“Blaire, Hayes, I wasn’t expecting you this early.”
“Is the house almost ready?” I ask.
He nods. “I’ve had crews working around the clock. There are only a few details we have to fix, but you can start moving the furniture in that has arrived as early as tomorrow.”
“Thank you for making this happen,” I say, shaking his hand.
He scrubs his face and says, “I just hope it was worth it. We all know you have to be here by the end of next week.”
“What do you mean you all know?” I ask concerned.
“You don’t have to hide it,” Easton continues. “Everyone in town knows that the only way to save the town is if the seven of you move in here and dedicate your time to the factory and The Lodge.”
“Where did you hear that?”
He shrugs. “Everyone is talking about it, and let me tell you, the town is concerned because all of you suddenly disappeared without a word.”
I look at Blaire who shrugs.
“It’s nothing like that,” I try to assure him, but Blaire is the one who speaks with such conviction that even I believe her.
“William Aldridge was sick for a long time, and he never asked for help. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize things around town were bad until we came to the funeral. We’re going to stay for as long as the town needs us. No one should be basing the future of the town on rumors.”
“So, it’s just the two of you,” he confirms.
“No. Everyone will be here because all of us care,” Blaire continues. “Thank you for doing your part. I’ll come by tomorrow to start unpacking the boxes and setting the furniture where it belongs.”
“We’ll be here. I’ll help you if you need me.”
I want to say that she won’t need help, but, in fact, she will because I have to leave her tomorrow. On our way back to the hotel, I ask her, “Who do you think told them?”
“We weren’t discreet enough,” she responds. “They’re always studying us and trying to listen to our conversations while we were walking around town. At The Lodge, Henry always talked loudly. The workers never missed his outbursts. People are smart enough to piece things together. I’m surprised they aren’t at the house demanding answers.”
“Text Vance. Ask him for an address, a place to meet him,” I request.
“No,” she answers.
“Blaire, I need to speak to him first. I don’t want him to feel like I reached out to him last because he’s not important. Please, help me find him.”
She puffs some air and pulls out her phone. When we arrive at our room, I ask her, “Can you handle everything on your own?”
“You mean make sure that the house is ready for next week?” she asks.
I nod.
“You’re leaving,” she states and doesn’t look very happy. “Isn’t this a little too late?”
“No. I have to make sure they’ll be here. Did you get me the address?”
She shakes her head. “Not yet, but I will.”
I kiss her. “I wanted to stay for another day, but you heard Easton. The town is concerned. The sooner we’re here the better.”
“Be careful,” she mumbles, giving me a long kiss. “I’ll text you the details as soon as he sends them.”
Five hours after I leave Baker’s Creek, I make it safely to Seattle. According to the address that I have, Beacon lives in Medina, Washington, which is just a twenty-minute drive from downtown Seattle.
I ring the doorbell that is also a camera. In just a few seconds, I hear his voice, “What do you want?”
“What do you think?”
“I’m not buying what you’re selling,” he says. “The last time you contacted me, you wanted to drag my ass to some hell hole and ruin my career.”
“Beacon, open the door.”
“No. You want to talk, talk.”
Before I speak, the door opens, a young woman carrying a cat glares at me, her gray eyes look threatening. “Why are you here?”
“G, stay away from this.”
“I need to speak to Beacon,” I explain.
She shoots me a poisonous look. “Listen, you can’t just show up after all these years and tell him he has to bail you out when you, in fact, have never cared about his wellbeing. Where were you for the past twelve years? He needed you when his grandfather was sick. Were you there when his grandmother died? No. So don’t expect him to just drop his entire life and fix yours.”
I rub the back of my neck and say, “Nothing I say will fix what I’ve done, Beacon. I’m a shitty brother. There’s no fucking way I can fix the past. However, I’m trying to redeem myself. I’m really fucking trying, kid. I wish I had been there for you, but I wasn’t even there for myself. This isn’t about being there for me, but for a bunch of people who can lose their entire livelihoods if we don’t step up. I didn’t do this; it was William. All my life I tried to make Carter and Mom happy, you know,” I chuckle. “I blamed myself for what he did—abandoning us.”
“Everyone blames me,” he says through the intercom. “I was a toddler.”
I close my eyes because, of all of us, he’s the one who got it the roughest. “Not me, Beac. I never thought it was your fault. He did a fucking number on us, but you know what else he did? He gave me brothers, and I hope it’s not too late for us to become a family. If you decide that joining us isn’t for you, that’s okay. I’m working on a plan to save at least the town. Not sure about the rest of his assets and businesses, but I’ll try my fucking best. As for you, I hope that we can get together often. I want us to be a family.”
“Fuck off,” he says. “I don’t need you. I never did.”
His friend gives me a sad smile. “When does he have to be there?”
“Next Friday,” I answer. “This isn’t about me, but I understand why he doesn’t want to have anything to do with us—or William. Please, help me.”
“I’ll try, but if you hurt him again, you’re going to regret it.” This woman is intimidating, I wouldn’t want to cross her.
“You have my word,” I say.
“God, G. You make me sound like a fucking wimp,” he says from the inside of the house. “Come on, let’s go make some music. I’m need to shake this fucking mood.”
She sighs. “As long as I get to play the cello,” she says, before turning around and closing the door behind her.
Thirty-Five
Hayes
After I leave Beacon’s place, I receive a text from Blaire. Vance will meet me in Atlanta on Thursday. I decide to visit Pierce next. Instead of driving, I leave my car at the airport. Henry promises to get someone to transport it back to Baker’s Creek.
It’s just past seven when I arrive at his house. He lives almost an hour drive west from Denver, right in the foothills. The place is stunning. Blaire would love it. I snap a picture and text it to her.
Blaire: That’s a spectacular view. Where are you?
Hayes: Pierce’s place.
Blaire: We should score an invite to visit him once we can leave Baker’s. Call me when you’re done with him.
When I pull up to the gate, the iron doors open automatically. Approaching the driveway, I notice a woman throwing a ball to two dogs. She turns around and frowns. As I leave the rental, she approaches me and smirks. “It is true. There are more like him around the world.”
I extend my hand. “Hayes Aldridge.”
“Leyla,” she answers, shaking my hand, her brown eyes focused on me. “The resemblance is uncanny. If it wasn’t for the hair color, you two could be twins.”
Pierce clears his throat; I didn’t notice he was there. When I look toward the house, I see the glass doors of the main entrance are open. He walks toward us. Looking at his wife he says, “I didn’t know you were here.”
She doesn’t even look at him. “I was just about to leave.”
“The papers are on top of the table,” he informs. “You could just sign them and be done with it.”
“Do you ha
ve the money?” she asks, her voice laced with irritation.
“For fuck’s sake, Leyla, I already told you that I won’t receive the inheritance until next year,” he says frustrated. “Either you sign, or you have to move with me to Baker’s Creek.”
“My price is half of the assets—deposited in my account.”
“You know I don’t have that much money, but I’ll sign the trust over to you. Ten billion dollars plus whatever the trust has made in interest. If not, you have to join us—or we all lose everything.”
“I don’t want to interrupt you guys, but I came to discuss the move. Someone tipped the town off, and they know what’s at stake. They’re concerned about their future and what’s going to happen since none of us are there yet,” I announce, hoping to stop their sparring match.
“Small towns, they are always getting into your business.”
“If you hate them, why don’t you just give me the fucking divorce.”
“Maybe I won’t go,” she says.
“Listen, I don’t know anything about your relationship. I’m sorry things are rocky between the two of you. I really hope you can come to some amicable agreement soon. In the meantime, I need you two to work together. Leyla, our father added you into the stipulations. You have to live with us for eighteen months. If one of us doesn’t move in by next week or moves out before the eighteen-month period, a lot of people are going to suffer. It’s not about us, but the future of the town and the people who worked for my father and still depend on his companies. My father wasn’t a very nice person; he’s toying with us, and if we were the only ones affected, I wouldn’t be uprooting my life or begging you to rethink your position. I’m hoping that you could get past your differences and help the town.”
“Ha, you’re just like daddy. And here I thought you were like all the Bryants,” she says, grinding her teeth.
“The bottom line is that if we don’t move, thousands of people will lose their jobs and their homes. We can prevent it. If you give him the divorce, you don’t have to come, but if you don’t, I beg you to join us.”
“So, it’s true?”
Pierce nods.
“Okay, I’ll do it,” she says.
“You’re signing the divorce papers?” Pierce asks, swallowing hard. “That’s good.”
“No. I told you that if I do it, it’ll be when I’m ready.”
“What the fuck do you need from me?” He pulls his hair with both hands. “Take everything. Just give me my freedom.”
She focuses her attention on me. “When can I move the animals? I already chose a company who can do it and scheduled it in case this wasn’t some scheme he cooked up to get rid of me.”
“I think the barn is ready. Let me give you my girlfriend’s number. You can text her, and she’ll give you all the details.”
“Make sure that whoever you hire sends the bills to my office,” Pierce says. “Do you want me to hire the moving truck?”
“You should if you need to move your things. I have everything I need with me,” she answers. “What’s your girlfriend’s name?”
Leyla saves Blaire’s number in her phone and leaves us.
“She seems nice,” I say sarcastically.
“Actually, if I’m not around, she is lovely.”
“What happened between you two?”
He’s staring at the horizon. “She was hot, I was infatuated, and now I can’t get rid of her. Do you want to stay for dinner? I was about to grill a steak.”
“Yes,” I say, following him.
“So, you kept the house?” I ask curiously.
He nods. “I offered it to her, but she didn’t want it. One day she’s demanding money to give me the divorce, and the next, she wants nothing to do with me. She comes around to take care of the animals after work.”
Looking at me he asks, “Why are you here?”
“As I mentioned, there’s a rumor around town that if we don’t move in next week, they’re going to lose everything.”
“It’s not a rumor.”
“Focus, Pierce. They shouldn’t know what’s really happening. They’re going to start pressuring us and making our lives a living hell. But that really doesn’t matter. I want to assure them that we’re going to be there for them. Blaire gave the contractor another version of the events. Hopefully, they’ll settle with that and we can do our thing. I’m here to make sure you and your wife are heading to Oregon soon.”
“Seems like we are,” he answers. “You heard the missus. She knows how she’s moving the kids. I already quit the law firm. I’m flying tomorrow to New York to take over the legal department at Aldridge. Dad’s lawyers aren’t happy about our decision.”
“Why did you quit?”
“I’m not coming back. Maybe after the shit show is over, I’ll set up a practice in Portland.”
“That’s extreme.”
He grins. “My big brother set the example.”
“If it’s okay with you, I’ll book a ticket to fly to New York with you.”
“I hired a jet. We can share it. Are you harassing Henry?”
“Just making sure he won’t bail on me.”
Pierce convinces me to stay in the guest room. Around eleven, we call it a night. Once I’m ready to sleep, I call Blaire.
“Where are you?” she answers.
“At Pierce’s house. Are you already in bed?” I ask with a husky voice.
“No, I was doing some yoga with Sophia,” she answers. “Who does yoga at one in the morning?”
“Your friend,” I answer. “You miss her.”
“Yes, but that’s okay. Pierce’s wife is going to be here soon. She’s adorable.”
I roll my shoulders to ease the tension in the back of my neck before I speak. “Are you being sarcastic?”
“Not at all, she’s really nice,” she says enthusiastically. “She’s going to let me ride her horses once they settle in. We discussed the possibility of buying a few more animals and… We had a long conversation and made a lot of plans. Why do you ask?”
“I met her, and she was everything but adorable and accommodating.”
“Well, she was very pleasant with me. She’s driving to Baker’s Creek and arriving this Friday, at the latest. I’m so excited about the chicken coop I get to build tomorrow. Easton already got me the materials for it.”
“Wait what?”
“She needs a chicken coop, and I’m going to build it.”
“Do you know how to do that?”
“Yes. I’ve done construction during my travels. Do you think I just practice medicine?”
“I guess not. You’re a woman of many talents,” I declare. “Can’t wait to see what else you’ve learned.”
She chuckles. “Ooh, I’m sure we can arrange a little demonstration, Dr. Aldridge.”
“I miss you, babe.”
“Miss you, too,” she answers. “Now tell me what happened when you visited Beacon?”
“I couldn’t see him. This girl, woman … I don’t know how old she is, but she looked young, tall, willowy but strong, and pretty intimidating. Anyway, she opened the door and gave me this threatening look and lectured me. Afterward, she said she’d talk to him. Did you know his grandparents died?”
“He’s alone,” she sighs.
“I feel like a failure,” I state.
There’s a long silence, so I say in a pitched tone, trying to sound like her, “No, Hayes, you’re not a failure. You made some mistakes, but we all do, and I love you.”
“Wow. Do I sound that whiney?” she asks. “Babe, I wish I could tell you that, but you fucked up with Beacon. I’m a little upset at myself too for not calling him, and angry at you because he’s your baby brother. You should’ve tried harder.”
“I feel like an asshole.”
“You’re making amends, and even if he doesn’t come to Baker’s Creek, you plan on being a part of his life. That’s all that matters.”
“Are you giving up on me?”
“No, but I’m thinking worst case scenario. I trust you, but if we have to face this alone, it’ll be fine.”
Knowing that she’s with me no matter what happens means the world to me. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
“I love you, too. Overall, are you okay? This can’t possibly be easy for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“It is the first time you’re visiting your brothers where they live and opening up to them,” she says. “I know you had to do this on your own, but I wish I was there with you.”
“That means a lot to me,” I say. “You mean the world to me.”
We spend a couple of hours talking about her day, and, at some point, all I hear is that cute snore she makes when she falls asleep in a weird position. I hang up the phone and send a text.
Hayes: Call me when you wake up. Love you, Stardust.
Thirty-Six
Hayes
The next morning, I wake up to the sound of someone banging on the door. I wish Pierce mentioned that the ‘guest room’ was his couch in the living room. The upstairs rooms don’t have any furniture.
“Alexa, turn on living room one,” Pierce orders, and the lamp right above me lights up.
“You suck as a host,” I complain, sitting down and looking toward the door.
Pierce opens the door, and outside is Vance.
“Why are you here so early in the morning?” Pierce asks with a sleepy voice.
“It’s five,” he answers and marches toward me. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by to see what you guys want from me.”
“Hey, kid,” I greet him. “I thought we were meeting tomorrow in Atlanta.”
“Change of plans, I have to leave for a mission. What do you want?”
“We didn’t have a chance to talk while you were in Baker’s Creek,” I say. “Listen, I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you in the past twelve years. I understand that you’re hesitant about changing your life radically, but if there’s anything I can do or say to convince you to join us…”
Loved You Once Page 24