Chapter 8
Whitney and Hayden continued in domestic bliss. Although nothing was formally discussed, Hayden had moved himself back into the main bedroom with her. Spending their nights making love, they would find themselves falling asleep in each other”s arms. With them both in a happy state of cohabitation, Whitney’s permanent living arrangements were put on hold, neither discussing nor making a definite decision. They simply carried on, trying not to overthink their new relationship.
Whitney entered Hastings Hardware to pick up Hayden after his workday. Her day taking longer than usual, Hayden said she would be able to find him in the storage room working on a project. A handsome, dark-haired teenage boy with thick, dark-rimmed glasses greeted her with a smile.
“Hi, there! How can I help you?”
Whitney smiled at him kindly. “Hi! I’m Hayden’s girlfriend, Whitney. Hayden said he would be in the back.”
“Yes, just go through the employee door over there,” the teen offered,gesturing straight ahead.
“Thank-you. And your name is?”
“Oh, I am Ryker Hastings.” he replied with a sweet smile. “I’m Ben and Hayden’s cousin.”
“Yes, that’s right! I remember meeting you and your family at the wedding.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Just through that door?” she asked, gesturing to the door at the end of the aisle marked Employees Only.
“Yes.” Ryker confirmed as he went back around the counter.
Whitney strode off to the back, the click of her high heel boots sounding on the linoleum floor. Pushing through the door, she spotted Hayden past the shelves of stock. Not wanting to startle him, she crept forward quietly. Glancing around, she marvelled at the impressive workshop occupying a large space at the back of the storeroom. There was a long worktable spanned the length of the space and along the wall behind him were a variety of tools organized and hung on a huge peg wall. Underneath the peg wall, shelves held other power tools and bins of wood scraps. On another wall longer lengths of wood rested, waiting to be used for future projects, and a band saw occupied the opposite wall. There was sawdust on the floor and on the worktable. Hayden sat on a stool at the table, safety glasses on, creating a pattern in a long piece of wood with a scroll saw.
Whitney leaned against a shelf and crossed her legs, enjoying the view of him working. So focused on his project, he didn’t notice her standing there watching him. She admired how sexy he looked in a blue and green flannel work shirt rolled up to the elbows showing off his muscular forearms, low slung faded jeans, and brown leather tool belt. His hair was perfectly mussed, as if he had run his hands through it many times, and she bit her bottom lip, thinking about running her hands through it too. Perhaps giving it a playful little tug to make him groan. Whitney continued to watch him and once he put down the saw, she cleared her throat. He met her gaze, and a warm welcoming smile curved his lips.
“How long have you been standing there?” he asked, taking off his safety glasses and setting them on the worktable.
Whitney looked at her watch and gave him a coy grin. “I don’t know, about five minutes or so.”
Hayden laughed, the sound low and deep, as Whitney sauntered around the worktable, adding a little extra sway to her hips, while he followed each alluring move. Reaching him, she turned, leaning her body seductively against the table, his eyes trained on hers.
Moving his project over to the side, he rose from the stool, removed his leather tool belt, and swiped his hand across the bench, letting the sawdust and pieces of wood fall to the floor.
With a quickening pulse, Whitney licked her lips and gazed up at him through her long lashes.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he warned, as he lifted her onto the workbench and nestled his body between her legs.
“Like what?” she teased, swiping the tip of her tongue over her lips, knowing he would notice.
“Like you want me to take you, right here on my worktable,” he answered, sliding his hands under her skirt, up her thighs, and gripping her hips, and pulling her closer. His body was hard and powerful towering over her and making her ridiculously aroused.
“Maybe I do,” she answered, leaning back on her palms, cocking her head to the side, and flashing him a mischievous grin.
“You know Ryker could walk in here anytime.”
“I know.” she replied, never leaving his gaze as she sat up and reached for the button of his jeans.
Hayden’s blue eyes darkened with desire as he slid his hand around the back of her head, tangling in her hair and crashed his lips to hers in a scorching kiss.
Whitney ran her hands under his flannel shirt to feel his warm, ripped chest and stomach, then around to his broad, robust back, feeling the ripple of his muscles under her fingertips. The sheer feel of his strength making her pool with need. Sliding her fingers under the waist of his jeans, she slid her hands inside and squeezed his taut behind, causing him to release her lips and throw his head back in a husky, guttural groan.
“Whitney, you’re playing with fire,” he warned.
“Then burn me,” she replied, her voice raw and wanton as she slid down the zipper of his jeans and reached inside to grip his hard length with her palm.
Hayden’s eyes blazed with heat at her touch. Without any further pretense, he pulled out his wallet, retrieved a condom and made quick work sheathing himself. Laying her back on the table, he lifted her skirt till it bunched at her waist, pulled her panties to the side, and feeling her wet and ready for him, he took her, hard and deep with a single thrust. Whitney cried out, her body accepting all of him as he let out a groan of appreciation while he drove into her again and again. The echoes of their moans and skin connecting filling the large room and Whitney could feel her release build fast and furious as he grabbed her hips and pounded into her. With one more punishing thrust, her climax crested and she let out a long-drawn-out moan that seemed to come from a place unworldly. Hayden continued unrelenting until his own release came and he collapsed on top of her. Both lay there a moment, still connected, half dressed and disheveled, as post coital tremors surged through their bodies. Whitney sifted her fingers through his soft hair as they came down from the high.
Just then, the door opened on the other side of the storeroom and their eyes met in surprise. Whitney’s eyes widened, and Hayden lifted his head, knowing they couldn’t be seen from the door.
“Hayden, do you know if we sell S hooks?” Ryker shouted in question.
“Yes, aisle four near the command hooks.”
“Okay, thanks!”
The storeroom door clicked shut and Hayden, still on top of her, flashed Whitney an amused smile, causing her to giggle. Rising off the table, he discarded the condom and straightened himself out, helping lift Whitney from the worktable as she rolled her skirt back down.
“Well, that was fun,” Whitney commented, smoothing out her skirt and dusting the wood shavings off the fabric, as Hayden removed a little piece of wood from her hair.
“Agreed.” he replied, flashing her a sexy grin as he pulled her into him and wrapped his arms around her giving her a hug.
Releasing his embrace, Whitney took in his workspace again, the project he was working on capturing her attention. She picked it up and inspected it curiously, then glanced up at him as if to ask, what is this?
“I’m working on a crib for Ben and Ever.” he shared.
Whitney’s eyes brightened, and she looked back at the piece in her hands.
“I’ve made some furniture before, but this will be the first crib I’ve built.”
Offering him a smile, she ran her fingers over the intricate carving he had completed so far. “You are so talented, Hayden.” she complimented as she marveled at the details. He had put into what she guessed was going to be the headboard of the crib.
“Thanks.” he smiled proudly. “I want to carve the headboard with farm animals as it could fit either a boy or a girl.”
“That is so sweet, Hayden.” she whispered, an unexpected lump of emotion catching in her throat.
“If their crib turns out like I hope, maybe someday I’ll make one for my child,” he shared, taking the piece of wood from her hands and smoothing his hand over it.
Whitney glanced up at him, and she could see the longing in his eyes. “You want kids?” she asked, searching his gaze.
“I do, someday. A house full, God willing.”
She smiled and her heart aching from his sweet declaration. She had always dreamt of having a family. A sweet little chubby faced baby with ten little fingers and ten little toes. She could almost smell the sweet baby powder as a deep pang of longing bore its way into her chest. An ache she felt so many times before. That deep, indescribable yearning for a child of her own. Just then a flashback clouded her thoughts, and Paul’s unkind words pierced into her.
Are you an idiot? Did you think I would fall for that trick? From now on I want to see you take your pills every day! My wife is not going to get fat and disgusting!
She shivered and shook her head as if that could wipe the memory from her consciousness.
“Where did you go just now?” Hayden asked, his brows furrowed with concern as he put his hands on her hips and pulled her in close to him.
Whitney turned away, breaking eye contact, not wanting Hayden to see the deep, painful emotion that was breaching the surface. Swallowing down hard, her throat ached as tears threatened to escape.
Hayden turned her head back to face him and lifted her chin to meet his worried eyes as he whispered, “You can tell me.”
She let out a long breath to steady her mounting emotion as she replied. “I was just thinking about how my ex didn’t want to have kids. He always accused me of not taking my birth control and trying to get pregnant behind his back. He’d get so mad, screaming at me that he didn’t want me to get pregnant as no wife of his was going to be fat and disgusting.”
Hayden’s eyes blazed with anger, and he stared at her, frustration covering his face. After a moment he took her face into his hands, his eyes intense as he replied. “Whitney, you’re going to be so beautiful pregnant.” he said lovingly, so much conviction in his tone. “And you’re going to be the most amazing mother.”
This man. She stared into this handsome face, tears spilling down her cheeks. She blinked, her tears hot and searing, the pain of the past burning her skin.
“Don’t cry, Whitney.” he cooed softly as he ran his palms over her wet cheeks and leaned down, brushing his lips over hers in an excruciatingly tender kiss. As he kissed her with tenderness, sincerity, and reassurance, she realized, right then, with every part of her being, that she was madly, irrevocably, without question, in love with Hayden Hastings.
* * *
Hayden and Whitneywalked up to Ben and Ever’s farmhouse, a pie plate in hand. They had been invited for dinner and Whitney was eager to talk with Ever about her recent doctor’s appointment.
Ever opened the door even before they could knock. “You’re here!” she exclaimed, hugging them both and inviting them in. Ben stood at the front entrance, his blue eyes crackling with excitement.
“Ben, you look like the cat that swallowed the canary.” Hayden commented with amusement at his brother’s atypical expression.
Rather than giving his brother his usual growl and scowl, Ben laughed and welcomed them into the living room. A fire was lit in the stone fireplace and the flicker of the flames made light dance on the walls. It made the entire room inviting, warm and cozy. Taking a seat at one end of the long leather couch, Hayden pulled Whitney in next to him, his arm snuggly around her waist. Ben took a seat at the other side and Ever nestled into his lap, as they often did. Both glanced at each other, their smiles growing even wider.
“Okay, spill!” Whitney ordered. “I want to know what the doctor said!”
Ben turned to Ever, and she nodded for him to share their news.
“Ever and I found out yesterday we’re having twins.” Ben shared excitedly, as he ran his hand over Ever’s belly, the evidence of her baby bump already showing.
Hayden and Whitney’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wow, you guys, that’s incredible!” Hayden congratulated. “Two babies!”
Ever nodded, her face beaming with unbridled joy as Whitney, tears forming in her eyes, reached out to Ever. The friends wrapped their arms around each other, both letting the tears of happiness fall. Hayden leaned over and put out his fist to bump Ben’s. He had never seen his brother happier and more excited about anything in his life. Seeing his brother find such joy and contentment stirred both feelings of envy and hope within him. Hayden was self admittedly jealous that Ben had found what he so deeply desired for himself, but it also gave him hope that he would have that too.
His eyes locked on Whitney who was wiping the tears from her face, and she turned to capture his gaze, smiling at him sweetly. Could I have it all with Whitney? Reflecting on their conversation in his workshop, he knew she wanted the life Ben and Ever had found too. She wanted her person, a happy marriage and she wanted a family. But did she want that with me? With his insecurities rearing their ugly head and making him question everything, he shook his head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. He loved Whitney. If he was being completely honest with himself, he had been in love with her from the night they met. And as they spent more time together, getting to know each other better, it only solidified his initial feelings for her. He was in love with Whitney Faris. Now to show her he was the man for her.
* * *
After dinner and a long visit,Hayden helped Whitney into his truck and leaned in to give her a chaste kiss. “I want to take you somewhere,” he said, giving her a wink.
“Now? It’s late,” she questioned, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
“Yes, I promise you’re going to love it!”
Hayden hopped into the cab and started down the long driveway, turning onto the gravel road, the opposite direction from his place. Whitney stared out the window at the snow-covered ditches lighting their way as he navigated down the dark road. Two miles from Prairie Sky, he pulled onto a utility road, driving over low snowbanks, and making a path through the snow. They stopped, enrobed in darkness, with fields surrounding them on either side.
“Where are we?” she asked curiously, glancing out at the darkness, just the moonlight on the snow providing a faint ethereal glow.
Hayden smiled and turned to her. “Trust me?” he asked, as he turned off the engine and the headlights of the truck, enveloping them in the cover of night.
“Yes, I trust you,” she answered with some hesitation in her voice.
He opened his door and reached for her as she shimmied to the driver’s side. Helping her out of the cab, he grabbed their mittens that were in the middle console of the truck. Handing her the mittens, she put them on and hooked her arm into his.
“Watch your step,” he cautioned as he guided her towards the back of the truck and unlatched the tailgate. He lifted her onto the tailgate and climbed up next to her. Taking his hand in hers, he leaned into her, his warm breath at her ear. “Look up,” he whispered.
Whitney’s eyes rose to the sky and the most glorious blanket of stars greeted her. There were millions, shining brightly and sparkling like glitter against the obsidian sky.
“It’s amazing!” she whispered; her voice was full of wonder.
The prairie night was like a dream, more brilliant than she could have imagined. So, unlike the faint glint of stars she would see, between the flood of city lights back in Toronto. This was a pure unobstructed view of God”s wonder. Just then, a bright light streak across the sky. A shooting star.
“Did you see that?” She asked Hayden, as he wrapped his arm around Whitney to keep her warm.
“I did,” he replied. “Did you make a wish?”
“I did,” she answered, resting her head contentedly on his shoulder.
“What did you wish for?”
“I can’t tell you!” she giggled as she squeezed his arm. “Then it won’t come true.”
“I am not sure I believe that,” he confessed, kissing the top of her head. “My wish has already come true.”
Whitney glanced up at him, barely making out her features in the dark.
“I wished for someone like you. I love you, Whitney.” he professed, not wanting to hold back his feelings anymore. Hearing her breath hitch with his declaration, she exhaled, the smoky tendrils of her warm breath swirling around her in the cold winter night. Whitney’s hand came up, cupping his cheek, her thumb smoothing over it affectionately.
“I love you too, Hayden.” she whispered on a breath, her words the sweetest sound to his ear. Pulling him closer, their hot breaths mingling as Whitney found his lips in the dark and kissed him long and deep, as all doubts as to her feelings for him dissipated.
Breaking their embrace, Hayden hopped down from the tailgate, spread his arms out wide and yelled towards the night sky. “Whitney Faris loves me!”
Whitney laughed at his proclamation to the universe as he stalked over and captured his lips in another passionate kiss. Their love, like two radiant stars lighting up the prairie night.