Chapter Seven #2
“That was probably after we left,” Landon said.
There were so many memories he hadn’t even been a part of.
So many years had been lost when he could have been growing a relationship with Hattie.
And his dad. To this day it still frustrated him.
His parents’ divorce had splintered their family into shards.
None of the adults had been able to get their acts together.
“I’m not a big fan of Christmas, just so you know. You’ll never catch me wearing reindeer antlers or playing nonstop Christmas tunes in my car,” Bailey told him. She shrugged. “Don’t worry, though. I’ll put my best face on and smile my way through the festivities.”
Landon couldn’t believe what he was hearing. How could a person not like Christmas? It was like not enjoying puppies or the first snowfall of the season. He was tempted to ask her more about it.
Just then Bonnie came over with a magnum of champagne and two flutes. She did the honors by popping the cork and pouring the bubbly into their glasses.
“Your appetizers will be right out, courtesy of True,” Bonnie said, a smile stretching across her face. “I’ll be back in a bit to take your orders.”
“Bonnie seems pleased to see us together,” Landon said. “No pressure,” he added, wincing.
“I think it’s sweet,” Bailey said. “I guess they’re invested.
They really care about you. I hope this isn’t going to be upsetting to hear, but when Hattie threw that party for us kids, I remember her seeming really sad.
So I asked my mother and she told me that she was sad because her grandsons had left Moose Falls.
I think she thought that by hosting the gathering, her spirits would be lifted, but I guess it didn’t quite work that way. ”
Landon didn’t respond immediately. It took him a moment to absorb what Bailey had told him.
When he’d relocated to Arizona, his heart had been broken.
And now he had confirmation that Hattie had felt the same way.
That knowledge made him feel breathless.
Decisions had been made that had hurt so many people.
And for what? he asked himself. People could divorce and not blow up their kids’ lives.
“I’m sorry if that was TMI,” Bailey said. She was clearly fretting about what she’d told him.
“No worries. It’s actually helping to fill in a few blanks. I don’t remember a whole lot about Moose Falls, but I do remember feeling an immense amount of love shown to us from my grandmother. What you said fits into that recollection.”
The server arrived and placed their appetizer down on the table. “Lobster risotto.”
Their conversation took off as they both polished off the appetizer and ordered their entrées—teriyaki-infused salmon for Bailey and black cod for Landon.
“Have you ever been bird-watching?” Bailey asked, leaning toward him from across the table.
He was a little startled by the question. No one had ever asked him before if he was a bird-watcher. Most people didn’t have any interest in that particular hobby.
Landon shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Well, since you’re asking, I’m a huge bird-watcher. I haven’t been doing it for that long, but I’m discovering some amazing species here in Alaska.” He had no idea how she’d sussed him out, but there was no point denying it.
Bailey let out a tiny squeal. “Oh my goodness. I am too. And I have been a bird enthusiast since I was a kid.”
“You’re kidding me. Seriously?” he asked. This was pretty rare in his opinion. He’d never met anyone who enjoyed bird-watching, let alone a woman like Bailey.
“I’m totally serious. From the time I first spotted a gray-headed chickadee, I was all in.”
Landon let out a low whistle. He knew his birds, and those were not your average birds. “Impressive,” he said with a nod. “I was hooked during college when I saw a brown booby in Boston.”
“Stop! You didn’t!” Bailey said in a raised voice. “You’re pulling my leg, aren’t you?”
“It’s the truth,” Landon told her. He could feel a huge smile tugging at his lips. Bailey seemed totally geeked out by his admission. “I’ve got pictures and everything.”
“Those birds are indigenous to the Caribbean. How did it end up in Boston?” she asked.
“Well, if I had a guess, I’d say it probably flew,” Landon said in a dry voice. At the same time, they both began to chuckle.
“Touché,” Bailey said once she’d stopped laughing.
After dinner, Landon noticed a few couples making their way to the dance floor. Live music was being played by a jazz band that they were both enjoying.
Bailey leaned toward him. “Now would be a good time to ask me to dance.”
Landon froze. Dancing was not his thing. His brothers had forced him to line dance a few months ago, and he’d barely recovered from that. Dancing with Bailey would be even worse. She was probably the best dancer in the world. He couldn’t even hope to keep up with her.
“I don’t dance,” he said, squirming a little in his seat.
“What do you mean, you don’t dance?” she asked, frowning. “Everybody dances.”
“Not me,” he said with a shake of the head. “I’m not a big fan of making a fool of myself in public. I guess I’m an outlier.”
Bailey let out a sigh. “You’re just being self-conscious. I’m a pretty good dancer, and I’ll lead you through it. Okay?”
“Not really,” Landon said through clenched teeth. “I hate dancing.” He would rather have a root canal than go out on the dance floor with people watching him stumble around like an uncoordinated giraffe.
Bailey smirked. “I heard you the first time, but if you get out there and dance with me, True will think that you must really like me if you’re willing to stick your neck out there like that. That’s what someone would do if they were into a person.”
Landon couldn’t argue the point she’d just made. His entire family knew that he wasn’t a dancer, didn’t like dancing, and generally refused to dance. With a groan, he stood up and held out his hand, helping her up from her chair and pulling her toward him.
“I tried to warn you. Don’t blame me when your toes get stepped on. You might be hobbling into work tomorrow. I can always loan you Hattie’s cane.”
“Have a little faith,” Bailey said. “Just try to sway to the music and hold on to me.”
“Famous last words,” Landon muttered.
The next thing he knew, they were on the dance floor, and she had placed her arms around his neck and pulled him toward her.
“Place your hands on my waist,” she instructed. “And don’t act like such a stranger—get close.”
He moved closer until there was not an inch between them. Their bodies were practically melded together. “Just feel the music. Don’t think about the steps. Just follow me. Think of it like a nice, warm hug.”
And suddenly he was doing what he said he would never do.
Slow dance with a beautiful woman. Although his movements were a bit clunky, he didn’t step on Bailey’s toes, nor did he stumble around the dance floor.
She was graceful and commanding, leading him in all the steps.
Her head rested on his chest, and his hands encircled her waist. This type of closeness felt good.
She smelled nice, and her body was all softness and curves.
Before he knew it, the song ended and Bailey broke contact with him, turning away to head back to their table.
“Hey,” he said, lightly grabbing her arm. “Do you want to go for another spin? I think I’m getting the hang of this.”
“Thanks for a great evening,” Bailey told Landon as they headed out to the lot. They had pretty much shut down the tavern, being some of the last customers to leave. “I think we laid a good foundation tonight. True and Bonnie couldn’t keep their eyes off of us.”
“As well as all the other customers. Some folks were straining their necks to get a look at us out on the dance floor.” Landon had a pleased expression etched on his face. “Thanks for pushing me out of my comfort zone.”
“See how that works? You were great. Look what happens when you take a leap of faith.” It was a bit of a metaphor for their fake relationship. They had taken a great leap into the unknown, all for Hattie’s benefit.
When they were within a few feet of her vehicle, Bailey used her remote to start the engine so it would be warmed up.
“So, I’m still wondering about what you owe Hattie for? Care to explain?”
Bailey sucked in a deep breath of the frosty Alaskan air. She might as well explain herself. There was no point in withholding this information when Hattie might divulge it to her grandson herself at some point.
“When I was nine, my father died. It totally wrecked my family, especially my mother. She was so grief-stricken that she lost her ability to even take care of us. She was so steeped in depression and grief that she gave up on life.” Bailey shuddered as the dark memories came creeping back.
“Because there were four of us, my sisters and I started taking care of each other and the house. But it was a lot, because we were mourning, too, and we were young kids.”
Landon let out a fretful sound.
“One day your grandmother showed up at our house with groceries and toys for us girls. She went into my mother’s bedroom and sat with her for hours.
She made her tea and prepared lunch for us as well.
That day was the first time in weeks that my mother left her bedroom.
From that point on Hattie was a fixture at our house, helping out and encouraging all of us.
She let us know that we could move past our grief. ”
“That’s amazing,” Landon said, “and it sounds like Hattie. She’s always there for others. A rock.”
“And even though my family is still a bit dysfunctional in their grief, she saved us in every way that one person can save another. She rescued all of us, my whole family. If it hadn’t been for her, I genuinely believe that we might’ve been put into foster care and separated from one another.
We would have lost our house. Because of her that didn’t happen.
And she’s been looking out for us ever since in small and wonderful ways.
” She drew in a deep breath. “She got me this job in the cider lab that I’m not sure I was even qualified for.
I’ve proven myself and worked really hard to do so, but Hattie gave me a shot.
She believed in me. Way more than I believed in myself.
” Bailey’s heart was full and overflowing with gratitude for Hattie.
“She saw your raw potential. Hattie is an incredibly wise woman with a wide-open heart.” His love for Hattie was crystal clear.
“And that’s why I would go to the ends of the earth to make her happy. If this faux relationship can help her leave this earth with a smile on her face and feeling as if her loved ones are settled, then I’m all in.”
He reached out for her gloved hand and squeezed it. “I appreciate you sharing this with me. It can’t be easy talking about such a heartbreaking time in your life.”
“It isn’t,” she admitted. “But your grandmother’s many kindnesses shaped my life. She’s never talked about it or taken credit for it, but in my book she’s a shero.”
A harsh wind washed over them, and they both winced against the onslaught. A light smattering of snow began to fall from the inky sky.
“We better get out of the cold before we freeze our buns off,” Bailey said.
Landon leaned in for a goodbye hug. “If I haven’t said it before, I appreciate you. I won’t ever forget that you did this for me. And Hattie.”
He was standing so close that she could smell the sandalwood aroma of his cologne.
Achingly close. The idea of kissing him flitted through her mind.
She had never been one to shy away from making the first move, but this situation was a bit different.
Even though she felt as if a relationship was being formed between them, the romance storyline wasn’t real. Only in her dreams, she thought.
Bailey was feeling a bit choked up by Landon’s gratitude. As far as she was concerned, the Stone family owed her nothing. Hattie had given them the world.
As she drove away from Northern Exposure, she looked up to see Landon’s gaze trailing after her.
He had been so sensitive and caring when she’d told him about Hattie’s support for her family.
It made her believe that she could confide in Landon and tell him all the things she held close to the vest. Tonight had truly broken the ice between them, and she wanted more.
She needed to spend time with Landon outside of Yukon Cider so that she could peel back his layers to see what was resting beneath the surface.
Something told her that there was a lot there, and she couldn’t wait to discover it all.