Page 70 of Hello Trouble

I wish I had more time to know. More time to decide before choosing a job and a move that would change my life forever.

“Ready?” Hayes asked, drawing me from my thoughts.

I took a last sip of my coffee and nodded.

We walked out to his truck, and as he drove, I watched our surroundings curiously, looking for clues as to where we were going. But then he pulled out onto the highway leading away from Cottonwood Falls, and I really had no idea.

“We’re going to another town?” I asked.

“Not exactly...” We were a couple miles from town when he pulled onto a dirt road. “So there was this older woman who wanted her late husband’s car looked after, even though she couldn’t drive it. It was sentimental. So I went out there a couple times a month to turn it on, drive it around a bit, and make sure it stayed in good condition.”

I leaned my head against Hayes’s shoulder, thinking of him making time for a sweet older lady and a car that mattered so much to her. “That’s really nice of you.”

He squeezed my shoulder a bit. “She passed away a few weeks ago.”

My heart constricted. “Hayes... I’m so sorry.”

“Me too. But she had been telling me for months she was ready whenever God was. She wanted to see her Herbert again.”

The thought of them being reunited had tears pricking at my eyes. That was the love I wanted—one that transcended earthly responsibilities and hindrances. One that would last forever. “You’re going to make me cry.”

His soft chuckle wasn’t derisive, but appreciative. “There’s a shoulder here if you want.”

I smiled, leaning into him. “Please tell me we’re not going to a funeral.”

He laughed. “Let me finish my story, woman.”

I shook my head at him calling me woman. But he continued, “Her son lives in Dallas, and he was so thankful for what I was doing, he said I could come to the estate sale before they opened it to the public. And I thought you might enjoy it too.”

I sat up straight, staring at him in surprise. “You’re taking me to an estate sale?”

He nodded, glancing my way. “You like antiquing and thrifting, right?”

An excited little hum went through my veins. “I don’t like it. I love it.”

He grinned, turning off the dirt road toward a beautiful, well-kept country home.

37

HAYES

Seeing Della’s face light up at the prospect of an estate sale made the whole trip worth it. We got out of the car and walked into the house where Hudson told me he and the estate sale company would be setting up.

It was strange, seeing the perfectly kept home arranged with all of Mrs. Walker’s items on display for sale. As we walked through the door, Hudson came around the corner from the living room, limping a little with each step. “Hayes, good to see you.” Then he smiled at Della. “This must be Della.”

I nodded, and Della extended her hand. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Hudson responded with a wry smile. “She lived a good life, you know? I’m just happy she’s with Dad again.”

Della held on to my hand a little tighter at that.

“So as you can see, we have the house set up with everything.” He gestured around. “And then if you go outside, the Quonset has most of the machinery. There’s something out there I think you might like.” He gave me a wink.

And then a yipping sounded, followed by the sound of skittering claws over linoleum.

Hudson groaned while Della got down on her hands and knees. “Who’s this little guy?” she asked, petting the overly excited puppy. It looked like a little white poodle with curly hair and floppy ears.

“A stray my daughter picked up,” Hudson explained. “She found him wandering the streets near her apartment, and of course she can’t keep him. Said I’d hold on to him until we found him a good home.” Hudson raised his eyebrows expectedly. “Interested?”

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