Chapter 24
Hope
The gravel crunching in the driveway is all the warning I need to let me know that Kaden has just arrived and with him, my brand new garden bench. I step out through the front door, the spring sun warm against my skin, and glance towards the black Ford Ranger idling out front.
Moments later, two tall—very handsome men climb out of the vehicle: Kaden from the passenger side, and a dark-haired stranger who looks oddly familiar, though I can’t quite place where I’ve seen him before, hops out from the driver’s seat.
Kaden spots me straight away, a wide grin breaking across his face as he raises a hand to wave. “Howdy!”
“Hey there! Right on time,” I reply, glancing down at my bare wrist as if checking a watch that isn’t there.
“We got here as fast as we could,” he says as he walks towards me. “Traffic after five on a Tuesday can be a bit of a nightmare, so I’m just glad we made it here.”
Just then, the dark-haired man joins us at the porch.
“Hope, this is my mate, Jason.” He throws a thumb over his shoulder towards the Ford Ranger. “That’s his truck. He’s come to help me carry the bench in. It’s got a fair bit of weight to it.”
“Nice to meet you, Jason. And thank you for your help.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he responds, his voice slightly deeper than Kaden’s.
“I don’t mean to sound like a creep, but I feel like I’ve seen you before.”
“Really?” he says, tilting his head a little, as if to see whether he recognises me too. “Maybe you’ve seen me around my restaurant.”
“You have a restaurant?”
“I do. It’s called Hawkins Bar and Grill.”
“Oh my God. No way! My son and I have been there a few times. It’s actually one of his favourites. He absolutely loves your fried zucchini flowers.”
He lets out a low chuckle. “Ah, yes! I hear that’s a fan favourite.”
“We’re actually going there this weekend. I promised him we’d have lunch there before we go to the arcade.”
“Yeah? Well, I’ll make sure to see you there.”
“Now I feel a little left out,” Kaden cuts in.
“You’re more than welcome to join us.” The words tumble out before I’ve had time to think it through, and heat rushes to my face. I open my mouth to take it back, but it’s Kaden who speaks first, saving me from making up a ridiculous excuse.
“Actually, I was meaning to stop by there anyway.”
“You were?” Jason asks, brows furrowed.
“Yeah—because, you know, I was going to see you about that thing,” Kaden replies.
Jason’s brows knit tighter, as if confused. “What thing?’
“You know,” Kaden says, nudging his shoulder as if that might jog his memory, “that thing we talked about the other day.”
They hold each other’s gaze for a moment, exchanging a look that feels like a silent conversation. Then Jason nods slowly, as though something has finally clicked.
“Right—how could I forget about that thing.” He chuckles, and Kaden lets out a slightly awkward laugh in response.
I bite back a grin at their clumsy attempt at subtlety. They might think they’re being clever, but I know exactly what they’re doing, and I let them have it.
“Alright, now that that’s sorted, should we take the bench out the back?” I murmur.
“Let’s go,” Kaden says, as he claps his hands together.
The two men head for the back of the truck while I circle around the front, making my way to the side gate and holding it open for them.
I watch as they carefully slide the bench out of the tray, lifting it effortlessly with just their arms. As they haul it through the gate, my eyes linger shamelessly on the way their biceps and forearms flex under the strain.
I’m acutely aware of how obvious I am, my body betraying me as I take in the sheer marvel of the view.
“You can just set it against the fence over there, between the garden beds,” I instruct, pointing to where I want them to go. They nod in unison, then slowly walk over to the fence, easing the bench into place with care.
“This okay?” Kaden calls out.
“It’s perfect,” I reply with a wide grin. And it truly is. Seeing it on the screen was one thing, but seeing it here in person is something else entirely. “Kaden, seriously, this bench is just amazing.”
“Thank you. I’m so glad you like it.”
“Heard you saw the furniture he built at his place the other day. I’ve been trying to tell him he should start a proper business, but his stubborn arse won’t hear of it,” Jason quips.
“I did say something along those lines to him, but I can see where he’s coming from. I think it’s smart of him not to rush and to wait until he has a solid plan in place. Starting a business is always a big risk.”
“Thank you, Hope.” He gives Jason’s shoulder a playful punch. “See? Even she gets it.”
“I see your point. I know firsthand how big a risk it is to start a business. Just know, Kaden, I’d be happy to help you in any way I can,” Jason offers. “I’d hate to see such a remarkable talent go to waste.”
“Thanks. I’ll take you up on that offer one day. For now, I’ll see how it goes with the online marketplace first.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” I chime in.
Kaden nods. “Okay, enough of this talk. Miss McKenna, would you like to do the honours?” He gestures towards the lone bench with a wave of his hand.
“Gladly.” I lower myself onto the bench, leaning back against the fence and adjusting just enough to settle comfortably. I look up and catch both men watching me with expectant eyes. “Just perfect.” I praise with a wide smile.
Kaden sighs in relief, and Jason gives a half grin.
“I think this might just be my new favourite spot,” I declare.
Just then, Zac emerges from the back door, carrying a large packet of popcorn, and dressed casually in his Transformers pyjamas.
“Hey, Mum. I finished my homework. Can I have a snack now?” he shouts from the door.
“Honey, come here for a sec. I want to show you something.” I call out to him.
Zac takes his time, strolling towards us barefoot, pausing just beside Kaden, his eyes flicking between the two men. “Hello, I’m Zac.”
“Nice to meet you, young man. I’m Kaden,” he introduces himself. “And this is my friend, Jason.”
Jason nods and offers his hand, which my son shakes.
“How do you do?”
“Are you from the hospital too?” Zac asks.
“No, honey. I don’t work with them—they’re my new friends. And look what they brought over for us.” I tap the seat next to me on the bench, and his brows lift in surprise.
“That’s so cool!” he beams, and drops down beside me.
“Do you like it?” I ask.
He nods enthusiastically. “I love it! Are we keeping it?”
“Yes. It’s all ours now. And guess what?”
“What?”
“Kaden was actually the one who built this.”
“What!” he squeals, bursting with delight, before glancing up at Kaden. “Did you really build this?”
“I sure did, bud,” Kaden replies.
“Can you help me build my school project too?”
“Zac! Kaden has his hands full already. And didn’t you say you’ll be working on it with your dad?”
“That’s what he promised. But he always forgets or says he’s too busy at the moment.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying not to let the frustration show as it swells. I’m getting really sick and tired of Adrian disappointing our son time and time again.
“You know what,” Kaden murmurs, as if sensing my growing irritation. “I would love to help you out on your school project. What do we have to do?”
Zac straightens his spine, his legs lightly kicking against the base of the bench. “I have to build a small model house using only natural and recycled materials.”
“That should be easy. When is it due?”
“Next Friday.”
“Great, that’s still plenty of time. How about we work on it this weekend?”
“Okay!” Zac smiles. “I’ve got soccer on Saturday morning, then I’m going to lunch with my mum for fried zucchini flowers and I’m going to beat her at basketball after. Can we start on Sunday?”
The two grown men chuckle, and I have to suppress a laugh of my own.
“I hear you’re a big fan of my zucchini flowers,” Jason says.
Zac frowns, clearly confused by the comment.
“Jason owns the restaurant, honey,” I explain.
“Really? Does that mean I can get them for free because you’re my mum’s friend now?”
“Zac, could you stop trying to trick these two men into getting what you want?”
“How about this,” Jason says gently, “if you help out at the restaurant from time to time, you can have as many as you like. I could use a strong young man like you around to help.”
“I’ll do it for an extra chocolate fudge cake.”
“Okay, Zac. That’s enough negotiating. Pretty soon you’ll be trying to get him to sign his restaurant over to you.” I glance at Jason and then Kaden. “Sorry, gentlemen. He can be quite the little manipulator when he wants to be.”
Kaden lets out a small laugh, his hands now buried in his pockets. “He’s a smart kid, I’ll give him that. One day, he’s going to be a fierce negotiator.”
“That, he definitely will,” Jason agrees.
I shake my head, trying not to smile, but my efforts fail as my lips spread into a wide grin. “Well, um… thank you, guys, for helping me get my new bench delivered. I’m seriously obsessed with it. I can totally see myself out here every morning with my cup of coffee.”
Kaden smiles. “It’s a solid piece and will hold up in any weather year-round. But if it gets even a tiny chip or scratch, just let me know. I’ll be happy to fix it for you, free of charge.”
“Thank you. Kaden. I appreciate that.”
I rise to my feet and hold out my hand to Zac. He takes it without hesitation. “I’ll walk you guys out.”
As we walk to the front, Jason and Kaden pepper my son with questions—his age, what year he’s in at school, how long he’s been playing soccer—and he answers each one with confidence.
When we reach their truck, Jason climbs straight into the driver’s seat, while Kaden lingers a moment longer by the passenger door.
“I guess I’ll be seeing you at the restaurant on Saturday?” Kaden says, almost shyly.
“We’ll be at the table with plates of fried zucchini flowers and chocolate fudge cake,” I tease.
He releases a soft laugh and looks at my son. “Well, Zac, it was great meeting you today. I hope you’re ready to build the best model house your school’s ever seen this Sunday.”
Zac grins, nodding eagerly. “Everyone’s going to be blown away!” he says.
Kaden gives a playful wink before opening the door and climbing in. We step back to give them room to reverse out of the driveway, waving goodbye as they pull away. Once they’re completely out of sight, Zac lets go of my hand and looks up at me.
“I really like your new friends, Mum.”
“I like them, too, bud.” I smile warmly at him.
He storms off to the backyard to head back inside, while I quickly check the mailbox for any new mail. Fifteen minutes later, I’m in the kitchen about to grab a glass of water, when my phone pings with a new notification. I check it and see it’s from my bank.
My heart almost stops when I notice four hundred dollars has been returned to my account. The exact amount I paid Kaden for the outdoor bench. What the heck?
Me: Am I mistaken or have you just refunded me the money for the bench?
I text him, and he replies almost immediately.
Kaden: Not mistaken at all. I gave it back to you.
Me: What? No! You can’t do that. It’s money well spent for all your hard work!
Kaden: I just did, and no arguing. I don’t charge my friends.
Me: OMG, Kaden! I don’t even know what to say right now! I have to repay you somehow.
Kaden: How about lunch or dinner sometime?
Me: Is this your way of trying to bargain a date with me?
Kaden: I was thinking more along the lines of a friendly lunch, but I’ll let you call it whatever you like.
Me: I still feel like you’re at a greater loss here, but a friendly lunch I can definitely manage. And it’s on me, so don’t even think about paying.
Kaden: LOL! Okay, deal!
Me: See you this weekend.
Kaden: Catch you later, Miss McKenna!
So I guess that settles it. Not only did I gain two new friends, but I’m going on a friendly date—uh, I mean lunch, with one of them. How on earth did my life get like this?