Finding Hayes: A Small Town, Marriage of Convenience Romance (Magnolia Falls Series Book 5)

A lot of people had come out for the funeral to say their goodbyes to Abe. One notable person that was missing today was Sheana, a woman he’d married after Lily had passed away. Their union was brief, as she’d clearly been after his money, no doubt, and she’d preyed on the goodness of a lonely man who was much older than her. I’d struggled with his decision to marry her, but she’d gotten what she wanted and managed to leave with a large sum of money. In the end, Abe realized he’d been scammed, and he’d said it was worth the money to be rid of her. Of course, she hadn’t bothered to show up to his funeral.

But he’d told me what he wanted for his service, and he’d set the money aside so it would all be taken care of.

He had prepared me for everything, aside from the fact that he was leaving me his estate.

Oh, and also the fact that he was giving me one month to find a husband.

It was ridiculous. Ludicrous. But it was also a very Abe thing to do.

He never stood on ceremony.

He was a straight shooter and an honest man.

A good man.

A few of his friends had gotten up and spoken, and I was the last one to go up there and say a few words. It had been a long time since I’d been back here in Magnolia Falls, and I no longer cared if everyone was gossiping about my family.

When I was a teenager, I cared.

When people whispered in my presence back then, I cared.

When I saw the hurt on my father’s face, I cared.

But today was about Abe. And he was loved by everyone who knew him.

I’d already hugged everyone who’d shown up, and it was good to see so many familiar faces. Faces that I’d missed. Faces that were part of my childhood.

One face in particular that was staring at me right now.

Hayes sat between his group of friends, and they’d all been really sweet when they’d come to say hello. I’d grown up with most of them. River, King, Romeo, and Nash were always with Hayes when we were young, and they’d welcomed me into their group with open arms back then. Saylor had been my neighbor, just like her brother, and she was like a little sister to me. We hadn’t kept in touch after I’d left because I’d needed to walk away from her brother. But I knew that she and Hayes had gone through their own hard times, just like I had. I was happy to see that she and King were married, because they were two of the nicest people I’d ever known, and they appeared to be ridiculously happy. And Romeo and Demi were adorable. I didn’t see that as a possibility when we were young, as they were from two different worlds. But they were really cute together, and I was glad they’d found their way to one another. They’d both always been really kind to me and never judged me, even when everyone else in town did. This group had been different. And River and Ruby… I should have predicted it. They were both strong and fierce, so seeing them together seemed like the world made sense. Nash seemed very happy with his fiancée, Emerson, whom I’d met today and liked immediately. She was the local pediatrician and had been the one to introduce me to Nash’s son, Cutler.

Beefcake.

I mean, how cool is a kid who can pull off a handle like that? It made me emotional to meet his son. I’d known Nash since preschool, and seeing him as a dad had me a little choked up.

Every time I looked up, I found Hayes watching me.

I wondered if he felt bad about the way our friendship had ended. If he’d had any idea how badly he’d hurt me.

I took to the podium just as Midge Longhorn squeezed my hand and stepped away. Her speech had been inappropriate and hilarious, and Abe would have loved it.

I set my note cards down and cleared my throat.

“Thank you all for being here today. I’m grateful, and I know that Abe would be, too. I’m sure Lily’s looking down on all of us, smiling because everyone in town came out to say goodbye to the love of her life.” I reached for my water and took a sip, my gaze locking with Hayes’s, and he gave me the slightest nod of reassurance. I quickly looked away, my attention back on my note cards.

“I was ten years old when Abe and Lily invited me to come help out at their ranch. It was during the brief time that I wanted to be a professional horse racer,” I said, pausing as everyone chuckled. “I’d never even been on a horse, but I knew they were beautiful, and I wanted to see what it would be like to run through a field and let the wind blow in my hair and just, I don’t know, be free, I guess.”

I let out a long breath. “Abe and Lily never made fun of my dreams. They encouraged me. They were like the grandparents I never had. They offered me a job, and I’d go every day after school and clean the stalls and help feed all the animals on the weekends. Abe taught me how to ride, and Lily taught me about home décor, which turned into a profession for me. They both believed that I could be anything I wanted to be, and for a young girl with big dreams—” I pushed the lump in the back of my throat away. “It meant everything.”

I took another sip from my water bottle. I wanted to be upbeat. Make this more of a celebration of life than a sad occasion. But I was struggling at the moment.

“After Lily passed, I spoke to Abe every single day. Even if either of us were sick, we found a way to check in. Abe Wilson became my safe place over the years, and I hope I was that for him, too. He was a good man. A hard worker. He had the kindest heart, and when I went through difficult times in my life, he never left me. He never judged me.” My gaze locked with Hayes’s, and it was clear that he was listening intently. “He is the reason that I continue to chase my dreams every single day. And I miss him so much. I hope I can help keep his legacy alive by renovating the home he and Lily shared, just the way he’d always wanted it to be. But we can all keep his legacy alive by remembering to be kind to one another. To offer a shoulder or a hand to someone in need. Because that’s who Abe was. And whenever I’m out on a horse, running through an open field with the wind blowing around me, I’ll think of Abe. Because he taught me how to live and how to love and how to let go of things.” I took another sip of water, trying hard not to cry.

“People come into your life for a reason, and my world was always a better place with Lily and Abe in it. The last time I spoke to Abe, which was on the morning of the day that he passed—” I paused, needing a minute to pull myself together. The entire church was packed, but it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, aside from a few sniffles. “He knew his time was coming to an end. We talked about it often. And our joke was that even if we couldn’t talk every day on FaceTime, I’d still be talking to him wherever he was. He laughed and said he had no doubt that I’d find a way to talk his ear off in the afterlife.” The room erupted in laughter at that, and I smiled. “Rest in peace, sweet Abe. I’ll love you forever.”

I smiled before gathering my note cards. “Thank you all for coming. Abe didn’t want a reception or for me to throw a luncheon after. He said to tell everyone to go to the Golden Goose and to go out and live their lives. No sulking. No tears. Just happy thoughts about a man who had a very happy life. Thank you.”

People applauded, which caught me off guard, and I made my way down the steps as they started to exit the church. Pastor Joseph gave me a hug and thanked me for sharing my story.

I looked up and was surprised to see Scotty waving at me from where he stood near the exit. What are the chances that my Uber driver would be my ex-boyfriend?

Apparently, the odds were high because, according to Scotty, there were only two Uber drivers in Magnolia Falls.

Wonderful.

“I can’t believe you stayed. I could have walked home,” I said when I made my way to him.

“I liked Abe. He was always so good to you. I didn’t mind hanging out and waiting for you. And that’s a long walk back to the farmhouse from here,” Scotty said. He’d filled out since I’d last seen him, but I guess that was to be expected when more than a decade had passed. His hair was still shaggy and long, and he wore the grunge look well. He was the lead singer of a band called The Disasters, and he’d talked incessantly about it on the way to the funeral.

But my mind was elsewhere.

I was actually looking forward to walking home and being alone. But I couldn’t very well turn down the ride since he’d waited two hours for me.

“Well, thank you. I appreciate it,” I lied.

As we stepped outside, Hayes was standing there, and his gaze moved from me to Scotty and back to me. “Hey, do you need a ride?”

“She’s got a ride,” Scotty said before I could respond.

“Just making sure she wants to take that ride.” Hayes squared his shoulders, and I rolled my eyes, because they were both ridiculous.

They’d never cared for one another.

Maybe I’d let Hayes’s dislike of Scotty sway me back in the day. But today, I could make decisions for myself. I certainly didn’t rely on Hayes Woodson anymore.

“I’m all set. Thanks for the offer, and thanks for coming,” I said, and he nodded. I brushed past him and found my stride beside Scotty as we made our way to his car.

I was emotionally drained.

I wanted to be alone.

Cry it out.

But the minute Scotty slipped into the driver’s seat, he started talking. “You two didn’t keep in touch after you moved away?”

“Me and Hayes?”

“Yeah. You were so tight growing up.”

“Well, people change. No, we didn’t keep in touch.” I could taste the bitterness on my tongue as the words left my mouth.

They say friendship breakups can be as tough as romantic breakups. I’m here to say, the ending of my friendship with Hayes Woodson was the greatest loss of my life—as far as a person who was still living.

I’d grieved, and I’d hurt, and it had taken a long time to get over the betrayal.

I’d been blindsided by the person I’d trusted most.

“I always thought he was the reason that you broke up with me,” he said, turning to look at me when he approached the stop sign.

Are we really doing this on the day I just said goodbye to Abe?

Scotty and I had dated for six months. It was high school. It just didn’t work out.

And sure, Hayes hadn’t liked him, but that wasn’t the reason I’d ended it.

It wasn’t the only reason, at least.

Scotty was a narcissist at its finest. He was all about himself, and it had been entertaining at first, but it wore on me over time.

“Nope. I think the relationship just ran its course.” I stared out the window, looking at the field where Abe had taught me to ride a horse all those years ago.

My head was pounding. My heart felt like a gigantic elephant had copped a squat there.

“I don’t think so, babe. I think that dude was jealous.” He turned down the final street, and relief flooded that this was almost over.

Did he seriously just call me babe?

And is this driveway the longest driveway known to man?

“It was my choice, Scotty.” I made no attempt to hide my irritation. He had zero self-awareness. We’d dated more than a decade ago, and today was not the day to have this conversation. Hell, there wasn’t even a reason to have the conversation. We’d remained friendly after we broke up.

But today I was grieving, and he was completely unaware.

“I think it was hard for you to share me back then. But I’m more balanced now,” he said, as he put his yellow Camaro in park.

I sighed. He wasn’t going to let it go. “Hard for me to share you with who?”

“My fans. The music industry.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t give you what you needed because of my craft, my people—they came first back then.”

I did what I could to stop my jaw from hitting the floor. The Disasters only performed once, from what I remembered from back then. And it had been in the garage of Scotty’s parents’ house. Me and four other people attended the show—I’m not judging because I was proud of him for chasing his dreams, but I hardly had to share him with his fans and his “people.”

“I promise you that I did not break up with you because of your musical aspirations. You know I support chasing your dreams. I’ve had many, and I would never have a problem with someone pursuing what they love.”

“So what was it, then?” He reached for my hand, and I startled.

What in the absolute loving hell is happening?

I was in some sort of Magnolia Falls twilight zone.

We hadn’t talked in years. I thought this would be a faint memory for him.

“Scotty, I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m just not up for it today. I’m sad, and I just want to go inside and be in my feels, okay?”

“Can I come inside with you?” He waggled his brows. “Remember all those good times we had?”

Actually, no. I can’t recall a single good time at the moment.

“I need to be alone. But it was good to see you. Take care.” I tugged my hand away and unbuckled my seat belt.

“I miss you, babe. Let me take you to dinner tonight.”

“I can’t tonight.” I pushed out of the car.

“I’ll call you, okay?” he shouted, but I just kept walking, relieved when I heard him pull down the driveway.

Just as I put the key in the door, the sound of crunching gravel came from behind me. I turned around to see Big Red driving toward me.

With a man I didn’t recognize behind the wheel.

I truly was in a Magnolia Falls twilight zone today.

I marched toward the car, as the guy put it in park and stepped out.

“Who are you?” I demanded, arms crossed over my chest. “And how do you have my car?”

“I’m Carter. I work for Warner.”

Is that supposed to be helpful?

“I don’t know who Warner is.”

He tossed me my key and pointed at the blue truck now coming up the driveway. “That’s Warner. He owns the mechanic shop. He followed me here so we could drop your car off.”

Warner got out of the blue truck and walked toward me. “Engine’s fixed. You needed an oil change, too, so we got it all fixed up.”

“First of all, I didn’t call you. Do you just pick up random cars left in bars’ parking lots and fix them?” I shook my head in disbelief.

Carter chuckled, and Warner looked confused. “No. Hayes reached out and asked me to take care of it and drop it off here for you.”

Hayes.

Of course, he did.

Maybe it was guilt from the way our friendship had ended.

I sighed. “Where did you get a key?”

“He said you always kept your spare in your glove box, and I’ll be damned if he wasn’t right.” Warner laughed. “But in the future, it’s not the best idea to leave a key in the car. It’s an easy way to get it stolen.”

“No one is exactly trying to steal Big Red,” I said, trying to hide my laughter and feign irritation. They’d fixed my car and that meant I wouldn’t need to call Uber for a ride and risk another awkward drive with Scotty.

“Fair point.” He chuckled.

“How much do I owe you?”

“It’s already been taken care of,” Warner said as he and Carter climbed into his blue pickup and waved.

Of course, it was. This was such a Hayes move. He didn’t ask; he just did it.

And yes, it was nice that he’d had my car fixed.

The problem was, I didn’t want Hayes Woodson to do me any favors.

That hadn’t been helpful to me in the past.

And I’d learned that lesson the hard way.