Page 5 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

She’s still the same gorgeous woman I’ve known and loved my whole life, with brown hair pulled back into a clip on the back of her head, but the pain is evident on her face.

Her MS has gotten drastically worse over the last few years. Thankfully, her hip surgery is in just a few weeks, and that should help with some of her pain.

I help her over to the couch, cuddling beside her as Grayson carries my bags upstairs to my old room.

“So, how long do we get you for?” she asks.

“I don’t know yet,” I say honestly. “I guess I’ll figure it out.”

I rinse the dishes from dinner, handing them to my brother to put in the dishwasher.

“It’s gotten a lot worse,” I say, my heart aching from seeing my mom in so much pain.

He sighs, leaning against the fridge. “Yeah, it’s progressed quickly.”

“I think we need to make some changes to the house before her surgery.”

“I know. I’ve been thinking the same thing for a while. Mom’s just….” he trails off.

“Stubborn,” I finish for him.

He huffs out an almost-laugh. “Yeah.”

“It still needs to be done,” I say, handing him the last couple of plates.

“I’ll call Austin. I’m sure he and the guys can get it all done.”

It’s a good thing I’m facing away from Grayson because I freeze upon hearing his best friend’s name.

His best friend that I had the biggest crush on growing up. His best friend that I haven’t seen in years.

He starts the dishwasher, then leans in, giving me a hug. “I’ll see if he can swing by tomorrow before my shift starts at the firehouse.”

A nervous feeling settles in my gut.I guess I’m going to see Austin again.Not that I’d be able to avoid him in this small town.

Better to get over it now. Rip off the Band-Aid. Maybe he isn’t attractive anymore? Doubtful, it’s Austin Reed. He’s probably aged like fine wine—or no, in his case, expensive whiskey.

Grayson pauses by the front door. “It really is good to have you back home, Hadley.”

Despite the mix of emotions swirling through me with all the unknowns, I can’t help but agree with him. I’m finally where I’m supposed to be, when I’m supposed to be here.

CHAPTER TWO

Austin

“Daddy,I can do it on my own. I’m five now,” Evelyn says, pushing my hands away from the seatbelt she’s clicking into place over her booster seat.

How is she already five?It seems like just yesterday she fit into the crook of my arm with the curly brown hair that she got from me, not her mom.

No, not going there. It’s too early to think about that woman who abandoned both of us.

“Uncle Grayson taught me how to buckle myself in, so I’m safe.” She gives me her biggest smile. “He’s a firefighter, so he’s good at that stuff.”

Chuckling, I kiss her forehead. “Okay, Miss Independent.”

The truck starts with a rumble. Backing out of the dirt driveway leading up to our house, I start to make the trek back into town and toward the elementary school.

Ten minutes later, Evelyn is popping out of the truck with her backpack slung over her shoulders. She blows me a kiss before skipping and singing her way into the building.