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“Haylee.” Helen’s harsh voice came from behind her.
She slowly turned and tried for a neutral expression. “What can I do for you, Helen?”
Helen’s throat worked, and she lifted her chin. “I have been thinking about it and was unjust in telling you I wanted a refund. It was not your fault the goose bit me.”
A whoosh of relief made Haylee’s muscles relax, and she smiled. “You were under a lot of pressure as the mother of the bride. Your daughter looked radiant today.”
“She did, didn’t she?” Helen beamed. “The gifts were all so lovely—” She broke off, her cheeks going pink, and she cleared her throat. “Most of them.”
Haylee couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, most of them were.”
“I’ll let you get back to it.” Helen nodded toward the decorations Haylee had been taking off the arbor.
Haylee smiled and returned to her work.
A little while later, Tyson came back. “You look happier.”
“Let’s just say a little stress was just lifted.” She turned her grin on him. “What happened with the geese and the Cooper and Evans boys?”
“Got the geese to Jerry Mack’s.” Tyson shrugged. “As for the boys, got them to promise to shovel manure for a week on the ranch in penance. I’ll pay them at the end of the week, but they don’t know that now.”
Haylee laughed. “Way to use that cowboy brain.”
He looked at her with amusement. “What are you doing this evening?”
She groaned. “I have been so wound up working on this event that I need to decompress. After leftover spaghetti, I’m going to put on my most comfortable pajamas and fuzzy slippers, pour a big glass of wine, fill a huge bowl with my favorite ice cream, and eat it in bed while bingeing Netflix.”
Tyson chuckled and shook his head. “I can’t beat that. I’ll go home and have a beer and Spam sandwiches.”
Haylee made a face. “Yuck.”
He grinned. “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” She put the last decoration into the box. “I don’t foresee Spam on my menu.”
Tyson picked up the box and started for her truck. “Never say never.”
Haylee shook her head. “Not as long as I can cook up a casserole or get take-out.”
He laughed and helped her finish wrapping things up. When her truck was loaded, he closed the tailgate and the door of the camper shell.
They walked to the driver’s side door together, and she tipped her head to meet his gaze. “Thank you. You’ve been a huge help today.”
“You’re welcome.” He sifted his fingers through strands of her hair. “I’m looking forward to Sunday and the fall festival.”
She smiled. “I am, too.”
He lowered his head, and she sighed into his kiss. The weariness from the day vanished for a moment with the movement of his lips, the taste of him, the feel of him. She breathed him in and clenched her hands in his shirt, wanting more.
When he broke the kiss, she struggled to catch her breath. His eyes had changed to a smoky blue, and she felt lost. It took a moment for her to find her words.
She spoke softly. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Haylee.” With a soft, tingling movement, he brushed his lips against hers before raising his head and smiling.
She managed to gather herself together and stepped out of his embrace. She climbed into her truck and started it. When she put it into reverse, he stood by his truck, watching her. She pulled forward, smiled, and waved, then took off.
When she looked in the rearview mirror, he was still watching her, and then he was too far to see anymore.
