Chapter 8
Haylee hadn’t doubted Tyson’s word, but it was still a surprise to see him waiting for her at two p.m. at the town’s one and only park, where the event was to be held in just a couple of hours.
Her throat grew tight at the sight of him leaning up against his truck with his arms folded across his broad chest, his Stetson low on his brow, shading his eyes from the bright sunlight. He pushed his hat up with one finger, letting her see the intense blue of his gaze and the way he seemed to be drinking her in. A slow smile curved his lips, causing a thrill to shoot through her.
“You’re here.” She smiled.
He moved away from the vehicle. “Ready and waiting for your instructions.”
Haylee unlocked the camper shell window on the bed of her truck. “I have plenty for you to carry to set next to the gazebo by the pond.” She raised the window, unlocked the tailgate, and lowered it. She stepped aside and gestured to the boxes inside. “Take them away.”
“Your wish is my command.” Tyson took her into his arms and kissed her in a way that made her feel as if forever with him was possible.
He raised his head and gave her a sexy smile before grabbing the biggest box filled with centerpieces. He carried it over the rise to where the tables would soon be set up.
Lips tingling and a smile on her face, Haylee picked up a medium-sized box of small gifts that would be given to each guest.
The party rental truck pulled into the lot, and she waited for it to come to a stop. She shifted the box and propped it on her hip while waiting for John Burnham, the owner of KC Rentals, to climb out.
He carried a clipboard and smiled as he strolled to her. “Heya, Haylee.”
“Hope your day’s going well, John.” She handed the box to Tyson as he returned. He nodded and greeted John before carrying the box away.
She took the clipboard and scanned the list of items. “Five rounds, two oblongs, forty chairs, and an arbor.” She signed it and handed the clipboard back to John. “By the pond.”
For a moment, Haylee watched John and his son start to convey the items to the vast, flat area near the duck pond.
The grass was still green in this part of Arizona in late October, and the sun shone from a cloudless sky, the temperature hovering just under ninety degrees. The fall-winter rains wouldn’t start until late November. Haylee tipped her head back, relieved but not surprised to see not a wisp of white marring the cerulean blue.
When all the boxes were next to the gazebo, Tyson came to Haylee. “What next?”
She pushed hair behind her ears. “I need you to pick up the swans from Jerry Mack’s farm.”
Tyson raised an eyebrow. “Swans?”
“Helen insisted on them for her daughter’s bridal shower.” Haylee shrugged. “Thinks they’re romantic.”
His lips twitched. “You don’t?”
She smiled at his obvious amusement. “Just go get them.”
He saluted. “You’ve got it.” A quick kiss and he was on his way.
Haylee spent the next half hour adorning the arbor with roses, lace, and tulle, along with her creations, then putting tablecloths and centerpieces on all the rounds. She enjoyed creating and was known for the exceptional decorations she designed.
When Tyson returned, he carried a big plastic dog kennel over the rise, his brow furrowed. He set it down. “Jerry Mack’s 4-H kid had the kennel ready when I got there, and I loaded it up. But now I’m not so sure what we have here are swans.”
A round of loud honking emanated from the crate, and Haylee stared at it. “That doesn’t sound like a swan’s honk. Did he give me geese?”
She crouched in front of the gate and peered in. “Holy crap, they are geese.” She stood, braced her hands on her hips, and looked at Tyson. “I confirmed with him this morning, and he said he’d send over the swans. Damn.”
He pushed his fingers through his hair. “The boys told me he had to run to Phoenix about an hour ago.”
Haylee bit her lower lip and looked around her. Everything had been going smoothly until now. If Jerry was already an hour out, there would be no time for him to turn around and get the swans here on time.
She rolled her shoulders. “There’s nothing we can do about it now and the guests will be arriving soon. We’ll have to put the geese aside until Jerry Mack can have someone pick them up.”
“I’ll give him a call.” Tyson drew his phone out of his pocket. “In the meantime, I’ll put the kennel on the other side of the gazebo for now.”
“Thank you.” She saw Helen walking along the path over the rise.
She strode up to Helen, a slender sixtyish woman with silver hair and an elegant bearing. Haylee smiled at her. “Everything is almost ready.”
“It looks lovely.” Helen swept her gaze around the area and came to rest on the pond. She turned to Haylee. “Where are the swans?”
Haylee winced internally. “There was a mistake, and Mack’s sent geese instead of swans.”
Helen’s eyebrows shot up. “I promised Paige swans.”
“I’m so sorry, Helen.” Haylee tried her best to use a soothing tone that she often had to use with the woman. “Somehow, there was a mix-up, and all we have are geese.”
Helen’s mouth tightened into a thin line. “Then put them in the pond. They’ll have to do.”
Haylee shook her head. “That wouldn’t be a good idea. Geese are too unpredictable.”
“Just do it.” Helen cut her off in an imperious tone. “My daughter is about to arrive.”
“It’s a safety issue.” Haylee had to get her to understand.
Helen turned her back on Haylee. “Get them on the water and do it now.”
Haylee took a calming breath as Helen walked away. Did the woman know anything about geese?
Apparently not.
What was that saying about the customer always being right? So not true.
Haylee met Tyson coming around from behind the gazebo. “Change in plans.” She grimaced. “Helen wants the geese on the water.” She shook her head at Tyson’s doubtful look. “She gave the order, make that a demand, and with Helen, there’s nothing I can do about it without her going ballistic.”
He picked up the kennel and carried it toward the pond. “You’re sure?”
She joined him and groaned. “It’s going to be a disaster.”
He reached the water’s edge. “I hope you’re wrong.”
She watched him open the gate. The geese waddled out of the crate, honking and flapping their wings. She crossed her fingers and kept her distance from the fowl. “I hope I’m wrong, too.”
When she was far enough away, Haylee turned her back on them and hurried around the tables, making adjustments, ensuring everything was as perfect as possible.
Splashing came from the direction of the pond, and then relative quiet. She looked in that direction and saw the geese placidly floating—they seemed to be enjoying the water, so maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
Women, ranging from young adults to elderly ladies, started showing up. In King Creek, all folks loved a good party.
Haylee greeted the guests—she knew almost everyone there. Tyson stayed out of sight, likely because it was a female-only gathering. He’d been a big help, and having him there had been fun.
The afternoon passed with everything going perfectly and everyone seeming to have a good time. The bride-to-be beamed her thousand-watt smile from her chair beneath the arbor as she opened her gifts. Everyone stood around Paige, watching as she was gifted items from custom slippers, to his and her luggage tags, a gold sequin tote, bride robe, satin pajamas, makeup bag—and more risqué items like a sexy negligee, edible panties, and a kinky couple’s game.
Loud honking and splashing came from the pond, and a lump jumped into Haylee’s throat. She shot her gaze toward the sound?—
And to her horror, the geese charged toward Helen.
They came up from behind her, necks outstretched, making hissing sounds and honking.
Haylee bolted toward the woman. “Helen, watch out!”
Helen looked up.
The geese reached her, and one nipped her backside.
Helen gave a blood-curdling shriek.
Eyes wild, she whirled around and started beating back the geese with her purse. “Get out of here! Go away!”
The geese stretched their wings and thrust out their chests as they looked for their next victims with their backs to them.
Haylee stormed into the geese. “Get back.” She waved her hands and chased them away from the guests. Geese were cowards—they chose victims who weren’t looking and didn’t know they were coming.
Tyson had the crate ready. “I’ll take care of them.” He inclined his head toward two young boys sitting at the foot of the gazebo, looking thoroughly like they’d had the riot act read to them. “These young men will help since they threw rocks at the geese and stirred them up.”
“Bradley and Joel.” Haylee put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. “Your mamas will be so disappointed in you.”
“Don’t tell them, please.” Bradley’s horrified gaze pleaded with her. “Mom’ll kill me.”
Joel nodded, his head bouncing like a bobblehead doll. “Please, Miss Haylee.”
Haylee pointed to the loud waterfowl. “Gather those geese and get them back in the crate. Then we’ll see.”
The boys took off for the honking creatures. Haylee blew out her breath and looked at Tyson. “Thank you.”
He winked, sending a shiver through her, and she swallowed. Damn, but the man was hot.
Haylee gathered herself and returned to the melee left behind.
Helen looked like she had steam rolling out of her ears as she stomped toward Haylee, brows narrowed. “My daughter’s party is ruined. All because you brought those—those—damned beasts.”
Haylee’s eyes widened, and she struggled to contain the retort she wanted to make. “I’m sorry, Helen. I don’t know what happened with the order for swans. I confirmed this morning and Jerry said he was sending over swans.”
Helen stood ramrod straight and lifted her chin. “I want a full refund.”
Haylee stared at her for a moment, unable to comprehend what Helen had just said.
“I mean it.” Helen narrowed her gaze. “You owe me a refund.”
Haylee struggled to control her emotions. This whole disaster was going to cost her thousands, all because she’d let Helen steamroll her.
She inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “Helen, I have a party to finish. We can schedule an appointment to review today’s details later in the week.”
Afraid to let her emotions show on her expression, Haylee stepped around Helen and returned to the guests, who were milling around and chatting excitedly.
The back of her neck burned, and her scalp itched. Her reputation could take a hit from this whole mess. She took in a restorative breath and shook it off. She had a job and a bride who deserved a fabulous party no matter what the end result might be.
Haylee acted as the hostess, ensuring everyone was okay and asking if they needed anything.
She seated Paige again beneath the arbor and gathered the ladies back around the bride-to-be, who only had a few more gifts to open. In moments, the ladies exploded into giggles when Paige opened a box containing a giant twenty-inch cherry-red penis. Face as crimson as the dildo, she hurried to stuff it back in the box.
From the corner of her eye, Haylee saw the horrified look on Helen’s equally flaming face.
After unwrapping the last of the presents, the bride handed out her gifts to her guests, thick glittering pens with giant glass “diamonds” on top.
The breeze caught Haylee’s hair as she watched and blew it across her eyes. She brushed it away with her fingers and looked toward the gazebo. Tyson sat on the bottom step, and he was watching her.
She smiled and waved at him, and he raised his hand in acknowledgment. Heart beating a little faster, she turned away and said goodbye to the guests as they departed.
Helen seemed to be keeping her distance, which was fine by Haylee. She couldn’t deal with it all at this moment.
When the last guest had left, Haylee started cleaning up. Decorations lay scattered across the ground, and bits of garbage dotted the grass.
“I’m here to serve.” Tyson’s voice was like a low purr to Haylee’s senses.
She turned around with a smile. “I’ve got plenty for you to do.”
“Fire away.”
She nodded toward the ground. “Please pick up the trash and toss it. Then you can help me pack up the decorations. John Burnham should be here soon to get the tables, chairs, and the arbor.”
Tyson’s gaze met hers as he rested his hand on her shoulder. It felt heavy and warm through her blouse. “Has anyone told you lately how wonderful you are?”
She looked at him in surprise, then pretended suspicion. “Are you trying to get on my good side?”
He kissed her lightly on the lips, then smiled at her. “You just looked like you needed to hear it.” He let his hand slide away then turned to start his job.
She watched him, his words sinking in. Did it show on her face how she felt about what Helen had said to her? Did it bother her even more than she realized?
“Haylee.” Helen’s harsh voice came from behind her.
She slowly turned and tried for a neutral expression. “What can I do for you, Helen?”
Helen’s throat worked, and she lifted her chin. “I have been thinking about it and was unjust in telling you I wanted a refund. It was not your fault the goose bit me.”
A whoosh of relief made Haylee’s muscles relax, and she smiled. “You were under a lot of pressure as the mother of the bride. Your daughter looked radiant today.”
“She did, didn’t she?” Helen beamed. “The gifts were all so lovely—” She broke off, her cheeks going pink, and she cleared her throat. “Most of them.”
Haylee couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, most of them were.”
“I’ll let you get back to it.” Helen nodded toward the decorations Haylee had been taking off the arbor.
Haylee smiled and returned to her work.
A little while later, Tyson came back. “You look happier.”
“Let’s just say a little stress was just lifted.” She turned her grin on him. “What happened with the geese and the Cooper and Evans boys?”
“Got the geese to Jerry Mack’s.” Tyson shrugged. “As for the boys, got them to promise to shovel manure for a week on the ranch in penance. I’ll pay them at the end of the week, but they don’t know that now.”
Haylee laughed. “Way to use that cowboy brain.”
He looked at her with amusement. “What are you doing this evening?”
She groaned. “I have been so wound up working on this event that I need to decompress. After leftover spaghetti, I’m going to put on my most comfortable pajamas and fuzzy slippers, pour a big glass of wine, fill a huge bowl with my favorite ice cream, and eat it in bed while bingeing Netflix.”
Tyson chuckled and shook his head. “I can’t beat that. I’ll go home and have a beer and Spam sandwiches.”
Haylee made a face. “Yuck.”
He grinned. “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” She put the last decoration into the box. “I don’t foresee Spam on my menu.”
Tyson picked up the box and started for her truck. “Never say never.”
Haylee shook her head. “Not as long as I can cook up a casserole or get take-out.”
He laughed and helped her finish wrapping things up. When her truck was loaded, he closed the tailgate and the door of the camper shell.
They walked to the driver’s side door together, and she tipped her head to meet his gaze. “Thank you. You’ve been a huge help today.”
“You’re welcome.” He sifted his fingers through strands of her hair. “I’m looking forward to Sunday and the fall festival.”
She smiled. “I am, too.”
He lowered his head, and she sighed into his kiss. The weariness from the day vanished for a moment with the movement of his lips, the taste of him, the feel of him. She breathed him in and clenched her hands in his shirt, wanting more.
When he broke the kiss, she struggled to catch her breath. His eyes had changed to a smoky blue, and she felt lost. It took a moment for her to find her words.
She spoke softly. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Haylee.” With a soft, tingling movement, he brushed his lips against hers before raising his head and smiling.
She managed to gather herself together and stepped out of his embrace. She climbed into her truck and started it. When she put it into reverse, he stood by his truck, watching her. She pulled forward, smiled, and waved, then took off.
When she looked in the rearview mirror, he was still watching her, and then he was too far to see anymore.
She liked that he watched her as she left. She liked that he kept thinking about her.
How far would things go between them? She wasn’t sure, but she was willing to find out.