Page 49 of Honey Be Mine
“What happened with Jed?” Rosebud paused, a bite of cinnamon roll halfway to her mouth.
Tansy shrugged. “Dane said they had some sort of run-in after we left.”
Everett shot a look at Dane. He got that he shared stuff with Tansy but why this? “That might have been partly my fault.” If he hadn’t turned a suspicious eye on the Dwyer boys, Jed wouldn’t have gone at him that way. Once the meeting had adjourned, Jed had made sure Everett knew how displeased he was by the rumors that his boys were involved with the vandalism. He also warned Everett to be careful of what he said and did when it came to his boys. If Everett made it hard on his boys, Jed would make sure it was doubly so for Everett. “But everything will be fine.”
“Astrid, can you bring the baby up to school for show-and-tell?” Nova asked. “Show them where the baby is growing in your tummy.”
That caused a ripple of laughter from everyone at the table.
Everett chuckled, too, reaching for his cup of coffee—when Rosebud’s hand rested on his forearm. He didn’t like seeing the concern on her face. And yet, he liked knowing she cared about him. A lot. Maybe too much. “It’s all good, Rosebud,” he whispered. He took a deep breath, unable to ignore the sudden pressure in his chest at the way she smiled up at him.
“I’ve been thinking.” She took a deep breath, her voice so low he had to lean closer to hear her. “If the offer still stands, I’d like to accept the job.”
This was good news. But he was panicking. Working with Rosebud on an almost daily basis shouldn’t test his friend-zone plan. At all. So why was he already worrying about it?
“Unless you’ve found someone else?” She nibbled on her lower lip as she studied his face.
Don’t even think about her lips. Or stare at her mouth. Breathe and say something.“No...the position is open.” He might not be looking at her mouth, but it was taking a lot of effort not to. “I don’t want you to feel pressured. Or do this because you’re worried about me.” As much as he needed help, was this wise?
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about you, Everett. I do want to help.” Her smile was tentative. “But I think, maybe, this could be a fun job. Even if it is temporary. Chances are you’ll find someone who is better with people than I am.” She shrugged. “Until then, I think I could be good at it—even being as people-phobic as I am.”
He chuckled. “People-phobic?” She might think she wasn’t good with people, but he didn’t know a single person that didn’t like her. “Is that a term?”
“I don’t know. If it’s not, it should be.” She blew a strand of hair from her face. “What do you think? Do you still want me?”
Well, damn.That was the problem. He did want her. “Yes.” For the job, too.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” She lit up, tapping her spoon against her glass of orange juice until all eyes turned her way. “I have an announcement.” She looked so damn happy. “Until Everett can find a permanent replacement, I’m taking Lorna’s old job—with Everett.”
Astrid clapped, Tansy cheered, and the whole table erupted into congratulations and excitement.
It was a good thing. Hedidneed the help. Rosebud was reliable and smart and would move heaven and earth to be the best at whatever she did. That was just who she was.
He didn’t miss that she’d said it was temporary but...well, there was a chance she’d fall so in love with the job that she’d have no reason to leave. And if she stayed? Well, that changed things. Or did it?
He ran a hand along the back of his neck, feeling a fool. It hadn’t even been one day into this new, streamlined, hyperfocused plan of his, and he was already failing. Epically.
DOTTAGGERTSATshelling peas at the kitchen table. She listened as her granddaughter, Jenny, carried on about the fella she was seeing. Until the boy put a ring on Jenny’s finger, Dot wasn’t too keen on getting attached to the young man. Besides, he hadn’t even bothered to come by the place and meet Leland. It might be an old-fashioned notion, but Dot felt strongly about a young man showing enough respect to meet a girl’s father—especially if he was interested in serious courting.
Not that anyone asked me.
“Is Everett coming for dinner?” Leland asked, peering over the top of his newspaper at Violet. “It’d be nice to have us all around the table.”
“Why don’t you give him a call? If you asked him, I bet he’d come.” Violet’s smile was sweet.
Dot was mighty pleased with the way her Leland and Violet talked to one another. She liked to think she and Albie had set a good example, but there was no way of knowing. All that mattered was her son was happy, her grandchildren had been brought up to be good hardworking people, and they were a loyal and supportive family. That was enough to make any mother proud. And she was.
“All right, I’ll do that.” Leland set aside his paper and took the phone Jenny handed him.
Thankfully, Leland hadn’t turned in the old landline phone for one of those fancy calculator-size phones all the young people were carrying around in their pockets. They made an awful racket—and never stopped. If Everett tossed his singing phone, she suspected it’d make his life less complicated.
“Son,” Leland said into the phone. “Where are you?” There was a long pause. “Ah, well, that explains the noise. Sounds like a good reason to celebrate.” He chuckled. “Your ma and I were hoping you’d make it to dinner?” He nodded. “Good. That’s good. I love you, too.” He stood and returned the phone to its cradle. “He’ll be here.”
“What and where is he celebrating?” Jenny asked the question before Dot could.
Her son’s smile was delighted. “He’s with the Hills. It seems Rosemary’s agreed to take Lorna’s job.” He hooked his thumbs into his belt loops and rocked up onto his heels.
Dot couldn’t help but grin. A look at Violet, then Jenny assured her they were all feeling the same thing. “That is good news.”
