“I haven’t seen you here before. I take it you don’t live in the area?”
“No. I’m watching the kids at my friends’ place. Easier for them.” I smiled. “Poppy and I actually live in the Pearl… not that you needed to know that.”
“It’s all good.” Kim smiled. “I love the Pearl. I have a condo there, although, I rent it out now. It’s not really conducive to equine pets.”
I laughed. “No, I don’t suppose it would be. I had horses as a girl. Gosh, I miss them. I’d love for Poppy to learn to ride.” I sighed. “One day.”
Kim rummaged in her purse and pulled out a card, handing it to me. “We have a training facility with some amazing instructors. Give us a call and we’ll find Poppy a lovely horse to ride.”
I focused back on my daughter.
“Daddy!”
Kim and I turned toward Cambry’s squeal, and I saw a tall man (very tall) walking toward the play structure, catching his little girl as she threw herself into his arms. He had dark, longish hair and wore jeans, motorcycle boots and a leather vest over a long-sleeved thermal.
“See?” Kim said. “She has daddy radar. She’ll know he’s around even when she can’t see him.”
“Hard not to see him,” I pointed out.
“I know. He is rather large.” She licked her lips as he approached, then added, “And delicious.”
“Hey, sugar.” He leaned down and kissed Kim.
“Hey, honey. Did you come to rescue me so I didn’t have to waddle home?”
He chuckled. “Pleadin’ the fifth on that one.”
“Smart man,” I said.
“Knight, this is Maisie,” Kim said.
“Nice to meet you,” he said.
Cambry snuggled closer to her daddy.
I smiled. “You as well.”
“Hatch is back at the house,” he said. “We grabbed pizza.”
My ears perked up at the name. “Hatch is quite an unusual name.”
“Hatch is quite an unusual man,” Kim said.
“I met a Mr. Hatch the other day. Probably not the same one, but it’s interesting.”
“Is he tall, in his early forties, long hair usually man-bunned?” Kim asked.
“Yes, that sounds just like him,” I said, my heart suddenly racing.
“His name’s just Hatch.” Kim glanced up at Knight. “What’s his real name, honey?”
“Connor,” Knight said, kissing his daughter’s neck. Cambry squealed and leaned in for more.
“Right,” she said. “No one uses their real names. Well, the wives do when we’re pissed at them, but otherwise…”
“You’re funny, sugar,” Knight said.
“I know.” She turned to me again. “Where did you meet Hatch?”
“If it’s the same man, he got my car started for me.” I shared the story of breaking down and Hatch’s subsequent assistance.
“What a bit—I mean, what a mean thing to do,” Kim said, glancing at her daughter who was suddenly listening to every word her mother said. “Never leave another woman stranded.”
I nodded. “My friend said the same thing.”
“Hatch helps out with deliveries to a few shops around town,” Knight said. “So it sounds like the same guy.”
“Small world,” I mused, suddenly wanting to see him again.
Strange.
“We should go,” Kim said, pushing up from the bench. “But please give me a call. My cell phone’s on that card. We’d love to help Poppy out with lessons and perhaps you can get back into riding yourself.”
I patted my chest. “Gosh, I’d love that.”
“It was so nice to meet you, Maisie.” Kim smiled again. “Have a great rest of the weekend.”
I waved. “You too, love.”
I watched the happy family walk away and I thought how strange it was to have come so close to Hatch again. Serendipity was a strange thing.
* * *
Hatch
Hatch grinned at little Cambry as she rushed up to him. “Unca Hatt.”
“Hey, baby girl, how are ya?” he asked, and picked her up.
“Pizza!” she squealed, slapping his face gently.
“Yep, we got pizza.”
“Cambry, honey, let’s go wash up,” Kim said, leaning down to kiss Hatch on the cheek as she took Cambry from him. “Hey.”
“Hey, babe,” he said.
“Thanks for waiting on the pizza.”
He chuckled. “No problem.”
Kim took Cambry to the sink and they washed hands as Knight grabbed beers from the fridge, handing Hatch an open one.
“If I said the name Maisie, would you know who I was talking about?” Kim asked.
Hatch nearly choked on his swig of beer. “What?”
“I found out we might have a mutual acquaintance.”
“Blonde. British, fu—ah” —he stalled, mindful of Cambry—”I mean, real pretty.”
Kim giggled, lifting Cambry from the sink and handing her off to Knight. “Yes, that’s the one. You helped her with her car?”
“Yeah. How do you know her?” Hatch asked.
“Met her in the park today.”
“Yeah?”
“Sugar, leave Hatch alone,” Knight ordered.
Hatch chuckled. “She’s good, brother.”
Typically, he wanted nothing to do with the club old ladies trying to set him up, but at the present time, he wanted to know more about Maisie.
Kim filled him in on the circumstances that left Maisie stranded and Hatch felt his blood run cold. Pissed that she might have been in real trouble if he hadn’t been there to help, despite the fact Triple A had been called, and suddenly wanting to hit the bitch who didn’t help her. “No kidding?” Hatch said.
“Sugar,” Knight warned again.
“Anyway, her daughter might come take riding lessons.”
Hatch raised an eyebrow. “So she’s married.”
Kim shook her head. “Widow.”
“Shit, seriously?” Fuck. He didn’t expect that, but it explained the sadness.
“Yep.” Kim took a bite of pizza.
“Fascinating.”
“Isn’t it though?” she sang.
Hatch chuckled when Knight dropped his head back and swore at the ceiling, then groaned out, “Babe.”
“Okay, okay. I’m done,” she promised. “Unless, of course, you want me to get more information.”
“Kimmie, stop,” Knight snapped.
“I’m good, babe, but thanks,” Hatch said.
Hatch could tell Kim was disappointed, and although he thought Maisie was gorgeous, he reminded himself (again) she wasn’t easy pussy and that’s all he was looking for. He finished his pizza, begged off staying for another beer, and headed home his mind swirling with Maisie thoughts.
Fuck. Now he knew he really needed to avoid the bitch at all costs.
Maisie
MONDAY MORNING ARRIVED far too early for my body; however, my mind had been awake most of the night. I forced myself to get up and face the day, deciding to shower before waking Poppy. I was surprised to find her up and already eating breakfast in the kitchen. She’d even made coffee. “Thank you, Poppet. For some reason, I’m extra tired this morning.”
She giggled. “It’s Merrick’s fault, huh?”
“Ah, no. It’s no one’s fault.” As if to mock me, a vision of Hatch filled my head. “Just have a lot going on this week.”
“Don’t forget Grace and I have that dance workshop tonight. You’re driving.”
“Bloody—” I cut my curse off. “Right, I actually did forget. Thank you for reminding me.”
Poppy and Grace had been involved in ballet for a while, but there was a new class being offered once a month for advanced dancers. Grace was amazing. Poppy was good, but she was missing something and I’d hoped this instructor could assist us in figuring out what it was. My perfectionist daughter tended to berate herself if she didn’t excel at everything she did and I needed to get a handle on it.
<
br /> “Do you think she’ll hate me?” Poppy asked quietly.
“Who?”
“The teacher.”
Oh, the joys of hormonal girls. “My love, no one could possibly hate you. Mrs. Quinn may have some important things to say about your technique though, darling, and it’s important you don’t take those personally. Dancing is not who you are, it’s what you do. I love your passion and your need to do your very best, but even if you didn’t dance, you’d still be the most amazing young woman I know.” I cupped her chin. “I’m proud of you every minute of every day. Don’t ever forget that.”
She smiled. “Even when I’m angry at you?”
“Well, no, I’m much less proud of you then, and admittedly, I love you conditionally, but only when you’re being a strop…when you’re not being a strop, I love you unconditionally.”
Poppy giggled. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I know, love.” I grinned. “Right, I’ll get dressed quickly and drop you at school.”
“I love you, Mummy.”
I adored it when she called me “Mummy.” It wasn’t often because my little girl was growing up, but she’d pull that out when she needed me to know just how much she was feeling.
“Love you too, Poppet.” I kissed her forehead and headed to my room to change.
* * *
Four-thirty rolled around faster than expected, so I left Ali at the office to handle the final meeting and rushed off to pick up the girls and take them to dance. Glad to find they were ready, we all piled in the car and headed to North Portland. Traffic was hellish, but I’d left in just enough time and we arrived with ten minutes to spare.
“Girls, you go warm up and I’ll check you in,” I directed, and headed to the desk.
A stunning brunette smiled up at me. “Hi. Welcome.”
“Thank you. I have Poppy Mann and Grace Clark.”
“Perfect. You’re all set. If you head inside, my daughter will show you where you can watch the class.”
I smiled and headed through the doors. Poppy and Grace were already at the barre stretching along with several other girls.
“Ma’am?”
I turned to the young woman smiling. “Yes.”
“If you’ll please come with me, I’ll take you to the viewing room for parents.”
“Thanks, love.” I followed where she directed and joined several of the other parents. They had coffee and bottled waters set up on a table against the back wall, along with a few snacky-type things, which I deeply appreciated since I was starving. I’d promised the girls dinner afterwards, but I grabbed a couple of crackers to tide me over.
Small talk ensued amongst a few of us as we waited for the class to begin, but once the door was closed and our only access to our children was through the looking glass so to speak, the room went silent.
The young woman who’d showed me into the room served as the example dancing before the class and her technique was flawless. Her petite curvy build seemed to lengthen with each limber move, and as she broke into a pirouette, little wisps of blonde hair escaped from the loose bun piled on top of her head. She moved like water through a graceful stream.
“Lily,” Mrs. Quinn instructed. “When you go into the petits jetés, point your toes a bit harder.”
Lily nodded and did a little jog, then went straight into the jump, her feet arched perfectly (as far as I knew, anyway).
“Beautiful, honey,” Mrs. Quinn said. “Now, who’d like to try that?”
I smiled to see both Poppy and Grace raise their hands immediately. Grace went first and she was lovely (as I suspected she would be), then it was Poppy’s turn and my heart was in my throat. She did well, but I could tell by her face she wasn’t happy.
The class moved on and I sighed as I watched Poppy’s countenance change. It was slight, and I knew that only I, as her mother, would notice, but it was enough to put a stone in my gut. She watched Grace with suspicion and a little jealousy, but would quickly force a smile. I knew she wanted to be supportive, but I think all girls fight the tendency to be mean on occasion, even to our best friends. Something was going on with my girl and I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Before I knew it, the hour was up and the girls began to disperse. Mrs. Quinn pulled Grace aside and Poppy watched, her expression pained. Grace beamed as the instructor spoke to her and I wasn’t surprised she’d been noticed. She truly was a gifted dancer.
Class was officially dismissed and Mrs. Quinn sought me out. “Are you Grace’s mother?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m Poppy’s.”
“Oh, they’re both such lovely dancers.” She reached out her hand. “I’m Cassidy, by the way.”
“Maisie,” I said, shaking her hand.
“Would you please let Grace’s mom know I’ll call her later this week?” she asked.
“I’d be happy to.”
The girls walked to where their bags were and began to remove their toe shoes.
“I can see Poppy works very hard.”
“You have no idea,” I said.
Cassidy smiled. “I think I do. Is this something she’s passionate about? And I mean, does she breathe ballet?”
I thought about that question for a few seconds. “No, actually. I don’t think she does. Not like Grace, anyway. Gracie is constantly dancing or watching videos. She pulls socks over her pointe shoes and dances around the house. It drives her mother nuts.” I chuckled. “Poppy loves ballet, but breathes it? No. Though it doesn’t minimize her commitment,” I rushed to say.
Cassidy shook her head. “No, and it really shouldn’t. I did notice she gets frustrated if she does something wrong. I have always felt dance should be a release… a way to work through my emotions. I’ve noticed the most gifted dancers can’t live without it, but with Poppy, I see an internal fight a bit. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a beautiful dancer, but I think if she could figure out what she’s fighting against, she’d be able to relax a bit more.”
I hummed in thought. “That’s an interesting observation. I’ll have to ask her about it.”
“They’re both at a crossroads and I believe they could go quite far, but it’s time for them to start making some choices in order to set them up for the future.” Cassidy smiled. “I’d love to speak with you further, but why don’t you talk to Poppy first and find out what she wants?”
“I’ll do that.”
“Great.” Cassidy said goodbye to each girl individually and then we started out to the parking lot.
I wasn’t fully prepared for the next few minutes. As we walked through the foyer, I stalled. Hatch stood with a group of gruff looking men, all in jeans, boots, and leather vests or jackets, and one of them had his arm around Lily as he kissed the brunette who’d checked us in. A teenage boy stood with his arms crossed watching Lily as he spoke with a man who I assumed was his father since they looked alike.
My heart raced and I felt tingling in places I had convinced myself were dead. Hatch looked my way and I averted my eyes, sure he wouldn’t remember me, hoping to escape.
“Let me get you my number,” Cassidy said, reminding me I had unfinished business.
I forced a smile. “Right.”
“Are you okay?” Cassidy asked.
“Yes, fine.”
She chuckled. “Please don’t let them scare you. They look rougher than they are. They’re here to help tear down.”
“They don’t scare me,” I said. “Not in the slightest.”
She didn’t look convinced as she handed me a card with a number jotted down on the back. “This is my cell. Call me this week and we’ll have a chat about options for Poppy.”
“Great, thank you,” I said, and turned to gather Grace and Poppy who were speaking with a few of the other students.
I glanced down to put the card in my purse and when I raised my head I nearly ran into a wall of muscle. I gasped.
“Sorry, babe,” Hatch said. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
I swall
owed. “That’s okay.” I met his eyes and shivered.
“Maisie, right?”
God, he remembered my name. I nodded, unable to find my voice.
“Hatch,” he said.
“I… yes. Hello,” I managed.
“You takin’ a dance class?” he joked.
I chuckled. “My daughter is.”
“Yeah?” He glanced over his shoulder to where I was staring, then focused back on me with a smile. “She looks like you.”
I nodded, again unable to speak. I didn’t seem to have this problem when he rescued me. Maybe it was because he was standing close and he smelled incredible. Soap, leather, and all man. I was rendered useless when he ran his hand over his beard. I wanted to do it, so bad in fact, I fisted my hand at my side to keep myself from touching him.
He smiled. “I’ll let you go.”
No. No, don’t, please.
“I really appreciate you coming to my rescue the other week if I didn’t mention it before,” I rushed to say.
“Glad you got home safe.”
I bit my lip and took a silent breath. I needed to get myself together, but I felt like time stood still. It was just me and Hatch standing in the foyer of an old building in Northeast, the rest of the world had ceased to exist.
“Mum?”
I was startled out of my trance by Poppy and I forced my gaze from Hatch’s. “Are you ready, honey?”
She stared up at Hatch, a curious expression on her face. “Hi.”
“Hey,” he said.
“I’m Poppy.”
I drew my eyebrows together in confusion. Poppy didn’t introduce herself to strangers… well, adults, anyway, but she had no hesitation talking to Hatch.
He smiled. “Hatch.”
“Cool name,” she said.
“Thanks.”
“Are you a friend of my mom’s?”
“He’s the man who helped me when my car broke down,” I provided.
She frowned at me. “Oh, you mean when that lady left you stranded?”
I shook my head.
“I mean, who does that?” she continued.
“Who indeed,” Hatch said, his voice gruff.
“Let’s give Lonnie a break,” I said. “Sometimes people make mistakes.”
Poppy rolled her eyes and then asked, “Can we have pizza?”
Road to Peace Page 3