Hung Up on Hadley (Red Maple Falls, #5) Read online

  With limited parking in front of the restaurant, Sam found an open spot on Main Street and pulled his truck straight in. He gave a nod to Drake Stevens, a young doctor who owned his own practice. Drake held a to-go order bag in his mouth while he fixed the lid on his coffee.

  “You got that?” Sam asked.

  Drake managed a nod. He pressed down on the lid then took the bag from his mouth. “These lids are pesky little things that never want to stay on.”

  “I’ve been telling Terry that for years, but she tells me it’s me. I think she has a crush on the guy who delivers them.”

  “Don’t tell Walt that.”

  “Right, he’d tell the guy to take her away.”

  “You’re probably right.”. Drake laughed. ”Hate to cut it short, but I have to get up to the hospital. I’ll see you tomorrow for Mr. Brown’s appointment.”

  “We’ll be there, whether I have to carry him myself or not.”

  “He’s lucky to have you.”

  Sam didn’t deserve praise for trying to be a decent human being. If anything, with all the miracles he’d had in his life, he owed the world a great deal, and driving an old cranky bastard to and from his doctor appointments barely skimmed the surface.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Sam said and headed toward Hadley who was picking up several cartons of eggs. “Where’s Lady?” he asked her.

  “With Kate.” Hadley’s sister owned Serenity Glass Blowing Studios, a shop only a few doors down. “She’ll watch her while we eat.”

  Sam grabbed the door of the restaurant and held it open for Hadley.

  “Such a gentleman,” she joked as she passed.

  “I have my moments,” he said as he followed her in.

  “You would have been more of a gentleman if you took the eggs.”

  “And insult your feminine strength? I wouldn’t think of it.”

  “Ass,” she mumbled just as they heard an excited cry from beside them.

  “My two favorite people!” Terry exclaimed, strutting toward them from the kitchen. Her bright red hair gave her a good four inches while her shoes gave her another five. An apron covered in apples was tied at her waist over a pair of leopard print pants and a black top.

  “I brought eggs,” Hadley said and placed them on the closest table. “So I think that gives me a nudge for first.” She flashed him a smirk over her shoulder and, like the mature adult he was, he stuck his tongue out at her.

  “I’m cuter,” Sam said, turning back to Terry and gaining a nice smack across his chest from Hadley.

  “Oh you hush,” Terry said with a wave of her hand. “You’re both adorable. Now you give me some sugar.” Terry tapped a red nail against her cheek, and Sam leaned down and gave her a peck.

  Sam moved toward the eggs. “I’ll take those to the kitchen for you, Terry.”

  “I see how it is,” Hadley said.

  Terry shooed him with her hand, the bangles on her wrist clanging against each other. “Don’t be silly. Grab a seat. I’ll bring these to the kitchen and whip up some apple cinnamon pancakes for you two.”

  “You read my mind, darling.”

  “I’ll actually have an omelet and a side of fruit salad please,” Hadley said.

  Terry looked at Hadley like she’d lost her mind. “Not when there are perfectly good pancakes to be had.” Sam watched as Terry teetered away, holding the eggs like a world class balancing act. “Sam you know where the coffee is,” she said as she disappeared into the kitchen.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten what I ordered,” Hadley said as she led the way to an open table. Sam grabbed the pot of coffee and two mugs as they passed the counter that shelved it.

  They took their seats, and he poured a generous amount of coffee for each of them. “But have you ever not been satisfied?”

  A smile touched her lips, a move that lit up her entire face. “Shut up.”

  “Exactly.”

  He pushed the mug to Hadley, she took it in her hands and took a sip while he did the same. He needed all the caffeine he could get, considering he still had to head over to Mrs. Weiss’ house and fix her leaky faucet then stop by his mom’s place and give her husband a hand hooking up their new dishwasher.

  “So how did you get exactly what you wanted? I know there’s a trick to this; I just haven’t figured it out in the past twenty years.”

  Sam rubbed at the spot between his eyes, thinking about all the times he’d come in here as a kid hungry. Hadley knew bits and pieces of his life, thanks to town gossip and how he’d admitted things over the years. Still, he hated to talk about his past, especially since his mother turned her life around.

  She had him at seventeen with no one to support her and barely enough to survive. They had to grow up together, and while his mom wasn’t always the greatest role model, and for years chose drugs and partying over him, he didn’t hold it against her. He never did. She was just a kid, and although he did not have an ideal childhood, he was just happy to be where he was today.

  His mom had finally gotten herself together and had been trying for years now to make up for short comings at being a parent, carrying that guilt with her like a second skin. But all Sam cared about was that she was a good mother to his half-sister, Missy. His mom got a second chance to do it right, and so far, she was doing pretty damn good.

  He took a deep breath and glanced across the table to Hadley whose head was tilted slightly, her nose and cheeks still held a touch of red from the unseasonably crisp morning air. Her slate eyes focused on him in deep curiosity.

  Hadley wanted to know the trick but there really wasn’t one.

  “It’s what she used to make me as a kid when I would come in,” he said. Feeling the need to do something with his hands, he picked up the red cloth napkin from the table and placed it on his lap.

  Hadley leaned back in her chair, hands dropping to her lap where he knew she was fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

  “When you hadn’t eaten for a while?” she asked her tone quiet and sweet. He appreciated how she chose her words and stripped them of the harshness.

  “Yeah,” he said.

  She looked up at him with those big eyes. “I hate to think that you were ever hungry.”

  Sam shrugged. “Do you feel badly now because I’m starving.”

  Hadley laughed. “No, but I’m a little worried my own food isn’t going to be safe. Can you promise to keep your fork on your side of the table?” she joked and the tension that was starting to tighten across his neck eased.

  That was the thing with Hadley, she never pried. She would take what little he gave her and move on. It was one of the things he loved about her.

  “You hush woman!” Walt called over his shoulder as he walked out of the kitchen with two steaming plates of pancakes.

  Walt was a stocky man with white hair that once upon a time was red. His big cheeks were always flushed and his forehead permanently creased. He was the type of man no one questioned, and when he smiled everyone saw the gentle soul beneath the tough exterior.

  He placed the plates on the table, and Sam’s stomach growled at the mouthwatering scent of cinnamon. “Someone ordered some pancakes.”

  “Sure did,” Sam said. “How you doing, big guy?”

  “I’d be doing great if I could get rid of this damn headache.”

  “Have you taken something?” Hadley asked.

  “Do they make anything that’ll get rid of a sixty-seven-year-old red head?”

  Sam choked on his coffee.

  “I heard that, you old geezer!” Terry called from the kitchen.

  An amused smirk formed on Sam’s face. “Uh oh. Someone is in trouble.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know.” Walt took the towel he used to hold the hot plates and flung it onto his shoulder.

  “How’s your washer working?” Sam asked.

  “Haven’t had any problems since you unclogged that drain for me.”

  “That’s what I like to hear. Le
t me know if it starts acting up again.”

  “Will do. You two enjoy your food. I have to make my rounds.”

  “Thanks, Walt,” Hadley said, and Walt turned, flashing her a big cheeky smile before walking over to a table of four to ask them how everything was.

  “You fixed their washing machine? That was really nice of you.” Hadley said as she forked a piece of pancake.

  Sam shrugged. “It was nothing. Took me ten minutes.”

  “Why do you always do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Shrug off any nice sentiment said in your direction. It’s like your body repels compliments.”

  “I just don’t see the point. Somebody needed help, and I helped them. It’s not like I cured world hunger or created world peace. I unclogged a drain.” He shoved a big piece of pancake in his mouth and focused on chewing instead of Hadley’s narrowed stare.

  “I’m just saying that you should learn to take a compliment. It’s not like you don’t deserve them.”

  “I don’t.”

  Hadley’s head whipped up. The skin above her nose wrinkled as she looked at him in disbelief. He ignored her best he could, but coming from a home with five siblings, Hadley wasn’t known to back down so easily.

  “Of course you do. You do a good thing, and it’s okay to be acknowledged for it.”

  “Fine acknowledged. Can we move on, please?”

  She let out an annoyed breath, her lips pursing like she wanted to say more when Sam felt a tug on his shirt.

  He looked down to see a little boy no older than four looking up at him with bright brown eyes. “Hey buddy,” Sam said, thankful for the interruption.

  “I am so sorry,” a man with dark hair said as he grabbed the boy’s hand. “Travis, we don’t interrupt people while they’re eating.”

  “It’s no big deal,” Sam said.

  The father looked back to Sam. “My son is obsessed with firemen, and he saw your shirt.”

  “Do you want to be a fireman when you grow up?” Sam asked Travis whose eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as he nodded. “You’re going to have to work really hard and eat all your vegetables and get nice and strong. Can you do that?” Travis continued nodding. “Then when you’re older you come and see me. You got it?”

  Travis nodded again as if he was too excited or star-struck to speak, which made Sam’s heart fill with joy.

  “Tell you what. How would you like to come by the firehouse and go for a ride in one of the trucks?”

  Travis’ mouth fell open, and he turned to his dad, tugging on the man’s navy-blue shirt with relentless enthusiasm. “Can I, Dad? Please? Can I?”

  “If it isn’t an inconvenience,” the man said.

  “Not at all,” Sam assured him. The truth was Sam adored kids, and if he could make a little boy’s dreams come true then he damn well was going to do it. “Stop by Thursday if you can. I’ll be there all day.”

  “That’s perfect.” The man held his hand out to him. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

  “No problem…” Sam paused, waiting for the guy to fill in the blank.

  “Rich, Rich Morgan.”

  “Are you related to Chris Morgan?” Sam asked.

  “That would be my older brother.” Chris had been a year younger than Sam, but they had classes together in school. He was tech savvy and loved to play handheld videogames, but he was also a nice guy who once let Sam cheat off of his history test.

  “Good guy. How’s he doing? Last I heard he had moved to California to design video games.”

  “Still there. Married now with two kids of his own.”

  “Let him know Sam said hi.”

  “I will.”

  Sam looked down at Travis with a smile. “Remember to eat those vegetables.”

  “I will. I’m going to get big and strong.”

  “That’s what I like to hear. Be good, and I’ll see you soon.”

  Travis ran toward his mom, a tall brunette with a toddler on her hip. “Mom, mom, mom! I’m going in a fire truck.”

  “You are?” she exclaimed.

  “Thanks again,” Rich said and looked at Hadley. “And I’m sorry to have bothered you.”

  “Not a bother at all,” she said.

  Rich stepped away from the table and gave a quick wave. “Have a nice day.”

  “You too.” Sam picked up his fork, his stomach still growling. He was about to put the food in his mouth when he saw Hadley staring at him. “What?”

  She shrugged. “Just acknowledging another nice thing you’re doing.”

  “Oh for Pete’s sake,” Sam grumbled and shoved the food into his mouth, doing his best to ignore the stupid look of praise on her face.

  Chapter 5

  Hadley pulled into the parking lot a little after six and hopped out, patting her leg for Lady to follow. “Come on, girl. We’re going to see Aunt Kate.” Lady’s ears perked up as she jumped down onto the pavement and walked right to the front door of the studio. Her sister had been working on a custom glass piece for weeks and Hadley loved watching the process.

  Hadley ignored the closed sign and let Lady in first then quickly followed, patting her leg to keep the dog close and away from all the breakables. The last thing Hadley wanted was to shatter one of Kate’s handblown vases. She would never be able to forgive herself even if Kate brushed it off.

  Multi-colored glass balls strung up by clear fishing line decorated the big front windows of the studio. Hadley loved to be here midmorning when the sun sat just right in the sky illuminating the glass and casting a rainbow of colors across the small space.

  Hadley followed Lady through the front portion of the studio that was set up like a small shop. Shelves along the walls were lined with vases, glasses, and various other unique pieces. Handcrafted pedestals made out of refurbished wood—courtesy of Earl, the owner of Red Maple Falls Wood Studios—were scattered about and displayed Kate’s larger glass designs.

  Lady led the way to the back studio. They found Kate who was in the middle of blowing into a metal rod. Glass sat at the tip, expanding slowly. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, and she was wearing a pair of jeans with the knee ripped out.

  Hadley gave a wave as Kate looked up from her work “Just a sec.”

  Hadley nodded and made her way to Kate’s desk. Papers with sketches were scattered across the wood, along with a few water bottles.

  Afraid to mess up whatever unorganized system Kate had going, Hadley ignored the mess and leaned against the desk. She looked over at the massive piece Kate was creating. It was breathtakingly beautiful and full of jewel tones that stood out vibrantly in the studio.

  “Hey,” Kate said as she put the rod into the kiln where she had a blazing fire going. “Heard you got a flat tire the other day.”

  Hadley didn’t question where she’d heard it from. Between the town and her large family, it was impossible for her entire life not to be broadcasted for everyone to know about.

  “Yup. Couldn’t break the lug nut loose to save my life, though.”

  “Also heard Sam came to get you.”

  “Who told you?”

  “Terry.”

  “Of course she did.” If there was a leader of the town gossip mill Terry would no doubt be it.

  “And?” Kate asked.

  “And what?”

  “Never mind.”

  “No, don’t do that,” Hadley said, hating when Kate would insinuate something then think better of it.

  “I’m just curious when you’re going to tell him?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Only because you’re making it. Honestly, stop worrying about what everyone will think, because I think Sam is the only one who doesn’t know.”

  “You think Matt knows?”

  “Oh, hell no.”

  “Exactly. Matt wouldn’t be happy, and I wouldn’t want to cause a strain on our relationship or their friendship.”

  Kate t
hrust the rod back into the fire then turned back to Hadley. “Who gives a shit if he’s not happy about it? He’ll get over it.”

  It’s not like she hadn’t thought about it before. Holding onto a secret like that, trying to pretend you weren’t head over heels in love with a person when all you wanted to do was wrap your arms around them and declare your deepest desires, was draining.

  “What if I tell him, and he doesn’t feel the same way? He’s one of my closest friends. I don’t want it to be weird between us. I don’t think I’d be able to handle it if it were.”

  “True, but you’ll never know if you keep it to yourself. Besides, I have a feeling once you open that door, nothing will be able to shut it.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do me a favor and just think about it… before you’re sixty years old, wishing you had.”

  The last thing Hadley wanted was to live a life with regrets, but the stakes were so unbelievably high. She wasn’t sure if it was worth the risk.

  Hadley’s phone rang, and she dug it out of her pocket. “It’s Daisy.”

  “Oh good! Put her on speaker.”

  Hadley answered. “Hey Daze, I got you on speaker. I’m here with Kate.”

  “Hi, Kate,” Daisy said, and Hadley pictured Daisy in her NYC apartment twirling blonde curls around her finger.

  “Hi, Daze. We were just talking about how Hadley should tell Sam she’s in love with him.”

  “Kate!” Hadley flashed her an evil glare.

  “What? Like she doesn’t know. Daze, tell me you didn’t know.” Kate looked at Hadley. “If she says she didn’t I’ll give you a hundred bucks.”

  Daisy laughed on the other end. “While it’s tempting to make Kate pay up, I can’t lie.”

  “How do you know about this?” Hadley asked, sinking against Kate’s desk.

  “Your face lights up when he walks into a room. You still keep your prom picture in a frame in your nightstand.”

  Kate’s mouth fell open then morphed into a ridiculously big smile. “No, she doesn’t!”

  “How do you know that?” Hadley asked.

  When Hadley’s date had stood her up for prom, Sam had swooped in like a superhero in a tuxedo he just happened to have from his mom’s wedding. What had started out as one of the worst nights of her life quickly turned into the best.