How could he think she was an enabler like her mother? How could he not trust her?
Focus. While the two at the table squared off, she needed to pray.
“Collin, I know I failed you, darling.” Mother pursed her lips as if the admission left a bitter taste. “But don’t punish me by hurting Brady.”
He let out a silverware-rattling sigh. “He’s my son. He should be with me.”
Tears filled Mother’s eyes.
Laken pulled a chair and joined them. “Mother is only trying to help. We all want what’s best for Brady.”
“Collin, please.” Mother’s voice squeaked. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not being a better mother. For keeping secrets. For letting Sharlene raise you. But please, don’t take Brady away from me. I’ve already lost one son. I don’t want to lose the grandson I just discovered.”
“Please, spare me.” Collin pulled his hand away. “It’s too late. I’ve made my decision.”
Laken clasped Mother’s trembling hand.
“It’s never too late.” Mother pursed her lips. “Martin and I both want to have a place in our grandson’s life. He wanted to be a real father, he really did. But Martin is sick. Alcoholism is a disease. But for the first time in a long time, I see hope in his eyes. He wants to change.”
“Maybe if we could pull together, we could help him.” Laken touched Collin’s hand.
He pushed his chair back and stood. “I’ll pray for him. From California.” Collin stalked out the door.
Mother’s chin quivered. Broken, she lay facedown on the table as sobs convulsed her delicate shoulders. “I’ve made such a mess of everything.” “You tried.” Laken hugged her.
Brady pushed a green bean in a circle around the fried squash and oven-baked chicken Mom had sent over. “What do you think California will be like?”
For the last week, Hayden had tried to get used to the idea of losing Brady. And Laken. How had all the joy in his life snuffed out so quickly? “Probably kind of like Little Rock.”
“Only bigger.”
“Maybe.” Hayden took a swig of sweet tea.
“Do you think any of the other kids at my new school have wheelchairs?”
“Probably. It’s a bigger school.”
“A lot bigger.”
“You’ll be just fine. You’ll make friends just like you did here.”
The clock ticked too loud. Ticking away the minutes, hours, days until Brady left.
Though Laken was still in Romance, the Laken he thought he knew was already gone.
“Do I have to go?”
Hayden tried to keep his tone steady. “Do you want to go?”
“I’m not sure.” Brady shrugged. “I love my dad and all, but I’ll miss you. And Grandma and Grandpa and Laken and Mimi and my friends.”
“Laken’s going with you.”
“But only for two weeks.”
“I think she’s planning to stay as long as you do.”
“Really?” Brady’s eyes brightened.
“Yep.” At least she truly loved Brady. Or did she just love Collin? Lord, let her take good care of Brady.
“But what about you?”
Hayden swallowed hard. “What about me?”
“Well, you two kind of like each other, don’t you? And if me and Laken both move to California, you’ll be all alone.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ve got Grandma and Grandpa and church.”
“I’ll miss our church, too.” A worried frown wrinkled Brady’s forehead. “Do you think Dad will take me to church?”
“If you ask him, he might.”
“I bet the churches in California are big.”
Hayden took Brady’s hand in his own. “Give California a chance. You may like it and you may not. But go with an open mind.”
“Do you think Dad will let me come back here if I don’t like it?”
Lord willing. “I think your dad wants you to be happy.”
“And Laken, too. You were right about her. She’s nothing like Jan.”
Hayden swallowed hard. “Did I say that?”
“A long time ago, after the trail ride.” Brady took a sip of his sweet tea. “Do you think there’s anywhere in California where kids like me can ride horses?”
“I’m sure there is, and your dad can buy you all the gear and haul Spot to California.”
“Laken liked riding when we went before. How come y’all never go riding?”
“I guess we just never got around to it.”
“Can we go riding before I leave? With Laken? One last time?”
One last time.
A vise tightened in Hayden’s chest. “If you’ll eat your supper, I’ll call and ask her.”
“Now?”
“Start eating.” Hayden pointed to Brady’s plate.
With a grin, Brady popped a forkful of squash into his mouth.
Hayden went to the living room to make the call. As the phone rang, his insides tumbled. She’d refuse to spend time with him. She didn’t have to anymore.
“Hello?”
The sound of her voice sent his pulse into a sprint. “Laken, it’s Hayden. Brady wants to know if you’ll go horseback riding with us before y’all leave for California.”
Silence. He counted the seconds, willing her to say no, even though Brady would be disappointed. His heart couldn’t take any more game-playing.
She cleared her throat. “I’d absolutely love that.”
Hayden sucked in a breath. “I’ll be with y’all.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Just tell me when.”
He tried to think clearly. “Saturday is supposed to be in the fifties I think. Around three o’clock?”
“I’ll be there.”
“See you then.” He hung up, certain his chest would explode.
Mother’s leather-gloved hands gripped the steering wheel. “What did you need to talk to me about, dear?”
Oh, to have gone to the house, but Laken couldn’t face Father’s stupor. And Collin was at her house. Reduced to breaking the news at the park huddled in Mother’s warm car.
“I may not come back from California. In fact, I probably won’t.”
“You’re moving there.” Mother’s tone trembled as she turned to face Laken.
“If Collin is determined to move Brady there permanently, I’ll move, too.”
“But what about your career?”
“I’ll be Brady’s full-time caregiver. That will be my new career.”
“What about Hayden?”
“We’re history.”
“But you’re in love with him.”
Laken’s stomach clenched. “Yes.”
“He’s a good man.” Mother clasped Laken’s hand. “And he’s crazy about you.”
“He was, but he doesn’t know who I am.” Laken’s vision blurred. “He thinks I’ve been helping Collin, and that I only spent time with him to get him to give Brady up. I can’t have a relationship with a man who doesn’t trust me.”
“You just need to prove to him that he can.”
“How?” Her throat clogged with emotion. “I’ll be in California.”
Mother’s chin quivered. “We just got things in order between us.”
“Collin promised to fly Brady and me home as often as we like.”
“How will we ever put our family back together if we’re scattered all over the countryside? Why is Collin doing this?”
Laken sighed. “He feels like he’s let Brady down and he wants to make it up to him.”
“Like I let him down.”
“You can fly out for visits.” Laken squeezed Mother’s hand. “And I’ll still do whatever I can to help find my brother.”
Mother nodded. “I love you, Laken. I haven’t always been there for you, but I love you.”
“I know.” Laken drew her into a warm hug. “And I love you.”
Laken tried to match the rhythm of Pearl’s stride and soothe the churning in her soul. An uncomfortable silen
ce throbbed between her and Hayden while Brady led them down the path.
Why, oh why did Brady have to wait until tension vibrated between her and Hayden before asking to go horseback riding again?
“Why are we riding at Bob’s? There are woods behind your house.”
“Since we board the horses here, it’s just easier to start from here.” Hayden held a fidgety Buck in check until Brady rode a good hundred yards in front of them. “You didn’t resign, did you? I mean—in case you return—you shouldn’t give up your career.”
“Despite what you think of me, Brady is more important than any job.” She sighed. “I asked for my whole month of annual leave. Sam’s retiring on schedule, and they’ll have fill-ins at Rose Bud until I get back or turn in my resignation. I warned my supervisor that I might not come back, but she’s not doing anything permanent until I give her my final decision.”
“You’re holding out hope.”
“There’s always hope.” Just not for us. She tried to smile, but it didn’t reach her heart.
“Wait up, Brady.” Hayden slapped the reins against the horse’s neck and shot forward.
Obediently, the child slowed his horse, then stopped. Hayden caught up and they both waited.
She knew better than to try to trot. “Y’all never pick good horse-riding weather. The first time, we cooked. Now a week before Christmas, we’ll freeze.”
“When it gets dark, we’re building a campfire and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, even s’mores.” Brady’s eyes shone.
“Yum.” She tried to latch on to his enthusiasm and not think past today, not think about leaving the man of her dreams, not think of the man who’d taught her how to really love. The man who thought she’d sided with her brother against him.
Dead leaves and hickory nuts crunched under the horses’ hooves.
“Just relax.” Hayden’s tone soothed. “Let your body move with Pearl’s. You’re all stiff and fighting her rhythm.”
“It’s no use. I can’t relax.”
Brady giggled. “It helps if you can’t feel your legs. Let’s take the horses for a run.”
“No thanks.” Laken reined Pearl to a stop. “I’ll stay here. Y’all go ahead.”
“Race ya.” Gently, Brady slapped his reins against Spot’s neck and the horse sped off.
“Hey, no fair.” Urging Buck into high gear, Hayden followed.
A smile lit Laken’s soul as two of the people she loved most raced across the yellowed meadow. Brady won, though she was pretty sure Hayden had let him.
They turned their huffing horses in her direction and meandered back, both laughing. She loved seeing them happy. Would she ever see them relax and enjoy themselves like this again?
By the time they reached her, her smile flatlined.
“Let’s go back and dismount, then I’ll start the fire.” Hayden clicked his tongue at Buck.
She nodded and fell in line behind them.
Back at Bob’s, he and Brady took the horses to the barn, then Hayden waited with Laken while Brady went to get the surprise he’d promised her.
“Thanks for being such a sport. Brady loved today.”
“I’d do anything for Brady.” Her heart sped at his nearness. Why couldn’t he have helped with the surprise, too?
“Obviously.” His sarcasm rang loud and clear.
Laken rolled her eyes. “Can we just call a truce—for Brady’s sake?”
“Everything I’ve done is for Brady’s sake.” Hayden ran his hand through his hair.
“And everything I’ve done is for Brady’s sake.” She paced the driveway. “What is wrong with you, Hayden? I love Jesus, I love you, and I love Brady. I didn’t hatch some grand scheme to help Collin, and I’m absolutely rabid at him for ruining Brady’s life and taking mine down with it. If you can’t believe that, you’re not the man I thought you were.”
A white Lincoln turned into the drive.
“Did you invite her?” Laken backed out of the way.
Hayden shook his head.
With elegant poise, Mother got out of her car and sashayed toward them. Her jade-colored puffed coat with its taupe fur-lined collar gave her a vibrant glow. “Where’s Brady?”
“He’ll be along.” Hayden shoved his hands in his coat pockets.
“Brady told y’all he invited me, didn’t he?” Mother’s nose scrunched. “Since I don’t do horses, Bob called me in time for the bonfire.”
“We’re roasting hot dogs.” Laken waited for Mother’s nose to scrunch again.
“Oh, I haven’t had a hot dog in ages.” Mother clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling in delight. “Are you all right, Laken? You seem rather flustered.”
“Let’s just say horseback riding doesn’t agree with me.”
“Maybe next time you and Hayden can ride double. I’m terrified of horses, but I always thought it would be so romantic to ride off into the sunset with the man you love.”
Laken’s face warmed. Riding double with Hayden. Being so close to him. It would never happen. Without trust, love withered and died.
A loud motor started up in the distance. The sound neared, and Brady rounded the side of the house on a four-wheeler. He stopped nearby and shut off his engine.
“Mimi, you came.”
“Of course I did. I couldn’t turn down my favorite grandson, now, could I?”
Only grandson that we know of. Laken might have more nieces or nephews through her missing brother. How would she help Mother find him from California?
“Get on, Mimi.”
Mother’s nose scrunched. “You want me to ride that thing?”
“It’s quite safe, Miss Sylvie.” Hayden winked. “And Brady’s an excellent driver.
“But…” Mother visibly squirmed. “What about the brake?”
“It’s a hand brake. Come on, Mimi. It’s Grandpa’s, and I’ve driven it a jillion times. I’ll go slow.”
Closing her eyes for a moment, Mother climbed on behind Brady.
Oh for a camera. Mother on a four-wheeler.
Brady started the engine and pulled away, leaving Laken alone with Hayden again.
“Where are they going?”
“To the woods for the bonfire. It’s easier to get Brady on and off a four-wheeler than a horse. Let me go get ours.”
“You expect me to ride a four-wheeler? With you?”
“Of course not, silly, we’re riding a mule.”
“A mule?”
Hayden grinned, then jogged away and disappeared around the side of the house.
An engine started up and neared. Oh no, she couldn’t ride a four-wheeler with Hayden. Way too close for comfort.
Hayden rounded the house on a golf cart–looking thing.
Relief swept through her.
He pulled to a stop beside her. “Your mule, milady. Hop in.”
She swallowed. “I’ve never been on one of these things.”
“It’s easier than getting on a real mule. Or a horse for that matter.”
True. She climbed in. Seated beside him, she stayed scooted as far away as possible.
Hayden drove behind the house and down a path through the woods. Soon they caught up with Brady. He and Mother were laughing. Mother riding a four-wheeler and laughing.
Time was precious. Time with the nephew she’d just discovered, the mother she’d just bonded with, and the man she’d just grown to love.
From the time she’d come back to Romance, she couldn’t wait to leave. Now that she had to leave, all she wanted was to stay.
Thankfully, Hayden had thought ahead. The trees parted into a clearing with wood already stacked in a pile. Tarps and blankets surrounded the soon-to-be bonfire.
As soon as Hayden killed the engine, Laken stepped out of the mule and put some distance between them. At least with the cold, they didn’t have to worry about snakes.
Mother climbed off, also. Hayden picked Brady up. Cradling the boy, he deposited him on a canvas chair.
; Laken chose a chair and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders while Hayden started the fire. Soon smoke swirled and flames sparked.
Mother set a chair next to Brady’s. Grandmother and grandson huddled together, sharing a quilt, while roasting their hot dogs.
The gulf widened between Hayden and Laken as he moved the remaining chair far away from her. She might as well be in California. Already, she missed him.
“I sure will miss y’all when I go.” Brady’s voice cut through the silence. The firelight illuminated Hayden. His throat muscles convulsed.
“There’ll be lots of visits back and forth.” Laken tried to sound enthusiastic. “We’ll have so many visits, you won’t have time to miss anyone. And we’ll go to Sea World and Disneyland. Anything you want.”
“I think it might be okay, since you’re coming, too.” Brady’s hot dog caught fire. He yanked it from the flames and blew it out.
Laken’s pulse raced as Hayden strode over beside her to stoke the fire with a long stick. Kneeling nearby, he shoved a log farther into the flames. With a wince, he jerked his hand away.
“Did you burn yourself?” Brady frowned. “You always tell me not to touch a log even if it only has fire on one end.”
“Smart thinking, but I saw a scorpion.”
“Where?” Mother’s voice quivered.
The creature scurried toward Hayden’s foot. Laken screamed and impaled it with her hot dog skewer. Its tail flailed about, stinger ready, and she shoved it into the fire.
“It’s okay, Laken got it. But there might be more in the wood. Brady, I need you to take Mimi to our house while Laken and I put the fire out.” Hayden scooped Brady up and deposited him on the four-wheeler.
“But I want to stay.”
“Please, Brady, just do what I say.” Hayden’s words slurred together, and he lowered his voice to a whisper. “Laken, I think you should dial 911. I don’t feel so good.”
She gasped. “That thing stung you?”
“Shh. Don’t scare Brady.”
“I hate scorpions.” Mother dived for the four-wheeler. “What about the s’mores?”
“Roast them in the fireplace.” Laken managed to keep her voice steady.
As the four-wheeler took off, Hayden collapsed in the mule and managed to start it. “Can’t get air.”
Laken jumped in beside him and jabbed the keypad on her phone.
ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION Page 31