That caused another round of laughter.
A half hour later, Rosemary was sitting in one of the meeting rooms used for the city council. If it wasn’t for the tall windows, the room would have been too dark and confining. As it was, the curtains were drawn wide, and the warm fall sun flooded the wood-paneled room.
“I think it’s all here...” Lorna sat beside her, the largest binder Rosemary had ever seen open between them. While they pored over the pages, Lorna kept gently rocking the infant car seat where baby Fiona slept. “I double-checked everything. I want this to be as easy a transition as possible.”
Fiona squeaked, drawing both Lorna and Rosemary’s attention.
“She’s the tiniest human I have ever seen.” Rosemary studied the sleeping infant. “She’s so pretty, Lorna. Like a perfect baby doll.”
“She’s sweet, too,” Lorna gushed proudly. “Bud and I are lucky, that’s for sure.” When it was clear the baby wasn’t stirring, Lorna tapped the binder. “Any questions?”
Rosemary was in awe—and slightly overwhelmed. Tansy hadn’t been kidding about Lorna’s organizational skills. The binder was color coded and tabbed for every holiday, event, festival, or farmers market in the county. “Not at the moment. I mean, Lorna, this is about as thorough a road map as I’ve ever seen. You’re amazing.”
“Nobody knows this but...” Lorna lowered her voice and leaned closer. “I replaced Nell Ogden, Corliss’s sister—remember her? She still works over at the high school and she still has that tall white hair—and she’s still one of Willadeene’s cronies. Anyway, she left after twenty-five-years. As you see, she was very particular about everything. I’ve just kept it up.”
“Your secret is safe with me.” Rosemary smiled.
She slid a second leather-bound binder to her. “This binder holds all the county contacts. Names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, and their preferred form of communication—they’re all up-to-date.” She went over every detail, piece by piece. “Of course, there’s a digital copy of all this, too. But I don’t like sitting hunched over a computer.”
“You’ve made it so easy.” With this information, the job was pretty turnkey.
“Knock, knock.” Libby poked her head in. “Would either of you ladies like a cup of coffee?”
“No, thank you.” Lorna’s tone was icy.
“I’m fine, thank you.” Rosemary managed a smile.
“Okay. Everett told me to make sure you two were taken care of.” She flashed her glossy red smile. “He was so sorry he couldn’t be here, but you know, he had to go to Willow Creek. Apparently, there’s paint all over the bronze statue of the town’s founder and the big willow tree it’s under.” She sighed. “Oh well, I’ll let you get back to it.” And she pulled the door closed behind her.
“I can’t stomach that woman.” Lorna glared at the door. “Bud is best friends with Silas Baldwin. The hell she put Silas through? It was unconscionable.”
Rosemary didn’t know what to say to that.
“I’m trying not to be mad at Everett for hiring her. It’s not like there were a lot of alternatives.” She shrugged. “He said it was just Libby and someone who wasn’t qualified.”
Don’t ask. Don’t ask.But the words came out anyway. “You don’t think, maybe, she and Everett...” She couldn’t finish the question.
“No, no. Oh, Rosemary. No.” She was adamant. “Nothing’s happened yet, but before too long, she will be throwing herself at Everett. Especially now that he’s been in the paper and all. Leopards never change their spots, Rosemary. She loves attention. I only hope he doesn’t get sucked in by those baby blues or that body she likes to show off in all her skintight clothing.” Her head shake was vehement. “I feel bad lumping a poor leopard in with the likes of her.”
The door opened again, and they jumped apart, but it was Everett who stepped inside. Unfortunately, seeing him sent a thrill along Rosemary’s spine and left her grinning like a fool.
He took one look at the two of them and asked, “Do I want to know what the two of you are talking about?”
“Training.” Lorna pointed at the binder.
Rosemary nodded, but she felt the heat in her cheeks. He’d know she was lying.
“Uh-huh.” He smiled and peered down at Fiona. “How’s the angel? Sweet as ever?”
In answer, baby Fiona wriggled—a soft cry emerging.
“Way to go, Everett.” But Lorna was smiling. “It’s okay, Fi.” She scooped up the baby.
“You know you can give her to me.” Everett held his hands out, gently taking the baby from Lorna and cradling her against his chest. “All she wants is some time with her Uncle Everett.”
It wasn’t surprising that Everett was gentle, of course, but Rosemary was transfixed all the same. Watching this big strong man hold this tiny precious bundle with such tenderness had her heart tripping over itself and her stomach achy and warm.
“I’m sure that’s what she wanted.” Lorna rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
