Page 51 of When It Reins
Rosemary huffs and sits back. “So what are we even doing? She’ll have the news spread to China before I can leave this bakery.”
I smile broadly at her and shrug. “Double the effort, double the outcome.”
“Fine, fine,” she replies, then looks toward the door, where a woman pushing a stroller comes in. “Oh, there she is. Sienna!”
I glance over in surprise. Ah, so the third chair really is for someone.
Standing, I smile politely at the girl. Her red hair is tied back in a braid, and despite how gorgeous she is, the dark circles under her eyes suggest that she is exhausted.
“Hi, I’m Juniper.” I hold out my hand for hers, and she eyes it for a moment before settling her hand in it. I have no idea why she is here or what she is to Rosemary, but she looks like she could use some kindness.
“Sienna,” she says, taking the third seat when Rosemary tells her to. She positions the stroller next to the chair, but the baby inside is covered with the sunshade.
“June, this is Sienna, practically my daughter.” Rosemary beams at the girl and smiles politely when Aveline brings over a third drink.
“Oh, thank you,” Sienna says shyly to Aveline, then looks back at Rosemary. “Better not let Ben hear you say that.”
Rosemary scoffs and throws her hand. “What’s he gonna do to me?”
“Probably throw a fit. He’s good at those.”
I smile in confusion, wondering who they are talking about. It is obvious that they’d spoken on the subject before.
“Sorry, honey.” Rosemary pats my hand. “Ben is my son and Sienna’s best friend.”
“Ex-best friend,” Sienna says. Her voice is strong, but her eyes tell a different story.
“No worries. You don’t need to tell me the nitty gritty.”
“So what is it you wanted to discuss, Rose?” Sienna asks. Her entire demeanor tells me the girl needs a nap and maybe a bottle of wine.
I bet she would go for the nap.
“This is Juniper Weaver. She’s got a good plan that’s going to save Four Foxes.”
I sit up straighter, wondering what my role is when it comes to Sienna.
The girl eyes me skeptically. “Really?”
“She is. We’re going to get a good charity concert going at her bar and then use the proceeds to pay off the tax liens.” Rosemary leans forward, her eyes connecting with Sienna’s, and pats her hand. “Everyone’stax liens.”
Sienna shows some emotion here that makes me wish I knew more about her, about her situation. Because it looks like she could use the help—and maybe a good friend too.
“That…would be great.” She clears her throat, her hand going to her lips as she looks away. “I don’t know how it’s possible, but it would be great.”
I nod my head. “Well, I’ve got a lot of volunteers. I just need to get some extra security for the night and get some more talent involved. The security, I think, can be handled by the Iron Horses.”
Sienna snorts. “Don’t count on it.”
I keep my expression neutral, wondering why she is not a fan of the MC and knowing it’s none of my business. That isn’t an uncommon comment for people to make, especially people who don’t know them very well.
Rosemary surprises me by saying, “Now, those are good boys over there. They just have a wild streak.”
“I’m actually dating Hero, so I know they’ll help me out. They work shifts at the bar sometimes when he’s out of town.” Theinformation feels so personal that I nearly blush when it escapes my mouth. I don’t call Mitch by his road name, but I know in that world that’s who he is.
“You’re dating Hero?” Sienna’s question is laced with curiosity. “He’s one of the good ones there.”
I feel my hackles rise slightly, but tell myself to calm down. If there is one thing I know about Mitch, it is that his eyes don’t stray. “He’s the best person I know.”
