Speak to My Heart

by Rebecca Talley

  She entered the building and walked back to his office. Unfortunately, Joyce was at the front desk with her oversize gold hoop earrings and bright red lipstick.

  “May I help you?” she asked with an edge to her voice.

  “I’m here to see Peter Stafford.” She said it as evenly as possible.

  Joyce gave her the once-over and then asked, “Do you have an appointment?”

  Hailey cleared her throat. “Uh, no. But I’d like to see him as soon as possible.” She laced her shaking fingers together.

  With a smirk, Joyce said, “He isn’t in.”

  Hailey’s shoulders fell. She hadn’t considered that Peter might not be at the office. “When will he be in today?”

  “He won’t.” Joyce seemed to be enjoying this interplay, but Hailey was becoming increasingly agitated.

  Trying to remain cool, she asked, “Is it his day off?”

  Joyce leaned forward and with an arch of her eyebrow said, “He’s taken some personal time. I’m not sure when he’ll be back.”

  “Oh.” Personal time? Peter was gone? Hailey felt like she’d been kicked in the stomach. With stiletto heels.

  “I can leave him a message if you’d like. I talk to him frequently.” Joyce said it with an air of authority.

  Tamping her disappointment down, Hailey said, “No message. Thanks.”

  Hailey walked out of the rehabilitation center. Personal time? What did that mean? And why now? Of course, the biggest question was where did that leave her? She’d put on her cloak of bravery and wasn’t about to go back to Colorado without seeing him. Not when she’d come this far.

  What should I do? How can I find him? She had to see him in person and tell him how she felt or she was sure she’d burst into a million pieces. After thinking on it for a few minutes and trying to figure out what to do, her only option seemed to be to call him.

  Hailey pulled out her phone and rolled it between her hands, staring at it. Should I call him? If she wanted to see him, she’d have to, because there was no other way. Quickly, she tapped in his name, hit his contact info, and connected the call.

  Her heart hammered and her stomach roiled in anticipation as she waited for him to answer. When the call went through, Hailey jumped right in because she didn’t want to lose her nerve or momentum. “Hi. It’s me, Hailey. Please don’t say anything until I’m finished. I’m here. In Daytona Beach. Because I wanted to see you. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I need to tell you . . . I’m in love with you. I knew it before I left, but I was too afraid to tell you. Being back in Colorado made it crystal clear. I had to come back and tell you that I love you. That’s all. I’m done now.” She let out an anxious breath and waited for his reply.

  She heard a cough, and then a strange voice said, “Uh, hi. This is Laura. Peter’s sister. We met at a restaurant.”

  Hailey’s face immediately caught fire. “His sister?” She’d just declared her love for Peter to . . . his sister. How humiliating was that? She wanted to crawl in a hole and die.

  “Peter is here at my house,” she whispered. “He left his phone on the counter while he went outside with my son. When I saw your name on the screen I had to answer. We don’t have much time.”

  “Because?” Hailey had no idea what she meant.

  “My stubborn brother finally figured things out.” She chuckled softly. “He came by to say goodbye.”

  “Goodbye?” Was Peter leaving Florida? Why? Hailey was all sorts of confused.

  “He’s on his way to the airport. He has a ticket from Daytona Beach to Denver tonight.”

  Hailey’s heart catapulted to her throat. She hoped she knew the answer, but she had to ask to be sure. “Why is he flying to Denver?”

  “Seriously? To see you.”

  “What should I do?”

  “You could come over here, but I’d have to stall him. Or you could meet him at the airport. He’s leaving my house within the next fifteen minutes or so,” Laura said with excitement.

  “I can leave right now and meet him at the airport.” Adrenaline pumped through her.

  “He’s flying Delta. Uh, oh, he’s coming back inside. I’m going to delete this call so he won’t see it. Good luck.” With that she ended the call.

  Hailey stared at her phone. Did his sister just give her seal of approval? It sure sounded that way.

  On the drive over, Hailey replayed what she’d said to Peter’s sister. How embarrassing. On the bright side, at least that had given her a practice run, even if the humiliation still stung. Maybe when she saw Peter she could express herself more eloquently. She gripped the steering wheel to steady her trembling fingers.

  After she parked the rental car, she made her way to the entrance and paced back and forth. She was a jumble of nerves as she waited for Peter, hoping it would all play out as she’d fantasized.

  Before she could wear a path in the dingy gray carpet of the airport lobby, she spotted Peter coming through the glass doors. He was dressed in khaki pants and a blue dress shirt and was pulling a small black suitcase behind him. When he looked up and their gazes locked, her heart did a nosedive into her stomach. He blinked, let go of his suitcase, and rushed over to her, picking her up in his arms and twirling her around. “What are you doing here?” he whispered in her ear as he set her down.

  “Finding you.” She peered at him, overflowing with love.

  “But how?” His smile reached up into his pale blue eyes.

  “I have my ways.” She bit her lip and then led him by the hand to a more private area of the lobby.

  “I’m so happy to see you.” He embraced her again. “I was actually on my way to Colorado to see you.”

  “Oh yeah?” The idea that he was coming to see her made her heart want to sing out in joyous choruses.

  “And here you are.” He looked her up and down as if he couldn’t believe she stood there before him.

  “I am.” Hailey wanted to tell him why she was there, but she found it difficult to think about anything except the way his eyes sparkled with intensity, the way his musky scent drew her in, and the way his strong and steady arms encircled her so perfectly. Finally, she said, “I was a fool.”

  “You were?” His eyebrows moved slightly and the corners of his mouth tugged up.

  “I should have told you how I felt before I left.”

  “And I should have told you,” he said, brushing a lock of hair from her cheek.

  “Really?” Her legs were like overcooked noodles.

  He cupped her chin in his hand. “I want to be with you, Hailey. Since you left, I haven’t been able to think about anything else.” He paused and then peered deeply into her eyes, making her feel like a thousand candles burned inside her. “I love you.”

  Her cheeks throbbed. “Oh, Peter, I love you too.” This was even better than her fantasy.

  “I don’t want to spend another day without you,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear and making her eyelids flutter.

  “Me either,” she said, gulping for air.

  He reached up and traced her lips with his finger, letting it trail down her neck until every cell was on full alert. He laid his warm lips on hers and each nerve in her body ignited, then exploded into a full-fledged forest fire. His lips explored hers tentatively as if he were asking permission for more. When she responded affirmatively, the kiss intensified. The deeper he kissed her, the more she craved it, as if she couldn’t live without it. Passion pulsed through her body, making her limbs feel numb. She never wanted to stop kissing this man who had somehow captured her heart. She was all his.

  Once he stopped kissing her and her brain reengaged, she asked, “But what about the fact that you live in Florida and I live in Colorado?”

  He ran his fingers through her hair. “I’m not much for long distance.”

  “So what will we do?”

  “I’m ready to start my own practice, and Colorado is as good a place as any to start it. I’ve already researched what licens
ing I’d need.”

  “You’d do that?” He was willing to give up his life in Florida for her. Could he be any more amazing?

  “You are all I want. I know that.” He intertwined his fingers with hers. “My career will work itself out.”

  Hailey chewed her lip and then said, “Would you be offended if I said no?”

  He wrinkled his forehead. “Why?”

  “Because I’d rather stay here in Florida. Honestly, I love Daytona Beach and I want to be there for Gran when she gets back from Oregon. And your family needs you here.”

  “You’d move to Florida? Permanently?” Peter gazed at her in disbelief.

  “Yes.”

  He pulled her in for a long embrace. “You are exactly who I’ve been looking for all of my life.”

  His words brought a sense of security and happiness she’d never experienced. He was exactly who she’d been looking for too. They’d both taken relationship detours, but now they’d found each other, and she wasn’t about to let him go.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  Hailey stood in the modest foyer of the Living Light Church up the road from Gran’s house. She smoothed the layers of tulle on her wedding gown and clenched the bouquet of red roses mixed in with golden rosebuds in her trembling hands.

  A year ago, she’d said goodbye to Gramps in this chapel. But today, she was saying hello to a new life with Peter—the man she’d come to love even more deeply than the day she’d caught him at the airport. This last year had been filled with grand adventures and quiet moments, all shared with the man who had completely and wholly captured her heart.

  “Look at my beautiful girl,” her mom said, then kissed her on the cheek. “Your father would be so proud.” She adjusted Hailey’s veil. “You are a perfect bride.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Hailey still couldn’t believe today was her wedding day. Her wedding day. She wanted to shout from the rooftops that she was marrying her best friend and the man of her dreams, but an internal “squee” would have to do.

  “I’ll take my seat with Brit and the kids at the front.” She gave Hailey another kiss and then walked into the chapel.

  “My lands, you are breathtaking,” Gran said, her eyes moist.

  Hailey hugged Gran and tried to keep her emotions from spilling out of her eyes. “Thank you.”

  “I wish Harry were here to see you and walk you down the aisle.” Gran’s eyes saddened.

  “Me too.” Hailey let out a breath of regret. She so wished Gramps could’ve been here on her wedding day. She could almost see him standing there and grinning at her.

  “I better find my seat. Regina will wonder where I am.” Gran disappeared inside.

  The wedding march began on cue and Hailey couldn’t stop the smile that enveloped her face. She stepped into the chapel. Flowers were draped on the pews and the cool air from the AC circulated around her. All eyes were on her, but the only ones she noticed belonged to Peter. He stood at the front in a black tuxedo with a deep red vest and tie and a grin that stretched across his handsome face. Hailey wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

  Today she and Peter would unite their lives and promise to love each other always—a promise she intended to keep every single day, just like Gran and Gramps. She drew in a deep breath that was sprinkled with a soft floral scent. Her heart skittered as she put one foot in front of the other and began the walk toward her one true love.

  Keeping her gaze on Peter, she glided to the front of the church. As soon as he reached out his warm hand for hers, a gentle peace enfolded her. This is exactly where Hailey belonged.

  The pastor began the ceremony and then turned the time over to Hailey and Peter to exchange their vows.

  Peter cleared his throat. He caressed Hailey’s hand and gazed deeply into her eyes, making her breath catch. “You asked me what your grandfather said to me before we went to the karaoke bar. He said, ‘Be good to her.’ And that’s what I intend to do for the rest of my life. I pledge all of me to you, Hailey. I will spend every day loving you, honoring you, respecting you, and being true to you. I told your grandfather I’d be good to you and I intend to. In sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, during the good times and the stressful times, I will love you. I promise to build a life with you and to grow old with you. You are the piece of my heart I didn’t know was missing, and from today until the rest of time, I promise to love and cherish you.” His eyes misted.

  She blew out some air. “My turn?”

  He nodded.

  Trying to keep her voice from quivering, she said, “I give myself to you, body and soul. I give my heart to you today, tomorrow, and always. In sickness, in health, in good times or bad, if we are rich or if we are poor, I promise to love and honor you from this day forward. And to walk with you wherever our life leads us. You are my everything, Peter Stafford.” A tear edged out of her eye and Peter reached up to brush it away.

  The pastor said a few words, then had them exchange rings. He said, “You may kiss your bride.”

  Peter took a step toward her and enclosed her in his strong, capable arms. “You’ve made my dreams come true, Hailey Stafford.” He brushed her lips gently with his, sending a deluge of heat coursing through her. She melted into his arms, and their lips mingled together in a perfect rhythm of give and take while the world around them ceased to exist.

  “Uh, excuse me?” the pastor said, interrupting them. “Remember, we’re all here.” He laughed.

  Hailey pulled away from Peter, then leaned her forehead against his. She wiped at her mouth and said, “Sorry. We didn’t mean to get carried away.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Peter said with a wink.

  The pastor clapped Peter on the shoulder. “Please welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Stafford.”

  Hailey had never heard such sublime words as those. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford. They danced on her tongue and sent a shiver of happiness down her back.

  She looked out into the crowd, a sense of gratitude overwhelming her. A year ago, she’d come to Florida simply to help her grandparents, but instead found her destiny in the man who’d spoken to her heart.

  THANK YOU

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for reading Speak to My Heart. It was inspired by my own grandfather and his struggle to recover from a stroke. It was also inspired by my youngest son who has Down syndrome and struggles with his speech on a daily basis. In both cases, I had to learn about the building blocks of speech and learn how to help them communicate. I wanted to write a story that included a speech therapist and a romance. Life can be hard and throw us unexpected curveballs, but everyone deserves their happily-ever-after.

  The best form of advertising for authors is word of mouth. You can help spread the word about my book by submitting a review. If you have an Amazon account, it’s simple to submit a review on the product page. Reviews can help authors find new readers and help readers find new authors. Thank you!

  I love to hear from readers. You can email me at rebecca@rebeccatalley.com. You can find me online at www.rebeccatalley.com, on my author page on Facebook, on Instagram at RebeccaTalleyAuthor, and on Twitter @rebeccatalley.

  You can join my Reader News on my website, www.rebeccatalley.com, and receive a free novella, find out about new releases, and gain insights into my crazy life with my big family. (Yes, I have 10 children and I’m still (almost) sane).

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Rebecca Talley grew up next to the ocean in Santa Barbara, California. She spent her youth at the beach collecting sea shells and building sandcastles. She graduated from high school and left for college, where she met and married her sweetheart, Del.

  Del and Rebecca are the sometimes frazzled, but always grateful, parents of ten wildly- creative and multi-talented children and the grandparents of the most adorable little girls and the most handsome little boy in the universe.

  After spending nineteen years in rural Colorado with horses, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, and donkeys, Rebe
cca and her family moved to a suburb of Houston, Texas, where she spends most of her time in the pool trying to avoid the heat and humidity. When she isn't in the pool, she loves to date her husband, play with her kids, swim in the ocean, redecorate her house, and dance to disco music while she cleans the house.

  You can join her Reader News to keep up with her crazy life, including her new releases, and receive a free book at www.rebeccatalley.com.

  DEDICATION

  I want to dedicate this book to my maternal grandpa and to my youngest son.

  I also want to thank my family for all of their support and patience while I worked on this book, especially my amazing husband, Del, who is my biggest cheerleader.

  Thank you to those who helped me with the manuscript and to those who proofread it for me. Thank you to all of those who voted for this book in the Kindle Scout campaign.

  And thank you to all of you who read my books and support me in my dream to share uplifting stories with readers around the world.

  OTHER ROMANCE NOVELS/NOVELLAS BY REBECCA TALLEY

  Best Kind of Love: A Reunion Romance Novella

  Grounded for Love: A Reunion Romance Novella

  Imperfect Love

  Adding Christmas