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“This was most improper,” Hayden whispered in Violet’s ear. “But I love it.” He looked deeply into her eyes and returned the favor. Behind them, Jillian made a big show of grunting and banging things around on the desk.
Taking Violet by the hand, he headed toward the door. “Thanks for covering for me, Jillian. I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?” The poor woman sounded frightened to death.
“Five minutes,” Hayden said, holding up one hand, fingers spread wide. “Promise. You’re doing great.”
“Where are we going?” Violet asked as she hurried down the quiet hallway together.
“I don’t know. My office or yours?” He chuckled. “Sorry. That sounds really cheesy.”
She giggled and hauled him into his office since it came first.
Hayden pulled her into his arms as soon as they turned the corner. “Violet, I was trying to be patient.”
“I know, and I appreciate it, but my impatience took over. Forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive.” Cupping her beautiful face between his palms, Hayden kissed her again with all the love he held in his heart and soul for this precious woman. “We’d better stop,” he whispered at length, resting his forehead on hers. “Pray Chuck doesn’t find out about this, or he might fire us both. But before we go back to the sound booth, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Her eyes widened. “What’s that?”
“I was offered another job last week.”
She stepped back and folded her arms over her middle. “Where?”
“Texas.”
“Texas?” Her lower lip trembled. “Congratulations,” she said, her voice quiet, flat, defeated. “Are you going to take it?” Goodness, was she shaking? “Well, of course, you are. The pay and benefits have to be better than here. Everything’s bigger in Texas, right?”
A tear streaked down her face, followed by another.
“You have to listen to what I have to tell you, Violet.”
“Why? So you can tell me again that you love me? Please don’t let KGOLD hold you back if it’s a great opportunity. Maybethisjob will restore your professional reputation and respectability.” She sniffled, and a muffled sob escaped. “I won’t hold you back.”
He’d suspected that long-ago line had bothered her. He would have told her more at the coffee house if Lucy and Theo hadn’t returned to the table. “Violet, as great as walking away from my previous job was, there was still a sense that I failed. I don’t like to fail.”
She huffed. “No one likes to feel they’ve failed, Hayden. There’s another station offering you a job, so I’d say you’re doing fine. They say nothing in radio is permanent, so”—she lifted a hand then lowered it—“there you go.”
When he moved toward her, Violet jumped out of his reach as though a rattlesnake circled her—hissing and prepared to strike. “Sweetheart. Don’t jump to conclusions. Listen to me, please.”
“I can’t do this, Hayden. I’m sorry.”
“Can’t do what?” He stared as Violet flew past him and out the door. Stepping into the hallway, he watched as she fled the building. He winced when he heard her quiet sobs. He hated that he’d made her cry, but why wouldn’t the stubborn woman listen?
Let her go—for now.He needed to get back into the sound booth before Jillian had a nervous breakdown. The woman deserved all his thanks for filling in for him. She’s been a lifesaver.
He collapsed against the wall. Once again, she’d flummoxed him. Hayden lifted his head and closed his eyes. “Father, what just happened?”
Chapter Eighteen
“I’M NOT KIDNAPPING YOU, so please stop looking at me like that.” Charles led the way out of the building on Saturday morning. He’d commanded their presence at the KGOLD station at nine a.m., telling them he’d accept no excuses other than death—theirdemise. He’d given them no other details—no dress code, no agenda,nothing.
Hayden dug his car keys from the pockets of his shorts. “I’ll drive.”
“Not this time.” Charles opened the door then stood aside while Hayden motioned for Violet to go first. “You can also stop acting like martyrs. I’m not going to make you walk the plank.”
On their drive, they were treated to a replay ofThe Violet and Hayden Showfrom two nights ago. Forcing them to listen as they bickered, badgered, and otherwise irritated one another—a classic example ofco-hosts having poorly.
