Chapter 10
HAYES
A few hours later, Tessa and Hayes arrived back at The Hickory. Hayes pulled up to Tessa’s house and turned off the engine. “I guess we should come up with a more detailed plan of how we are going to present this before either of us goes into town,” Hayes suggested.
They had both called their parents before they left South Carolina.
Their families had been stunned but had accepted the marriage.
There were talks of planning another “more official” wedding in the future, but Tessa and Hayes had managed to put their parents off that topic for a little while; they hoped.
“I guess so,” Tessa sighed. “I really don’t want to lie to everyone, Hayes. Do you think we made a mistake?”
Hayes gazed at Tessa for a moment. “I will do what you want me to, but I don’t mind doing this for you. However, we can get an annulment if you want to. This is your call, Tessa.”
Tessa sighed. “I hate lying, but we’ve gotten married now, and I really don’t want to lose my resort. Thank you, Hayes. I will find some way to repay you.”
“Let’s not worry about that now,” Hayes replied.
“Why don’t we just keep our story simple.
We’ve known each other forever, so it’s not like it’s totally out of the realm of possibilities that we fell in love.
You and Landry were not that serious, and after he left, you and I started spending a lot of time together, and it just felt right, and we didn’t want to wait, so we just went for it. ”
“If only that were true,” Tessa murmured.
“Uh, what?”
“I mean, that it would be great if that was the way it really happened. If I hadn’t believed that Landry was different, and that I was actually in love with my husband.” Tessa stammered.
Hayes tried not to let those words pierce him, but they did wound him a little. He wished Tessa really did love her husband, too.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Hayes,” Tessa said. “That sounded harsher than I meant it to. You know I care about you. You are one of my very best friends.”
“I know,” Hayes answered. “So, back to our story. Does that sound good? We don’t need to share many details. Just stick to the simple ‘facts.’ Once we discovered our feelings, we just didn’t want to wait.”
“Okay, I can do that,” Tessa smiled. “One more detail, though, you know you are going to have to live here for now, right?”
Hayes had not thought about that. “No, I didn’t think about that. I guess that would make sense. It would be weird if I lived in town while my wife lived out here by herself.”
“Yes, it might be a little suspicious,” Tessa laughed. “No worries, though. I have plenty of room upstairs, and no one really visits the main house anyway. We should be fine.”
“Okay, well, I guess I will go into town and pack some things,” Hayes said. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“What was that for?” Tessa asked.
“I know we are alone, but I assume we will have to show some PDA around others to be convincing as newlyweds. Is that okay with you?”
Tessa blushed, “I really did not think about that. But I think I am okay with it –within reason.”
“Of course,” Hayes said. “Tessa, you call the shots in this relationship. You just let me know what you feel comfortable with.”
“Thank you, Hayes,” Tessa said. “You have really gone above and beyond friendship to help me. I don’t know how I will ever repay you.”
“Don’t worry about that, Tessa.” Hayes reassured her. “Right now, let’s just concentrate on selling this marriage and keeping your resort.”
TESSA
Tessa thoughtfully watched Hayes drive away.
She still couldn’t believe he was doing all this for her.
He really was a good friend. She thought back to their conversation about their physical displays of affection.
She blushed slightly. Hayes was charming and a total gentleman.
He was also very handsome, and the thought of sharing some PDA with him was not totally unappealing.
Tessa shook her head. What was she thinking?
This was Hayes, her dear friend, and Landry’s best friend.
She shooed thoughts of Landry away and thought back to the first kiss she and Hayes had shared.
Not the kiss at their wedding. She had first kissed Hayes about seven years ago after she had moved back home after college graduation.
Seven Years Ago
“Nana, I’m going to double-check the cabins and make sure they are ready for tomorrow,” Tessa called to the kitchen, where her Nana was busy baking.
“All right, dear,” Nana answered. “See you in a little while.”
Tessa bounded down the stairs, her long legs glistening with tan thanks to the beach trip her family had given her for college graduation.
She couldn’t believe school was over, and now she was here to help Nana run the resort and, eventually, take it over.
She climbed into the resort ATV and sped over to the cabins.
She was sure they were ready; their staff was the best, but for some reason, she had a lot of extra energy she felt like she needed to expend.
When she arrived at the cabin, Hayes was there stocking the firewood and making sure the fire pit was ready.
“Hayes!” Tessa called. “I didn’t know you were back already!”
“Hey, Tessa!” Hayes smiled. “I’m only back for a little while, but I wanted to help your grandmother while I was here.”
“Aw, Hayes, you’re so sweet. Always thinking of others,” Tessa smiled.
Hayes waved off the praise. “So, congratulations, college grad! Are you ready to take over the resort?”
“Yes, I am very excited, and I know Nana would never admit it, but I think she might be ready to retire,” Tessa said.
“Mrs. Ruby, retire? I don’t see it,” Hayes laughed.
“Well, she will probably never fully retire, but I hope that my being here full-time will help her out,” Tessa replied. “But what about you? Congratulations to you as well. What is next for you?”
“Well, I think I am going to be able to play minor league ball,” Hayes announced.
“Oh, Hayes, that’s fantastic!” Tessa exclaimed. She jumped up and into his arms to give him a hug.
He wrapped his strong arms around her, then they both pulled back slightly.
Tessa gazed up at Hayes as he looked down at her.
Neither of them made a move to move out of the hug.
Hayes lowered his head slowly, and Tessa tilted her head slightly.
Then Hayes was kissing her. After a slight hesitation, Tessa settled into the kiss and kissed him back.
Slowly, they drew away from each other, silent for a moment.
“Uh, Tessa, I’m sorry, I just got carried away,” Hayes blushed.
“No, no, it’s fine. I think I got carried away, too.” Tessa smiled. “That is exciting news. I am happy for you.”
“Thank you,” Hayes said. “I still can’t believe that I will get to play baseball for a living!”
“That’s amazing!” Tessa exclaimed. “I’m proud of you. You have worked so hard for this.”
“Thanks, Tessa, that means a lot to me.”
Present Day
Tessa smiled at the memory. Neither she nor Hayes had mentioned that moment again.
He had gone off to play in the minor leagues for four years, and she had remained in Hickory Falls to run the resort.
After Hayes moved back to Hickory Falls, her grandmother passed away, Landry returned, and their kiss seemed to be forgotten.
Tessa wondered if Hayes ever thought about that time. She wondered what would have happened if he had been able to stay in Hickory Falls a little longer or had returned a little earlier. She laughed at the thought. Regardless of the timing, somehow they had ended up married.