Page 107 of The Guest Cottage
“As usual, you handled it well, better than anyone else could have.”
Enjoying the feel of his cotton T-shirt and the scent of him through it, she asked, “Is everyone staring at me now?”
He smiled against her temple. “They’re always staring at you. You fascinate them.”
“Like a strange object?”
“Like a woman who never fails to surprise them. They care about you, and right now they’re trying not to applaud you.”
The very idea made her snort. “No, they’re not.”
“Wanna bet?” His lips pressed lightly to her cheek. “Turn and face them and see what happens.”
Holding him tighter, she said, “Soon.” She was plenty comfortable just like this.
“We could just go home.”
“That would make me a coward.”
His hand cupped the back of her neck. “No one would ever think that of you.”
“I don’t want to think it of myself, either.” When another, not-as-large hand settled on her shoulder, she knew whose it was. “I’m fine, Herman.”
“Do you need some ice, honey? A drink? Or would you like a bunch of us to go out there and run them off?”
Seriously, she was not the type to hide, so Marlow released Cort and gave Herman her attention. “They’ve already left.”
He gasped at the sight of her cheek, and then several others did, too.
Marlow didn’t know what it looked like, but the sting was already receding, so she faced the roomful of people and stated with conviction, “My mother-in-law is overwrought. What just happened . . . well, it was unlike her.” Such an understatement. Usually, decorum ruled Sandra’s every decision. “It will never happen again, I promise.”
Silence.
Marlow tried again. “I’m fine, and I’m also grateful that you’re all my friends. Thank you for accepting me to Bramble.”
Wide-eyed, they looked at the mark on her face, then at her, and it wasn’t just applause she got but a standing ovation.
Speaking softly near her ear, Cort said, “Told you so.”
Herman cleared his throat. “Maybe you should take tomorrow off.”
“Absolutely not. I don’t even feel right about leaving you now.”
“Too bad, because I insist, and don’t think you can talk your way around me like you usually do.”
Relenting, she said, “Only tonight then. Tomorrow I’ll be here and that’s that.”
Herman shook his head, but he looked relieved that she was acting more like herself. He leaned in to whisper. “Go let Cort pamper you. He still looks ready to commit murder.”
“He’s more controlled than that.”
“Not with you.” Herman winced again at her red cheek and added, “For my sake, go rest.”
Cort helped settle her indecision by asking him, “You’ll keep an eye on Pixie? She might need to feed Andy soon.”
“Got it covered. We’ll all look out for her.”
It pleased Marlow that Pixie’s world was expanding to include so many wonderful people. Now in a hurry to be alone with Cort, she gave a friendly wave to everyone. “Thank you all. Coming here was the best decision I ever made!”
