Speak to My Heart

by Rebecca Talley

  “She just went through a bad breakup.” Having gone through one himself, he remembered all too well how much it hurt.

  “You can’t keep one foot on the deck and one in the pool, you know. You have to jump in with both feet.” Laura picked a piece of sausage off her pizza and popped it into her mouth. “If you don’t, you’ll never swim.”

  “Huh?”

  “It means”—she poked his arm with her finger—“stop being an idiot.”

  He shook his head and then stood. “Let’s watch the rest of the movie with Benji.”

  After Benji and Laura left, Peter sat on the couch and drummed his fingers against his leg. A tug-of-war raged in his mind. On the one hand, being alone was safe, secure. He didn’t have to worry about being hurt and enduring all that pain again. On the other hand, he couldn’t get enough of Hailey, and he wanted to spend as much time with her as he could.

  Peter laid his head back and closed his eyes, delving into his psyche. He did want love, commitment, and a future. He still wanted the dream of a wife and kids living in a house in the suburbs. If he were being honest, Peter needed Laura to give him that proverbial kick. Left to his own devices, he’d probably become an eternal hermit to protect himself from heartache. But is that what he truly wanted—to guard his heart at the expense of missing out on something amazing with Hailey?

  Peter opened his eyes and gazed out the window. He grabbed his laptop and surfed the Internet looking for ideas for another date. He’d lived in Daytona Beach for a few years but hadn’t been part of the dating scene, so he wasn’t sure where he could take Hailey. After almost thirty minutes, he found what he was looking for.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Hailey sat on her bed, still in her well-loved pajama shirt, with her laptop open trying to get some work done before the office opened. Mr. Michaels needed some more files and she had reports she needed to send in. She’d collected the documents needed for Mr. Lanceton’s audit and had sent those in. It had been harder than she’d thought it would be over the last month trying to work from Florida, but she was grateful Mr. Michaels had allowed her to. She didn’t want to think about her time with her grandparents coming to an end soon, especially because she wasn’t sure when she’d be able to return. And, if she were being completely honest, she didn’t want to think about not seeing Peter anymore.

  She stood and stretched. A glance in the direction of her laundry pile reminded her it was time to do a load or two of clothes. She began gathering her clothing when her phone rang. It was Peter.

  Immediately, her hands started to tremble. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Hailey. It’s Peter.”

  “Oh, hi.” She said it nonchalantly so he wouldn’t suspect she’d already put all his contact information into her phone.

  “Are you busy this evening?”

  Normally she liked more notice for a date, but she was willing to forego that formality for Peter. “I think I’m free.”

  “Would you like to go out with me?”

  “Yes, I would.” Going out with him again was dangerous, but Hailey wasn’t willing to say no.

  “I’ll come over after work. About five-thirty.” His voice was light and upbeat.

  She sat on the bed, excitement churning inside her. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

  “No. But it involves the dessert I owe you.”

  “I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds fun.” Anything with Peter sounded magnificent.

  “I’ll see you later.” He ended the call.

  She had no idea where they were going or what they were doing. How could she choose an appropriate outfit? Maybe she needed a new one.

  ***

  After a shrimp salad for lunch, Gran said, “We have another bingo night tonight, would you like to come?” She began clearing the table.

  Hailey didn’t want to disappoint Gran, but she had no desire to give up a night with Peter to play bingo. “I can’t.” She handed Gran a plate.

  Gran ran some water over the dishes. “More work?”

  “No, not work.”

  Gran turned, stared at her, and then smiled. “A date? With Peter?”

  Hailey nodded, trying to keep the smile from exploding on her face, but she failed.

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Gran said.

  “But what about bingo?” She didn’t want to make Gran miss out.

  “I can always do that.” Gran waved her hand. “Besides, I need to finish knitting the baby blanket for my new great grandson. And Harry and I can watch a movie.”

  “Are you sure?” Hailey didn’t want to cancel the plans, but she could rearrange them to suit Gran.

  “Yes, I’m sure.” Gran wiped off the counter. “What are you going to wear?”

  “I don’t know.” Hailey mentally rummaged through her clothing, but nothing stuck out that she wanted to wear for this date. “I was thinking about going to the mall to find a new outfit. Do you want to come with me?”

  Gran seemed to consider the idea. “I’d really like to go with you, but some of my friends were going to come over today.”

  Hailey rolled her eyes. “More plotting for the love-challenged?”

  “Now, dear, I know you don’t approve of our services, but we do help people find each other.” Gran gave a sharp nod. “And, goodness knows, the world can do with more love.”

  “I guess.” Hailey still thought it weird that a group of old ladies sat around planning dates for unsuspecting victims, but it seemed to be relatively harmless, and it made Gran happy.

  “I can reschedule our meeting, and I suppose I could ask Raymond across the street to come play cards with Harry.”

  “We wouldn’t be gone long,” Hailey said.

  ***

  Hailey and Gran drove over to the mall and shopped in a couple stores. Hailey found a fitted red dress. She walked out of the dressing room and stood in front of a three-way mirror. The dress looked even better on her out there than in the small room. “That’s adorable on you,” Gran said.

  “You think so?” Hailey twirled around.

  “Really shows off your figure. Wish I had a tiny waist like yours.” Gran patted her side.

  Hailey stared at herself in the mirror. She loved how the dress made her feel—feminine and dainty. “Maybe it’s too dressy.”

  Gran studied her. “He didn’t tell you where you’re going?”

  “Nope. I think he wants it to be a surprise.” Hailey wasn’t too fond of surprises. She didn’t care much for impulsiveness or spontaneity—she preferred to make plans and know exactly what was going on—but tonight she’d make an exception. Being with Peter made her want to branch out, even take a chance.

  “He’s a good one, Hailey.”

  “Let’s not jump to any conclusions. This is a date, not a marriage proposal, Gran,” Hailey said, reminding herself of the same thing.

  Gran wagged her finger at Hailey in the mirror. “I still say he’s a good young man and you shouldn’t let him go.”

  “I don’t have him. This is a friendly date. Nothing more.” Even as the words left her mouth, she hoped they weren’t true. She’d been moping around long enough after Kevin, and she was ready to move on. It was time for a new chapter. Actually, it was time for a whole new book.

  Hailey purchased the dress and they drove back to the house.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  As the clock ticked ever closer to five-thirty, Hailey’s stomach did cartwheels in anticipation. In the bathroom, she brushed her hair, dabbed on some perfume, and checked her makeup.

  “Hailey?” Gran’s voice echoed down the hallway.

  “Coming.” She checked herself one last time in the mirror, making sure she didn’t have anything in her teeth.

  Hailey strolled out into the living room keeping her nerves under control. Peter stood there in gray shorts and a black shirt that fit him snugly in all the right places. His eyes widened almost imperceptibly when he turned and saw her. “Hi. You look beautif
ul.”

  “Thank you.” This dress is a winner.

  “Are you ready?”

  Hailey was more than ready. “Where are we going?” she asked.

  A playful smile stretched across his mouth. “It’s a secret.”

  “Sounds exciting,” Gran said, clasping her hands together.

  Gramps was sitting in his recliner. He adjusted his blue shirt and then said with some effort, “You t-t-wo, h-h-h-aaaaaaaavvvve fffff-uuun.”

  “Thank you. I think we’ll do just that,” Peter said brightly. “I’ll take good care of her, Harry.”

  “You b-b-betttttterrrr.” Gramps pointed at him and smiled.

  Hailey bent over and gave Gramps a kiss on the forehead. “You and Gran going to bingo?”

  Gramps rolled his eyes.

  “Maybe you’ll win.” Hailey said.

  “He doesn’t enjoy bingo like I do. Thinks it’s rigged,” Gran said, her silver dangly earrings swaying as she spoke. “It’ll do him good to get out for a bit. Dee will be here to pick us up soon.”

  Gramps shrugged.

  Gran gave Hailey a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll leave the porch light on.”

  Peter escorted Hailey to his car and they started driving.

  “You really aren’t going to tell me what we’re doing tonight?” Hailey’s curiosity kicked in.

  “Nope.” He smirked.

  “I’m not a huge fan of surprises. Just so you know. I like to be prepared.”

  “This is a good surprise.” He nodded with a grin. “You’ll like it. Trust me.”

  That’s exactly what she was doing—trusting him. She hoped it wouldn’t come back to bite her.

  They pulled into a parking lot. “Here we are,” he said with enthusiasm.

  Peter opened her door and they walked over to a landing pad. The sun was beginning its descent over the bay and a few birds flew overhead.

  “I read some good reviews about this dinner cruise, but I haven’t been on it,” Peter said.

  “Dinner cruise? I’ve never been on one. Sounds . . . fun.” What she wanted to say was that it sounded romantic, but she thought better of it. Hailey didn’t want to read anything into this date.

  “I guess this is a first for both of us,” Peter said as they walked across a bridge onto the deck.

  The boat had a huge wooden paddle behind it, which reminded her of the Mark Twain Riverboat in Disneyland. When they entered the dining area inside, succulent smells of roasted meat, fresh-baked bread, and garlic floated in the air. White linen tablecloths adorned the tables, and a small bouquet of red silk roses sat in the middle of each one. A tall woman dressed in a white blouse and black pants directed them to a table for six next to a large window that overlooked the water.

  “This is pretty out here.” Hailey noticed all the vegetation along the banks.

  Peter pulled out a chair for Hailey, then sat next to her.

  Another couple was seated at their table.

  “Hi, I’m Abbie,” a platinum-blonde, petite woman said. “And this is my husband, Brad.” She giggled.

  “In case you can’t tell, we just got married,” the man with wavy brown hair and a goatee said.

  Great. We’re sitting at a table with newlyweds. This is going to be awkward. Hailey gave them her best smile.

  “When did you get married?” Peter asked.

  “Three weeks ago,” Abbie cooed. “It was so romantic. Our ceremony was at the beach right at sunset.”

  Brad reached his arm around his bride and pulled her close. “And she was the most beautiful bride.” He kissed her.

  Two empty chairs were still available at the table, and Hailey worried another newlywed couple would sit with them.

  Brad pointed at Hailey and Peter. “How long have you been married?”

  “Us?” Hailey laughed nervously. “Oh, we aren’t married.”

  “At least not yet,” Abbie said with another giggle and then turned and snuggled into her husband.

  What did she mean by that? Hailey was sure her face matched her red dress.

  “This is our table,” a middle-aged lady with short black hair said. She sat next to Hailey, then pulled out her phone.

  A balding man with glasses sat across from the lady. “I guess we’ll be eating dinner with you,” he said. “My name is Rick and this is my wife, Samantha.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Peter said, then introduced Hailey and himself.

  Samantha kept scrolling on her phone while Rick leaned back in his chair and gazed around the dining area. Neither of them seemed interested in conversation with each other or with anyone else at the table.

  Hailey turned to the newlyweds, but they were wound up in each other’s arms. She gazed at Peter, who gave her a helpless look. It seemed that they had two people at the table who couldn’t get enough of each other and another two who had more than their share. Where did that leave them?

  “The prime rib is excellent according to what I read,” Peter said, scooting closer to Hailey.

  “I love prime rib. T-bones, sirloin, filet mignon. You name it, I love it.” Hailey’s mouth watered.

  Peter gazed at her and raised his eyebrows. “You do?”

  Hailey nodded. “Oh, yeah.”

  “Most women prefer chicken or no meat at all.” Peter casually draped his arm across the back of her chair.

  “Back in Colorado, we used to get a side of beef every year. Gramps insisted. He grew up on a cattle ranch.” Happy memories of her childhood poured in, and suddenly she longed to share her hometown with Peter, but she quickly tied those feelings into a nice, neat package and tucked it away.

  “Harry was a cowboy?” Peter’s eyes widened.

  “He sure was. And he used to ride broncs on the rodeo circuit.”

  “Really?” Surprise splayed on his face. “Never would’ve guessed that.”

  “Gran made him give rodeoing up after they got married. She wanted a family man who was home with the kids. They lived on the ranch, and Gramps took care of the animals and milked the cows.”

  Peter moved in closer. A whiff of his musky cologne floated past her nose, putting her nerves on alert. “How did he end up on the police force?”

  “Hard to make ends meet on a ranch. His older brother took it over when my great-grandpa died, and Gramps thought that was a good time to make a change, but he still helped when he could.”

  “Fascinating.”

  Hailey twirled a lock of her hair. “Gramps used to take me hunting on the ranch.”

  “You hunt?” He blinked a couple of times.

  “I’m a pretty good shot, if I do say so myself.” She paused, then smiled. “And I do.”

  “You’re blowing my mind.” He blinked again. “I never would’ve imagined you were a hunter.”

  “Well, I was never a fan of gutting the deer or skinning it, but I love fresh venison.” She could almost taste it.

  “And you ride horses?” His full attention was on her and it radiated warmth like the midmorning summer sun.

  “When I was a kid, I used to spend time during the summer there riding John.”

  “John?”

  “He was a Quarter Horse. Big, deep brown, and full of muscles. Nothing better than riding him in the field and feeling the wind whip through my hair.” The freedom and pure happiness she felt during those carefree days flashed through her memory.

  “You are definitely a western girl.” His fingers brushed her bare arm, sending prickles across her skin.

  “I am.” She leaned in. “What about you? I mean, besides being the Lakeridge Swing Jumping Champ, what else did you do?” Being this close to Peter made her heart flutter.

  “After my many championship jumps, I retired and spent time at the beach.”

  “Beach bum, then?” It was easy to imagine him on the beach with his trim body and sun-bleached blond hair.

  “Kinda.” He smiled, his hypnotic eyes drawing her in. “I did a lot of scuba diving and fishing. My dad and I would drive ov
er on a Saturday morning from Orlando and spend the day fishing at different spots. Spent a lot of time talking about life and waiting for the fish to bite.”

  “I used to fish with Gramps back in Colorado, and one time he took me on a big boat here when I was visiting. It was so much fun.”

  “Maybe we could all go fishing sometime. It’d be great fun with Harry and June.” His gaze held hers, making her stomach twist and turn like she was on a rollercoaster while energy sparked between them.

  “Excuse me,” someone said, breaking the spell.

  Hailey looked up to see a waitress with a salad in her hand. Hailey cleared her throat and settled back in her chair, noticing the temperature had increased several degrees. At least it felt that way.

  After the salads had been handed out, Samantha wrinkled her nose and said, “This looks like that bagged salad you get at the grocery store.”

  “Maybe you could enjoy it, instead of complaining,” Rick said without emotion.

  “Maybe if we went to a place I wanted to go, I wouldn’t have to complain,” she said sourly.

  “Are you kidding me? You said you wanted to go on a dinner cruise.” Rick sat back, a look of disdain crossing his face.

  “Not this weekend.”

  They began to bicker and Hailey made a mental note to never become someone like that. What a miserable way to live.

  A few minutes later, the waitress placed the prime rib on the table. The newlyweds barely noticed. All they could do was gaze into each other’s eyes with an occasional giggle from Abbie. Hailey envied that and hoped someday she’d have the same thing.

  “This prime rib is excellent,” Peter said.

  “Practically melts in my mouth.” Hailey took a bite of the asparagus drizzled with garlic butter. “I’ve never liked asparagus much, but this is so good.”

  “And the rolls taste like my mom’s,” Peter said. “But don’t tell her that.”

  “I won’t.” Hailey patted her chest. “You can trust me.”

  Peter smiled.

  Hailey took a few more bites of the tender meat. “This was a great idea. An awesome idea. A superb idea, in fact.” She stopped herself from rambling on anymore and hoped she didn’t sound too over-the-top enthusiastic.