24. Hayes
Chapter twenty-four
Hayes
I’m ready for life to slow down a little. Between trying to get everything ready for the move, and making sure we have enough restorations ready for the car show, worrying about when Lennon’s ex is going to come out of the shadows, spending enough quality time with Rosie, I stopped by my sister’s shop and didn’t like what I found. I was surprised when I drove past this morning and saw the lights already on at Linen and Lace. I used my key at the back door and found my sister asleep next to her sewing machine. When I woke her up, she looked like she had barely been eating or sleeping. I know she is tirelessly working to make sure her next collection is ready for the festival, since there will be a lot of out-of-towners visiting. I went and picked her up breakfast and told her that she is expected at my house tonight for a cookout. I then texted my dad as well, telling him about Tess and to come over later.
Now, Travis is in my office showing me a truck that he wants to go get. We both agree that it looks like it is in pretty good condition, and he seems to think he can have it ready before the car show. He wants to try to have it for sale, and I am going to have him take the lead on this one. I know he can do it, now it’s time for him to know it. “Alright. Well, I think you have a good handle on this. Do you have someone that can bring you out to look at it?” He looks at me like he is shocked, but quickly shakes it off, and nods his head. “You know what to look for. You have a vision. Go look at the truck and if you like it, bring it out to the house and get started. I’m having a small cookout tonight, so dinner is on me.”
He gets up and leaves my office, leaving me alone with my endless to do list. Lennon is at the new building painting with some of the guys that were scheduled off today. I make a mental note to give all my guys some sort of bonus when this is all over, they have all stepped up in a big way. I pay some bills and look down at my phone, realizing that it is still on silent from my meeting with Travis. Picking it up, I see that Shelby has sent multiple messages.
Shelby
Emergency meeting.
Shelby
Lennon cannot know about this.
Cash
What’s going on?
Shelby
I need the both of you to come up to the diner. ONLY you two.
When?
Shelby
Now?
On my way, boss.
Lord only knows what is going on in that woman’s head. I grab my keys and do a quick check in on my guys before heading to my truck where I find another white rose on my windshield. I haven’t told Lennon, but I have found them…everywhere. Here at the shop, on my welcome mat at home, in front of my shop at home. Somehow this asshole is not getting picked up by any camera but keeps leaving the flowers. I haven’t had the heart to tell her that the flowers keep showing up, but I have let Scottie know. He is having no luck finding out where he is staying, so we just have to stay vigilant until he is found.
Cash and I pull into the diner at the same time and walk in together. We find Shelby in her office, mid puke. Cash hurries over to her side, while I step back into the hall until she is ready. Lennon filled me in on how this pregnancy hasn’t been going well for Shelby. It makes me think of how Lennon will be when she gets pregnant. How she will look swollen with our child. One step at a time; first, we need to get rid of her ex, then I need to get my ring on her finger. Most people would probably say that I am moving fast, but I don’t care. I know I want to spend every day for the rest of my life with her.
“Hayes!” I step back into the office once Shelby calls me back in and lean against the wall in the small office. Cash is standing behind her chair, rubbing her back. “Do either of you know what Lennon did?” I think back to every interaction between us over the last few days and nothing out of the ordinary comes to mind. I look over at Cash, and we both shrug our shoulders, not knowing what Shelby is talking about .
“How the hell did she do this without anyone knowing? She is not the sneaky one. Never has been.” Shelby pulls out her iPad, furiously typing something in. “Look! She thought she could do this without anyone knowing. And she is releasing it on the day of the grand re-opening, so she isn’t even going to acknowledge it.” She first thrusts the device to her husband where his eyebrows shoot all the way up to his hairline. Now, I’m starting to get worried. What the hell did Lennon do?
Cash walks over to me with a wide grin on his face. He hands me the device and when I look down, I am left speechless. My sunshine wrote a book. And while I am incredibly proud of her, that isn’t what has been feeling like I have gravel in my throat. It’s the title.
All Because of You
The other day, Rosie asked Lennon what she was smiling about. Lennon looked over at my daughter and said, “It’s all because of you, pretty girl.” All the times that statement has come out of Lennon’s mouth replays in my head as I look at the screen. I pull out my phone and pull up the site and pre-order the book before slipping it back into my pocket. “I’ve already called the bakery, and Lily agreed to make a secret cake for me. We are going to need to do something else.” Shelby walks over and takes her iPad back and goes back to sit down .
“I have an idea. I have the space. What about a shed?” At Shelby’s skeptical look she is sending my way, I continue, “A nice shed. What do women call them? A she shed? I can finish the inside with a desk, shelves. A nice reading chair. It will be heated and cooled.” I look up and find Shelby nodding and Cash smiling, so I think they like the idea.
“Yes, that would be perfect. I can look into different companies if you want.” Shelby opens up a package of crackers while she types away. “There, I sent you a link. My parents used them last year.” My phone pings in my pocket, but I still take it out to make sure it was Shelby and not Lennon. The three of us talk for a few minutes, Cash saying that they will be getting Lennon a new laptop, and I decide that I am also going to get her a desktop as well.
I’ll buy her anything. Give her anything. Whatever she wants, it’s hers.
By the time I am in my truck, headed to the butcher, I’m happy with the plan for my surprise for Lennon. When did she have time to write a book? Instead of working three days a week, she usually has been working five, doing random projects for my business. Like setting up an Instagram account that features the restoration process. Or she picks up Rosie from school for me and keeps her occupied while I work. She painted the new building. Lennon is constantly on the go, and I haven’t seen her write .
How the hell did she do it?
Where ya at, sis? Dinner, remember?
My sister was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago, but she isn’t here, and she hasn’t reached out about being late. I know she’s all grown up and busy, just like everyone else, but I can’t shake my worries. Just as I’m about to dial her number again, I spot her car turning into my driveway. “That girl works too hard.” My dad says as he grabs a beer out of the cooler. When he turns away from me, I roll my eyes, because who doesn’t work too much. Even though I agree, it does seem like Tess is pushing herself too much.
Arms wrap around me from behind, and the tension instantly leaves my body. Even when I can’t see Lennon’s face, my body still knows it is her. Is drawn to her. To her goodness. To her light. “Everything okay, babe?” I turn around in her arms, pulling her into my chest. “Yeah, sunshine. I’m just worried about Tess. You know how I went in early today?” I wait for her to nod her head. “Well, when I drove past Linen and Lace, the light was on. I let myself in and found her asleep at her sewing machine. She isn’t taking care of herself.” Lennon tilts her head back and forth, working out her thoughts. “I’ll talk to her. I know what it’s like having a protective older brother. Sometimes, you guys can come off a bit…like you are being an ass to your younger sister. Like we don’t know how to take care of ourselves. I’ll try to get a feel for what’s going on. But I do agree that it seems like she is doing too much.”
It should feel too soon to feel so in synch with another person. But it feels like the most natural thing in the world. How she came into my life and…just belonged there. How Lennon cares about everyone around her is one of the reasons I fell in love with her. When she says that she is going to talk to Tess, I know she will. And unlike me, she will do it with tact. “Thank you, sunshine. I love you.” I give her a kiss, which ends too soon when my dad calls out to me about the grill. Lennon laughs at the frown on my face, and gives me a light push towards the grill, and the man that ruined a moment I was enjoying.
I pass Tess on the way to my dad and notice the dark circles under her eyes. There is no way that she can tell me everything is okay. I give her a hug, also noticing that it feels like she has lost weight. I’m not an idiot, and don’t comment on that. I’ll try to remember to mention it to Lennon and see what she thinks. “Hey, little sister. Everything okay?” She doesn’t bring her gaze to mine when she answers, her telltale sign that she isn’t being completely honest. “Oh, yeah. I just lost track of time. I’m almost done with all the new pieces that I wanted to have out during the festival.” I don’t believe a word that is coming out of her mouth, but remembering what Lennon said, I give a slight nod and kiss the top of her head and release her and continue on to my dad.
The two of us start to get the food off the grill, but when I pick up the platter to bring to the table, he sets his hand on my arm. “I’m worried about her, Hayes. I can tell that whatever is going on, it’s not just work. Her eyes are sad.” I follow where my dad is looking, and I agree. Tess has a small smile on her face as she is talking to Rosie, but it seems forced. Lennon catches my attention, and she gives me a small nod, and somehow, I know she is going to get to the bottom of it. “I know, Pops. I talked to Lennon about it, and she is going to try to get some answers. Something about big brothers coming off as assholes or something.” That earns me a laugh, before he calls back Red, and we both head to the table. I fire of a text to Travis letting him know that he needs to come up to eat. He got here hours ago with the truck that he purchased, and I have not seen him since .
A few minutes later, Travis jogs up to us from the shop, and we let the woman get their plates first. By the time I get my plate and get to the table, Lennon already has the meat cut up for Rosie, and both my girls are digging into their food. We make small talk while eating, Rosie stealing the show, as usual. The past few months, she has really come out of her shell, and I think I owe that to Lennon. Even though Rosie has had my sister since she was born, it’s different having Lennon in our lives. She has instilled so much confidence in my daughter.
Once we are done eating, I try to get Travis to hang out for a little bit longer, but he is determined to get the new truck done, so after thanking us for dinner, he goes back down to the shop. Lennon and Tess head inside to load the dishwasher, while Rosie, my dad, and I play outside.
Today has been perfect. Any day with Lennon in it is perfect.
She was our missing piece.