Page 143 of Every Good Thing
Now, watching him disappear behind our bedroom door minutes before he’s due to leave, I feel uneasy. I don’t know why, other than, hello, anxiety.
I distract myself in the kitchen. I place the naked rolls in a pink box before dousing them in my signature cinnamon-brown sugar icing and roasted pecan topping.
“Mom, I don’t have any room for those rolls,” Ruthie declares, rubbing her belly as she pushes it out.
“These aren’t for us. They’re for Dad’s workmates,” I say before explaining to the rest, “He’s interviewing with HR for other positions in law enforcement.”
“Wow, he moves fast,” Cherry says. “But I say, sayonara to Riley Trust.”
“Seconded,” Dot says as Ben enters the living room. “Yo, Ben, I could always use a hand on my truck.”
“Oh, and I’d love a PA,” Cherry grins.
“I bet you’d make a pretty good editor,” Jaye offers, not to be left out, and they all laugh.
Ben smirks. “All good offers, but I’ll pass, thanks.”
He grabs his keys, wallet, and a file folder from Mom’s refinished hutch before heading to the kitchen. He reaches for a travel mug. “Rolls almost ready?”
“Almost.” I drizzle faster.
“Your weird neighbor sent out a text alert yesterday. Did you see it?” Cherry asks, holding up her phone. “To the family and friends of Lena Buckley-Wright… with a picture.”
Ben and I lean in to see us sharing a smiling kiss by the Jeep before heading inside for church yesterday morning. Since Alice Harvey brought Ben into my life in the first place, I can’t be upset with her for publicizing our reunion. I guess.
Ben smiles easily. “Good picture.”
Jaye and Dot crowd around Cherry’s phone as she scrolls through the follow-up messages.
“She also shared a picture from your wedding,” Jaye coos. “Aw, you did it at the tree. How perfect.”
“That was a fun day,” Dot says. “I was the Best Woman—my version of her maid of honor.”
Wedding memories warm me with joy and gratitude, making me beam. Ben’s hand circles my side, and I lean into him.
“You should do more weddings here,” Jaye says. “It’s an incredible venue. I wouldn’t mind getting married here.” A tiny smile creeps up her cheek as Dot turns bright red.
“Um, yeah, weddings make bank, Lena, babe,” Dot recovers. “I picture a gazebo by the pond.”
“Draped in peonies and lilacs,” Cherry chimes in.
“And twinkle lights,” Jaye says, like it’s a game. “To mimic the stars, and—”
“Fireworks,” I say dreamily. Ben’s hand tightens against my waist.
“We’ll happily host your happily-ever-after, Jaye,” I say with a wink, “but not everyone’s. I can’t add another thing to Saddletree’s workload. I’m busy enough already.”
And refuse to let work come between Ben and me again, I think, but don’t say.
Cherry moans. “But Lena, even I love a good wedding. It’d fit your vibe and your new logo.”
“I’m pro-weddings, too. With proper planning, weddings could be high-profit, high-publicity, with minimal work and time… They’re sweet, too,” Ben adds with a light smile.
“I don’t know. I’m setting boundaries. I’m already expanding the groups.”
“Dad loves the groups,” Ruthie says, running her fingertips through the leftover syrup on her plate. “It’s his favorite thing, after us. And the dogs. And the horses. And our bunny friends.”
Ben goes to Ruthie, kissing her forehead before taking a wet towel to her fingers. His green eyes land on mine as he works. “I’ll help if you want to consider it.”
