Page 94 of Honey Be Mine
“There’s no reason a man can’t show his emotions.” Roman shrugged, unbothered by her aunt’s inspection. In fact, he was grinning at her aunt.
“He cried every time we watchedThe Lion KingorOld Yeller.” Shelby nodded, bouncing Bea on her hip.
Aunt Mags smiled. “Both tearjerkers.”
Rosemary didn’t have time to analyze the exchange—not now anyway. She was a woman on a mission. She headed to the table and stacked up the pages. “I should change and get cleaned up.” She placed the stack of papers into the paper box. “I’ll get changed.”
She hadn’t thought she’d invited her aunts and sisters and Shelby up to her room, but they all trailed after her. While she showered, they picked out her outfit. When she was out of the shower, they did her hair and fussed over whether or not she needed makeup.
“I love you all very much.” She stepped out of their reach. “But I need to go. Now.” And with that, they all headed back downstairs.
Roman handed her the paper box, Van the letter, and they all followed her out onto the front porch. She giggled at the sight of them waving her off from the front porch. She turned on the radio, humming along to the music, and tried not to speed as she headed into town.
Main Street seemed especially busy this morning. People were out, sitting on benches, poring over the paper with coffee cups in hand. No doubt reading about the paintball vandals being apprehended. It was such big news, the whole staff of theHill Country Gazettelikely came in early to make sure they got the word out first.
She parked the Honey Hill Farms van along the courthouse lawn and climbed out. Cradling the paper box to her chest, she hurried along the path, into the old building, and down the hall to Everett’s office. Only then did she pause. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
The waiting room was empty. No Libby. No blue eyes full of resentment. It was a nice change.
She reached Everett’s door and knocked.
Nothing. She knocked again but there was no response.
She opened the door and peered inside.
He was leaned back, his head resting on his leather chair with his mouth parted in sleep.
Poor Everett. She slipped inside and closed the door behind her. After the night he’d had, she didn’t feel right disturbing him. But leaving wasn’t an option, either. So she sat, her phone slipping from the pocket of her green dress and hitting the floor with a solid thunk. She winced, frozen, hoping—
“Rosebud?” Everett’s voice was thick.
She glanced up to find him propping himself on one elbow and rubbing his eyes. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You should have.” He shook his head. “I’m at work. I’m pretty sure it’s frowned on to sleep on the job.”
“I’m pretty sure you’ve earned a day off.” Between the fall of his thick dark hair onto his forehead and the dark stubble lining his jaw, he looked extra manly and gorgeous this morning.And he loves me.
His crooked grin was wary. “Guess you heard?”
“Everyone has heard.” Rosemary nodded, smiling. “Congratulations.”
He ran a hand over his face. “I’d be feeling better about it if those kids’ families weren’t so torn up. I don’t think they had any idea what they were doing—not really? I know they need to be stopped and held accountable, but... I feel like a jerk for being the one to make that happen. They’re just kids.” He paused. “Well, I’m not so torn up over Wes Hobart. That kid needs a swift kick in the rear.” He chuckled, his eyes sweeping over her. “You look all dressed up this morning.”
She stood and placed the envelope on the desk in front of him. “First, this.”
He pulled the letter from the envelope, unfolded it, and read. The muscle in his jaw tightened as he nodded. When those brown eyes met hers, the pain in his eyes hit her so hard she was frozen in place and not running to him to tell him she was here because she loved him, like she should.
EVERETTSTAREDATher until he could force the words out. “I was expecting this.” He tapped Rosemary’s resignation letter on his desk. He’d been expecting it, but that didn’t mean it hurt any less. And, boy, did it hurt. Here he thought he’d been prepared, but he wasn’t. The pain rolled over him to lodge in his chest so it could shred what was left of his heart.
“Everett.” Rosebud stood. “Hold on. There’s something else.” She set a paper box on his desk. “I wanted to show you this.”
He stared at the box, doing his damndest to hold it together. “A new book?”
“It’s a little different from the first.” And she sounded excited about it.
“You’re going to have to give me a minute.” He took a deep breath. “I’m not quite awake.” His chuckle was flat—he heard it, and so did she.
“I’ll read it to you, if you’d like?” She scooted her chair closer to the desk.
