Page 13 of Rebel Secrets
Admired was better.People admired the Lawrences for what they’d done for the town.They’d brought the downtown back to life with the addition of the arena and the hockey team.I mean, St.Lawrence wasn’t a thriving metropolis to begin with, but there were still people here who remembered when it’d been more than just another small town with a dying Main Street, decimated by manufacturing closures.
St.David had managed to avoid becoming a ghost town simply through the sheer force of will of the townspeople.And when the Lawrences had arrived with big plans and a large bank account, they hadn’t immediately been accepted.
This town still considered anyone whose grandparents hadn’t been born here visitors.Like me and Granddad.We were still considered outsiders, even though Granddad had moved St.David almost ten years ago and owned the local newspaper.
I don’t think some people even knew my name yet, and I’d been here for almost five years.Then I told myself the people who mattered knew my name.And most of them even liked me.
The first time I’d met Rain, I’d thought,She’s nice, too bad I’m leaving in a few weeks and won’t have time to get to know her.
Of course, I hadn’t left.I’d discovered the place I belonged.And caused a huge rift in my family.Every time I talked to my mom or dad they wanted to know when I was coming home “where I belonged.”My sister thought I was hiding from my broken engagement, and my brother barely talked to me.
I blew out a breath, tamping down my rising anxiety.My mom had never understood how I could be so outgoing and have so much anxiety over everything.Just another one of those things we didn’t see eye-to-eye on.Along with everything else.
Since hyper-focusing on something else usually helped when I started to spiral, I called the number Granddad had left for me on my desk.By the time I got off the phone half an hour later, my face hurt from smiling.
“You look like you’re having a good day.”
The voice from behind me belonged to Tressy, and I jumped up from my chair to give her a hug.
“Hey, what are you doing here?Wait, do we have a meeting?I don’t think I have anything on my calen?—”
“No, no, we’re good.I just stopped at the bakery to get Krista those cookies she loves, and I got Rowdy some, too.The man loves your butter cookies.If he ever leaves me, I’ll know it’s because I don’t bake.”
“That man loves you too much to ever leave you, even if your baking…needs some encouragement.”
Tressy threw back her head and laughed.“That was very diplomatic of you.”Then she shook her head.“I did come here with one delicate situation I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Oh, is something wrong?Do we need to change anything for the wedding?Is someone allergic to something?What?—”
“No, no, no.”She shook her head, her lips twisting in a rueful smile.“Nothing like that.It’s kind of a favor.Well, no, it’s a definite favor.”
“For the wedding?Of course, anything.”
“Hear me out before you say yes.You may tell me to take a flying leap off the water tower.”
“Why would I do that?”
She paused for a breath.“I’d like you to dance with Rebel at the reception.During the wedding party dance.I know it should be my sister since she’s my maid of honor, but she begged me to let her dance with Rocky.I think Rebel frightens her a little.And my sister can be a little, um, flaky?Rain will be dancing with Brian so…
My brain stuttered a little at that.And then it just kind of shut down for a second while it rebooted.Tressy bit her lip before continuing.
“I know it’s a lot to ask.You two aren’t exactly, um, friends?”
That was an understatement.Still… “Not exactly true.We did manage to have dinner together with Rainbow, and we didn’t even get into a staring contest.”
“Well, that’s good to hear.If you think it’s going to be too awkward?—”
“NO!No, of course not.It’s one dance.”
Tressy’s nose wrinkled.“And a couple of practices.Miss Raffi put her foot down on this one thing.She wants her children to be presentable on the dance floor.Personally, I think she’s been on a crusade for most of her life to get her kids to take dance lessons.Now she’s finally getting her shot, and she’s taking it.”
“And Rowdy agreed?”
“He did when I said I’d really appreciate it, and it would make me happy.”
“You have that man wrapped around your finger.”I couldn’t stifle my sigh soon enough.“Must be nice.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to add a plus one to the wedding?I know all the guys will be there, but are you sure?—”
