Page 13 of Spencer and the Younger Girl
Hadley
Mrs. Lee was Hadley’s new favorite person in the entire world.
“Mrs. L, I haven’t tasted anything like this in a long time,” Roman said, slurping up another noodle in the homemade chicken noodle soup.
Hadley tore a roll and dipped it in the broth. “Seriously, this is amazing.”
Damien, Spencer, and Mrs. Lee watched the two of them like they came from a different world.
“You two starving over at the Gibson house?” Damien grinned and slid onto a stool next to Hadley.
She shook her head. “We eat takeout for dinner and leftover takeout for lunch.”
The fact that her mom and grandfather didn’t cook (except for deserts) never bothered her. It was how she grew up, but it didn’t mean she’d keep herself from seconds or thirds of a home-cooked meal.
Mrs. Lee bustled around the kitchen. “Then I’ll have to send some of this home with you.” The woman only met them moments before, but Hadley liked her already. Her stout frame was draped in an old apron that said “Momma” and featured kids’ handprints that must have been Spencer and Damien’s when they were little.
She not only cooked homemade soup for lunch, but smells of the Lee’s dinner wafted from the crock pot.
This was not a woman who’d be okay with what Roman and Hadley wanted to do. She was the ultimate mom type, not the let-her-kids-get-into-trouble type.
Spencer scooped soup into a bowl, but Hadley couldn’t help noticing how uncomfortable he looked in their kitchen, as if he was afraid of making a wrong move. She’d only just met him, but the tension in his body was hard to ignore.
She studied him as she ate. Messy dark hair hung in hazel eyes. Her gaze traveled over his firm jaw and down to his grass-stained shirt. A streak of mud stretched up the thigh of his jeans. At least he’d removed his filthy boots.
His eyes met hers, catching her staring, but she didn’t look away. He couldn’t intimidate her.
She didn’t know how long they stayed in their silent stand-off before Roman nudged her with a raised eyebrow, a smirk forming on his smug face.
Spencer leaned against the counter. “So, what do a couple of…” He eyed them up and down. “… WentWood kids need my little brother’s help with.”
“Spence,” Damien chastised.
Spencer only shrugged.
He wasn’t wrong. Hadley did live in the WentWood neighborhoods, but she refused to be ashamed of it. “That’s none of your business, is it?”
One corner of his mouth curved up. “If it involves Damien, it is.”
“You his keeper?”
“Enough.” Mrs. Lee shook her head. “Spencer, why don’t you take your lunch back to the bunkhouse. Stop antagonizing our guests.”
Hurt flashed across his face, but it was gone so quickly Hadley wondered if she’d imagined it. Without another word, he took his bowl and a plate with rolls. No one said a word until the front door slammed shut.
“I need to go talk to him.” Damien slid from his stool.
His mom stopped him. “You will do no such thing. Leave him be, Damien.”
“Ma—”
“Entertain your friends. I’m heading out to check on the new foal.” She sent him one final searing look before walking from the room.
Damien slumped against the counter. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“I get it.” Hadley jumped up to scoop more soup into her bowl. “I’ve known people like Spencer my entire life. They hate people they think are entitled. I’m used to it.”
Damien opened his mouth like he wanted to protest her assessment, but a sigh escaped instead. He ran a hand through his hair, which was a shade lighter than Spencer’s. “So, I don’t mind you guys stopping by and all, but…”
