LITMIR.BIZ

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she had to work herself nearly to death over the next two months to have enough money to get by while Ariel was gone, then she would damn well do that.

      She would do whatever she had to in order to be able to live a normal life with her child.

      “I know you don’t like to talk about this, but what about contacting Mason’s father?”

      Hayley didn’t even hesitate. “Not an option.”

      Ariel rolled her eyes. “You know I don’t believe that nonsense about Mason’s father being ‘unknown’ like you put on the birth certificate. There’s no way you had some sort of one-night stand and didn’t know the guy’s name.”

      Hayley shrugged. “Yeah, well, we all make mistakes.”

      Cain Bennett had been hers.

      All too soon it was time for Hayley to get back to the Bluewater. Ariel and Mason came inside to get Mason’s normal scoop of Wednesday ice cream in the last few minutes Hayley had of her break.

      Mason sat next to her in the booth and told about his friend he met at the play area.

      “He came over and showed me his red car. Let me play with it,” Mason said between bites.

      Hayley reached over and kissed the top of his head. “Sounds like a pretty good friend you made there, buddy.”

      Mason moved on to talk about his favorite toys at preschool while Ariel and Hayley listened attentively.

      Thank God Mason had taken to Hayley’s presence in his life with such acceptance, that Ariel had constantly shown him pictures of Hayley and had referred to Hayley as his mom, had brought him for visitation in prison when she could. She and Ariel had done their best to make the transition natural and nondramatic. At first Hayley had just come over every day and gotten to know Mason. Two weeks later she moved in to the small apartment with them.

      Hayley knew Mason loved her and that was all that mattered. When it came time for Ariel to go off to school it would be hard, but by then he would be even more comfortable with Hayley.

      She saw Timothy looking over at her and then pointing at his watch. Hayley let out a sigh.

      “Okeydoke guys, I’ve got to get back to work.” Hayley stood up as Mason finished his last bite.

      “I’m going to get this sugar-infested rug rat back home.” Ariel smiled.

      “I’ll hopefully be getting off work at around seven thirty, so maybe I’ll make it home in time for a bath and some book reading.”

      When Mason’s face lit up at her words, Hayley knew she would do whatever necessary to make it happen.

      “I love it when you read me books! The fire truck book! The big banana book! The green ham and eggs book!” He bounced up and down on the seat, and she knew if she’d allowed him to stand on it, he’d be jumping with his excitement.

      “All of them, little man, I promise. Okay?” Hayley laughed and reached down and scooped Mason up in her arms, hugging him probably a little too tightly.

      “You squeezeded me!” Mason squealed, but hugged her back.

      He’d always hugged her back. Hayley was oh so grateful that he’d never turned away from her, even at the beginning. She’d like to think it was because it was his child’s heart responding to her mother’s heart.

      But it was probably just because he was a good kid and didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

      Hayley set Mason on the ground after giving him a loud kiss. “Get the books out and be ready. I’ll see you tonight.”

      She watched as Mason took Ariel’s hand and they walked out the door.

      “That was an hour and six minutes, Hayley.” Timothy had made his way over while she watched them leave.

      Hayley turned back to the table to pick up the glasses and silverware. “Don’t worry, Timothy, I will make sure I get all my work done.”

      “I agreed to this break every day, but now I’m thinking you’re trying to take advantage of it.”

      Hayley managed to refrain from rolling her eyes. Barely. “It was six extra minutes. There’s hardly anybody in the restaurant and I have plenty of time to get everything done before the dinner rush starts.”

      “Well, I just don’t want six extra minutes to turn into ten extra minutes to turn into thirty extra minutes. After all, we did do you a big favor by hiring you here.”

      Hayley didn’t argue, just continued to clear off the table. Timothy Smittle was getting her labor at less cost than he would have to pay others. She was doing the work of two people and barely getting paid one person’s salary.

      But she didn’t have any other choice, so she would keep her opinions and her arguments to herself. This was temporary. Mason was forever. Whatever she had to do to reestablish herself, to be prepared to take care of him in any situation, she would do it.

      “Someone is coming in the door right now. All the waitresses are on break, so I’ll seat him and you take his order. But don’t do anything having to do with money. I’ll give him his check after.”

      And keep the tip for himself, no doubt.

      Hayley let out a weary sigh. “Fine, Timothy. Just let me go get my apron on and I’ll take his order.”

      Hayley refused to let the exhaustion overwhelm her, even though she felt it much more now that Mason was gone. She would work hard, get through the shift and get home to her baby.

      She grabbed a glass of water for the table where she needed to take the order. She was almost there, pulling her friendly facade over her features, when she looked up at the restaurant guest.

      The water slipped out of her numb fingers and shattered as it hit the hardwood floor.

      Cain Bennett.

      Her eyes ran over his face. Not much had changed in the four years since she’d last seen him. His forceful chin and chiseled jaw were still completed by broad cheekbones, five-o’clock shadow already clear on them even at this early hour. His dark hair was still cut short, but with that rebellious curl that tended to fall across his forehead.

      Those same green eyes with flecks of brown were now full of concern as he stood, staring at her. Cain hadn’t just happened to walk into this restaurant. He was here specifically looking for her.

      Under no circumstance could this possibly be good.

       Chapter Three

      Cain approached Hayley slowly, both arms outstretched. Not unlike how he had approached traumatized victims in the past.

      Because that’s exactly how Hayley looked: traumatized. Hell, she hadn’t looked this drained even in court four years ago.

      Now her brown eyes had shadows under them, outlining an obvious exhaustion. She looked like she could gain another ten pounds and still be a little underweight.

      And she was staring at him with something akin to terror in her eyes.

      Cain hadn’t expected her to be happy to see him, but neither had he expected her to look like she was carrying the world’s weight on her shoulders. A sort of panic itched at his gut.

      He took a step closer. She took a step back.

      “Hayley, what the heck happened?” The manager rushed out from the back. “Get something to clean that up.”

      The man turned and faced Cain. “We’re so sorry about this. I’ll get you another—Cain? Cain Bennett?”

      Cain dragged his eyes away from Hayley to look at the man who knew his name. “Yes?”

      “It’s Timothy Smittle. We went to high school

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