Chapter 11
HAYES
As Hayes drove into town, he knew he would have to stop and see Willow.
She would not be put off for very long once she knew that he and Tessa were back.
First, he wound through town to his apartment just off the square.
As he entered the apartment, he looked around the small space.
It wasn’t much, but he liked it. It had everything he needed.
He wondered what it would be like to live with Tessa.
Different for sure, but he thought they would get along well.
He packed a few necessities and clothes for the week.
He would come back later to get more of his things.
To make their charade believable, he guessed he would have to move some of his larger items to Tessa’s house, but he would worry about that later.
He gathered his suitcase and carried it down to his truck.
It was time to face the music with Willow.
Hayes pulled behind Willow’s bakery. He turned off his truck and sat for a moment. He knew Willow would be upset. He hoped he would be able to convince her that this would work out, and he would not let Tessa get hurt. He got out of the truck and knocked on the back door of the bakery.
“Hi, Hayes,” Willow’s younger sister, Cassidy, said as she opened the door. “Willow said you might be stopping by.”
“Great,” Hayes muttered. He was well aware of Willow’s tendency not to mince words, and she was extremely protective of her friends. “Lead the way.”
Cassidy directed Hayes to Willow’s office at the back of the store. “I’ll tell her you are here.”
“Thanks, Cassidy,” Hayes replied. He looked at the awards and pictures that graced Willow’s office shelves. She was a very accomplished baker, and her shop was a major draw to tourists and locals alike.
“Well, hello, Hayes,” Willow said as she sauntered through the door. “Please have a seat. Let’s chat.”
Hayes sat in front of her desk, slightly feeling like he had been called into the principal’s office. “Willow, let me explain what happened.”
“I know what happened, remember? Tessa told me after your wedding,” Willow’s face was set in a grim line.
“Yes, so you know about Mrs. Ruby’s stipulation. I am pretty sure you and I are the only ones who know about it,” Hayes began. “I just couldn’t let her lose The Hickory, Will, she loves it so much. She really was out of options.”
Willow rubbed her forehead. “I understand, Hayes. I really do. I know you are a good friend who is willing to do anything for us, but you know what concerns me.”
Hayes nodded but didn’t say anything.
“You have feelings for Tessa,” Willow continued. “Don’t you think that complicates this already complicated matter?”
“No, I don’t,” Hayes said. “I think it makes it simpler. I care for Tessa; there is no one else I am interested in right now, and it helps her.”
“What happens when it ends?” Willow asked, looking straight into his eyes.
Hayes shifted uncomfortably. “We really haven’t thought about that yet.”
“Did you think about any of this? Or did you just run away?”
“Actually, I have thought about this,” Hayes countered. “I asked Tessa to marry me two months ago.”
“What? She never said a word about that!” Willow exclaimed.
“Well, I don’t think she took me very seriously,” Hayes admitted. “It was when she told me about her grandmother’s letter. I offered to marry her then, but she turned me down.”
“What changed?”
“I don’t know. I went to her house the other night, and she was still struggling. So, I asked her again, and she said yes.”
“Hayes, do you really think this is a good idea? Tessa isn’t thinking straight. I was hoping you were, but I think your feelings may be clouding your judgment.”
“Nothing is clouding my judgment. I checked with Tessa more than once before we got married. I am leaving everything in this relationship up to her.”
“But what about you? You will have to pretend to be married to Tessa, whom you have real feelings for. Did you think about how that will affect you?”
“I’ll be fine,” Hayes said firmly. “Really, Willow, I will. I appreciate you being concerned about me, but I know what I am doing.”
Willow looked unsure, “But . . .”
“I promise, I will be fine,” Hayes replied confidently. “I really care about her, Willow. I couldn’t let her lose everything when I could easily help. It will all be okay.”
“Okay, Hayes, if you say so,” Willow said, holding up her hands. “But, since I am in on your little secret, you and Tessa have to promise to let me help if this all becomes too much.”
“We will, I promise,” Hayes said, rising from his seat. His meeting with Willow had gone better than he had thought it would, and it would be good to have at least one person in on their secret. He climbed into his truck and headed back to his wife. The thought of Tessa as his wife made him smile.