Page 85 of Honey Be Mine
“Not really.” Rosebud nibbled on the inside of her lip. “I’ve been busy. With this and the books and Aunt Camellia coming home.”
“Makes sense. I’m sure they’ll wait for you.” He nodded, pondering what that expression meant. After all this time, he still hadn’t figured out how to read her.
Gramma Dot looked back and forth between them. “Well, I’m sure you want to head home and have some time with your family. Please give my love to your aunts, Rosemary.”
“I will.” Rosebud nodded, offering up a little wave. “Good night. Be safe going home.” Her gaze lingered on his a second longer.
“Rosebud.” He pulled his handkerchief from his pocket. “Hold up.” He stepped forward, wiping at the smudge on her cheek. “You got a little dirt right...here.” Another swipe, a little harder. “Gone.”Don’t do it. Don’t do it.He looked down at her, that vise grip clamping down on the contents of his chest tighter than ever.
She blinked, then pressed a hand to her cheek. “Was it on my cheek the whole time?” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Not exactly the professional look I was going for.” She smiled up at him, a pink flush on her cheeks.
He swallowed. “I don’t know about thewholetime.” Dirt or no dirt, she’d still taken his breath away. That was what happened with Rosebud—his reaction to her was instinctual. Knowing that, he needed to be smart and keep some distance between them. Or he’d wind up staring at her and making a fool of himself.Like I’m doing right now.“I should get Gramma Dot home.” He blew out a slow breath. “Night, Rosebud.” He’d no doubt he’d see her later, in his dreams.
“YOUALLRIGHT, EVERETT?” Gramma Dot was worried. Everett had never been one for long silences. He was a talker. So much so, she’d need a few hours of quiet after he’d visit. But he hadn’t said one word since they’d climbed into his truck.
“I’m fine. I’m good.” He glanced at her, his smile pinched. “Long day, is all.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Dot sighed. “You’re too young to be so tired, Everett.”
He chuckled. “Maybe I am.”
“There’s no maybe about it.” She paused, mulling over what to say next. If Albie was here, he’d know what to say without actually saying it. He’d been good at that. Talking around something but getting the point across. She’d never mastered the art of subtlety. “What are you going to do about it?”
He chuckled again. “I think I’m going to go fishing.”
“That’s good.” She studied her grandson. “Albie said fishing helped him clear his mind—and got us a tasty dinner.”
Everett’s smile wavered. “I miss him.”
“Oh, darling boy.” She drew in a quivering breath. “I do, too. So much.”
He reached out and took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
Albie, our boy needs help.And she didn’t know what to do to help. The way she saw it, things were pretty cut-and-dried. Everett wanted Rosemary, and Rosemary wanted Everett. But the two of them were dancing around it.
“Did I ever tell you how Granddad and I almost didn’t get married?” Gramma Dot glanced at Everett.
Everett turned to stare. “What? No.”
“Believe it or not, Granddad didn’t want to marry me and have me become a widow or have to care for a broken man. Vietnam was a hard war—so many men came back changed. Though I don’t suppose there’s such a thing as an easy war?” She shook her head, remembering it like it was yesterday. “I told him he was being ridiculous, but he didn’t budge. He said either one of us might find someone else, and neither of us should feel guilty about that.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “He took my heart with him, of course. He still has it.” She sighed. “I didn’t give up on him. I wrote to him, never expecting a letter in response, until I learned he was coming home.”
“Because he’d lost his hearing?” Everett turned off the main road.
“Deaf in the left ear and not so great in the right.” Dot nodded. “Unless he wore his hearing aid. Then he could hear just fine—unless it was something he didn’t want to hear.” She grinned. “There were times he’d forget them when I suspect he didn’t want to be bothered with other people.” That man had been full of mischief. “Anyway, I was waiting for him on his front porch when he got home. He stepped out of the car, took one look at me, and I thought he was going to cry. I knew then he’d done it because he wanted me to be happy—but I don’t think he ever understood that I’d only truly be happy with him in my life. I stood up and walked over to him and took his hand and that was that. We held hands every day.”
“You did.” Everett nodded.
“Later, he admitted he hadn’t wanted to go off to war worrying about me, but it hadn’t worked, of course.” She knew she was carrying on but hoped he’d listen. “I know you’re taking after Albie, Everett, by trying to put her happiness first. But for all you know, Rosemary is like me—wishing you’d get some sense knocked into your head, wishing you’d see what was right in front of you, take hold of it, and never let go.” She yawned, thankful they were almost home. “I’ve spoken my piece. What you do with it is up to you.”
She squeezed his hand again.I hope I did all right, Albie. I hope you’re smiling down on us both.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“THANKYOU. You guys were such help.” Rosemary locked the supply closet in the basement of the city hall.
“No prob.” Kerrielynn turned, taking in the dim interior. “Plus, this place is creepy-dark down here.”
“Good thing you’ve got a big strong man to protect you.” Leif grabbed her hand.
