Page 31 of Honey Be Mine
The only thing she’d ever felt that passionate about was bees. With the exception of two fellow bee enthusiasts who wound up preferring the bees to her, her dating life was mostly first dates. There’d never been a time when she’d had to worry about hard feelings or broken hearts. She’d been too busy looking for that “big thing” Poppa Tom was so certain she was destined for. The big thing she’d been expected to chase down since she was a little girl.
What is it, Poppa Tom? What am I meant to be doing? Why can’t I settle for a littler thing and just...be happy?
And she was happy. At least, she was getting there. She was happier being home. She was happier because she wasn’t alone. But as she peered around the table of blissful couples, she realized she did want more. Maybe? After she figured her life out.
Eventually, Silas Baldwin and Nicole took the other seats at the table. While Nicole’s brand-new rainbow highlights caught everyone’s attention, conversation soon turned to the known details of the latest vandalism in Rose Prairie.
“They targeted the gym and the field house at the high school. Every window was covered in paint. Doors, too,” Silas Baldwin said. “And it was the oldest shop on Main Street. The window already had a crack in it, so that plus age is probably why there was such damage.”
Dane’s brow creased with concern. “Still, they’d have to shoot from pretty close range to get the whole window to shatter like that.”
“And there wasn’t any video surveillance?” Charlie frowned.
“I got some installed as soon as we had the town meeting.” Nicole shook her head. “I figure it might not deter these paintball idiots, but it might stop Willadeene from getting into the petty cash again.”
Silas chuckled. “She’s something.”
“If by something you mean manipulative, guilt-mongering, gossip-spreading, pot-stirring, or anything along those lines?” Nicole’s brows rose, waiting for his answer.
“Well.” Silas pulled at the collar of his shirt as he flushed a mild red. “Yes?”
That caused everyone at the table to laugh.
“What is she wearing?” Tansy’s eyes went round, her focus on the back of the room.
All heads pivoted in the direction she was looking.
Libby Owens-Baldwin was replenishing the coffee station. How she managed to do anything with such long red nails was a marvel to Rosemary. But Libby didn’t seem to have any problems stacking the paper cups or putting more creamer and sweetener packets in their respective baskets.
But Tansy wasn’t referring to Libby’s nails—she was referring to Libby’s barely-there black skirt. It was terrifyingly short. So short, Rosemary held her breath when Libby stretched across the table for more napkins. She wasn’t the only one that noticed, either. At least half the room had stopped what they were doing to watch Libby work.
“Are you okay, Silas?” Kerrielynn’s tone was hostile. “I can tell her to leave.”
“I’m fine, little sis.” Silas’s voice was calm and gentle. “It’s been four months.”
Oh, right.There were at least ten years between Kerrielynn and her brother, but it was clear they were devoted siblings. Rosemary glanced at the man that had once been married to Libby. He seemed, on the outside, relatively unscathed. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was a little more scarred on the inside.
“You deserve better, Silas.” Nicole’s smile was gentle. “You’re one of the good ones.”
“See, I’m not the only one who thinks so.” Kerrielynn nudged him. “But I can still tell her to leave. Leif will totally back me up.” She glanced at Leif who, with a mouth full of food, nodded.
“Warning, Willadeene has entered the building.” Nicole sighed, all sarcasm as she added, “Let the fun begin.”
WilladeeneandEverett. From the looks of it, she was giving him an earful.Poor Everett.There was an air of impatience about him, she could feel it. When he paused, his gaze swept the room—and collided with hers. Willadeene was still going at him, so Rosemary mouthed, “Hi,” and lifted a thumbs-up in encouragement.
He grinned, the corners of his brown eyes crinkling. As far as smiles went, Everett had one of the best.
Willadeene said something that had him sighing, rolling his eyes, and facing the older woman—but not before Rosemary realized how frazzled he was. There were dark smudges under his eyes and a light stubble along his angled jaw—a jaw that was now clenched tight. Finally, Willadeene stopped ranting and leveled him with a narrow-eyed glare. Everett nodded, but didn’t say a word.
Poor Everett.
That was when Libby stepped forward, inserting herself between Willadeene and Everett, and the entire room went silent.
“Miss Owens.” Willadeene’s head-to-toe inspection was blistering. “It seems you’ve forgotten your pants.”
Rosemary wasn’t the only one who gasped.
“Why wear pants when you’ve got legs like mine?” Libby shrugged. “I’m always a bear when I haven’t had my morning coffee. I can make you a cup, if that will help?”
