Page 83 of Honey Be Mine
He frowned when his phone started ringing and Robbie Contreras’s number popped up.
“Everett here.”
“Everett. You free for lunch?” Robbie wasn’t one to mince words. “Got a few things I wanted to run by you.”
By now, Everett was getting familiar with this tactic. Whenever Robbie wanted torun something by him, it meant he’d later expect Everett to do whatever it was. But Everett was done carrying so much extra weight. That was all going to change—starting today. “I could do lunch, if you’re paying.”
Robbie chuckled. “Deal. Meet you at Delaney’s in ten minutes.”
“I’ll be there.” He disconnected.
“Knock, knock.” Libby leaned in. “Hey, boss, I’ve gotten some phone calls and emails about you and some children’s book? Would you know what that’s about?”
He nodded. That video had said everything he couldn’t—and shouldn’t. Every time his gaze had shifted to Rosebud, the look on his face had been pure adoration. The way Dane looked at Tansy or Charlie at Astrid. He’d stared at his own image, calling himself a fool, then spent a good half hour scrolling through the other videos and pictures.
“Want to clue me in?” She stepped into the office and closed the door behind her.
“Kerrielynn Baldwin posted a bunch of stuff this weekend from the beekeeping convention. It’s all for some school assignment. One of them has me reading a book to Nova Driver.”
“How sweet is that.” She smiled. “Look at you, blowing up the internet. Are you trying to get famous or something?”
“No, ma’am.” If anything, Kerrielynn’s posts had showed all the selfish things he’d done over the weekend. Most of them had to do with Rosebud. He’d showed off a book she’d intended only for her family. He’d encouraged her to do that panel with James Voigt without ensuring it was something she wanted to do. Then there was the whole kissing her and lying to her and ripping his own damn heart out of his chest so she could be happy and there was no risk to their friendship.
“Earth to Everett?” Libby waved her hand in front of his face. “You’re beginning to worry me with the way you check out like that.”
“I’ve got a lot on my mind, Libby.” Namely, all the ways he’d been a jackass.
She sat on the edge of his desk, crossing her long legs and smoothing her short denim skirt in place. “Is there anything I can do? As your secretary? Or your friend?”
He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to meet with the mayor.” He pushed his chair back and stood.
“Off to do important things, I’m sure.” She slipped off his desk and stepped forward. “Your tie is crooked.” She straightened it, smiling up at him. “There.” She patted his chest and stepped back. “About these emails and phone calls. Can they buy this book online?”
“No.” He tucked his phone into his pocket. “Rosebud—Rosemary wrote it, and as far as I know, she has no plans to sell it.”
“Rosemary wrote a book?” Her tone was oddly insulting. “Is there anything she can’t do?”
It wasn’t the first time he’d sensed Libby’s hostility toward Rosebud. “You two not getting along?” As far as he knew, they had only exchanged a few words.
“We’re fine.” Libby’s smile was forced. “I mean, she’s been much nicer to me now. Almost friendly.”
He hesitated. There was more going on here, he could feel it. If he didn’t have to go meet Robbie, he’d find out what exactly that was. Since he did, it would have to wait. “I’ll be back in an hour or so. Feel free to take your lunch.”
“Will do, thanks, boss.”
Everett headed to Delaney’s with a purpose. And while Robbie Contreras wasn’t thrilled to learn that Everett wasn’t interested in running for mayor, he certainly understood. He was less understanding when Everett pushed back the additional responsibility Robbie tried to give him. It wasn’t his job to oversee the city watch program, that was something the mayor or city council should manage. It was a city program, he reminded Robbie, not a county program. By the time they finished their lunch, Robbie’s mood had dampened while Everett felt ten times lighter.
Which was a good thing since he had to spend the rest of the afternoon finalizing his next year’s budget proposal and get it in for approval before the end of the day.
He turned the budget in before five, then tried to wrap up as many loose ends as he could. When he glanced at his clock, it was six forty-five. The gardening club would be ending soon. He hung his tie and sport coat on the coatrack in the corner and headed outside.
There was a surprisingly brisk, almost cold breeze. The sun was low, leaving the sky streaked with red and pinks and long flat blue-gray clouds. It was one of those rare almost-fall days. He took a deep breath and scanned the crowded courthouse lawn.
He didn’t see Rosebud or her dark red hair. But he’d seen enough of her in his dreams. He did spy his grandmother on the edge of a flower bed on the far side of the lawn.
“Heavens to Betsy, Everett. I didn’t know there were so many senior citizens interested in gardening in Lewis County.” Gramma Dot sat on a folded towel. She wore flowered gardening gloves and a matching apron. “I’m pooped. Give me a hand?”
“I can do that. Have fun?” Everett asked, inspecting the flower bed. “It sure looks pretty.”
