Page 116 of Family Jewels

“Rose, you have a lot going on right now. I wasn’t worried. I just thought you might need a reminder.”

“Do you have a moment to chat?”

“Of course!” He gestured into his office, and I took a seat in the chair in front of his desk.

He took the chair next to me and studied my face. “Is everything okay?”

In the past, I’d had multiple informal counseling sessions with Jonah. I’d always trusted his advice, and I could definitely use some wisdom now. I considered going through some pleasantries but decided to cut to the chase. “I had dinner with Maeve last night. While we were there, I asked her about Mason.”

“Oh.”

“She says he likes his new job and that he’s working even more than he did here.” I paused. “But she also said he’d been on at least two dates that she knows of.”

“How did you feel when you heard that?”

“It hurt. A lot. But I feel like I’m ready to move on. I don’t think about him as much. I can go days. I still love him. I think part of me willalwayslove him, but I’m confused. I have feelings for someone else too.”

He was quiet for a moment. “Do you remember when you realized that you had feelings for Mason? You were getting over your breakup with Joe. Part of you still loved him, but you were ready to move on. You decided you didn’t want to be with Joe anymore.” He folded his hands on his leg. “If Mason walked through the door right now and asked you to take him back, would you do it?”

My mouth parted as I gaped at him. I’d never considered that. Would I?

“Rose, I don’t know who you have feelings for, but if you really care about him, you’ll make sure that he’s not second choice. Otherwise, it’s not fair to him.”

Considering James’ reluctance totalkabout us having a relationship, let alone to give it a try, it was probably a moot point. But he was right. I gave him a grin. “How’d you get so smart?”

“After that two-day-old ham on rye I had for an early lunch today, I’m not so sure about my intelligence, but I do know people, and I know their hearts.” He smiled at me. “You have a good heart, Rose. You’re going to be okay.”

I stood. “Thanks, Jonah. You always know the right thing to say.”

When I reached the parking lot, Neely Kate was standing next to a beat-up old car with Newton. Jed was still in his car on the other side of the parking lot, talking on his phone. He shot me a glance that told me he wasn’t happy.

I considered joining Neely Kate, but I needed a few moments to think about what Jonah had asked me. If Mason drove back to town, knocked on my door, and told me that he wanted to be with me again, would I go back to him? It surprised me that I couldn’t immediately say yes. But I couldn’t say no either.

Neely Kate gave Newton a hug, and he got in his car while Neely Kate walked toward my truck. When she got in, she gave me a wicked grin. “Well, that was interesting.”

“Why do you look so happy? That poor man’s brother died.”

“Because I found out all kinds of information about Raddy’s family.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Leah was ticked as all get out that Rayna still had their grandmother’s jewelry after she kicked Raddy out. When she found out her mother had taken it from Rayna, she demanded that Mable give it to her.”

“So did she?”

Neely Kate gave a look that suggested I’d lost my marbles. “Remember? I saw it all in her drawer. Leah went home last week right after Mable picked it up.”

I shook my head. “But that necklace wasn’t part of their grandmother’s collection in the first place.” I gasped. “Raddy told me that he stole the necklace and hid it with the jewelry he gave Rayna. When she wouldn’t return it to him, he nagged Mable until she agreed to get it back. But then Mable wouldn’t hand it over, so he broke in to steal it. But it wasn’t there.”

“So what if Leah did the same thing?” Neely Kate asked. “She’s the type who wouldn’t let a simplenodeter her. I can see her going and getting what she thinks is hers.”

“Why didn’t she take the other jewelry?” Then it hit me. “What if she knew that one necklace was real?”

“How would she know?”

“Maybe Raddy let it slip. Or maybe she was familiar with her grandmother’s showpieces and realized it wasn’t one of them. She might have taken it to see how much it was worth.”

My phone rang with an unknown number. Neely Kate and I exchanged a look, and she nodded. I answered, putting it on speakerphone.

---