5. Hadley

5

HADLEY

H adley's mom's eyes began to slowly fall closed before she jerked them back open again. That was usually the sign that Hadley's ramblings were straying into boring territory.

Reaching for the cup of water on the bedside table, Hadley passed it to her mom. "Have you taken your morning meds?"

"They came by just before you got here," her mom said slowly.

Hadley's mom's recovery had been slow since suffering a massive stroke eight months ago. Marianne Keeton had always been the most beautiful woman in every room. Even after losing most of her muscle function and speech, she still had an alluring presence that few got to witness these days.

Seeing her mom in a dreary hospital room would never get easier, even if it was just for scheduled tests like today.

Being able to spend plenty of time with her mom was a perk of the ranch off-season. During the summer, she'd worked six or seven days a week, and barely had the energy to talk in the late afternoon when she finally made it to the long-term care facility.

Now that her schedule was thinner, she'd gone back to talking her mom's ears off. "Are you ready for a nap?"

Marianne shook her head, gently lolling it from one side to the other. "No, but I'd like to look out the window."

Hadley stood and opened the blinds. "Better?"

"Much. I like to watch the clouds."

Her mom's voice still punched Hadley in the gut every time she heard it. The slow and slurred words weren't the same as the happy, upbeat speech of Hadley's childhood.

"It's a beautiful day," Hadley said. If only her mom could go and do whenever she wanted.

"No, but I think you should go enjoy the beautiful weather, flower."

Hadley reached for her mom's hand, still young without a single wrinkle. "I like being here with you."

"I know, but it has been a long winter. Enjoy the sunshine. "

Brushing her thumb over her mom's hand, the urge to pull her mom out of this room and back to the ranch with her had her muscles tensing.

Spending a day at the hospital just meant her mom was stuck in a room alone unless Hadley or Cheyenne stayed with her.

If she could care for her mom on her own, Marianne Keeton would be out of the long-term care facility in a heartbeat. It wasn't about the care, it was Hadley's lack of skill. Marianne was doing great considering the circumstances, but she needed plenty of medical care that Hadley couldn't provide.

"I'll be back soon."

Her mom squeezed her hand. It was weak, but it was much better than the tiny flexes she'd been able to accomplish right after the stroke.

"Of course, baby. Thank you for my flowers."

Hadley and her sister had always been their mother's flowers. She'd used the nickname for as long as they could remember. The least Hadley could do was bring her mom a piece of the happiness she craved.

"Love you. I'll call you soon."

"Love you too, flower."

Hadley grabbed her purse and started down the hall toward the exit, waving at half a dozen nurses as she went.

Everyone at the hospital was kind and loved her mom. It was the same at the facility. It probably helped that the bill for that place was more than Hadley would make in a lifetime, but thanks to Cheyenne's dad, their mom was getting the best care money could buy.

She had the entire day off, and that usually meant she didn't know what to do with her time. She fired off a text to the ranch foreman, Jameson, asking if there was anything she could do today.

Jameson's reply came through as Hadley pulled up at her cabin. His wife, Ava, was suffering from another bout of morning sickness that lasted all day, so he told her to call Jess.

Hadley's thumb almost pressed the button to call Jess when her phone belted out the chorus of "9 to 5" by Dolly, the special ringtone for all of the other ranch workers. She sucked in a long breath through her teeth when she saw Brett's name on the screen.

"Hellooo," Hadley sang in greeting as she stepped into her cabin.

Thankfully, Jess wasn't anywhere in sight. That woman could hold a grudge like Fabio held long-haired busty women on the old romance book covers. No doubt she was still stomping around, wherever she was.

"Hey. My friend, Thea, is gonna be in the hospital for a little bit. She's having some tests done right now, so I can't ask her what she might need. Can you put together a bag for her?"

"Sure thing. Come on by. "

So much for not getting caught up in the Patton sibling battle.

Grabbing a duffel bag, she threw together anything a woman might need after being injured and hospitalized. She tossed anything into the bag that might be comfortable or convenient. From what Hadley had heard, Thea was probably miserable.

With the bag packed, Hadley sat on the front porch of her cabin with a cup of coffee in her hand while she waited for Brett. Her favorite sherpa blanket draped lightly around her shoulders as she tucked the hem under her chin. The steam billowed off the hot coffee, warming her nose as she luxuriated in the aroma.

When Brett's truck crested the hill, Hadley rested her coffee on the small table and grabbed the bag. He'd barely come to a stop next to her purple car when she tossed the bag through the open window into the passenger seat. Maybe he could get gone before Jess caught wind of Hadley's involvement with the Thea debacle.

"You're all set. I hope she's doin' okay."

Brett was the kind of boy-next-door handsome that caught every woman's attention, and his laid-back air and easy smile meant he was too good to be good, if that was even a thing.

There were a dozen solid reasons why Hadley should be interested in him, but the sparks had never been more than a flash in the pan. Hadley got one hundred percent friend vibes from the guy, and that was good enough for her.

Plus, he was head over heels for Thea, as Hadley was just learning.

Or was he in over his head? Either way, there was some kind of falling involved, and Hadley knew to stay miles away from complications like that.

"Thanks for this. I'll make sure you get your stuff once Thea is back up and at ‘em."

Hadley waved a hand in the air and pasted on a forced smile. He had about thirty seconds before someone on the ranch spotted them and word got back to Jess that Hadley was aiding the enemy.

Well, not the enemy. Jess's brother. But Jess had war on the brain, and there wasn't much stopping that train once it got rollin'.

"Don't worry about it. Call me if you need anything else."

"Will do." Brett waved and backed out just as fast as he'd rolled in.

The sun was getting close to the western tree line, and a golden glow spread over the ranch. Hadley checked her watch. No sense in going to the stables since Jess would be headed to the dining hall for dinner any minute now.

Chugging the last of her coffee, Hadley slipped back into her boots and coat and set a trail for the main office. She let herself into Ava's office and replied to a few emails. Hadley helped out in the office when she could, since Ava's pregnancy left her either sick or exhausted most of the time.

When the inbox was cleared out, Hadley headed next door to the dining hall where a dozen others were already lining up at the serving bar. Ridge and Blake playfully shoved each other.

"I said he already had a woman," Ridge said.

"No, you said he was married. I said he was heartbroken. There's a difference."

Ridge narrowed his eyes at Blake. "Not sure there is."

Cheyenne slapped her fiancé on the chest and gasped. Ridge pretended to be hurt as he faced the fury of Hadley's sister.

"I didn't mean it like that."

Cheyenne propped her hands on her hips. "Then how did you mean it? Marriage doesn't equal heartbroken!"

Ridge looked to Blake for help, but he just stuck his hands in the air.

"I mean, I thought maybe he married someone and she decided she didn't want to be married to him anymore," Ridge explained.

"Smooth," Blake whispered.

Hadley approached the group and sighed. "Ridge, I've put a lot of work into this wedding, and if you mess it up, I will throw your favorite boots in Wolf Creek."

Ridge's eyes widened. "Message received. "

Hadley rolled her eyes. If Ridge didn't get to marry Cheyenne soon, he wouldn't need punishment. The man was in love with Cheyenne, and Hadley couldn't be happier for her sister and future brother-in-law.

"Are y'all talkin' about Brett?" Hadley asked.

Colt stuck his head over Hadley's shoulder to whisper, "He told me he's in love with her, and her dad killed his dad and then his uncle killed her dad. Or…something like that. I had trouble following."

Cheyenne scoffed. "You made that up."

Hadley raised a hand. "I don't think he did. That's kinda what Jess told me."

Cheyenne's eyes widened. "You're kidding. How did we not know this?"

Vera walked out of the kitchen with a big tray of dinner rolls. "Because you're not from around here. The Howards and the Pattons are notorious for killin' each other."

Blake rubbed his chin and looked around the dining hall. "Brett's okay though, right? Has anyone heard from him lately?"

Brett's roommate, Linc, was filling two plates with baked chicken and new potatoes down the serving bar. When everyone turned to stare at him, he looked up from the food.

"What are you lookin' at?"

"Have you heard from Brett?" Cheyenne asked.

Linc's eyebrow dipped. "I'm not his mom. "

Hadley sighed. "He's fine. He came by earlier to get some things for Thea."

"Is she okay?" Cheyenne asked.

"He seemed to think she'd be better soon. I didn't ask how bad off she was."

Vera wiped her hands down her apron and sighed. "That girl was too good for what she was born into. She was the only good one of them, and last I heard she disappeared after her dad was killed."

"Well, she sure made a comeback," Blake said. "That's one way to say welcome home."

"Jess was mad that Brett's getting involved with Thea again, but I think Brett's just trying to do right by her," Hadley said.

"He cares. I saw it on his face earlier."

"Yep. He told me the same," Colt said. "He's a goner."

Vera picked up an empty tray from the serving bar and propped it on her hip. "Well, both of them need our prayers. If Thea is back and things are half as bad as they were before she left, then she's in a lot of trouble."

"Agreed." Cheyenne reached her hands out to Blake and Ridge.

"Oh, you mean right now," Ridge said, taking Cheyenne's hand and bowing his head.

Cheyenne's brows raised. "I said we should pray for her. Now is as good a time as any. "

Ridge's grin spread at Cheyenne's words. "I love it when your Southern accent comes out to play."

Cheyenne rolled her eyes, but a smile hid any signs of irritation for her fiancé.

Hadley reached for the men's hands too. Cheyenne and Hadley were both new to prayer, but they'd both dedicated their lives to the Lord before Christmas. It was amazing how much hope came with handing over faith to God. It had gotten Cheyenne and Hadley through some tough times with their mom, and Thea needed a host of prayers behind her now too.

Cheyenne bowed her head. "Lord, we don't know what Brett and Thea need right now, but we pray that Your guiding hand would show in their lives. Help us to help our friends, and we pray for healing for Thea and whatever hurts are left between their families. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen."

Vera stepped around the serving counter to wrap Cheyenne in a hug. "You're a good woman. You too, Hadley. I'm so glad you ended up here."

"You and me both," Cheyenne and Hadley said in unison. They fell into a fit of laughter before picking up plates at the end of the bar.

Hadley bumped her sister's arm as they lined up for food. "Hey, can we get together later to talk about the wedding? I have a few questions."

Ridge and Cheyenne's wedding would be the first one Hadley had ever even attended, much less been a part of. Getting thrown into maid of honor duties was a little overwhelming when she had no idea what to expect.

"Sure. I'll see if Everly and Linda can meet us after supper."

Everly and Linda were the event planners at the ranch, and they were throwing Ridge and Cheyenne's mega wedding together in record time. With Ridge being a former NFL player and Cheyenne's dad having retired from the NFL, there were many big-name connections between the two families. No doubt the ranch would be welcoming some celebrities soon.

With her after-supper plans settled, Hadley's thoughts drifted back to Brett and Thea. Did she really not have anyone she could trust? Was her family so bad that they would have done this to her?

The more Hadley picked at her food, the more she was sure Thea needed a friend. It was a dangerous situation, but Hadley couldn't sit around knowing Thea was alone.

She wasn't truly alone. Brett was with her.

Hadley pulled her phone out of her pocket and texted Brett.

Hadley: How is Thea? Do you need anything?

Brett: She's doing better. Can I call you in ten?

Hadley sent back a quick yes and tucked her phone into her pocket. She stood with her plate and headed toward the trash. "I guess I need to see if Jess needs help at the stables. Let me know when Everly and Linda are available to talk."

"Will do," Cheyenne said with a wave over her shoulder.

Instead of going directly to the stables, Hadley sat in her car until Brett called. Without any idea what he wanted to talk about, she wanted to have the conversation without an audience.

"Hey. How are ya?" Hadley answered the call.

"Been better. I haven't slept much since we got here, so I'm runnin' on fumes."

"What do you need?"

"It's kind of a big thing to ask, so feel free to say no."

"Just spit it out," Hadley demanded.

"Thea has been living in Alabama for the last five years. Basically, hiding from her family. She'll be released tomorrow, but she can't fly yet. I don't think she can take a road trip either since her leg is so swollen." Brett sighed. "Basically, she needs a place to stay–hidden–until she heals enough to get back to Alabama."

"She can stay with me."

The words just came out. Hadley didn't even take a second to think about her response. She'd held hands with her friends half an hour ago and asked the Lord to let her know how to help.

This was how she was meant to help. She knew it in her bones .

"There's more you need to know before you make a decision."

"I'd love to hear it, but if Thea needs a place to stay, she's welcome at my cabin."

Brett was silent for a moment. "I knew you'd say that, but I still have to tell you what's going on."

"Then spit it out."

"Long story short. Mine and Thea's families hate each other. There were some murders a few years ago. I was a suspect in the murder of her dad, but I didn't do it. My uncle, Mark, was found guilty, and he's still in prison."

Hadley expected that part of the story from what she'd heard at supper, and surely there was plenty more. "What part did Thea have in it?"

"None. She's an awesome woman, and she couldn't hurt a fly. She didn't deserve any of this."

"Who did this to her?"

"Probably her uncle and cousin, if I had my guess. That's what her brother thinks too."

"Thea has a brother? Is he there with her?" Hadley asked.

"He's been in and out when he can get away from work. I'm pretty sure he can be trusted, at least when it comes to taking care of Thea. He wouldn't hurt her, but the rest of them definitely would."

At least Thea had someone. That was a balm to Hadley's aching heart.

"When will she be here? "

"Probably discharging in the morning."

"Okay, I'll be ready."

"And listen, we can't tell anyone she's with you. The people at the ranch can know, but we can't tell another soul."

"My lips are sealed," Hadley promised.

Hopefully, she hadn't just sealed her fate, too.