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Violet checked her watch.Yikes.“I’d better get moving since we have to be back here in little more than an hour.” She touched his forearm. “I’m honored you shared your story with me.”
“I’ve wanted to tell you, but the timing was never right. I’m sure you hear it all the time, but you’re a great listener,” he said when they reached her Camry, keeping company with his black truck the next spot over.
“Thank you.” She hesitated.
“Something else is on your mind, isn’t it?”
“There’s something I’ve wanted to tellyou, but it never seems like the time is right.”
“I can tell it’s important.” He gently lifted her chin. “Thisis the time.”
“My mom had breast cancer five years ago. She went through surgery and chemo and was declared cancer-free. She found a lump recently, but we don’t know anything yet. She’s setting up an appointment with the oncologist, and I plan on taking a day off to go with them.”
“I’m sorry, Vi—Violet. You’ve got my prayers.”
She wiped away a tear. “You can call me Vi if you want.”
“What doyouwant?”
“From you, I think I prefer Violet.”
“If you would, pray for Dad. I think he needs prayer as much as Mom. She’s outwardly calm, and they both trust in the Lord, but Dad’s so afraid of being left alone.” She nipped her lower lip with her teeth and took a breath. “He’s always saying, ‘I’m the one who’ll win the race. Meaning—”
“The race to glory,” he said.
She smiled. “That’s my dad. Always the competitor.”
“Men seem to have a harder time when their wife is sick.” Hayden rested his forehead on hers. “My mom had a serious case of pneumonia a few year back, and my dad was the same way. I think women are naturally stronger when it comes to health issues. Maybe it has something to do with being natural birthers, nurturers, and caregivers.”
Her smile faded. “I allowed my worries about Mom to affect my behavior toward you, Hayden. I can’t explain it except to say I was probably a little trigger-happy. I hope you’ll accept my apology.”
“No apology needed,” he said. “If I’d known, I would have cut back on the teasing, but itdoesexplain some things.”
She laughed quietly. “This might sound strange, but your teasing was a nice distraction, not that I’ll ever admit to saying it.”
He chuckled. “This will sound random, but do you have a brother?”
“I do. One brother, and his name is Trent.”
“Older? Younger?”
“Well,heclaims seniority. Trent was with me at Bella Roma the night I saw you there.” Violet palmed her forehead. “Oh, no. I didn’t introduce you, did I?”
“No worries. I planned on saying something but then got called away on a delivery. From my perspective, we had a breakthrough that night. Perhaps asmallone, but—”
“We did,” she agreed.
Hayden waited while she climbed inside her car and lowered the window. “Is Trent yourtwin?”
She started the car. “Yes. How’d you know?”
“Well, youdoresemble each another.” Hayden crossed his arms and leaned against the edge of the car window. “Thanks for this afternoon, Violet.”
“I’m glad you invited me. Hopefully, I improved your opinion of me. Once you get to know me better, I’m not such a bad person.”
“I never thought you were.” Hayden lifted away from the car as she fastened her seat belt. “Want me to swing by and pick you up in”—he checked his watch—“a little over an hour?”
“Thanks, but I should probably drive myself.”
