“But I think we have different tastes in seasonings and our flavors aren’t compatible in the long run.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. “Oh, for God’s sake, I’m so confused. You’re having sex with your neighbor, but you don’t think you’re compatible long term?”
Hailey laughed. “Yes, Mom. Exactly that.”
“Then enjoy the short term. Eventually a doctor will move to Whitford, I’m sure.” Sometimes Hailey had a hard time telling whether or not her mother was being sarcastic. “Just make sure, if you don’t think this man is a keeper, that you don’t end up with a bun in your oven.”
“I won’t.” Leave it to her mother to be practical.
“Why aren’t you compatible long term?”
“You’re not the only one who thought I’d marry a doctor. Or a lawyer. Or any guy who dressed nice and worked somewhat regular hours. And believed mowing the lawn and planting a few flowers was ample outside time.”
“So you think, once the bloom is off the sex rose, you won’t have enough in common to make a relationship work?”
“I don’t just think it, Mom,” she said. “It’s pretty much a fact.”
“As much as I’d love to see you settled, sex isn’t enough.”
Hailey knew that, but it was hard to imagine going back to a just-neighbors status with Matt. “I like him, though. He’s fun and we enjoy each other’s company. Usually. I don’t know if I’ll ever like four-wheeling.”
“And now you’re arguing the other side of the coin.”
“I know.” Hailey sighed. “I do it to myself every day.”
“Stop overthinking it and enjoy today. Tomorrow will sort itself out.”
Hailey felt as if she’d reached the age where she needed to get her tomorrows sorted out ASAP if she was going to have the family she wanted, but she knew her mother wouldn’t have much more to add to the topic. “Enough about me. How’s Tanya?”
“She’s not nearly as interesting as you at the moment.” Her mother laughed. “I’m kidding. She’s doing fine. They’re finally looking at adoption now, so I might get to be a grandmother soon.”
“That’s wonderful! And how’s Dad?”
Once her mother got rolling on what was happening in Massachusetts, Hailey was free to sip her lemonade and mostly listen for a while. She’d have to look at her calendar and try to schedule a trip to visit them soon. Or at least see if they’d meet her halfway for a weekend somewhere.
Too soon, it was time for her mother to head out for a hair appointment, but first she circled back to the topic of Matt. “You should put a picture of him on Facebook so I can see him.”
“We’re trying to fly under the grapevine’s radar, Mom. I’m not putting a photo of him on Facebook.”
“I’m going to Google him. But right now I really have to run.”
Since she was pretty sure she hadn’t given her mom Matt’s name, Hailey felt fairly safe ending the call without admonishing her mom about the internet, privacy and accidentally posting something on Facebook for everybody to see.
“I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”
Hailey dropped her phone and lay back against her throw pillows. Her house was clean. Matt was at work and so was Tori. She knew Mitch was home, so she didn’t want to bother Paige.
With a sigh, she picked up her phone again and went surfing the ebookstore she liked. Maybe some of those glamorous eighties novels were available in digital now. She could use a dose of glitz in her life.
SEVENTEEN
ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, Matt pulled up at the address Josh had given him and parked in a line of pickup trucks that had arrived before him. He grabbed the Crock-Pot off the passenger seat and made his way to the front door.
His knock was answered by a tall, blond guy who matched the description he’d been given. “Hi. You must be Max Crawford. I’m Matt Barnett.”
“Barnett. Oh, you’re the game warden who moved in next door to the librarian. Harley? Hailey? I swear, I can never remember her name.”
“Hailey. And yeah, that’s me. Josh said you wouldn’t mind if I came over and watched some baseball with you guys.”
“Of course not.” He stepped out of the way, but then held up a hand. “Wait. You’re not an Indians fan, right?”
Matt laughed. “Born and raised a Red Sox fan, my friend.”
“Okay. I invited an associate to watch a football game with us once because he was passing through, but I didn’t know he was a Jets fan. The other guys wouldn’t let him eat their food, so it was rather awkward.”
“I can see how it would be.” Matt set the slow cooker on the counter. “You mind if I plug this in?”
“Feel free. What’s in it?”
“Swedish meatballs. I wasn’t sure what to bring, but they go with anything.”