tall, lanky guy wearing jeans and a button-down western shirt. She’d know that unkempt wild hair anywhere. And that goofy smiling face was one she’d never forget.
“Landon.”
“Hey, babe. Bet you’re surprised to see me.”
Surprised was an understatement. “What are you doing here?”
“I stopped at your house but nobody was there.”
Because people actually work for a living. Most people, anyway.
“Yes. I’m at work, as you can see.”
“Yeah. Anyway, I came here to talk to you. Found you on the web. Same salon name.” He looked around. “Pretty nice place.”
She saw all the faces gaping at her. “Let’s step outside.”
He followed her out the back door where they’d set up a small table and chairs under the awning. Hannah stuck her hands in the pockets of her jeans to keep them from shaking, her mind processing a million things Landon could have shown up here for.
Money. A reconciliation. Their son.
Oh, God. Maybe he was moving here to be closer to Oliver. Or did he want to take him back to Georgia with him?
No, no, no. She had custody. That couldn’t happen. Stop panicking.
“What are you doing here, Landon?”
“I came to see my boy. I thought I’d pick him up tomorrow and we could hang out.”
She kept her frustration buried deep. “He has school tomorrow.”
Landon shrugged. “He can miss a day.”
“No, he can’t. Oliver needs structure, and that includes making sure he goes to school every day. If you want to see him, we can make arrangements for Saturday.”
Landon looked down at his feet. Whenever he avoided eye contact, that typically meant bad news. “Well, that’s the thing. You see, I’ve got this great business opportunity, so I’m moving to North Carolina. I’ve gotta get going and I don’t have a lot of time. Got all my stuff in my truck and I’m joinin’ up with a new crew.”
Same old story, just a different state.
“Uh-huh. So you thought you’d do a one-day drive by, mess up your son emotionally by saying hi and bye and blowing on out of his life once again? Come on, Landon. Can’t you see that’s not good for Oliver?”
He gave her a pleading look. “He’s my son, too, Hannah.”
“I know he is. And I know you love him. And because I know that I also know you want what’s best for him. Seeing his dad once or twice a year isn’t what’s best for him.”
She saw the tears well in his eyes. “I miss him. How’s he doing?”
She fought back her own tears, refusing to let Landon manipulate her with his emotional pleas. “I know you miss him. He’s good. He broke his wrist at school a few weeks ago. But he’s got a cast on and he’s handling it great.”
“He did? Aww, poor kid. I’m sure he’s fine. He’s always been tough, like his dad.”
“Yeah. Anyway, tell me about the job in North Carolina.”
“It’s an auto repair store. Nothing too fancy or more than I can handle. It’s a franchise and these guys that are gonna run it with me are really good. They got a head for business. And I’ll handle the mechanical side.”
Nothing she hadn’t heard before. “And you’re sure this one’s on the up-and-up? Do you have the capital to invest?”
He nodded. “I’ve been working for people instead of trying to go out on my own. Got some money saved this time. I’m sure this is gonna work out.”
He toed the gravel, then lifted his gaze to hers. “I met a woman, Hannah. She’s real nice and has her head on straight. Kind of like you. She keeps me on my toes and makes me save my money and tells me when I’m screwing up. She’s finishing up packing her things and she’s gonna drive out next week and meet me up there.”
A new woman in his life. In theory she sounded good and just what he needed. If it was true. And for Landon’s sake, she hoped it was. “Good. I’m happy for you, Landon.”
“Thanks. I’m tryin’ to do things right this time. And when I get it all lined out, and I’m workin’ steady and got money in the bank, maybe I can take some time and come visit Oliver.”
This seemed to be a new side to Landon. Thinking things through. Planning for the future instead of just today. Maybe the new woman in his life who was helping him mature had made all the difference.
Maybe. He still had some work to do. And she wouldn’t believe anything until he proved he