“Hey, neighbor,” he said. “You should stay and eat.”
She couldn’t resist the chance to spend more time with him and his family. Not only was he very different from her, but they were very different from her family. Not in the love and how close they were, but the outdoors thing. All of their stories had taken place outside and centered around canoes, fishing, jumping off docks or riding ATVs and snowmobiles.
Her father had soft hands, didn’t fish and drove a Cadillac instead of a pickup. They went to Old Orchard Beach and walked on the boardwalk instead of going out in the woods. As far she knew, her dad had never owned a camouflage item in his entire life, and her mother had been just like him. It stood to reason their daughters wouldn’t be any different.
But she liked the Barnetts, so she nodded. “Thank you for the invitation, neighbor. I think I will.”
*
IT WASN’T UNTIL they’d eaten and had the Jell-O salad Brenna brought for dessert that Matt finally had a chance to be alone with Hailey. She’d gone inside to put some things away and he followed her in with a load of condiments.
She was at his sink with her back to him, and he stepped up behind her. Sliding his arms around her waist, he planted a kiss at the base of her neck.
“I hope it’s you, Matt, or this barbecue just got really awkward.”
He chuckled, but didn’t move. “I was happy to see you over here when I got home. I wasn’t sure if you’d be around.”
“I happened to be outside when they arrived and Bear made sure I went over and said hi. They probably thought I got lost in my backyard.”
“Ouch.” He kissed her neck again. “It was a funny story. I had to tell it.”
“But they like me anyway. And I like them.”
“They can be pretty rowdy at times, but I think they’re nice people. I’m a bit biased, of course.”
“They make me miss my family. And the kids are adorable. Neither my sister nor I have had any yet, much to my mother’s dismay.” She leaned back against his chest. “You can’t get enough of your niece and your nephews. How come you haven’t gotten married and had kids of your own?”
The question was asked in a light tone, but it weighed heavily on Matt’s shoulders. He didn’t want to go in to how hard it was to have a relationship with his hours and how women liked to reel him in and then try to polish him up to their liking. “I haven’t found a woman yet who likes my lucky fishing hat.”
“I shudder to meet the woman who does.”
“So now you. How come you’re not married with a bunch of little ones?”
She shrugged. “Waiting for the guy who doesn’t think Bach is what a chicken says.”
He knew there was truth under her attempt at humor, but they were in his kitchen with his family on the other side of the door. It wasn’t the time for a heart to heart conversation about their life goals and dreams even if they’d been at that point in their relationship. Or whatever it was.
“I really do need to finish my coffeemaker,” she told him. “I had a whole list of things I needed to do today and sitting on your back deck all day wasn’t on there.”
“When you get home, add it to the list and then cross it off. You’ll feel like you accomplished something.”
“You’re bad.” She turned in his arms and gave him a quick kiss. “I’m going to go now. Sit and relax with your family.”
Reluctantly, he moved out of her way. And just in time, too, because his mother came through the door a moment later. “Matthew, I haven’t even seen your house yet. You need to give me a tour.”
“I’m heading home,” Hailey told her. “It was wonderful to meet you.”
“I’m so glad you stayed to visit. You should come up to camp sometime. I think you’d enjoy it.”
Matt actually laughed out loud, and Hailey crossed her arms, glaring at him until he stopped. “I’m sorry, Hailey, but that’s funny.”
“Your mother thinks I’d enjoy it.”
“My mother hasn’t been in the woods with you.”
Hailey smiled at Connie. “Thank you for the invitation. I might take you up on it sometime just to annoy your son.”
“Honey, I’m married to his father. I totally understand.”
Hailey gave him a sweet wave and went outside, presumably to say goodbye to the rest of the family. Rather than move to the window to watch her, he turned his attention to his mom. “Time to show you my house.”
He gave her the grand tour, thankful he was good at picking up after himself. Between work and Hailey, he wouldn’t have had a lot of time for pre-maternal visit binge cleaning.
“I like Hailey,” his mom said when they’d peeked into his bedroom, and Matt frowned, wondering if she’d left some article of clothing behind. An article of clothing with her name on it, even. But it seemed to be merely a coincidence she’d mentioned his neighbor while touring his bedroom.