Honey Be Mine, page 8
“Everett,” Gramma Dot called from inside. “Your phone is singing. Is that normal?”
Everett grinned. “It’s ringing.”
Gramma Dot held the door open. “That’s singing, not ringing.” She handed over the phone. “But it’s been singing for a while, so you might want to answer it.”
Everett took the phone and frowned. “Thanks, Gramma Dot.”
“Leland, come help me with the step stool, will you?” She waved his father inside.
“What are you needing the step stool for, Momma? You know you’re not supposed to be climbing on things.” He pulled the front door shut behind him.
Everett answered the phone. “Everett Taggert.”
“Everett? Joe Kerr. How’s your Thursday going?” There was a smile in the man’s voice.
“Well, so far so good. Been a while since I’ve heard from you, so I’m wondering if that’s going to change?” He paused, waiting for the mayor of Rose Prairie to confirm his fears.
“’Fraid so, Everett. Last night. Main Street shops—one window’s going to need to be replaced. And some damage over at the high school.” He sighed. “I hear you’re the man coordinating efforts on this whole paintball mess?”
Everett stared out over the fields and barn and goats, processing this update. Two separate locations had been vandalized? So far, they’d targeted one place. “I’m working with the sheriff’s office and the state troopers to get a city watch training set up.”
“Hmm. Might be too little too late for us, but I’m expecting Sheriff Myers soon, so I’ll see what he has to say about it. Didn’t know if you wanted to come see the damage for yourself?”
Want wasn’t exactly the right word. He’d gone to Elginston and Alpine Springs—now he felt obligated to investigate in Rose Prairie. “I’ll head that way.” He blew out a slow breath. “Until I get there, you might want to have a look at @paint.ballers online. Whoever’s doing this likes having an audience. So far, they’ve been careful about what they post, but I’m hoping they’ll get sloppy, and we’ll find something to catch them.”
“Kids.” The man groaned. “I swear, if my daughter doesn’t post pictures wherever she goes, it’s like it didn’t happen. I don’t get it.”
“Neither do I, Joe. I’ll see you in twenty.” He disconnected and tucked his phone into his pocket.
While there was no concrete proof that it was kids at the root of what was happening, it was the only thing that made sense. Who else? As far as he knew, there wasn’t anyone with a major ax to grind with the county. The idea of a group of disgruntled Main Street business owners masking up, causing damage, and figuring out all the bells and whistles of posting online was laughable. Right now, he could use a laugh—so he did. What else could he do?
He used the time it took to drive to Rose Prairie to come up with a plan. He’d follow up with the sheriff about the paintballs themselves. There weren’t a lot of retailers selling supplies, so that might give them some sort of lead. It was flimsy, but it was a place to start—which was more than they had at the moment.
* * *
DOT CROSSED HER arms over her chest, giving Leland her tried and true mom-face. “You watch your tone, son.”
Leland ran a hand over his face. “Momma, Everett’s got a lot on his mind—he’s real busy.”
“Too busy to be happy?” She clicked her tongue in disapproval. “I’m surprised at you, Leland. Your boy is all work, no play. That’s not healthy. You know that, too.”
Violet stopped washing dishes to face them. “What are you two carrying on about?”
Dot waved her hands. “Just me sticking my nose in where it’s not wanted, is all.”
“Momma, I didn’t say that.” Leland pinched the bridge of his nose.
There it was. That look. The one that made her realize she was a burden to her son, his lovely wife, and the entire family. They didn’t want her here, but out of a sense of deep obligation, they wouldn’t send her away. She didn’t want to live someplace that smelled like institutional gravy, bleach, and mold, but she didn’t want to be a drain on her son and his family. “I think I’ll go lie down.”
“Are you okay, Momma Dot?” Violet wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, her gaze bouncing between her and Leland.
“Yes, yes.” She forced a smile. “Just old and tired, is all.”
Before she reached her room, she heard Violet say, “Leland, what happened? She was upset.”
Dot paused, straining to hear. It was past time to change the battery in her hearing aid.
“I came down too hard on her,” Leland mumbled. “I... I know she meant well by bringing up Rosemary to Everett. She and Dad always thought they were made for each other.”
“So did I. Would it be so bad?” Violet’s voice carried.
“Of course not, Violet.” Leland’s sigh was all impatience. “But what happens between them is none of our business. Our boy’s got more than enough pressure on his shoulders without pushing our wants on him. I get the sense he’s about reached his limit.”
But it isn’t just what I want. Frustration pressed in on her. It happened now and then. She didn’t like it—losing her temper. Half the time, she didn’t even know why she got so upset, she just did. The best she could do was go to her room and hope it’d pass without her taking it out on anyone else.
Poor Everett. The day of Camellia Hill’s wedding, he’d come to get her but she couldn’t find her pearl necklace. She always wore her pearl necklace on special occasions—it was a gift from Albie. But it was lost, and Everett’s efforts to help her had been halfhearted at best... Still, there’d been no cause to call him selfish or a disappointment. And there was no way to take those horrible words back.
No, it was best to be alone until she’d sorted herself. Then she could figure out what to do about Everett. After the way she’d treated him, she had to make it up to him somehow. And I will. Somehow, someway, I’ll help my boy be happy.
CHAPTER FIVE
WITH A DAB more yellow and a tiny dollop of orange, Rosemary had the perfect color. She swirled her fine-tipped brush in the paint and leaned forward to touch up the honeybee “flying” along the hallway of the house.
She didn’t know who had originally painted the bee. Her great-grandmother Sybil Hill, perhaps? Apparently, she’d been quite the eccentric when she arrived on the farm. All Rosemary knew for certain was that this little bee had always been here—adding to the magic of her home. It was up to her—her sisters and aunts—to keep that magic alive for all the Hills to come.
With a few careful dabs and featherlight brushstrokes, the faded bee came to life. She sat back, making certain it was just right. Once the gold, yellow, and yellow-orange colored hairs met with her satisfaction, she turned to white, black, and a few hints of brown.
“Wow.”
She thought she was alone, so the voice almost had her dropping the paper plate she was using for her paint palette. “Leif.”
“Didn’t mean to scare you. I was trying to keep it quiet—so I wouldn’t interrupt you, but man, that bee looks like it’s about to fly off the wall and out to one of y’all’s bee yards.” He leaned forward, his blue eyes inspecting her work. “That’s awesome, Rosemary.”
“Thanks, Leif.” She smiled, wiping off the tip of her paintbrush. “I’m finished with all the bees upstairs. And the flowers and vines, too.” She stretched. “I didn’t realize how late it was getting. How was school?”
“It was...school.” Leif shrugged.
“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not?”
The expression on the teen’s face made him look exactly like his big brother had looked back in high school—back when Tansy and Dane hated each other. “I mean, I’m glad it’s Thursday.” He yawned. “Plus, there’s a Junior Beekeepers meeting tonight. Tansy said you might be coming?”
“That’s the plan.” If Rosemary was going to consider Everett’s job offer, it wouldn’t hurt to get familiar with some of the clubs and classes that would fall under her oversight. According to Tansy, the Junior Beekeepers were pretty self-sufficient and wouldn’t need a lot of hands-on supervision. Mostly, they required an adult present to track hours, keep up with club requirements, and be at the meetings in case of an emergency. Since the club was a joint venture between the school district and the parks and rec office, the club was well funded and had plenty of community support. “I should probably start getting myself together.” She headed for the kitchen. “First, I need some tea. Want a snack?” From what she’d witnessed, Leif was always hungry.
“Sure.” He grinned and followed her into the kitchen. “Dane’s not around? I wanted to talk to him.”
“Sorry, no. I think he and Tansy are over at Viking—working in the new honey house y’all are building over there.” That Tansy and Dane were working together on the Knudson family’s neighboring honey farm still made her smile. She paused, noting the concern on the teen’s face. “Can I do anything?”
“I don’t know if there’s anything to be done. I just...” He shrugged. “I overheard some kids talking at school today about the stuff @paint.ballers—”
“Who?” Rosemary turned on the electric kettle.
“Oh, whoever is paintballing everything is posting it all online. That’s their account name. @paint.ballers.”
She blinked. “You’re kidding. That doesn’t sound very smart.” She pondered this information as she pulled a plate from a cabinet, opened the cookie jar, and pulled out several cookies. “Why post for the world to see? They were breaking the law, weren’t they? What good could come from making their antics public?” She put the plate of brown sugar honey cookies and honey raisin oatmeal cookies on the counter beside him. “If they’re posting everything, who is it, and why haven’t they been stopped?”
“Thanks.” He took a cookie. “They’re wearing masks. And they don’t talk.” He shrugged. “They’re not smart, but they’re not completely stupid.” He ate another cookie. “Kerrielynn’s been watching all their stuff—I think she’s hoping to figure out who they are.” There was pure adoration all over his face. “She’s eavesdropping on everyone, hoping to hear something.”
She smiled and put a tea bag into her teacup. The electric kettle pinged, so she poured the boiling water into her cup. “You want some tea?”
He shook his head. “No, thank you.”
“You’ve got my full attention, now, Leif. What did you overhear?” She was more than a little curious.
He finished his brown sugar honey cookie before saying, “Donny Dwyer was talking to someone—I didn’t see who—about how it’s supposed to rain tonight, so Clay, Donny’s older brother, said they were going to hold off on going to Glendale. He was probably talking to his little brother, Eddie, but I’m not certain. The brothers don’t have a lot of friends.” He took another cookie. “Anyway, Glendale and Honey are the two towns that haven’t been paintballed yet. And the Dwyers are always doin’ stupid things so—” He broke off and shrugged. “Believe me, the brothers are bad news. I know.”
Rosemary didn’t want to disappoint Leif, but there wasn’t a lot to go on there. Leif was right that Glendale and Honey hadn’t been vandalized—yet—but automatically linking the Dwyer boys’ visit to Glendale to this @paint.ballers seemed like a stretch.
“I figure I should tell Dane so he can tell Everett. Just in case.” He ate another cookie.
It can’t hurt. She knew how heavily this was weighing on Everett. It was weighing on everyone. “Just in case.” She nodded, sipping her tea.
“Sorry.” He stared at the now-empty plate.
“It’s okay. I just wanted tea.” She smiled. “I was planning on going by Everett’s office before the Junior Beekeepers meeting. I can tell him, if you want.”
“That’d be great. Thanks.” Leif nodded. “I should probably head out. I’m supposed to pick up Kerrielynn. We’re doing snacks for the meeting and have to set up.” He nodded and headed out of the kitchen.
“See you later.” She took a deep breath. All she had to do now was get cleaned up and go to Everett’s office. “Time to grow a backbone,” she murmured. It would help if her stomach wasn’t roiling, there wasn’t sweat beading her upper lip, and her hands would stop shaking. Ugh.
She didn’t normally put a lot of time into her appearance—the bees didn’t care. But she wasn’t going to spend time with the bees, she was going to see Libby Owens. And she was going to go looking like a woman, not the awkward teen girl she’d been. Once she saw that her high school bullying was over, all the sweating and shaking and nausea would go away.
She showered, dried, and made an attempt at styling her long hair straight, and even put on a little lipstick. Nope. She wiped the red off and turned to her closet. Something she felt comfortable in, yet confident. Her favorite green button-down shirt, a denim pencil skirt, and her calf-high leather boots. Perfect.
“Rosemary?” Tansy’s voice carried up the stairs, followed by footsteps. “Rosemary? Are you—” She peered into Rosemary’s bedroom. “You look nice. What’s happening? Where are you going?”
“I figured I’d go into town and talk to Everett.” She rubbed her hands against her thighs. Her palms were sweaty.
“Oh?” Tansy’s brows shot up. “You got dressed up to see Everett?”
If Tansy knew what she was planning to do, she’d probably try to stop her. Or worse, she’d want to go with Rosemary and be overprotective and make things even weirder than it was going to be. Thats why she said, “Yep.”
Tansy blinked. Then again. “Okay.”
“Can I take your truck? I’ll meet you at the meeting later on?” She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, beyond antsy.
“S-sure.” She pulled the keys from her pocket and held them out.
Rosemary took the keys, the shaking of her hands causing them to jingle.
“Are you okay?” Tansy glanced from Rosemary’s face to her hands and back again.
“Fine.” She pressed her hands against her hips. “Eager to get going.”
“Don’t let me stop you.” Tansy’s smile was brilliant. “You look gorgeous, Rosemary.”
Which was nice, but not what she was going for. “Thanks.” She swallowed. “Okay. Do I need to bring anything to the meeting?”
“Just yourself.” Tansy hugged her.
Rosemary wound up clinging and hugging her back, hard. “Will do.” She let go, forced a smile, then ran down the stairs and out the front door.
The drive into town wasn’t too long—but it felt interminable. She went through various scenarios in her head, then gave up. This didn’t need to be such a big deal. She took deep, calming breaths all the way from Tansy’s truck to the door leading into the courthouse. A quick scan of the directory sent her down the hall and to the left.
Then she was there. Standing in front of the Lewis County Offices for the County Parks and Recreation Director and the County Clerk.
Okay.
She rubbed her hands on her skirt and opened the door. Four green leather chairs sat along the wall to the right. A magazine rack sat in that corner. A water cooler in the opposite. The room was empty—except for Libby. She sat behind the desk, humming along to the music coming from her computer and filing her nails. Rosemary stepped inside, then stopped when she heard Libby talking.
“No, no, she’s not pregnant. She’s only saying she’s pregnant to keep him.” Libby snorted then. “I mean, how often does that work?”
Rosemary paused, her dread returning. Who was Libby talking about?
“I know.” Libby laughed. “It’s too predictable. Some people never learn.” She turned, her eyes widening when she saw Rosemary. “I’ll have to call you back.” And she hit the button on the phone.
They stared at each other for a moment.
Rosemary was trying not to dissolve into a puddle of sweat and anxiety. She had no idea what was going through Libby’s head. Only that one minute, the woman’s face was completely blank, and the next, Libby was wearing a brilliant smile.
“Rosemary.” Libby stood and came around the desk. “You’re here. And look at you.” She stopped, leaning against her desk and crossing her arms over her chest. “You don’t look a thing like the little girl you were in high school. My goodness.” That smile was doing nothing to relieve the tension clamping down on Rosemary’s intestines.
“Hi, Libby,” she managed, her tongue oddly heavy. “How are you?” She drew in a slow, deep breath and resisted the urge to wipe her hands on her skirt again.
“I’m wonderful.” Her blue eyes blinked. “Really.”
Rosemary glanced at Everett’s office.
“Oh, Everett’s not here—if that’s why you’re here.” Her smile warmed. “Poor thing. He’s running all over the place dealing with this whole paintball nightmare.”
Rosemary swallowed. “I can imagine.” There was something familiar about Libby’s gaze. Something predatory. No. It was only her insecurities playing with her.
“Everett’s just the best. I’ve never known anyone like him. He’s just...” Libby leaned against her desk and sighed. “Well, you know Everett. Always caring too much and helping other people.”
The way Libby said it, caring too much sounded like a character flaw.
“He’s so busy trying to fix everything, he’s not sleeping well at all...” She broke off, her eyes going wide. “I mean...”
What did she mean? Rosemary waited, the silence growing strained.
“I’ve never met anyone who does so much for everyone else. He’s...amazing. A real inspiration.” Her eyes fluttered. “I’m trying not to worry about him but—” She pressed her hand to her chest—resting it over her heart. “That’s what you do when you...care about someone, isn’t it?” She sighed.
