Page 9 of His Best Friend's Widow
She furrowed her eyebrows. “Yeah, why?”
“Oh, I just heard you yell not to open the door, and I didn’t know if something was happening in there.”
Hailey opened the door wider and leaned against the frame. “It’s just a rule that the kids aren’t supposed to open the door when we don’t know who it is. You never know what crazy people are knocking.”
“Oh, right.” He wanted to smack himself in the forehead. Of course it wasn’t safe for kids to open the door to strangers. If he was going to help out around here, he definitely had a lot to learn. He cleared his throat and grinned as he held up his hands as if surrendering. “Just this crazy guy here.”
Hailey let out a short laugh. “I think maybe you’re safe.”
Landon glanced past her and could see the kids peeking around to see him. “Hey, guys.” He waved.
“Hey, Landon!” Carter yelled. Ellie and Charlotte hid behind their mom with shy smiles.
“Could I talk with your mom for a minute?”
“Are you staying for dinner?” Carter asked.
Landon glanced at Hailey and saw that uncertain look in her eyes. “Just let me talk with your mom, then we’ll see what happens.”
“Okay, I’m going to get my soccer ball.” Carter took off running, and the girls followed his lead.
Hailey didn’t move from her spot but crossed her arms in front of her. “What’s up?”
Landon had tried to prepare the words to say, but now they seemed to disappear from his mind. He stuck his hands in his back pockets. “Listen, I know you said everything is fine here, and I’m sure it is. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be better. Kyle was a rockstar. I know he helped out around the house and with the kids, and even if you can do it by yourself, you were never meant to. Let me help, Hailey. Kyle was my friend, and I spent way too many hours over here with all of you to just walk away. I’m sorry it’s taken me some time to realize that. I want to help out. What can I do? Bring dinner? Fold laundry? Pick up the kids from school? I’m sure you’ve got a lot on your plate. I’m here to let you hand some of it off. The kids know me, or they did before anyway. Let me hang out with them while you go grocery shopping or just take time to go drink a cup of coffee by yourself.”
Hailey sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Come on, Hailey. You know me. I’m safe. Let me do this for you, and for Kyle.”
She looked up at him then and uncrossed her arms as she took a deep breath. Her eyes were tired, but she looked almost ready to give in. “I don’t want you to feel obligated.”
“I don’t. I want to do this. Just tell me what I can do.”
She put her hand to her forehead. “We’re about to eat dinner, but Carter has soccer practice tonight. You could take him to that.”
Landon clapped his hands together. “Perfect. I can do soccer practice.”
Hailey stepped back and opened the door. “Do you want to eat dinner? We’re having spaghetti. I never understand the serving size of spaghetti noodles, so basically I have enough to feed a small army.”
Landon laughed. “Great, with the kids and my appetite, we’re basically a small army.”
Hailey cracked a smile, which felt like a small victory. If he could take something off her plate, that would be great. If he could make her laugh again, that would be a miracle.
Something inside his heart beat out a funny rhythm at the thought of her smile. What if Hailey could be happy again? Kyle would want that, wouldn’t he? Landon wasn’t looking for anything more than to help her, but if helping could bring the life that seemed to have gone out of her, that would be the best thing he could hope for.
He stepped inside and closed the door behind him, stepping over shoes and backpacks in the doorway.
Carter came crashing through the room kicking a ball.
“No soccer in the house,” Hailey called out.
“Sorry, Mom,” Carter said sheepishly. He looked up at Landon and smiled. “Want to go outside and play soccer with me?”
“I think I’m going to help your mom get dinner on the table. But what about if I take you to soccer practice tonight?”
“Really?” Carter asked, his eyes growing wide.
“Yep. Your mom said I could.” Landon felt like a little kid who had gotten permission to hang out with his friend.
