Page 62 of Back in the Country
“Anything for you, Way.” Planting a quick kiss on his mouth, I pull away before giving him a gentle push. “Now go mingle.”
He nods and makes his way over to Miss Thelma, who is talking loudly about something her cat, Louise, had gotten into that morning. He laughs, and she beams and gestures excitedly from her “I Love My Cat” shirt to the project in front of her.
I watch for another moment before walking over and bumping Hayden Scott with my hip. He yelps but recovers quickly, seeing as how he had only been critiquing staining technique with his best friend, Everett.
“Oh my word, look at you!” Hayden practically shouts as he wraps his arms around me.
“How are you?” I ask as he holds me at arm’s length with his hands firmly on my shoulders and assesses me like a parent instead of a peer.
“I’m doing great. Could you be any more gorgeous?” He turns to Everett without releasing me. “Ev, could she be more gorgeous?”
Everett smiles but it’s placating. “She’s definitely gorgeous, but I don’t want Waylon to kill me, so that’s all I’m saying.”
I laugh and give him a quick side hug. I’ve never been really close to Everett, but Hayden has been friends with everyone. He has this wildly outgoing personality that is as fun as it is infectious. Everett Teal is quiet and reserved most times, but they’ve been best friends for as long as I can remember.
“What are you guys making?”
Hayden beams at the same time Everett sighs. I laugh.
“Everett’s sister Chloe is getting married soon, and I thought this would be a nice way to make her some custom gifts.” His eyes narrow when Everett doesn’t respond.
As if on cue, the man in question turns and says, “Yes, Hayden has thebestideas.”
Hayden’s eyes narrow farther and Everett smirks.
“Well, let me know if you need any help,” I say with a laugh as I move my way down the table. Their good-natured bickering follows me and I smile.
Hayden had come out to his family and friends at the beginning of high school. Our little town had offered him nothing but love and support and kind words. Everett had stood by his friend’s side through it all. No one had even blinked when Hayden took a guy from the next town over to prom and Everett took his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Jolene.
I’ve always suspected something might be brewing between them, but as far as I know nothing has happened.
Yet.
“Marlee, this is just such awonderfulevent. Will y’all be hosting another one? I justknowmy sister was devastated when tonight’s festivities conflicted with Cora’s ballet class.”
Melanie Abbott, with her teased blonde hair and bright-pink lips, smiles broadly at me. She is in her early thirties and always looks put together with a country-chic vibe. Melanie married her high school sweetheart, Corbin, right after graduation. They had two sets of twin girls, and I often wonder how Corbin manages with all that estrogen.
“We’re so happy you’re enjoying yourself, Melanie. I know that Candy reached out to Waylon about her scheduling conflict. We’re hoping to do these maybe once or twice a month depending on the level of interest.”
“Can I just say that Ilovethat y’all havefinallygotten together? Candy and I were just talkin’ about it the other day.”
She smiles and so do I.
“Well, thank you. We’re very happy.” I catch Waylon’s gaze from across the room, and butterflies erupt in my belly. It doesn’t matter what we are doing, that lookalwaysmakes my knees weak.
Melanie casts me a knowing look and then squeezes my hand. “Hold on to him, honey, because a love like that is special.”
Her words steal my breath, so I squeeze her hand back and nod before moving on.
The rest of the night flies by in a flash. Everyone is laughing and sharing stories as they create keepsakes to hang and display in their homes. There is something truly heartwarming in that, and being a part of it is incredibly satisfying.
Dave and Helen stay right till the end, leaving with a homemade sign. Their smiles are big and bright, and Dave shakes Waylon’s hand enthusiastically while telling him how proud he is to see what a success tonight has been.
Waylon seems a little awestruck but shakes their hands while I hug them both, telling Helen to bring her girlfriends for a night out next time. Mama and Rhea stay to help with the cleanup and to also shower love and praise all over a reluctant, but smiling, Waylon.
He’d absolutely knocked this project out of the park while also laying the groundwork for expanding his business. Looking around the empty barn, he smiles.
“Wow.”
