16. Hayes
Chapter sixteen
Hayes
It’s been three long days since I had Lennon in my bed. If I thought that was unacceptable, Rosie has been a terror at bedtime. She says that Lennon reads bedtime stories better than I do. I made an offhanded comment about what my daughter said and now Lennon has called at bedtime the last two nights. I was left speechless when I found out that she downloaded Rosie’s favorite books to her kindle. Lennon is everything and then some. She is so perfect for us, I wonder what I bring to that table. I’m either working or I’m in dad mode, and I was worried that there wouldn’t be any time for anyone or anything else. But Lennon snuck in and there is no removing her now .
I just left the shop, headed to my secret meeting. Once Lennon gave me the contact information on the vacant building, I made some calls. First to my uncle, I needed to make sure that he wouldn’t be upset that I relocate the business that he started. He was so happy when I started to build up what he started, I shouldn’t have been worried about his reaction. Then I called the building owner. He let me know when he would be in town visiting Stretch, so we set a time to discuss options.
Pulling into the nearly empty lot, I’m glad that we decided to meet at Creekside. If we had met at the diner, the whole town would be gossiping about what the meeting was about. Walking into the dimly lit tavern, I search out someone I don’t recognize. I may not know every name, but I’m pretty good at recognizing the faces of the ones that live in Pine Creek. I don’t have to look for long, I see Stretch and another man that I have never seen before at a booth in the corner. I nod at Presley on my walk over, hoping that she doesn’t start the gossip train.
Both men stand from the booth, Stretch reaching his hand out first. “Afternoon, Hayes. I’m glad we could get together today.” Stretch is someone that knows just about everyone and is kind to every last person. When Lennon and Cash lost their parents, he was the one that organized everything; lawn care, a meal train, he even went as far as a fundraiser. There aren’t too many people better than Stretch. “Hey, Stretch. Glad to see you today.”
After shaking hands with Stretch, I slightly turn and hold my outstretched hand to the mystery man. “Good afternoon, sir. Hayes, nice to meet you in person.” He shakes my hand with a wide smile on his face. “Please just call me Pete. Sir makes me feel like talking to my dad.” We all share a laugh as we sit down. “Now, let me start off by saying you have a very tenacious friend in Miss Lennon.” Stretch has a wide smile as my girl gets a compliment.
Yeah, my girl. My sunshine. My future.
“She definitely surprised me when she took me to your building. She took the vision in my head and brought it to life. She has everything figured out.” We place our lunch orders and get back to getting to know each other.
We spend the next hour eating lunch and discussing the building. Stretch was there more or less for moral support, which I appreciate. It’s a big step, but necessary. If I want to bring my business to a different level, I need to think bigger. As I leave the two men, I can’t quite believe my luck. But it isn’t luck. It’s because a woman came back into town and believed in me. In my business. I set the lease on the passenger seat and pull out my phone. I ignore the few texts that I received during the meeting and click on the one person that I want to talk to.
I’m taking you to dinner tonight.
Sunshine
I’m not even going to get properly asked? I don’t know…
Would you please do me the honor of joining me for dinner, sunshine?
And pack a bag.
Sunshine
A bag, huh? What on earth would I need a bag for at dinner?
Sunshine
Seems pretty strange to me.
Oh, this woman. As time goes on, she isn’t the same meek woman that came home bruised and broken. I fell for the bruised woman, but this sassy side is doing something to me.
I’ve been lonely in my bed.
You know, the bed that you didn’t want to get out of.
And I miss you. And your lips. And waking up next to you.
Sunshine
Well, twist my arm, why don’t you.
I’ll pick you up at six, sunshine.
Have you ever been given the third degree by a five-year-old? Here I am trying to get us out of the house so I can drop Rosie off to my sister, and get to Lennon’s on time, when my sweet daughter decided that something was off.
“You look nice, Daddy. Where are you going without me?” I look down at my dark wash Levis, that I may have bought just for the night that I got to take Lennon out, my one nice pair of boots, and the freshly ironed button down, while my heart is sinking. I try to spend every moment that I’m not working with the red head staring at me like she might cry.
I steal a glance at my watch before kneeling down so we can have the conversation. “Ro Ro, I’m going to take Lennon to dinner, but I’ll pick you up in a couple hours. I promise.” As soon as Lennon’s name escapes my lips, Rosie is shaking her head.
With tears in her eyes, Rosie takes my hands in hers. “Daddy! No! I want to go to dinner with Lennon. I love her! Does she not like me? Is that why I can’t go? I’ll be better, I promise!” And then the flood gates open. Fat tears are running down her face, while I pull her into my arms.
“Hey, hey, Rosie. Lennon loves you too, I promise. How about this? Let’s go get you changed into a pretty dress, and we go pick up Lennon. Ok?” I assume that this makes my daughter happy when she squeals and runs back upstairs. I follow behind her, sending my sister a message letting her know the change of plans. I’m sure she isn’t going to mind a free night.
This is not how I envisioned our first date.
Twenty minutes later, Rosie has a smile back on her face, and after a quick stop for some flowers, we are on our way to pick up Lennon. I am silently beating myself up on the drive. I can’t even give Lennon a night out. I tried and failed. Now, instead of the romantic night I envisioned, we have a five-year-old chaperone.
I let out a sigh of relief when we park in front of the garage, and with the open garage door, I see that no one is here other than Lennon. Cash would get in a good laugh that Rosie is coming along on the date. I help Rosie out of the truck, and with the bouquet of flowers we head up to the apartment. I let Rosie knock on the door, and hand in hand, we wait for Lennon to open the door. My jaw instantly drops when she opens the door looking like every dream I could ever imagine. She is wearing a long grey sweater dress that hugs every delicious curve, and she has her hair down in some sort of wave that I couldn’t even imagine how she did. Her eyes light up when she sees us, if she is mad that Rosie is also standing here, I can’t tell by her expression.
“Lennon! I picked out your flowers!” Rosie crashes into Lennon’s legs, and Lennon quickly wraps her up in a tight hug. “Thank you, sweet Rosie. They are beautiful! We better put these in some water before we leave. Rosie runs into the apartment, straight to the bookshelves.
Once Rosie is out of ear shot, I step closer to Lennon, wrapping my arm around her. “You look so beautiful, sunshine. I am so sorry that I had to bring Rosie, but I told her the plan and she started crying and she said that she didn’t think you liked her. I know I should have just brought her to Tess, but—” I stop rambling when Lennon’s hand snakes up and wraps around my neck, her fingers playing with my hair. “Hayes, it’s okay. I promise. And I think it’s cute that you are including her. Her feelings were hurt, it might take her a little bit to be okay sharing you.” If I didn’t already think that Lennon was perfect, I would in this moment. How easily she has accepted that my life is busy, and that Rosie always comes first. I lean down and capture her lips, pulling her closer to me until our bodies are flush together. I let out an animalistic growl when Lennon steps away, pulling me into her apartment, laughing as she heads to the kitchenette with the flowers.
Once Lennon grabs her overnight bag and her purse, the three of us head down to my truck. Rosie requests that Lennon helps her into the back seat and into her booster. I’m starting to think that my daughter is too smart, and this was her plan all along.
A five-year-old tricked me, and I fell for it. All it took were some tears.
Driving back into town with my daughter and the woman that I have fallen in love with, I can’t help the smile on my face. Rosie spends the drive telling Lennon about school and how Crosby and Denny got into a fight again. I make a mental reminder to talk to Cash and Scottie about this problem. I think it’s a little funny that Crosby has made himself the protector of my daughter, but I don’t find it funny that Denny chose my daughter to pick on.
I spend the rest of the drive hand in hand with Lennon, laughing at the story Rosie tells us. This feels good. Right. Like Lennon was the missing piece to our family.