Brides on the Run (Books 1-4)

by Jami Albright

  Lottie ignored him, laughed, and dodged the pup’s long pink tongue. The whole time she never stopped rubbing his ears. “You’re such a good boy. Yes, you are. Yes, you are.”

  He made his way to the dog and girl. He dropped to one knee beside Walter and scratched the animal’s back. “Did you hear me? I said he likes you.”

  “I heard you.” She never took her attention from the dog. “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”

  The same air of aloofness rolled off her that rolled off her mother, and it annoyed him just as much as when Hailey did it. “I’m not exactly a stranger. You’ve known me for three months. I’m living in your backyard.”

  She fiddled with the vet tag on Walter’s collar. “I guess, but I don’t really know you. You’ve never taken me to the park or a movie or to get ice cream like my Uncle Hank has.”

  He bit back a smile. He knew a con artist when he met one. “You know, you’re right. I haven’t. Tell you what, the next time Walter and I go to the park, we’ll see if your mama will let you come with us.”

  What? Where had that come from?

  A bright spark of hope flashed in her eyes, but it was gone as quick as it appeared. She shrugged. “I guess that’s okay.”

  “Just okay?” The resemblance to Hailey was strong, but there was no denying she was that tool of a father’s kid too.

  Her fingers played with the short hairs above Walter’s eyes. “If I’m not busy, I guess I could go.”

  “Alright then, that almost sounds like a plan.” He stood and clipped the leash back onto Walter’s collar. “I better take this guy for his walk now. I’ll see ya around.”

  She stood and brushed her knees off. “Yeah, I guess. Um… When will you take Walter to the park again?”

  He did grin then. “I’ll probably take him tomorrow. Should I check with you before we go?”

  “Yes.” She skipped up the stairs and disappeared into the house.

  He scrubbed Walter’s ears. “Looks like we have a date tomorrow, Walt. How the hell did that happen?”

  Walter barked, then whined and tried to drag him toward Hailey’s back door.

  He laughed and led the dog toward the front of the house. “You’ve got it bad, dog.”

  Chapter 11

  “Hailey, Derek called to tell me you’re shackin’ up with Beau Callen. What the hell is going on?” Sheriff Hank Odom whisper-yelled in Hailey’s kitchen.

  “Derek made an assumption. And since when do you listen to anything your brother says?” Ice cubes clinked as they dropped into the glasses.

  “I listen to him when he’s concerned about Lottie.”

  “Oh, please.” She poured steeped tea into a pitcher then added water. “You know this isn’t about Lottie. It’s about Derek trying to control every little thing.”

  “So Beau’s not living here?” Hank sat back with relief all over his face.

  “Yes. I mean, no.” She stirred sugar into the tea. “He’s living in the slut hut.”

  Hank plowed his fingers through his hair. “Hailey, have you lost your mind? You don’t even know him. He’s a stranger.”

  “That’s not true, Hank Odom, and you know it,” Hank’s wife Charlie said. “We’ve all known Beau since he moved to town three months ago. For heaven’s sake, he’s played poker with you guys for the last two months.” She rocked their four-month-old daughter, Phoebe, in her arm and shook her head. “He’s a stranger. I swear.”

  Hailey grinned at Charlie when she handed her a glass of iced tea. Her best friend’s Texas accent was thick as molasses. Eight years in Hollywood hadn’t been able to take the Texas out of the girl. “Thank you, Charlie, for being the voice of reason.”

  Hailey slid a glass in front of the worried man and took a seat at the kitchen table next to him. “Relax, Hank. It’s not like he’s even going to be around Lottie that much.”

  Her ex-brother-in-law leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “At least let me run a background check on him.”

  “Can I stop you, Sheriff?”

  Hank shook his head. “Not really, but it’d be great if we had fingerprints, then I could run them through the system.”

  Charlie patted Phoebe’s back. “Hank, you were saying what a great guy Beau was just last week.”

  “That was before Hailey decided to let him live with her.”

  “Oh, for the love… He’s not living with me. He’s living in the slut hut. There’s a difference.”

  “That’s not what people are going to say.” Hank played with the condensation on his iced tea glass. “I’m not just trying to protect Lottie, but you too.”

  “I don’t give a rat’s ass what the good folks of Zachsville think of me.” But she could taste the lie. She only hoped Hank and Charlie didn’t hear it. “And we both know they can’t think much worse than they already do.”

  “They’re just stupid, small-minded people, Hailey.” Charlie sat in the chair across from her. “You didn’t get pregnant by yourself. Derek was as responsible as you.”

  “More.” The anger in Hank’s tone hung like a mushroom cloud over them. “He was older, and I know he pressured you, then when he couldn’t handle the news and lost the State Championship, it was completely unfair for the town to blame you. That was his own damn fault.”

  She traced the lines of one palm with the fingers of her other hand. “Maybe, but I’m the one no one can forgive.”

  Hank leaned over and squeezed her shoulder. “But attitudes are changing. You’ve won over a lot of the town with your volunteer work, and raising money for the new ambulance is going above and beyond.”

  She plastered on a smile. “We’re close on that one. The fundraising account is really bringing in the donations.”

  Charlie sipped her beverage. “Yes, and the nonprofit you’re planning for breast cancer in your mom’s memory is awesome. The last time I was at the Dip-n-Do—”

  “I still can’t believe you get your hair cut there.” Hailey examined Charlie’s beautiful golden locks. “You’re lucky you’re not bald.”

  “I like going there. It makes me feel like part of the community.”

  “Have you noticed that most everybody in town has the same hairdo? It’s because Maureen only knows how to cut one style.”

  Charlie waved away the comment. “Anyway, I mentioned it at the Dip-n-Do, and everyone thought the idea of a nonprofit in your mom’s name was a lovely idea.” Charlie chewed her lip. “I hope it was okay that I talked about it.”

  “It’s fine.” Hailey sipped her tea. “I just have to find the time to fill out the necessary paperwork and get a board of directors in place.”

  “You know you can count on me to sit on the board.” Her friend smiled.

  “Thank you, Charlie. My mom would’ve loved that.”

  The back door slammed shut, and Lottie streaked through the kitchen. “Beau’s taking me to the park tomorrow!” she yelled as she made her way down the hall to her bedroom.

  The three adults in the kitchen stared after her.

  “Are you kidding me? Not going to be around her much, huh?” Hank’s cop face was one big accusation.

  Hailey blinked twice then found her voice. “Lottie Odom, get back here.”

  Lottie skipped back into the kitchen. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Her daughter’s cold, proper tone irritated her. She’d been doing it since she told her she ruined everything. “What do you mean Beau’s taking you to the park tomorrow?”

  “He said he’d take me to the park the next time he and Walter go, and they’re going tomorrow.” Guilt was smeared all over Lottie’s smile.

  Hailey leaned back in her chair and played with the end of a placemat. “Uh-huh. What did you say to him?”

  “I said yes. May I be excused?”

  This kid. “Before you said yes, and before he asked you to go to the park, what did you say?”

  Lottie reached over and played with Phoebe’s socked foot. “I, um… I might’ve told him he
was a stranger, and that I couldn’t talk to him because of that.”

  “Beau’s not a stranger, Lottie. We’ve known him for months.” There was more to this story. Hailey knew it.

  “But he hasn’t even taken me to the park or the movies or to get ice cream like Uncle Hank does.”

  Hailey bit the inside of her lip to keep the smile from her face. “Did you say that to him?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Maybe?”

  Lottie’s milk chocolate eyes meet hers. “Yes. That’s what I said.”

  Hank dropped his head into his hand, clearly trying to hide his amused face, but there was no hiding his shaking shoulders. Charlie coughed to cover her laughter, and not very convincingly considering she used to be a big-time actor.

  Hailey could only shake her head. This kid was such a con artist. “Lottie, you manipulated Beau into taking you to the park. That’s not a very nice thing to do.”

  “Uh-uh.” Her bottom lip wobbled. “He wanted to take me. Just ask him.”

  “I plan to talk to Beau about this the next time I see him.”

  “Talk to Beau about what?” The deep timbre of The Heartbreaker’s voice made every hair on Hailey’s body do a little shimmy. He leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest.

  It’d been an hour since he had his hands on her, and still, the sensation of barreling down the highway in a bright red Ferrari lingered on her skin. She worked to get moisture in her throat. “It appears my daughter has conned you.”

  He pushed off the wall and made his way to Lottie, who was chewing a hole in her bottom lip. His big hand came down on her shoulder, and she visibly relaxed. “Lottie only pointed out that I’ve failed in my duty of getting to know her. What little girl doesn’t need a trip to the park every now and again?”

  “And the movies and the ice cream shop,” Lottie added.

  “Don’t push your luck, kid,” Beau said out of the corner of his mouth.

  “Okay.” She turned to Hailey. “May I be excused now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thanks, Beau.” She shot out of the room while she was still ahead. She wasn’t stupid. She knew when to cut and run.

  Beau gave Hailey a knowing smile, and she thought she should take a page from her daughter’s book and cut and run herself. She crossed her arms against the hormonal assault from Beau’s half-smile. “It’s very nice of you to offer to take her to the park, but in the future, you should clear those things with me.”

  His hands went into his front pockets. “You’re right. I should’ve talked to you first. It won’t happen again.”

  “Thank you. Would you like a glass of iced tea?”

  “Sure.” Beau dropped into the empty chair at the table. “I mean, you can’t be too careful. I could be a serial killer for all you know.” He chuckled. “Am I right, Sheriff?”

  Hank choked on his drink.

  Charlie chuckled.

  And Hailey had a mild heart attack. Why in the world would he say that? It was disconcerting, especially considering the conversation between her and Hank. A tiny niggle of unease tingled at the back of Hailey’s neck. Maybe she should have Hank run a background check. She plastered on a smile and set the drink before Beau. “Here you are.”

  “Thank you.” He drained the glass in two swallows then chuckled. “Guess I was thirsty.” He stood and picked the glass up. “Should I set this in the sink or the dishwasher?”

  “Just leave it.” Hailey rose and went to the pantry.

  “I can put it away.”

  “Leave it!”

  He held up his hands in surrender. “Fine.”

  She returned with a ziplock bag. The bag went over the glass, and she slid it toward Hank, careful not to touch any part not covered in plastic.

  Charlie groaned.

  Hank dropped his head in his hand.

  The corners of Beau’s eyes crinkled in confusion. “What’s going on?”

  She gave him her homecoming queen smile, which might’ve missed the mark since she’d never worn the crown. “Nothing.”

  “It doesn’t look like nothing.” He glanced at the glass with the baggie over it.

  “Really, it’s nothing.” She hoped she was convincing, but she knew she had on her lie face.

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to preserve my fingerprints.”

  “What?” Her voice rose about six octaves. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “Are you sure? Because you gave the glass to the sheriff.”

  Hailey laughed and flipped her hand toward him, while Charlie and Hank looked decidedly uncomfortable. “Hank offered to wash the dishes, but he’s a bit of a germophobe.” She wiggled her fingers in the air. “Can’t stand germs.”

  “I know what a germophobe is, Hailey.” Beau rested one hand on the back of the chair he was standing behind. “And you’re full of shit.”

  She’d lost her mind. But Hank’s warning and Beau’s statement had triggered her mama bear instincts. “Okay, fine. Hank wants to run a background check on you since you’re going to live here. The fingerprints are to make sure you’re not in the system.”

  Hank shook his head. “Hailey, it’s a good thing you never went into law enforcement. You’re horrible at it.”

  “You think I’m a dangerous criminal moonlighting as a country music singer?” Beau sounded more amused than offended.

  Hailey picked at her French manicure. “Well, when you put it that way…”

  “It sounds as ridiculous as it is,” Charlie finished. “You’ll have to excuse these two, Beau. They’ve listened to too many true crime podcasts.”

  “Hey, I am the law.” Hank did sound offended. “I’ve seen real-life bad shit.”

  Beau laughed. “It’s all good. I understand. If it makes you feel better, Hailey, then run the check.” He dropped back into the chair. “You’re a great mom. I know you only want to keep Lottie safe.”

  Her breath caught at his praise. That was the nicest thing he could’ve said to her.

  He held up his hands like a magician showing the audience he had nothing up his sleeve. “I have nothing to hide. Except for the time I stole a pack of candy cigarettes.” He glanced at Hank. “The dime store didn’t file charges. I guess they thought it’d be bad for business to run a six-year-old up the river. But don’t worry, since I did the crime, I did the time. Clyde made sure of that.”

  Everyone laughed, but Beau kept one eye on Hailey in case she decided she wanted a hair sample for a follicle test.

  “Clyde?” Charlie popped a pacifier in a fussy Phoebe’s mouth.

  “My grandfather. He raised me after my parents died.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” A pink flush flashed across Charlie’s cheeks.

  He shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”

  “How old were you?” Hailey asked.

  “Four. I don’t remember them. Sometimes I’ll get a flash of a memory, but it’s all vague.” And according to Clyde, it was a good thing he didn’t remember.

  “How’d they die?” Hank barreled into the conversation like a bull off his meds.

  “Hank.” Charlie’s reprimand made Phoebe jump.

  Beau held his hand up to stop Charlie. “No, it’s fine. They died in an alcohol-related car accident. We were living in New Orleans at the time.”

  Hailey dropped the knife she was using to cut vegetables and turned to face him. “I hope they got the guy that caused it.”

  He drummed his fingers on the table and watched the light catch on his dad’s wedding ring that he wore on his thumb. “He died at the scene. It was a one-car accident.”

  The impact of that statement filled the room like the noxious fumes from a nuclear power plant. The only sound was the baby sucking her pacifier. He didn’t look up from the table. He couldn’t stand the pitying looks that always followed that revelation.

  What would they think if they knew that alcohol hadn’t been his parents’ worst addiction? Methamphetami
ne was their drug of choice.

  “Then you went to live with Clyde?” Hailey swooped in for the rescue and blocked any words of consolation that meant very little to him.

  He hadn’t known his parents, and the only thing he knew about them now was that they loved their vices more than they loved their son. That shit will make a guy wonder what’s wrong with him. “Yeah. Clyde was a musician on the road, and he gave it up to raise me.”

  “He sounds like a great guy.” Charlie rocked baby Phoebe from side to side.

  He chuckled. “He was a character and a good guy. It was hard for him to come off the road and take on the role of father, but he made it work.” The old familiar guilt of having ruined his grandfather’s dream pulled at him.

  “And then you moved to West Virginia?” Hank asked. “Where exactly?”

  “Slocomb. That’s S-L-O-C-O-M-B, in case you need it for the background check.”

  Hank gave him a caught me grin.

  “Oh, my, Lord.” Charlie stood and slung the baby backpack across onto one shoulder. “Come on, Sheriff. Let’s get out of here before you offend Beau so much that he won’t want to be our friend.” She handed her husband the baby and turned to Hailey. A fierce hug united the women. “Call me if you need to talk about the whole Roger thing.”

  Hailey nodded. But even Beau could tell by the look on Hailey’s face that she wouldn’t.

  “I’ll see you at poker on Tuesday, Beau.” Hank held out his free hand.

  He stood and took it. “Bring your money and come prepared to lose.”

  “You wish.” Hank laughed.

  Hailey walked them to the door, leaving him alone in the kitchen. He lifted the lid of the pot boiling on the stove. The smell made his stomach growl. He realized he hadn’t eaten all day.

  “It’s chicken noodle soup, Lottie’s favorite.”

  “Smells delicious.”

  “Want to stay for dinner?”

  Yes, he did, but the reason behind wanting to stay was why he declined. “Naw, I better not. I’ve got stuff to do tonight.”

  She moved back to the cutting board on the counter. “I’m sorry about your parents and about what I said.”