Page 42 of Honey Be Mine
Dane glanced at him, trying not to grin. “So that article hasn’t given you so much female attention that it’s given you a big head and distracted you from doing your job?”
Everett laughed. “Right.” He shook his head and kept on laughing.
“I told you.” Dane nudged Tansy back. “He’s not upset.”
“I’m glad.” But Tansy looked relieved.
“I don’t understand why she’s taking aim at you. You’re trying to help everyone.” Rosemary crossed her arms over her chest, clearly upset. “What can she possibly gain by spreading negative rumors about you?”
“Entertainment?” Everett shrugged. “Don’t let her get you worked up, Rosebud. She’s not worth your time.” He picked up his burger again. “She’s upset because she wants me, or someone, to find out who’s responsible for this whole paintball mess. As much as I’d like to be the one to figure that out, the county parks and recreation director has no jurisdiction in any of this. None. Zip. For some reason, I’m just the guy everyone calls.”
“Because everyone knows you’re the reliable one.” There was a V between Rosebud’s brows and starch to her voice as she added, “They take you for granted—that you’ll fix it.”
And she was upset.Well, hell.Everett covered his grin by taking another bite of burger.
“Like you always do.” Jenny nodded.
“And there’s all the mayor talk,” Tansy pointed out.
“Fine. Y’all have convinced me. I’ll stop being so reliable.” He tried to tease, wanting to lighten the mood. “And I’m not doing anything for anyone anymore.”
“Right. You’re not wired that way, Everett.” But at least Rosebud was smiling now. “If someone asked you for help, you’d help. Even when you’re exhausted—like now. And we all know it.”
One minute she was defending him. The next she was worrying over him. Everett took a big bite of his burger so he didn’t have to answer.
It was Gramma Dot’s snore that broke the silence.
“Naptime,” Jenny whispered. “She was almost asleep when Dane brought in those burgers. She loves a good burger.”
Gramma Dot was out cold. Her head nodding back and her mouth hanging open.
“I could go for a nap.” Dane patted his stomach. “That was a filling lunch.”
“Tough.” Tansy started picking up the trash. “We have to go back into town. You want to ride with us, Rose?”
“Sure.” She helped Tansy finish cleaning up their lunch mess, glancing his way as she said, “And you can do whatever you need to before heading back.”
“No. I need to go, too.” Everett devoured the rest of his burger in three bites, then stood. “You going to be okay?” he asked Jenny, nodding at their sleeping grandmother.
“The tree isn’t an issue anymore.” She patted his arm. “Something tells me today’s adventure has worn her out. Besides, you have to go, so hold your head high and don’t give Willadeene the upper hand.”
“Willadeene Svoboda is the last of my concerns.” He gave her a quick hug. “But I appreciate you wanting to stand up for me.”
By the time he reached his truck, Dane, Tansy, and Rosebud were already pulling out of the driveway.
It was probably for the best. He could use the drive to sort through all the crap he was struggling with and decide which was his to hold on to. Did he want to be mayor? Was it his responsibility to be point man on the county’s vandalism issue? And what the hell was he doing about Rosebud?
Nothing. He was doing nothing. Starting now, he’d make sure to keep all his Rosemary-centered thoughts and feelings firmly in the friend zone. Because that’s what she was. His friend. Hoping for anything else would only end in heartbreak when she left. His. Not hers.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ROSEMARY’SEYESPOPPEDopen before the sun was up. But really, she hadn’t slept much. Yesterday had... Well, yesterday had been a revelation. Everett’s disconcerting and heartbreaking confession. The overwhelming want and awareness being held in his arms had caused. And the fact that every second of the rest of the day she’d been distracted because ofhim.
From the ghost of his touch on her back to the way he’d looked at her mouth when she’d thought—hoped—he was going to kiss her to how completely unfazed and professional he’d remained for the rest of the city watch training. He’d been fine while her mind had been all over the place.
She tiptoed around the house, made herself a cup of coffee, and enjoyed it on the porch. There was something about watching the world come alive. The long fingers of sunlight reaching up along the horizon to spread and blur into a canvas of cornflower blue and drifting fluffy white clouds. The crickets’ nighttime serenade replaced by a variety of birdsong. She smiled as she sipped her coffee, appreciating the gusto with which the birds greeted this new day.
That’s how I’m going to embrace the morning.Happy and upbeat and full of hope. Honestly, in the week since she’d been home, so much good had happened. Had it only been a week? She counted back through the days. Okay, nine days, but still.
