Page 149 of Craving Consequences
As if the realization struck all of them at the same time, a collective gasp rings from the table.
“Is that the reason he showed up at your door in the wee hours of the morning, causing all manner of disturbances?” Mavis exclaims.
I nod, lowering my gaze to the cluster of plastic roses in the pot at the center of the table. “I texted to tell him we needed to talk. I wanted to set the record straight, marriage or nothing.” Nods ripple around me with low murmurs of approval. “He was not happy about it. Thank goodness Sheriff Brewer arrived when he did. And Mr. Shaw. I didn’t think he would be so upset.”
Dolores’s hand pats mine and I expect a cloud of dust to rise between us. I have to resist the urge to pull away.
“You did the right thing, Everly. Your mother — God rest her soul — would have been proud of you. You’re still so young and many in your shoes would have crumpled to temptation, but good for you for holding your ground.” She turns sharp, blue eyes to the others, lips pressed thin with disapproval. “We must pray for Bron. We must ask the Lord to guide him back to the path of light.”
The others nod with vigorous agreement.
“We should also include prayers for Suzy Parker,” Irene voices loudly. “May she find it in herself to be a better wife and mother to Lewis so he may resist the temptation of other women.”
Low hums echo as the others continue to bob their heads.
“And poor Macy with her—”
I cut them off, my job here, complete. “I am deeply grateful for your prayers and your support. Can I ask that you please keep this to yourselves. Bron is clearly very troubled and needs time to heal himself.”
“Of course.” Dolores thumps my hand a few more times. “Do not concern yourself.”
I offer them my practiced smile. “Thank you. Now, I must go. There’s quite a bit to finish for Lauren’s party still.” Iheave a sigh. “It will most likely take all night to complete alone. Bron was supposed to help me but...”
The women click their tongues.
“You can’t go out into the woods alone. You should ask Lachlan and Van. They’ve always been so caring towards you since your poor parents’ deaths — rest their souls. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind returning with you.”
I bunch my nose. “They’ve already helped so much. I would feel greedy monopolizing their time.”
“Nonsense!” Mavis huffs. “I’m sure they wouldn’t mind in the slightest.”
“Unlike his son, Lachlan is a decent and kind man,” Dolores agrees. “And Van has been a decent addition to our little town.”
“His daughter, however...” Irene mutters around the rim of the cup perched on her bottom lip.
“It is unfortunate that Van did not take our suggestions to find a decent mother for the girl.”
My molars grind as they casually discuss Lauren like some errant child and not a fully grown woman capable of making her own choices.
“Her behavior is distasteful as is her manner,” Mavis complains. “I’m fairly certain she’s lured half the town’s men to her bed. If she wasn’t half decent with a pair of scissors, Iwould—”
I shove up to my feet. The iron rods of my chair shriek across the linoleum, silencing the chatter.
It takes everything in me to stifle the actual words burning in my tongue as I will a smile down into their startled faces.
“I apologize. I just realized I have to run to Holland’s before setting off. Thank you again for your guidance.”
Without waiting for further nonsense, I push my chair back under the table and hurry back to the counter, Maisie and the small mountain of white boxes.
I thank her and pay for my purchases. She gives me an almost apologetic little grin as I gather up my things and start for the door.
It swings open and a gorgeous, raven-haired woman with enormous green eyes rushes in. Her long skirt flares around her legs in a flash of brilliant scarlet, blue and yellow as she twirls to catch the door for me.
I smile, adjusting my hold. “Thank you, Daisy.”
Tall, tan and exotic in a way no one in Jefferson could possibly pull off, Daisy De Luca is the very definition of out of place. Everything from her chunky jewelry to her wild, dark curls raises eyebrows, but she pulls it off. Maybe it’s just the gravity she has or the way she just exists without care, but I am absolutely fascinated by her.
“Sure thing, sweetie pie. Need a hand?”
