Page 18 of His Best Friend's Widow
Landon nodded in understanding. It was fun being the “cool guy” that the kids wanted to be like. If he could use that power for good, he definitely would. “So how long do these things last?”
Carter groaned. “Forever.”
Hailey gave him a sympathetic look. “A few hours. You don’t have to stay the whole time. Do you have any other plans today?”
As Landon watched her talk, he suddenly knew that if he did have plans, he would cancel them. His heart thudded in his chest. Where had that come from? Sure, he was glad to be there, and he was enjoying helping out, but that was about the kids, wasn’t it? It wasn’t about spending time with Hailey. So why did he feel like there was nowhere he would rather be? He cleared his throat to answer. “Nope, no plans. I just wondered if we would be done in time to go get some lunch.”
Carter gasped. “Can we?” He looked to Hailey. “Please, Mama, can we go out to eat?”
Hailey blinked rapidly. “I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see.” She looked to Landon. “We don’t really go out much. Three kids in a restaurant by myself is a lot to handle. They try to behave, but, honestly, sometimes it’s just more enjoyable to eat at home.”
“I understand. I could pick something up and bring it to the house. Or we could try it. You don’t have to do it alone.”
Just saying the words seem to ease her mind. Hailey smiled and nodded. “Sure, let’s see what time we get out of here, but we can give it a try.”
Landon caught her eye and grinned. He held her gaze for just a moment longer than he meant to. He’d never noticed just how deep brown they were. She held a seriousness there, and he wondered if she held a playful nature that not many people got to see. If only she could let go of the heavy burdens she carried to get back to living life.
That thought stayed with him as he watched the girls on the gym floor. Hailey pointed at Charlotte and explained each event. Before the competition was over, Landon had learned all about Olympic order and the complex scoring system for the gymnasts. When it was Charlotte’s turn, the kids yelled her name over and over, wishing her luck. Hailey only let one cheer out, trying not to distract her. Landon held his applause until she was finished. Then with his booming voice, he called out, “Way to go, Charlotte!” She was a distance away at her event, but he was pretty sure he saw her turn and grin in his direction.
Carter fidgeted in his seat most of the meet. Hailey tried to keep him entertained, but there was only so much sitting a little boy could do.
“Want me to take him out to the hall and stretch our legs?” Landon asked.
“You don’t mind?” Hailey asked.
“Not at all. Come on, Ellie, you come too.” He reached for the little girl’s hand. As he walked behind her on the bleacher, Landon put his hand on Hailey’s shoulder and leaned down to speak close to her ear. “Just sit here and enjoy a few minutes to yourself. I won’t say quiet, because it’s not quiet, but take a breath. I’ve got this.” He straightened as he pulled away from her, he hadn’t realized how being that close to her would affect him. “Want me to bring you anything? Water? Coffee?”
Hailey spoke quietly, “No thanks. I’m fine.”
“Okay, we’ll be back in a little bit.”
* * *
Hailey couldn’t helpbut watch Landon walk to the door with Carter bouncing up and down, and Ellie holding tight to his hand. When they were out of sight, she turned her head back to the meet, but her mind was somewhere else entirely. For a moment, she followed Landon’s advice. She closed her eyes and breathed in and out. The echoes of the gymnasium seemed to fade a bit, but the only thought in her mind was the scent of Landon’s cologne as he leaned close, and the sound of his voice so close to her ear.
Why did that make her stomach feel like a home for a thousand butterflies? He was just here to help with the kids, wasn’t he? But wasn’t he also trying to take care of her? She’d known Landon for a long time, longer than any of her other friends. And he’d spent more time with their family than others. In all that time, she’d never thought of him as a man.
Until this moment.
He was handsome, smart, and confident. She’d thought that before, but it had always been because she was thinking of who she could set him up with. A man like that needed to find someone to share his life. Her heart pounded a wild rhythm as a terrible thought washed over her. She would hate it if he found someone else now.
She snapped her eyes open and looked for Charlotte. If she could watch her daughter, she could push these thoughts away. Besides, she wasn’t interested in Landon. That was completely ridiculous. She was only upset at the idea of him finding someone else because she liked having his help. Wasn’t she?
Charlotte was about to compete on uneven bars, and Hailey clapped her hands together and yelled out her name. “Come on, Charlotte. You can do it!” Silently she told herself she could do it too. She could push away the silly thought of being anything more than friends with Landon. That’s not what she wanted anyway. She’d been through enough loss. Sure, she appreciated Landon’s help, and as long as he wanted to, she would let him. But she would have to work harder at keeping him at arm’s length.
And at convincing her heart to stop racing when she saw him coming toward her with her kids happily walking at his side.
10
“I’m sitting by Landon,” Carter called out as they walked toward the restaurant.
“No, I am!” Charlotte fired back.
“Both of you come and walk beside me,” Hailey said firmly. “This is a parking lot.”
Carter looked to Landon and moved toward him. “You better listen to your mom,” Landon said.
Carter sighed as he walked to Hailey’s side.
