Page 93 of Honey Be Mine
It played in slow motion. Horrible at first, then wonderful. From there, it only got better. Every word. Every action. It was more than Rosemary could have hoped for. By the time Libby stormed out of Delaney’s, Rosemary had sunk back into her chair—her legs had gone all wobbly and her chest—her heart—was so full.
“Wow.” Astrid sat down beside her. “First he saves Honey, then he tells Libby off...”
He is amazing.She’d always known that.
Tansy spoke with a sort of awe. “Everett Taggert is—”
Mine.This was a new development.
“A badass,” Leif finished, smiling. “Now, come on. We’re going to be late.” He grabbed Kerrielynn’s hand.
“Wait.” Rosemary hopped up, hugging them both. “I’m sorry if I snapped. I was...scared to see what might happen there.” She’d been so certain things would play out differently. But they hadn’t. And she couldn’t stop smiling. “Thank you. Both of you. I mean it... This means more than you know.”
“Idoknow.” Kerrielynn grinned. “That’s why we came out here.” She hugged Rosemary again. “Sending the video to you,” she called out as Leif dragged her from the kitchen.
“Holy crap.” Tansy sat, her eyes wide and alert now. “That was... That was...”
Everything.Everything Rosemary could ever have hoped for—and then some.
“Romantic.” Astrid took Rosemary’s hand. “Incredibly romantic.”
Everett. He loves me.And he thought she was leaving. Now all she had to do was tell him she loved him, too. It was that easy. “Why am I so nervous?” she whispered, glancing at her sister.
“When you know you have everything you ever wanted, losing it is more terrifying than ever.” Astrid patted her hand. “But you don’t need to worry about losing Everett, Rose. He has loved you forever.”
“And ever.” Tansy nodded. “And ever.”
Rosemary smiled, her heart thumping along at an abnormally rapid pace. It felt good. No, wonderful. Absolutely blissful. “I’ve got this last page to finish.” She pushed aside the pages until she found the sheet of watercolor paper with the unfinished image. “He’s either going to think this is ridiculous—”
“Pretty sure he’s going to love it,” Tansy interrupted, then said, “And grab you and kiss you.”
“I have to agree with Tansy on that front. Charlie said he could tell how Everett felt about you from the minute he saw the way Everett was looking at you. He said Everett loved you—really loved you. My Charlie is quiet, but he’s become quite emotionally intuitive.”
While her sisters made coffee and chattered on about Everett, Libby, and the whole paintball thing, Rosemary did her best to concentrate. The sooner she was finished, the sooner she could go to him.
It didn’t need to be too detailed, it just had to feel right. She added a few more touches to the two bees. One wore a detailed and intricate crown, the other was heavier and tall, and the effect made her smile. She added six last words and sat back, her fingers shaking.
“Looks like we have a full house.” Shelby came in with Bea on her hip.
“Oh, little Bea, we have so much to catch you and your mommy up on.” Tansy poured a cup of coffee.
“It has been quite a morning,” Astrid gushed. “AndI’m not nauseous.”
“Hold on, everyone else is on the way.” Shelby nodded at the kitchen door.
While Rosemary searched for a pen and paper, her aunts, Van, and Roman came into the kitchen. She had no doubt her sisters would tell them everything, so she’d let them. She slammed the drawer and opened another. “Found it,” she murmured, the pen flying over the paper. It was short and direct and professional. She skimmed over the words, folded it, and tucked it into an envelope. When she turned, all eyes were on her. “Good morning.” She couldn’t stop smiling.
“It would appear to be a very good morning.” Aunt Mags was reading over the pages on the table. “This is lovely, Rose.”
“It certainly is.” Aunt Camellia was still reading. “Van, look.”
“I see.” Van chuckled. “You’re going to make Everett the happiest man in Honey today, Rosemary. I’m happy for you both.”
Rosemary’s throat was too tight to answer, so she nodded.
Roman nodded, clearing his throat. “If this was for me, I’m not sure I’d be able to stay dry-eyed.”
“You cry?” Aunt Mags turned, her brows high.
