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As a part of her parole she wasn’t allowed to go anywhere near a computer. The anklet she couldn’t remove ensured she had no interaction with a computer that lasted longer than two minutes every six hours. Not even social media. Although maybe she could manage a tweet in under two minutes.
It was a prototype. She should probably feel honored that she was one of the first batch of cyber criminals it was being tested on. This was what happened when you were part of a high-profile crime that even grabbed the attention of US senators. Everybody wanted to make sure you didn’t do it again.
Hayley had to admit her fingers itched for a keyboard. She yearned to get back into a world that involved no dishes or people like Smittle. She had a gift. When it came to computers and coding, she knew she had a gift.
Too bad she had let those gifts get her in trouble and cut her off from what could’ve been a very comfortable future. No one to blame but herself for that.
Well, maybe someone else to blame. But she didn’t expect she would ever see Cain Bennett again, so there was no point in targeting any anger toward him.
She rubbed at an ache in the general vicinity of her heart at the thought of Cain. Then cursed herself not only for getting her shirt damp with her wet fingers, but for even thinking about him at all.
Plus, being away from computers was what was keeping her safe right now. As long as she couldn’t go near a computer, she was not a threat to the people behind the situation that had led to her arrest and going to jail. Once they knew she could get near a computer and had the ability to trace their identities, Hayley had no doubt her life would become much more complicated.
But she couldn’t touch a computer for another two years at least, so she would run screaming over that bridge when she got to it. She had more than enough trouble to deal with today.
Which led to her most important blessing. She could hear him entering the restaurant right now, even from the back.
“Mama Hay-lay!”
Hayley dried her hands on her apron and ripped it off, dropping it next to the dishwasher. She walked out into the front of the restaurant, strolling by Timothy without even pausing.
“I’m taking my hour break.”
Timothy didn’t argue. It was the one measure Hayley had demanded when she came to work here. That she would be given a break once a day, during the lull in the afternoon, when her cousin Ariel came by with little Mason.
Mason, Hayley’s three-and-a-half-year-old son.
She grabbed Mason up in a hug, tickling him, breathing in his scent that meant so much to her, that calmed her and the tight spot inside her that grew whenever they were apart.
She and her son were together. They were both healthy, they were both happy, they were both free. A piece of paper signed while Hayley was in prison had made Ariel Mason’s legal guardian hours after his birth, but her cousin had made sure that Mason always knew Hayley was his mom.
Hayley wrapped her arm around Ariel also. “Hey, coz. Thanks again.”
Hayley knew it had to be difficult for Ariel to get Mason here every day. They were trying to figure out exactly how to transition him back from Ariel’s care to Hayley’s with as little trauma as possible for Mason.
“No problem. It’s the best part of our day.”
Hayley’s cousin had been a godsend. Hayley honestly had no idea what she would’ve done if it hadn’t been for Ariel’s willingness to care for Mason while Hayley was still incarcerated. He’d be a ward of the state otherwise.
Because there was no way in hell she would’ve told Cain he had a son. He’d made it very clear how little he thought of her when he’d used sex between them just to further his career by arresting her.
“It’s raining outside, so do you want to go to the mall play area, champ?”
Little Mason nodded his head vigorously. “Yeah yeah yeah.”
The drive to the mall took less than five minutes and soon they were watching Mason run around the enclosed area for children, made of soft foam material shaped like cars and rocket ships. It was one of Mason’s favorite places to go.
Mason took after her—slender build, sandy-blond hair, and a zest for life that unfortunately had been driven out of her in prison. Hayley loved seeing the energy in Mason, and that energy fed her soul, especially on days when work seemed never ending.
“I know I sound like a broken record,” Ariel said, taking a sip of the coffee she had picked up in the food court. “But you look exhausted.”
Hayley rubbed her eyes and looked at the coffee with jealousy. She’d love to have the caffeine, but food court coffee was out of her budget. She didn’t want to admit how good sitting down for an hour felt. “I’m okay, no need to worry.”
“You’re working twelve-to fourteen-hour days, six days a week. You can’t tell me that’s not taking a toll.”
“It’s not forever. I just want to make sure I’m as financially situated as possible before you leave.”
Ariel took a sip of her coffee and worked to avoid making eye contact with Hayley. “About that... I’ve been thinking that maybe now isn’t the right time. There will be another fellowship next year.”
“No!” Hayley’s tone brooked no refusal. “You’ve given up three years of your life for Mason and me. It’s time for you to go do what you really want.”
That included a full scholarship to Oxford, studying medieval literature for her master’s degree. It was what Ariel had dreamed about her whole life. She’d postponed that dream to take in Mason, but Hayley refused to let her cousin give up any more time than she already had.
Ariel leaned over until her head touched the side of Hayley’s shoulder. “I haven’t given up zilch. If anything, I’ve gained. Mason has been a blessing.”
Hayley leaned her cheek against the top of Ariel’s head. “I’m sure you didn’t think that during middle-of-the-night feedings when he was a newborn.”
Hayley tamped down the heartbreak she still felt at having missed that part of her son’s life. The important thing was that Mason had been cared for by someone who loved him.
“You’re working yourself to the bone to try to make money for when I’m gone. If I applied for next year’s fellowship you’d be in a much better situation.”
Hayley wasn’t just trying to save up money for Ariel’s absence, but she didn’t want to burden her cousin with any of that.
“But we both know they’re not going to offer it to you again if you turn them down this year.” They both watched as Mason ran up over a foam bridge. He’d already met another little boy and girl and was giggling with them both as they ran.
“There are other places I can study. Closer to home, not across the ocean.”
“Ariel, you’ve done your part. I don’t know how I would’ve survived without you. But you need to take care of yourself now. And Mason and I need to get to know each other, on our own. To become a mother and son.”
Hayley had lived in the tiny apartment with Ariel and Mason since she’d gotten out of prison four months ago. Any hours she didn’t spend working she spent with her son. And once Ariel left for Oxford, Hayley wouldn’t be able to work these insane hours. Someone would need to be with Mason after day care, and Hayley planned to be that person.
So if 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 (#uadf18358-466a-5201-840a-a1d1a7a3e0e7)
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 together, remember, man?”
“I’ll go get a mop,” Hayley murmured before turning and almost running into the kitchen.
Timothy hooked a thumb toward Hayley’s retreating form. “And of course, you remember Hayley Green, right? You guys were all hot and heavy back in the day.”
“Of course.” Cain slowly sat back down in the booth, eyes fixed on the door Hayley had exited through.
Timothy slid into the booth across from Cain and lowered his voice even though there was no one else around. “And I guess you heard about the law trouble Hayley got into a few years back. That was after you had already left. She did some time at the Georgia Women’s Correctional.”
Cain just nodded.
