Page 39 of His Best Friend's Widow
Hailey lay in bed as the sun streamed in through the window Saturday morning. Claire must have let the kids stay up late watching a movie and playing board games because she hadn’t heard a peep from them yet.
She was the one who couldn’t sleep. Not with thoughts of Landon running around her mind.
How was this happening? She wouldn’t have believed it in a million years if someone had told her that she would be considering a relationship with Landon, but here they were.
When he dropped her off last night, they held hands as they walked to the front door. They made it to the top of the steps, and he stopped and looked her in the eyes. “I had a great time tonight, Hailey. I love that we can just talk, and I feel like you hear everything I say. There’s a connection between us that I’ve never had with anyone else.”
She nodded slightly. “I feel that too.”
He took her in his arms and she laid her head against his chest. They stood like that for a few moments in silence, and she breathed in his nearness. When he pulled back, he lifted her chin with his finger. His eyes dropped down to her lips and back up. Just when she thought he was going to lean in, he sighed. “Hailey, I want to do this right. I don’t know what the rules are here, but I want to take it slow and be absolutely sure about the next move.”
She nodded and swallowed. “Me too.”
He hugged her again and then let her go as he stepped back. “Goodnight, Hailey. I can’t wait to see you again.”
His words had stayed with her all night, and she played them over again in her mind now. She couldn’t wait to see him either.
But it wouldn’t be today. He had already told her he had to go into the office today and prepare for a presentation on Monday. No, today it would be her and the kids. A smile played across her face as she realized that sounded wonderful. Too many Saturdays she had spent tired, exhausted, and worried. Only surviving from breakfast to bedtime had been her mantra for too long. Now she was sure she had the energy to make it through the day with the kids. They could have fun and laugh.
“God,” she whispered. “Thank You. Thank You for never leaving me, even when I thought I was alone. I never thought I would make it without Kyle, but the truth is, You were the one seeing me through all along.” Tears stung at her eyes. “Lord, I don’t know all the next steps. Landon was not something I expected, and everyday I wonder if this is the right thing or if something terrible is about to happen. Help me to trust You and follow You in every step. Guide us and show us what You have for us. And help us to be patient.”
“Mom,” came a gentle voice from outside the door.
“Amen,” Hailey said with a laugh. “Yes, come in.”
The door swung open, and both of the girls came running into the room. They squealed and giggled as they jumped onto the bed.
Hailey laughed with them as she hugged them and kissed their cheeks. “Good morning, sweet girls. How did you sleep?”
Charlotte yawned. “Good. I could have slept longer though.”
“Well, you didn’t have to get up. You could have slept.”
“I wanted to see you.”
Hailey snuggled her oldest up next to her. “I’m glad. I wanted to see you too. Did you have fun with Aunt Claire?”
“Yes!” Ellie shouted. “She let us have chocolate chips in our popcorn.”
“She did?” Hailey feigned shock. “She’s just super fun, isn’t she?”
“Mmhmm. And we made a fort with blankets in the living room and laid under it while we watched a movie.”
“That sounds great,” Hailey said.
“Did you see our fort?” Charlotte asked.
Hailey shook her head. “No, Aunt Claire must have cleaned it up for you.”
“Oh yeah, she said she was the fairy godmother who cleaned up after we went to bed.”
Hailey laughed. “She would make a great fairy godmother.”
“Yeah, but it’s only fun for some of the time. We like having our real mother here.”
“Even if you have to clean up after yourself?” Hailey asked.
Both girls bobbed their heads up and down in agreement.
