“Rosebud?” He knelt, carefully shifting Fiona into Rosebud’s arms. “She’s a tiny thing, isn’t she?”
The reverence on her face was a kick to the chest. She was guileless—truly enraptured by the baby in her arms. And that look, that honest-to-goodness awestruck reaction, took his breath away.
“She’s so precious.” It was the softest whisper. “So...small. Her fingers. Her nose.” Her gaze bounced his way. “Isn’t she perfect?”
His throat felt tight, but he managed to say, “Yep.” He took a deep, unsteady breath and wished they could stay this way a moment longer.
“Boss—” Libby stopped short inside the door.
He stood and forced his attention to...anything other than Rosebud. Lorna was watching them with wide, curious eyes. So Libby was the safe choice. “I’m coming.”
Libby didn’t look happy. In fact, the way she was looking at Rosebud was downright...hostile. “I’m so sorry to interrupt.” Her tone was clipped.
Since Rosebud hadn’t done anything to earn that look, something else must be going on. But what? If it had anything to do with the [email protected], he was going to lose it. “Is everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes.” Libby’s expression shifted, her smile timid. “I just need a few minutes of your time, is all.”
Everett frowned, a sense of dread building. “Okay.” He gave Lorna a thumbs-up. “You keep up the good work. I’ll check in later, Rosebud.”
Libby didn’t say a word until they’d entered the lobby of the Parks and Recreation office. When she opened the door, she stepped aside so he could go first.
“What the hell?” He paused inside the door, eyeing six large flower arrangements. Had he missed something? Was it Libby’s birthday? “Are those for you?”
“No.” Libby laughed. “They’re for you.” She closed the door. “Everett, you’ve got a fan club.” She held out one of the cards. “The delivery driver said some of these came in over the weekend, but since we were closed, they had to wait to deliver them all today.”
Everett read the card. “To Lewis County’s Most Eligible Bachelor, I’m the woman you’ve been waiting for.” He handed her back the card, confused.
“Want to read the others?” She had three more in her hand. “One of them even included their phone number.”
“I don’t understand.” What was happening?
“This.” She waved him toward her computer. There he was—that damn article—on the computer. “Someone shared the article online—then a whole bunch of other people did, too.” Libby stepped around beside him.
He was so surprised he laughed. At this point, what else could he do?
Libby’s hand rested on his arm. “You’ve had so much thrown at you, I thought this might put a smile on your face.”
“Well, it did.” He laughed again. “I don’t get it, but whatever.”
“That you’re handsome? It’s sweet that you’re humble, but come on, boss, you’re quite a catch.” She stepped closer to him—too close. At least, too close for him.
“Anything else?” he asked, putting the desk between them.
“Your mother called.” She handed him the message slips. “So did Mayor Contreras. Oh, and Daisy Granger called, too.”
He took the slips and headed for his office. “Thanks.” His mother never called him at work, the others could wait.
“What do you want me to do with the flowers? And the cards?” she called after him.
That could wait, too. “I’ll take care of them later. Thanks.” He pushed the door shut behind him, dug his cell phone out of his pocket, and called his mother.
“Morning, Everett.” He didn’t detect any distress in her voice. “I hope you’re having a good Monday morning?”
“It’s kept me busy.” He sat at his desk and turned on his computer. “What’s up?”
“Gramma Dot had a doctor appointment this morning. I wanted to let you know that she’s finally agreed to go on that medicine. Doc says it should make a big difference.”
“That is great news, Mom.” It felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders—well, one of them anyway.
