Chapter 19: Hailey Out of Her Element

Hailey had known it was a private conversation, but the warmth Noah had used to talk to his mother had been hard to resist. She'd wanted to bask in his tone. He didn't look angry at her for eavesdropping.

He shifted his weight to one leg and leaned on the doorjamb. "Is this how you get your stories?"

He had every right to feel betrayed. She should have backed away when she'd first heard him. "Uh, no. I was lost."

She had been lost. She couldn't find the dining room where dinner supposedly was being served. Noah's face softened. "Yeah, I get it."

"I'm sorry that I overheard part of your conversation," Hailey said.

His conversation, the way he spoke to his mother, meant he could be a nice guy. He was probably as good a guy as his reputation spoke of. She'd never met anyone like him.

Before she could embarrass herself and say anything Rochester appeared in the hallway. "Dinner is served. If you'll follow me."

Hailey couldn't believe her luck. Noah didn't close the door behind him but p