Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Can you make me fancy sauce?” Maren asked Hayden.
“What’s that?”
“It’s ketchup and mayo. My mom mixes it together and calls it ‘fancy sauce.’”
“Sure can,” he said. He took the little cup of mayo Colt had brought with Maren’s food and added ketchup to it. Devorah sat down and offered to finish, but he shook his head, determined to make the perfect sauce for Maren.
“How’s this?” He showed her his creation.
Her grin spread from ear to ear. “Thank you.” She took the sauce and dipped a fry in, swirled it around, and then stuck it in her mouth.
“Can I try?” Conor asked her.
Maren held the dish out for Conor, who dunked and swirled his fry and then stuck it into his mouth. Hayden waited anxiously for his reaction. After a couple of chews, Conor nodded in approval.
“Colt!” Hayden hollered across the bar. “Another side of mayo, please. We need more fancy sauce.”
“You got it.”
“We can share until yours comes,” Maren said. She set her sauce in the middle of the table for Conor to reach.
Hayden appreciated the comradery between the kids. It was nice to see and be a part of. He still needed to speak to Conor when they got home about what happened. Hayden was proud his son had stood up for Maren. It was the right thing to do. Pushing DJ, however, was not, and Hayden needed to find the right way to explain the difference. He didn’t want Conor labeled as a bully or have him be in trouble with Crow. Those days would come. There was no need to rush them.
The four of them made idle chitchat through lunch, and when they were done, they piled into the truck and headed toward Crow’s. When Hayden pulled up to the curb, he put the truck in park, and the kids got out.
Devorah reached for the door handle, but Hayden put his hand on hers to keep her there for a moment longer. She looked at him for what he felt like was the first time. Her brown eyes widened as she waited for him to say something.
“Can I take you out tonight? The drive-in is still showing movies. I thought we could throw a couple blankets in the back and share a bucket of popcorn.”
“Okay,” she said. “But I need to check with Crow and make sure he’s going to be around. I can’t leave Maren home alone.”
“Unless I hear otherwise, I’ll be here at seven.”
Devy nodded and hesitated before she opened the door of the truck. As soon as her feet hit the pavement, she turned and looked at him. “Thank you, Hayden. For everything.”
“It’s been all my pleasure, Devorah.”
Fifteen
Devorah
Devorah paced in front of the living room window, stopping occasionally to peer at the cars driving by. Cordelia watched her every move, undoubtedly judging her. She’d thought about sitting in the rocker on the porch or even on the step, but she didn’t want to seem too obvious. Crow needed to come home. Not only did she want to talk to him about what had happened at tryouts; she also wanted to ask him if he’d be around later.
Earlier, when Hayden had dropped Maren and her off and subsequently asked her to the movies, she wanted to tell him no. Mostly because she wasn’t ready to date or even put herself out there to consider the possibility. It had only been a month since she’d found out about Chad and Ester, and while in high school a month was plenty of time to move on, it wasn’t enough time when a marriage ended. Especially when it ended because of adultery.
Still, Devy wanted to go to the movies. She wanted to feel alive, and Hayden sort of made her feel that way. His subtle touches, the smile he always seemed to have for her, and his presence made her feel like she could get through the days ahead.
Crow finally pulled into the driveway. Dev’s heart lurched in her chest, and her anxiety spiked. It had been years since she’d waited for her dad to come home. They had long given up on having a father/daughter relationship by the time she began dating Chad. As long as she obeyed his rules, they would have no issues and no need to talk about things.
Devy met her dad at the door. She opened it before he could and startled him. He placed his hand over his heart and breathed deeply. “Devorah, are you trying to kill me?”
Deep down, she knew he meant it jokingly, but his deep booming voice said otherwise. “Sorry,” she muttered and stepped aside.
“Don’t,” Crow said. “Don’t act like that.”
“Like what?”
“Sheepishly,” he told her. “Be strong, Dev. Stand up for yourself.”
She looked at her dad for a long moment and nodded. “I’m trying.”
Crow sighed. “You startled me because I’m not used to anyone being here when I come home. Thank you for opening the door.”