“Rosebud?” She hadn’t realized Everett was standing in front of her. “You look white as a sheet. Are you feeling okay?”
No. I’m not. I’m upset. I’m...furious.But her throat was too tight to speak, so she nodded.
He sat beside her on the bench. “What’s that?” He nodded at the brochure she held with clenched fists.
She shook her head, her grip tightening on the paper. “Nothing.”Everything.
“Is that why you’re white-knuckling it?” He held his hand out for the brochure.
She gave it to him, pushed off the bench, and shook out her hands. It didn’t matter. It didn’t... But itdid. He was coming toherhome state to presentherresearch as his—as the keynote speaker.
She pressed her eyes shut and took a deep breath.
Chances were he didn’t even know where she was from. And if he did, it wouldn’t matter. This was all about the man’s ego. He had the chance to flex his academic muscle in front of a room full of his peers, and he would never pass that up.
“Annual Texas Beekeeper’s Convention. That’s next weekend. Nice that it’s taking place right down the road this year. Tansy and Dane were trying hard to get Honey to host it, but we’re just not big enough.” Everett smoothed the glossy brochure on his lap. “You planning on going?”
She nodded, shifting from foot to foot.
“You should submit a workshop, share your research and all that.” He smiled up at her. “I won’t pretend to act like I know what you were researching—other than bees. And that it was important.”
“It was important.” She swallowed. And if the information was out there, wasn’t that enough? Even though the project still had some work to do, they’d made progress. With any luck, Dr. Voigt’s new project and crew would complete the study and compile a registry that all beekeepers would benefit from.
“You thinking of trying to find another project?” One of his dark brows rose.
“No.” She sighed. “Not now anyway. I promised Aunt Mags I’d touch up the bees and flowers painted throughout the house and... I have a picture book idea for Bea.” She’d been doodling for days, but saying it out loud made it something real—something hers. “Maybe?” She glanced at him, watching his reaction as she sat beside him.
“That would be something special.” He rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward, nodding. “You should do it. You always loved drawing and painting. You’re good at it, too. You have lots of talents, Rosebud.”
“That’s nice of you to say.” She bumped his shoulder with her own. Everett had always been supportive. She’d missed that. She’d missed him. “I can’t believe you remember my art.”
“Mom still has that painting you did. The one with the bee and the sunflower?” He shrugged. “It was in a place of honor, too, right over the mantel. I think it’s in Gramma Dot’s room now.”
“Really?” That was a surprise—a sweet surprise. The sort of thing that eased some of the knots from her stomach. She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Well, Everett Taggert, you made my day.” She smiled at him, a real smile full of thanks.
“Glad to hear it.” He cleared his throat. “I was wondering... That is, I want to ask you something. But you don’t have to answer right now. You can think about it. And, if it’s not something you’d be interested in, I’ll understand.” He ran a hand along the back of his neck, his gaze locking with hers.
Rosemary rarely saw Everett nervous, but he was. And for some reason, she was, too. His dark brown eyes searched hers, flooding her stomach with anticipation. What was he going to ask her?
“You know Lorna Franks?”
Lorna?“I do.” She wasn’t sure where this was going.
“Now that she’s got a baby, she wants to stay home—and I respect that. But it’s left me in a pickle of a spot. She handles all the classes and booths, scheduling volunteers and that sort of thing.” His brown eyes swept over her face. “I was wondering if you’d be interested in the job? It’s part-time. You can work from home—we’d meet once a week or so, just to touch base.” He hesitated. “Even temporarily?”
She was stunned. That wasn’t at all what she’d hoped...thought he’d ask. A job. A job she’d be good at. Why was she...disappointed?
“Like I said, you don’t have to answer right away. I was thinking, since you’re here, it might be something you’d enjoy. You know every festival in Lewis County—every festival in the surrounding counties, too, I bet. There’s not much in the way of classes right now. A senior gardening class and one for kids. You can make it bee-friendly gardens, if you want. It’d be your program.” He broke off and shook his head. “That’s my sales pitch. I’ll let you think it over. But, please, think it over.”
After that earnest plea, she couldn’t immediately dismiss his offer. “I’m not exactly a people person, Everett. You know I get awkward and... Well, I’m more of a...behind-the-scenes sort.”
He shook his head. “I wouldn’t ask you if I didn’t think you could handle it.” He stood. “I should probably head over to the city hall, make sure things are set up for the meeting in a bit.” He handed her back the brochure. “I’ll see you there?” He waited for her nod, then headed across the street to the county courthouse.
She sat, watching him, thinking over what he’d said about her painting, her book idea, and the job. He’d never know how much his words meant to her. Things had been tough recently—but they wouldn’t stay that way. Like Everett said, she had lots of talents. Instead of holding on to what she’d lost in the past, it was time to focus on the good to come. Whether she went to the annual beekeeper’s convention or took Everett’s job offer, she had options. And she had the time to figure out which option was best for her.
EVERETTHADCOMEinto this evening’s meeting anticipating certain things—like Willadeene Svoboda’s overreaction. She didn’t disappoint. This sort of performance was what she lived for, and since she had a business on Main Street, she had plenty to say.
“I’m assuming the reason you’ve called this meeting is because you feel our Main Street and businesses are in danger?” She glanced back and forth between him and Mayor Contreras.
