Page 4 of Hello Trouble
DELLA
Saturday afternoon, I drove my car—with its now-functioning heater—through the country to my best friend’s house just outside of Cottonwood Falls for a get-together.
The cold front had thankfully left the area, leaving us with pale-blue skies, soft-yellow sunlight, and the beginning tells of springtime passing out my window.
Just as I crested a hill on the dirt road, a gorgeous white farmhouse came into view.
I smiled at the sight of it standing out amongst miles of rolling meadows.
The picturesque home was the personification of Liv’s happily ever after with her childhood friend.
Hard to believe they’d gone from neighbors growing up to husband and wife with three children between them.
They’d had a whole tumultuous love story and made multiple humans while I remained single.
It was like I was sitting in this car, watching life blur by out the windows but never really getting anywhere.
A heavy ache settled in my heart as I slowed and pulled into their gravel drive. I hoped this impending move to Dallas would give me a chance at the same happiness they’d found together. Even if it meant leaving the town I loved.
Once my car was parked behind Liv’s truck, I turned it off and took a look around at all the other vehicles outside. Both Liv and Fletcher came from big families. Her with three siblings, and him with four. So there were plenty of people here—most of them married with children of their own.
I took a few deep breaths to brace myself for the cookout today.
This would be one of the last times we all got together before I moved away. And even though I wanted what they had... I’d miss my friends beyond comprehension.
The roar of an engine broke the silence. I twisted in my seat to see an old black-and-gray Ford rumbling down the driveway, Hayes Madigan at the wheel.
And since he clearly hadn’t noticed me yet, I let myself stare.
Tattoos covered every spare inch of skin, curling up his neck and only pausing at his face, all hard lines and edges with a silver ring curling around his bottom lip. Shaggy, dark blond hair dusted over blue-green eyes—the kind of gaze that caught you like a mouse in a trap.
So with every inch of him screaming danger , why was I still staring?
Maybe because he fascinated me.
The human version of a massive red button that said DO NOT TOUCH.
His truck stopped next to me, and the abrupt pause of the engine’s roar had me jumping.
I scrambled for my phone, pretending to be busy texting until I heard his truck door open and shut. Dad would have needed an entire can of WD-40 to fix those hinges.
After what I hoped was enough time, I opened my door and got out of my car, grabbing the pan of yeast-risen rolls I brought for a side. The sun hit my face, nice and warm, but a brisk breeze followed it up, making goosebumps rise on the back of my neck.
Shivering, I shut the door and turned to walk around my car, slamming into a wall of muscles and tattoos. I nearly spilled the pan of rolls, but he caught it, covering my hands with his own.
“Not again,” I groaned, having flashbacks of hot cocoa and his grumpy face.
“Anyone ever tell you it’s rude to stare?” he asked, his voice low.
His hands still covered mine, holding me in place. There were hints of his job on his skin, oil stains and calluses marked each hour in the shop. I looked into his eyes and found him staring right back at me. Unabashed. His jaw muscles flexed, and I realized he was still waiting for my answer.
I finally remembered to breathe. Better to play his game and tease him than let him discover how his simple touch affected me far more than it should. “Where did you attend charm school?” I retorted. “So I can leave them a one-star review online. Or possibly send you back for a do-over.”
But my comment didn’t deter him one bit, and my body wouldn’t listen. My skin hummed underneath his, vibrated with electricity. A slow smirk tipped his lips as he said, “They wouldn’t take me back.” He took the pan from me and started walking toward the house.
I took a few seconds to gather myself, then walked beside him to the backyard. It was sunny back here and just warm enough to be comfortable in my jacket if I didn’t stand too still.
Liv and Fletcher’s little girls came toddling up to us. “Uncle Hayes! Aunt Della!” they cried. Maya followed behind her sisters with her cousins, Emily and Jackson. It was like a whole parade of children running up to us.
Hayes held the pan in one hand and easily scooped the four-year-old, Leah, into one of his arms. He held her close, tattoos contrasting with the white of her sweater.
And then kissed her cheek. Leah giggled happily at the scratch of his stubble.
And when he set her down, she came over to me, arms in the air.
I picked her up, relishing the soft feel of her cheek against mine. “Hey, sweet girl.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Hayes greet all his nieces and nephews who looked up to him like the hero in their favorite movie.
And that grumpy guy I saw in the body shop?
Completely gone. This tatted guy had eyes shining with happiness.
Tender hands that tickled and hugged and carried.
And damn, my ovaries needed to remember that he reserved this special brand of warmth for select people in his life. I was not one of them.
“Della!” Liv came over, glowing with her pregnancy. I let Leah down so I could give Liv a big hug. I definitely needed it.
“Let’s go inside,” she said, leaving her arm around my shoulder. “All the ladies are in there. What’s new?”
It was a simple question, but it automatically had my gut sinking. “Oh, um...” I still hadn’t told her about the new job. And word would surely get out soon, especially since they all knew the people I’d be working for.
We went into the house, and I saw our best girlfriends sitting around the island. This was where we hung out while the guys spent their time outside around the grill trying to find the perfect char of meat.
Henrietta, Maggie, and Larkin all waved and said hello. I smiled back at them thinking with the five of us here, we felt complete somehow.
Hen was married to Liv’s brother, Tyler.
She had gorgeous dark skin and natural curly hair and a smile that could brighten even Hayes’s dark mood.
Maggie, the brunette with pretty brown eyes, was married to Liv’s other brother, Rhett.
Larkin was the most recent to marry into the Madigan family, living her own happily ever after with Knox after a nasty divorce.
And here I was, sliding into a barstool at the island, the old maid. People had married, divorced, and remarried in the time it took me to change the wallpaper in my living room.
I took my time with decisions, big and small. I made fewer mistakes that way. But maybe taking so long with my decisions was a mistake all its own.
Hen poured wine into a glass for me and passed it my way. I took a long sip, relishing the warmth that filled my mouth and drained down my throat. “Why has it been so long since we’ve had a girls’ night?” I asked them.
Liv pointed at her belly. “All-day sickness.”
Maggie said, “The salon has been crazy busy.”
And Hen answered, “Tyler and I have barely been in town the last month.”
I nodded, trying to ignore the pang of jealousy that went through me.
But then Larkin said, “What have you been up to lately?”
This was the perfect chance to tell my friends about my move, but I couldn’t... So I simply said, “I found out Hayes hates hot chocolate.”
They all looked at me, incredulous, and Liv said, “Seriously?”
I nodded. “I brought him some for towing my car the other day, and he acted like it was liquid manure in his cup.” I left out the part where I spilled it all over him. Minor details.
Liv tilted her head in confusion, making dark hair fall over her shoulder. “But he ordered mint chocolate hot cocoa for the party tonight... Had it shipped here yesterday.”
A smug smile formed on my lips. “I freaking knew it.”
Hayes Madigan wasn’t as tough as he’d seemed. Maybe I’d gotten under his skin as well.