“I don’t care, I don’t want that man in my store.”
“It isn’t your store,” Hailey said softly. “It’s our store. I’m an equal partner now and I say Jesse stays.” She’d never outright defied her mother before. She was the good daughter who never spoke out of turn or broke a rule.
“Hailey Elizabeth Masters, you watch your mouth.” Behind her mother, Hailey’s father shrugged helplessly.
Hailey stomped through the frame and stood, hands on her hips, in front of her parents.
“I. Am. Not. A. Child. I love you, Mom. But I’m not backing down on this. You agreed I’d oversee the renos while you vacationed. You agreed!” Her heart pounded. Heat suffused her face. She hadn’t been this angry since she found out Evan was stealing, cheating and trying to blame her. “Please go home and let me handle this the way we agreed to.”
“I’ll just go. You can let me know the plan later.” Jesse set his stapler down.
Hailed jabbed a finger in his direction. “Don’t you move, not one inch.” He raised his hands in surrender. She pivoted to glare at her mother. “Mom, Jesse stays. I know his mother caused a lot of grief for us, but that’s in the past.” She modulated her anger, trying to project compassion for everyone. “Jesse didn’t have anything to do with the accident. He even tried to convince Mrs. Phillips to drop the lawsuit and forget it happened. He’s innocent, and can’t be, doesn’t deserve to be, treated like crap or held accountable for his mother’s actions.”
She embraced her mother. “Mrs. Phillips used to be your best friend. She’s an alcoholic, it’s a disease. She can’t help herself. Please, Mom, let me do this my way. I promise you won’t regret it.”
She stared into her mother’s eyes, silently pleading for compassion and understanding.
“Fine. Have it your way,” she said sadly. Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “But only because Iris was once my dearest friend.” She pivoted on her heel and strode out.
Hailey’s father winked and gave her two thumbs up. “See you at home. Don’t work too late.”
“Night, Dad. Good night, Mom.” She called the words at her retreating mother’s back. The door closed gently and silence reigned. Hailey’s breath rushed out, loud in the utter stillness. She turned to face Jesse.
“I am so sorry for my mother’s behavior.” There weren’t enough words to express her shame and sorrow at the encounter. Nobody deserved that kind of treatment. She was disappointed in her mother’s stubborn attitude, but pleased she’d given in, no matter how ungraciously.
“Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault and we knew she’d flip if she found out. Honestly, nobody has ever stood up for me like that. Thank you.”
Her stiff shoulders relaxed, tension ebbing away with his understanding. “You’re welcome, and honestly, I’m glad I hired you. I’m impressed with your work ethic. Should we finish this?”
With a bright grin, Jesse picked up his stapler.
Chapter Nine
Even after the previous night’s disaster, Jesse was eager to get started. There was nothing like a full-scale renovation to pump you up. There was something incredibly satisfying about careful destruction of a room and rebuilding it with new beauty.
Hailey’s concept was simple and elegant and wouldn’t be difficult to execute. He could do a lot of pre-cutting and staining of woodwork at home, or in his shop, safely away from Mrs. Masters’ watchful, critical eye. Luckily, she’d be gone in a couple days and they could stop walking on eggshells. He was impressed at how quickly Hailey had stuck her neck out for him, and how neatly she’d managed her mother. She was one tough cookie.
Using his laser measure, he carefully marked the potential opening and drew lines on the wall. Large Xs marked two openings instead of the three Hailey had wanted. They were leaving longer sections of wall at the ends to increase shelf space on both sides.
The door opened and clicked shut. “You’re here early.” Hailey blew in like a ray of sunshine, two coffees and a white paper Beth’s Beans bag in her hand.
“That is why you gave me a key, isn’t it?” He accepted the coffee she thrust at him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It’s only six-thirty. You’re here already working and you washed your truck.”
“It needed it.” Especially after he’d taken off the magnetic JP Construction signs so she couldn’t catch on to his ruse. “I don’t require much sleep. Five, six hours tops. I like to get an early start and not waste my day.”
He watched, fascinated as she gracefully slid out of her jacket, folded it and set it on the table along with the Beth’s Beans package.
“I appreciate it. You’ve been busy.” She pointed at the drywall patching he’d completed on the walls that weren’t coming down. She moved gracefully toward the reno wall, sipping her coffee as she walked. She’d dressed casually in worn jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. The look suited her just as well as the business wear she usually wore. He missed the long flow of her hair, though the braid she wore, tied with a red ribbon, was adorable.
“Wait. Are you wearing a Christmas ribbon in your hair?” It was way too early to be inundated with festive reminders.
“It is.” She pivoted with a laugh and touched her earring, making it chime. “And jingle bell earrings, too.”
He groaned when he noticed the smiling Santa and elves on her shirt. “You know it’s only November, right?”
“I do. But we’re creating a Christmas store. I’m just bringing holiday joy with me for luck. I brought breakfast sandwiches. Want to walk to the park and watch the sunrise? We can just make it. It’s already getting light.”
