Family Matters (DiCarlo Brides book 4) (The DiCarlo Brides)
Page 27
“Committed to what? Jessa! You can’t commit me to anything without asking first. Even you should know that.” Not that it really came as a shock. Jessa always did whatever she wanted, because if Jessa thought something was a good idea, then of course it was.
With a sweep of her hand, Jessa brushed her layered bangs to the side. “So how did your date go with Pat last night?”
“Not so fast. I want to know what this favor is first.”
“And I want to know about your date with Pat.”
Taycee’s fingers itched to strangle her friend, but Jessa was nothing if not resilient. Going up against her took Taycee back to her sixth grade spelling bee, when she’d made it to the final round where she’d faced off against Daphne—the school know-it-all. Taycee had been determined to win, but after going back and forth and back and forth for over four hours—yes, four—Taycee finally misspelled a word on purpose just to put an end to it. Pure torture. That’s what it had been.
Just like trying to win an argument with Jessa.
“So . . . how did it go?” Jessa repeated.
Taycee sighed. “It didn’t. We broke up.” She left it at that. If Jessa ever found out that Pat had actually proposed—especially how he’d done it—the poor guy would become the subject of one too many jokes. He was too nice for that.
Jessa examined her nails. “And another one bites the dust.”
“A little harsh, don’t you think?” Pat hadn’t tried to call or stop by, and probably never would again. Which was fine. But Taycee didn’t like the way things had ended—so unfinished. As if she’d broken something, and then left without repairing it.
“Harsh, but true,” Jessa said. “How many guys have you been through this year? Three so far, right? And it’s not even May yet.”
Taycee frowned as she fiddled with the sunflowers in the finished bouquet. Jessa was right, but that part of her life was over now. She’d always wanted to get more into the wedding business with her flower shop, and it was time to focus on that instead.
“Hey, you heard Luke Carney’s back in town, right?”
A sunflower stem broke between Taycee’s fingers, and the flower landed with a small thud on the countertop at the same time her heart thudded to the floor. She stared at the fallen flower, feeling a creepy-crawly sensation move over her body. Like a million tiny somethings had landed on her and were now picking away at her skin. She wanted to shake the feeling off. Start jumping up and down and bat it all away.
Luke? Back? Impossible.
“You know, Caleb’s old friend?” Jessa said. “The guy you used to be secretly in love with?”
Taycee turned to Jessa as if she’d said the most outrageous thing. Something that couldn’t possibly be true even though it was. “I was never in love with him.”
“Please,” Jessa said. “If I had a nickel for every story you told me about him, I’d be rich enough to save Shelter. I feel like I know the guy, and I’ve never even met him.”
Taycee swallowed, fighting back that creepy-crawly feeling again. Ten years and the mere mention of his name brought on a panic attack. Pathetic. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. In. Out.
“Is he here to visit?” Taycee managed. Please let it only be a temporary thing.
“Nope. For good,” Jessa said. “Or so the rumor mill says. According to the mayor, Luke bought the old McCann place and is planning to set up a veterinary practice here.”
It were as if the room suddenly drained of oxygen. Taycee couldn’t breathe. For good? Why? Why Shelter? Why now? His parents had moved away years ago, so why come back here? Why not find some other small town to post his sign and open for business?
No. He couldn’t come back. He’d already done enough damage, and besides, Shelter Springs was already taken.
By her.
“Earth to Taycee,” Jessa cooed.
Taycee’s hand shook as she reached for another sunflower to replace the broken one. “Sorry, what did you say?”
“Nothing important.” Jessa pushed away from the counter and stole an Andes mint from the candy jar. “But about that favor . . . you’re good for it?”
“Yeah, sure, whatever.” Who cared about some stupid favor? Taycee had bigger things to worry about.
“Ta ta.” Seconds later, the bells rang again, and the door fell closed behind Jessa.
Taycee slumped against the counter, needing the support it offered. A reoccurring nightmare had just become reality. Luke was back. In town. For good.
Heaven help her.
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Rosemary’s story has been so much fun for me to write. She’s quirky and brash and covers her pain with a tough exterior, but she’s been through tough times and come out stronger for it. It’s been so much fun writing her story!
I have to thank the many fans who’ve anxiously awaited this book—your enthusiasm and support mean more than you can possibly know. And many thanks to Maria Hoagland and Rebecca Blevins who proofed the book for me and helped me make it better. And lots of hugs and kisses (and no-bake cookies) in thanks for my husband, Bill, who loves me, supports me, and is excited to see me succeed at anything. Love you, honey!
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Heather Tullis has been reading romance for as long as she can remember and has been publishing in the genre since 2009. When she’s not dreaming up new stories to write, she runs with the local volunteer ambulance, enjoys gardening, playing with her chickens, geese and ducks, cake decorating and working with her husband in their small business.
Learn more about her at her website at http://blog.heathertullis.com/ or her Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/HeatherTullisBooks.