I rise from my seat and begin to follow her. She glances over her shoulder and continues walking. “I don’t need company.”
“It’s too late.”
“It’s Baker’s Creek,” she retorts.
“Humor me, okay?”
When we arrive at her doorstep, she looks at me and says, “You Aldridges are a lot different than I thought.”
I’m not sure why I bend and kiss her cheek. The light of the moon allows me to see her cheeks turn slightly dark. She sucks her bottom lip nervously. I like that I have some effect on her and this attraction isn’t one sided.
“Stick around, and you’ll find out that we can be cool. Sleep tight, Hadley.”
Chapter Eight
Mills
I wake up in the morning with more energy than I’ve had in a long time. I slept better than I have in several weeks, and Arden is still asleep. It gives me plenty of time to go to the gym and get ready to work before I have to wake him up. I tiptoe inside his room.
I squat and whisper, “Good morning, sport.”
His eyes flutter open and his smile appears immediately. “Dada!”
I pick him up from his toddler bed. “Let’s wash your face and have some breakfast.”
When we reach the kitchen, I find Leyla roaming around. She’s busy washing last night’s baby bottles.
“Morning, Red,” I joke, knowing she hates that nickname.
“Someone woke up with a death wish,” she responds, turns around, and smiles at Arden. “How’s my sweet boy?”
“Li-la,” he says excitedly, opening his arms and pushing himself forward.
Leyla dries her hands with a hand towel and takes him into her arms. She hugs him tightly and spins him a couple of times. “I was wondering if you’re free for a playdate later today. It’s going to be just you and me. Well, and the goats.”
At the mention of the goats, I recall Hadley. “So, why do we own goats?”
“Paige needed to sell them,” she answers. “I offered to buy them since she wouldn’t accept any financial help. Her husband lost his job at the high school last year. After his accident, there’s no way they can keep them.”
“Why are we whispering?” I match her tone of voice.
“Sorry, sometimes I feel like I’m in the middle of Main Street and someone might listen. Paige told me that in confidence. They pretended it was an early retirement. He was doing well with the goat-milk products, but he got into an accident. He won’t be able to take care of the girls for a long time. Paige can’t take care of them. She wasn’t sure if her daughter was going to come and help them.”
That’s not what Hadley told me. Maybe she doesn’t know about her dad’s job.
“How much money do they owe in medical bills and loans?”
She narrows her gaze and studies me. “Why do you want to know?”
“Well, I was trying to understand why we have goats. You’re telling me that Paige and the bakery are in trouble, I’d hate it if she had to close the place,” I state, using my hockey-honed skill of dodging questions.
Reporters ask some dumb questions that are better answered by giving them the runaround. It’s an art where you mix lies with diversion.
She gasps. “I didn’t think that far. We should check with Hayes.”
“What are you checking with me?” My brother asks as he enters the kitchen with Machlan.
I take the little boy from his arm. “Hey, dude. I heard you’re working hard to take Carter’s place as the loudest Aldridge in the family.”
Hayes glares at me. “You’re joking, but it’s true. I swear it’s the name, Carter. Carters are as loud and noisy. The two babies are taking after our brother Carter. From this point forward, no one is allowed to use that name again,” he threatens.
I pat his shoulder. “We’re in a good mood today.”
He gives me the finger before turning his attention to Leyla. “What do you need to ask me?”
“Rick Heywood,” she answers. “How is he doing? Are they able to pay his medical bills? Paige sold the goats. What’s next, the bakery?”
He shakes his head. “I haven’t looked into it. Paige came to see me yesterday, but I was too busy and tired to pay attention to her. She mentioned something about moving him to my small practice because maybe it’d be cheaper. I heard her daughter is back in town. She’s either going to take charge of the bakery or take care of her dad.”
“Why don’t you call the hospital?” I suggest. “We could figure out a way to help them.”
He glances at me. “Why?”
“Isn’t that what we do? We help the town.”
They aren’t ready for the truth. I’m not prepared to discuss Hadley. In all my life, I’ve never had a female friend. It would be a little weird to say, “Well, I randomly met this woman in the park who I think I’m becoming friends with, and I’d like to help her.”
Leyla and Hayes each give me a suspicious look, then look at each other.
“Why would I have an ulterior motive?” I ask.
“You usually open your wallet and say, ‘Sure, just do whatever you want,’” Hayes answers. “You’re never actively offering to help others. It’s uncharacteristic of you.”
“Paige adores Arden. I feel like she’s done a lot for the family. We should be giving her a hand, don’t you think?”
He nods. “I’ll call today to figure out his situation.”
“Their insurance might not pay for the therapies and aids they need to help him recover,” I add, trying to remember my conversation with Hadley. If I can help her with at least one thing, she might be able to relax a little.
“What am I missing, Mills?” Hayes asks, tapping his chin with his index finger.
“Some sleep,” I say, dodging his question. “Everyone is missing sleep in this house. I can’t wait for the twins to be born. This house is going to become a war zone.”
“You’re probably right,” he agrees.
I look at Machlan with a little guilt. With all the lies my brothers and I have been feeding Hayes our whole lives, there’s no way he’ll ever be able to get away with anything.
I can’t explain why I’m at the park again, sitting on the bench where I found Hadley last night. It might be because of my early conversation with Paige, her mom. After work, I visited the bakery. One part of me wanted to see Hadley and another wanted to find out more about Heywood’s situation. Paige was about to close the bakery when I opened the door and I think the only reason she didn’t kick me out is because I have Arden with me.
“It’s so nice to see you,” she said. I’m unsure if she was talking to me or Arden. Probably Arden, she adores him.
“He had a great day and asked for cookies,” I say, using my son as an excuse.
“I’m so sorry Hadley isn’t here for me to introduce the two of you. She is great with kids. Have I told you that people used to book her services weeks in advance? The parents loved her almost as much as the kids. She is in Portland with Rick, but if you come by tomorrow, you might be able to meet her.”