Independence: #4 Hayley

by Karen Nichols

  “It isn’t a secret,” came the defensive response. Hayley continued walking straight to the old-fashioned dress in a startlingly gorgeous color of blue with silver trim. “It’s like something out of Dicken’s…” her fingers stroked the soft velvet.

  “We hope so,” Samantha Sheffield came around the corner, half-dressed and beaming a bright smile. “Thank you so much for helping, Hayley.”

  “I hope I don’t goof up…I’m not real good in front of people…I’m an animal kind of girl…” but she nodded slowly. “But I’ll do my best.”

  “Just think of it as a huge family,” Samantha said with a hug. “You’ll be fine. We try and put out a call for backup but we had some silly notion everyone would be healthy. Who’d think one of our choir would lose her voice.”

  “You have a great reputation for these recitals, Sam…” Hayley inhaled deeply and set her tote on the bench. “I’m glad I could help…really…”

  Anna stayed close, watching her friend and helping her into the heavy dress before she went to finish prepping herself. “So you don’t want to talk about your personal life?”

  “To be honest…” Hayley met her eyes in the mirror as she sat and touched up her makeup. “I’m not sure how.”

  “You think anyone in our group would judge you, Hayley?” Paige Andrews came zipping around the corner, wide deep green skirt bumping things as she moved. “I seriously love these dresses but moving in them…”

  “Wait till you have to pee,” Faith Morrison said direly, her head shaking.

  “Gee, thanks, guys…” Hayley laughed, a little of the inner tension easing. “No…no, I don’t think you’d judge. But it’s…it’s a bit hard to explain…it’s not just one guy…”

  “You fell in love with two?” Paige chuckled and nodded. “You go, girl! That’ll put your brother and cousins in their place. So which one is cuter?”

  “If it was only that easy…” Hayley murmured. She looked up from the hands she was studying. The voices had gradually dropped off to almost nothing. She looked up and heat flooded her cheeks; her eyes widened considerably as the huge vase of red roses crossed from the entrance.

  Dane Landon set the large vase on the vanity she sat before and Jack came to the side, his hands on her shoulders. He leaned in and kissed her, careful not to disrupt her makeup. Dane repeated the gesture from the other side before both turned silently and left the dressing area.

  “Wow…” Paige stared after the two that strode out in silence. “Don’t they fill out those suits…wow…”

  “They work construction,” Hayley whispered, one hand rising to brush her fingertips over some of the velvety petals. “They just joined the area…brought their construction firm from the east just to be part of all this.”

  “I’d keep them both,” Anna decided with a grin. “But fortunately for me, Carter is all I need.”

  “What if…” Hayley stopped, her head shaking. Talking to them had been hard enough for her. Trying to explain her relationship with them to her friends…

  “What if you love them both?” Anna said softly, smiling at her friend. “It shows on your face, Hayley. You’re not shocking us. You’re happy and we’re your friends. How could we deny you that?”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Samantha said with a gentle hug from behind. “It’s not something everyone can get into…but like Anna said…you’re happy. I can see it on your face when they came in with the flowers. Supreme control kept you from ruining your mascara…” she teased with a laugh.

  “You’ll never be lonely,” Paige told her with a hand on hers where they rested on her lap. “If Dell is giving you grief, send him to me or Faith…we’ll straighten him out for you.”

  “But it’s not…it’s…”

  “Not normal?” A passing Rose laughed and leaned in with a dramatic whisper. “I have a crazy Irishman in my bed…things are never, ever normal…and I thank the universe for that every single day we’re together.”

  “You really think people in love are missionary, in the dark with their eyes closed?” Anna asked with a laugh.

  “Wait…isn’t that the game…CLUE?” Paige asked with a chuckle when laughter went through the room. “It might be a bit more non-private than you opted for, Hayley, but every one of us has our own versions of normal. I personally prefer amazing…” she declared with a sigh.

  “I much prefer the hot, wild lust,” Anya Sheffield announced as she came past in her sparkling red dress. She winked into the mirror and leaned in to sniff the flowers. “Gorgeous. Someone has an admirer.” She looked up to see Paige hold up two fingers. “Two? Even better,” she declared with a nod, her expression turning sad. “I knew of several triads in…in Sarajevo. The sad part was often it was because of so few men in the area…then other small towns had too many men and few women because of the killing. But I did see them happy…”

  “I am happy,” Hayley said abruptly, swallowing hard. “And I have the best friends in the world.”

  “Then do not allow anyone to sway you,” Anya told her firmly. “And do not for a moment believe that being a mother makes you the slightest bit less sexy. Ian still chases me around the house…and I sometimes allow him to catch me.”

  Laughter went around the large room.

  “Oh, lord, you’re making her teary eyed!” Samantha said with a low growl, pulling tissues free and thrusting them at Hayley. “No congestion…no runny mascara…no, no, no…”

  “She’s been practicing with Arianna,” Paige said with a chuckle. “That’s why we switched to the waterproof stuff, Sam…relax…”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Mac looked the pair up and then down again.

  “You guys clean up pretty good,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Guy jokes never end,” Dane remarked, his hands up and straightening the silver striped deep blue tie.

  “Of course not. That’s what make us guys,” Jack commented, the sides of his jacket slid back and his hands deep in the pockets of his slacks. “This is one hell of a layout, Mac. I don’t think I could have imagined it even after days of no sleep…” He spun very slowly, taking in the large ballroom laid out before them. The stage was empty, the sound system being tuned and prepped.

  Mac raised a hand, rubbing the back of his neck and wincing slightly. “In all honesty…we just wanted a hotel, casino and arcade. At least…that’s all the original plans were for…then things kind of…took off.”

  “I heard it was a sore subject for your esteemed leader,” Dane quipped as Logan walked toward them.

  “I heard that.”

  “Do tell,” Dane held his hand out. “Thanks for your support in getting through the process. Going back to school again to learn about your geography was enlightening.”

  “Earthquakes and tidal flats,” Logan shrugged and took his hand. “I’m glad you guys came to your senses. We’ve needed another honest construction firm in the area. You won’t lack for work, I can assure you of that.” He looked the pair up and down. “So rumor has it you’re mingling with the ranch we’re adding.”

  “And no fighting!”

  All the men turned toward the tone of voice, a woman with short dark hair going to her toes and kissing the guy before dashing off down the hall.

  “Rafe,” Jack held out a palm. “Don’t know if you know everyone…”

  “We’ve met…why does she think I’ll cause a fight?” Rafe shook his head, his chuckle low as he leaned to the side to watch her running down the corridor. “Damn…how she moves on those heels…”

  “The mysteries of women,” Logan agreed with a laugh.

  “She’s friends with Hayley,” Jack said after a slight pause. He caught Rafe’s eyes, the dark midnight circles not shying away. “Has her brother been to see you?”

  “He’s trying to get the girls on his side,” Rafe said after a slow breath. “And he’s not making much headway.”

  “He can’t just let her live her own life?”

 
“Hayley spent most of her life hiding from him and the others,” Rafe answered cautiously. “They all had this idea that she needed extra care because her mom died, but none of them took time to listen to her. Except Colt’s dad…when Hayley started hanging at the vet’s office, he wrangled her into service and she loved it. They fought that, too, but she fought back on it…hard.”

  “She’s got a strong will,” Dane commented as they began walking toward the seats for partners of the people putting on the recital. “Why would they not want her to be a vet? She loves it.”

  “It’s not girl enough…” Rafe held up two hands when the mouths began opening around him. “Serious. My uncles and cousins are…were…I’ve lectured and ignored them. Most of the time, so has Hayley. Then you two come along…and Dell is convinced she’s headed for drugs, alcohol and wicked sex.”

  “Well, he’s got one right,” Jack murmured with a chuckle.

  “Companionship and love are alright for him, but he doesn’t want his sister to have the same things?” Dane took his seat, his mind churning.

  “He’s not a bad guy, Dane,” Rafe said firmly. “He’s not. I think our dad’s beat it into our heads beyond reasonable to always look out for her. He just doesn’t know how to let go of that.”

  “Then I guess we think of a way,” Jack said calmly. “One that won’t damage their relationship…or ours.”

  Dane pursed his lips, a long, slow stream of breath pushed through. “Yeah…”

  People milled and talked until the lights gave a warning dimming. Most were seated by the time the lights went out and a single spot was illuminated on the stage. The musical director, Miriam, stepped up and began talking.

  “Welcome to the second recital presented by employees and friends of the WindSwept Narrows Resort and Casino. I am Miriam. I’m new to the program. I applied to teach choir and music at the new school and was graciously offered a position. When Samantha Elliott-Sheffield discovered my presence, she immediately launched into a plea for my aid. Needless to say, I was thrilled to be asked.”

  “I might not be from the area, but the music produced by this talented group of amateurs last year had spread across the country. Even to Maine, where I worked in a small private school at the time. The timing and…the pure cohesiveness of the musical talents here fascinated me and I honestly told Samantha that I couldn’t possibly do better than they did on their own, but would be delighted to be included in the festivities.”

  “I was gifted with immensely talented, quick learning individuals. The only issue we’ve had are very nervous stomachs for new-comers.” She paused for the soft laughter. “But we are resilient and have three sections to our presentation this evening. Older songs, some in French and Celtic; The middle will be old-fashioned standards and the last section, a brief collection of modern songs to get your toes tapping. You might notice that the first two sections actually collide, but I doubt you’ll mind.”

  “Most of our music actually belongs to others. Perhaps Karaoke is a good way to describe it. Training a full orchestra, given the day jobs of most of us, isn’t practical. But we do have a few new things to show you tonight. Please…enjoy.”

  “We’ll begin with Carol of the Bells,” she said softly, stepping back as the lights went completely down to nothing.

  Rising out of the darkness came soft lighting, the sounds of small bells and then the violin. Seated in a close cluster of significant others, Jack watched one man shake his head as a violinist began playing. Miriam had a place near the choir, her hands up and directing as voices began to rise through the tall ceiling.

  Several songs later, Jack slammed his elbow into Dane’s side, both men staring at the long gown, prim, sedately bound hair at the nape of her neck and face aimed into the single spotlight. The lyrics rang through soft and clear, building and spreading throughout the large banquet hall.

  Their girl had a very fine set of lungs on her.

  When her head fell forward at the end, the men were stunned, but clapping with the rest of the room. They sat stunned, only coming out of their silence when the songs slipped into the rocking modern style. Dressed in a short tunic and leggings, three women took turns with a medley of songs that had people clapping along with the music, some singing to the lyrics.

  “Well…that’s a side of our girl we knew nothing about,” Dane remarked when the lights came up and people began filtering into the banquet room. The smells of food had been torturing them for over an hour.

  “The emotion she puts into her solos was amazing,” Jack stood, stretched and watched various people meeting up. Women he recognized from the stage connected with partners, some with small children. Smiles were broad but what he noticed to be most prevalent, were the eyes filled with love when they met.

  Did they look at Hayley that way? Did she look at them with the same way?

  He and Dane were just touching thirty-five, but had they been Dom’s so long, they can’t tell the difference between sub appreciation and the love of a partner? He pushed a long breath between his lips, trying to think back to the last time he felt that kind of attachment to a woman in his life.

  He couldn’t find it. Not with the depth he was beginning to experience with Hayley.

  “This is an interesting group,” Dane remarked quietly, obviously the same thoughts running through his mind as he watched the couples forming and walking toward the banquet room.

  “I can’t even remember feeling like this…”

  “She’s unusual…” Dane agreed slowly. “I think it’s the bubble of life she carries around with her. I think we lost that somewhere along the way. Maybe it’s the whole reason we kind of tossed holidays to the side. I don’t know. But I’ve been watching the couples since we got here and…”

  “Somewhere I hear someone whispering that it’s a magical season,” Jack chided sourly, his head shaking. “Maybe you’re right,” he exhaled deeply. “When I think back, all I see is drive. All I see is the end product. What we spent so long aiming for,” he recalled thoughtfully.

  “We had superficial relationships,” Dane added to the train of thought.

  “And made certain they stayed there,” Jack reminded him. “But we aren’t there now. We’re…hell, I don’t know what we are. But I know here…in this place, this location, it’s not the same as it was when we started out. It’s not even the same as it was two years ago.”

  Neither of them would ever be able to put words to the action that had them turning slowly and watching her approach. There was no explanation for how they knew she was on the other side of the almost empty ballroom. She was talking to a redhead that they recognized from a photo.

  “Logan’s wife,” Dane put the thoughts into words. “And there’s Logan and their daughter.” They laughed at the little arms wildly thrown up and aimed at her mother. Both wore matching deep blue velvet dresses with lace and ribbons. Both saw the love reflecting and almost sparkling around the couple.

  “I don’t feel the urge to run for the hills,” Jack commented, a tinge of fascination in his voice. His stance straightened just a little more, a bit taller, when she turned from her friends and smiled at them.

  Sparkle was the right word. She wore a Christmas green and red dress; a cluster of lace framed the modestly cut bodice that nipped her waist in and fell in soft waves of the skirt to her knees.

  “No…and that’s a damn daunting feeling in itself,” Dane agreed softly. Both hands rose at once as she neared and she took both hands in hers. “You were beautiful up there, Hayley.” He bent slightly and kissed her cheek.

  “Beautiful doesn’t cover it,” Jack repeated the action on the other side. “Dinner?”

  “Thank you both and I’d love some. I’m starving. I was so nervous…”

  “Do you neglect to eat a lot?” Dane asked with a chuckle, thinking back to their week together. “I think that’s something we’ll have to watch, Jack.”

  “I do…” She confessed with a sigh. “When I first started
working with Uncle James…I was a wreck. Afraid I’d make a mistake…either in action or words…that’s when I started drinking the protein shakes in a can.”

  They entered the connected ballroom. Hayley was talking about the songs she sang and the other women in the very large collective. She wasn’t aware of the eyes that tried hard not to look in their direction. Jack was grateful of that and cast a quick look at Dane, who was very good at keeping her engaged. He spotted an empty table and guided them toward it.

  Jack seated Hayley and bent to kiss her, their lips meeting and coaxing each other to play with gentle swipes of tongue. He forced himself to focus and stood tall.

  “What would you like to drink? Dane will fill some plates and bring them over and you can continue telling us about the new experience,” Jack tipped his head slightly to the side. “And explain why you didn’t mention this when we thought we’d be picking you up at five.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Hayley kept the smile in place, despite the wince inside. Those little bouts of rebellion are going to start costing her, she realized. They didn’t seem to miss much. She chuckled to herself and switched seats so one of them would be on either side of her.

  She caught sight of her brother across the room with Tasha, Crystal, Wyatt, Katie and Tara. There was laughing and carrying plates filled with food. The entire atmosphere in the banquet hall flowed with friendship and love in too many directions to keep track of.

  It felt good, she thought, smiling when her guys returned, each bearing two plates filled with choices. She immediately grabbed the plate with half a dozen salad choices and began eating, stopping only long enough when Jack laughed and bent down to kiss her before sitting at her left.

  She waited, looking expectantly at Dane.

  Maybe she was becoming acclimated. Maybe accepting. Maybe even expecting the affections they’d showered her with since meeting.