Page 18 of An Inconvenient Plan
Hailey’s jaw dropped. Josh could afford to buy Garner’s after paying Mad’s tuition these past four years? He lived so modestly she never would’ve guessed. He must be really savvy with his money, a man who understood the importance of saving. Like her. That stable foundation was so important. “Wow. Good for him.”
Joe smiled proudly. “He’ll take full ownership on May first. We thought we’d get married the Saturday after that.” That was three and a half weeks away.
Hailey checked her online calendar. Since they didn’t need Ludbury House for the wedding, they were easier to accommodate. She’d ask Ally, her friend and part-time employee, to take over for the wedding already booked for Ludbury House that day so Hailey could attend her mom and Joe’s wedding. “Would an afternoon wedding ceremony and reception work for you?” That way she could make sure things were running smoothly with Ally before she stepped out for their wedding.
“Works for me,” Joe said.
“Me too,” her mom said. They smiled and cooed at each other.Hurl.
Hailey made a note in her calendar. “I’ll check in with the church and Garner’s first thing in the morning, though I’m fairly certain the church is available. Let’s call it a go, unless I tell you otherwise. Just a few more questions for you.”
“Whatever the bride wants,” Joe said.
“Smart man,” her mom said.
Hailey’s teeth hurt from the sweetness. She cracked open a binder and got down to business. Half an hour later, they finished. It would be a small wedding with only their immediate family and closest friends invited. Nothing fancy or elaborate. Simple and easy.
Joe reached across the table to Hailey, offering his hand. She went to shake his hand, but Joe’s big hand enveloped hers and he gave her a squeeze instead. “I’m thrilled you’ll be part of my family soon, Hailey. I couldn’t ask for a better daughter. You’ve done so much for Mad. I mean, with all the girl stuff she missed out on in our family. We’re damn lucky to have you on board.”
Hailey’s eyes stung unexpectedly, and she swallowed over the lump in her throat. “Thank you. I’m happy to be a part of things. Mad’s been—” Her voice choked.Do not cry.Mad was the first friend she’d ever had who really saw the person Hailey was on the inside. Never catty or judgmental, Mad—just by being the tough kickass woman she was—had helped Hailey claim her own strength as a woman. Mad had also taught her self-defense and had attempted to share her love of basketball by inviting Hailey to her Saturday game with her brothers, opening a whole new world to Hailey with big brothers and feeling like part of a team. Not that she was any good at sports, but it had been so nice to be included. She was used to working solo. “You have a lovely family,” she croaked.
Swear to God, if her mom flaked and ruined this thing with Joe, Hailey would wreak vengeance.
Her mom smiled brightly. “Why don’t we all head over to Garner’s to congratulate Josh on his new bar? Then we can find out right away if the reception date works for him.”
Hailey froze. She hadn’t seen Josh since their confrontation at the café five days ago. She’d been so rattled after that, she’d had trouble focusing on her conversation with Phillip. Maybe that was why he’d rushed back to the city. She’d bored him away. “You two go. I, uh, have to take Rose for her nightly walk.”
Rose heard her name and woke from her nap under a sunbeam by one of the large floor-to-ceiling windows. She stood and stretched, blinking her big dark eyes.
“We’ll have dinner,” Joe said. “My treat. And don’t worry about Rose. Her legs are so little she’ll get plenty of exercise walking to Garner’s.”
“But my mom’s allergic,” Hailey said, grasping at straws.
“I took some allergy medicine before I came here,” her mom said. “I knew Rose would be nearby for our meeting.”
The happy couple stood, smiling and looking at her expectantly.
There was no easy way to say no. Unless…
“It’s probably crowded over at Garner’s,” she said. “I’m not sure they’d have a table. Maybe somewhere with a larger dining room?”
Her mom frowned. “It’s Wednesday night. How busy could they be?”
“I got this.” Joe pulled out his phone and tapped it a few times. “Hey, Josh, it’s Dad. You got a table for four free? Great! Be there in five.” He hung up and met Hailey’s eyes, his dark eyes gleaming with triumph. She was starting to see where Josh got his devious side from.
“I’ll get my purse,” she said.
Josh tucked his phone back in his jeans pocket. Party of four. Probably his dad, Brandy, and another couple. His dad had become more social since he got together with Brandy. It was great to see. At fifty-five, his dad was enjoying a new carefree phase in his life after years as a single dad raising six kids and mentoring so many more through the Police Athletic League. It took a certain strength of character and a huge heart to be the kind of hands-on dad he’d been for all of them. Josh hadn’t appreciated it as a kid. He’d taken it for granted, but now watching the hard work of being a dad up close through his brothers Ty and Alex, he finally understood. Truth was, the results of his dad’s efforts were an integral part of Josh’s life. Now that everyone was grown up, their family, including his honorary brothers from the Police Athletic League, remained close.
He heard her musical laugh first, all of his senses on high alert as he turned toward the door. Hailey walked in with Rose in her purse, laughing at something his dad said. She looked stunning as usual in a pale pink dress that clung to her gorgeous body. Brandy followed close behind. This was the party of four? Did they think Rose was going to sit in a chair like a person? Then he remembered he was supposed to be winning over Rose. He dropped to his haunches, pulled out the stick of butter he’d stashed in the mini-fridge under the bar, and quickly rubbed some butter on the inside of his wrists and then added a dab behind his ear for good measure. It didn’t show, had only a slight scent, but Rose would lap it up. He hoped.
He stashed the butter and straightened to his full height, quickly grabbing a rag to wipe the bar like it was his intention all along.
“Josh!” his dad boomed, striding toward him. “Congrats on the bar!”
He smiled so big he felt his eyes crinkle at the corners. “Thanks, Dad.” The owner, Clive Garner, had accepted his offer—the same offer he’d given a little over a year ago—with enthusiasm. Josh had figured he’d start there and raise the offer if Clive was on the fence, even if he had to take out a huge loan. He needed this to happen that badly. It was part of his strategic plan. He wanted to show Hailey that he had a stable foundation, owning his own business. He knew she’d respect that since it was what she worked so hard at with her business. Fortunately he didn’t have to go bankrupt in the effort. As Clive had said, the timing was right and he’d rest easy, knowing Garner’s was in good hands.
“Yes, congratulations!” Brandy said, hurrying to the bar, all smiles.
