“Just hear Rosie out. She wants you, bad.” I hold my breath, waiting for her answer.
Delaney glances at Poppy, who nods. “Okay. I’ll hear what they have to say.”
“Great!” Poppy claps her hands. “I’ve got to run these over to The Knotted Barn. Be right back. I’ll put up a sign that says someone will be back in five minutes.”
“Sounds good,” Delaney murmurs, following me to my office.
Inside, Earl is on his phone, and Rosie is examining my bookshelf.
“She’s beautiful,” she says, pointing at the wedding photo.
Why does it feel as though the universe is trying to tell us this is a very, very bad idea?
“Your daughter has her blue eyes,” Rosie says.
Delaney stiffens beside me.
“Thank you. My wife passed during childbirth.”
Rosie frowns. “I’m sorry. That must’ve been a hard road for you.”
I shift in place. “It was. But it’s in the past.”
“Life moves on whether you’re ready or not. No one is stopping that clock.” Rosie gives me a sad sort of smile.
“All right, Rosie, enough with the philosophy. Let them live their lives.” Earl stares right at Delaney. “So, you’re on board?”
“I was just telling Earl before you came in that I felt it. But then I saw the wedding photo…” She points her index fingers at Delaney and me, then brings them together. “I can’t figure it out though.”
“She thinks she felt some kind of energy between you two.” Earl fills us in.
“Oh, no, I mean…” Delaney glances at me, and my expression screams do not give this woman ammunition to use against us. “It was in high school. A long time ago.”
“Oh? Childhood sweethearts?” Rosie’s interest is piqued, that much is clear.
Earl groans and slouches back on the couch.
“Um… I don’t know if you’d call us that.” Delaney looks at me. I want to tell her that this is her show.
“How long did you date?” Rosie asks.
“Three years. We didn’t see each other after junior year?—”
“So, let’s talk about the contract,” I interrupt, wanting to steer us off of memory lane.
“Three years definitely classifies as high school sweethearts, and you know what they say about those who find their mate in high school…”
“Rosie.” Earl’s impatience shows in his tone.
“We were high school sweethearts, you know. We had this little break when Earl thought he wanted Suzy Park, but he came to his senses. And we’ve been married ever since.”
“Well, we’re not together,” I say, trying to remain polite.
“Hmm. You never know. I’m sure I felt it.”
“What exactly?” Delaney entertains her theories again.
I sigh, glaring at Delaney to stop going along with this. She ignores me.
