeah, it was fun.” More than fun. It was spectacular.
“Are you going out with him again?” Gran asked with eagerness.
“I guess we’ll see.” She slung her arm around Gran’s stooped shoulders. “Remember, though, I do have to go back to Colorado Springs. I have a life there.”
“You could have a life here.”
“As you would say,” Hailey gestured with her hand, “that is putting the horse twenty miles in front of the cart.”
Gran chuckled. “Putting the cart before the horse.”
Hailey waved her hand. “You know what I mean.”
Gran let out a long sigh. “So sue me for hoping for a happily-ever-after for you. And here in Florida by me.”<
br />
Hailey pulled her grandma into an embrace. “I love you.”
Right now, Hailey loved everyone. And everything. A smile ran across her face. Maybe her heart was finally ready to take another chance.
***
Peter lay in bed, his hands laced behind his head, staring at the ceiling. He hadn’t felt so at ease and so alive with a woman in years. And Hailey didn’t seem to mind that he’d been married. He’d found that was a turnoff for some women.
Warmth emanated from his chest and spread through his limbs as he replayed the night in his mind. He’d had more fun tonight than he could remember in recent months. Maybe even years.
Singing felt good.
Walking with Hailey felt good.
Holding her hand felt good.
It all felt good.
He turned to his side and fluffed the pillow underneath his head. A part of him feared it felt too good with Hailey—too good to be true. After all, he thought he’d spend his life with Sara, and that turned out worse than he’d ever imagined. It had been six years, but in some ways, his heart thought it was as recent as yesterday. Was he ready to take another chance and let Hailey all the way in, especially when she wasn’t there long-term? Wasn’t that foolish?
An image of her smiling flashed across his memory. Hailey was so easy to talk to. Easy to open up to. Easy to be around. He loved how she’d squealed when the cool water hit her feet. And how they fell onto the sand together.
It had been a great night, and he hoped there would be more.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Hailey woke in the morning, glorious light streaming through the slits between the blinds in her window. She was eager to get dressed and take Gramps to his appointment, so she jumped out of her bed and went to the closet. Rummaging through her clothes, she found a green-and-white striped summer dress and held it up to herself in front of the mirror. Perfect.
Her phone started vibrating on the night stand. She hoped it was Peter. With a bounce in her step, she made her way over to her phone, but when Hailey saw the caller ID, her heart seized. Should she answer it?
It vibrated again.
She stared at the phone, her heart bouncing in her chest. Why was he calling?
Again, it vibrated against the wooden top.
Speak to My Heart Page 19