Page 25 of When It Reins (Three Rivers Trevors Ranch #5)
juniper
Summer in a small town is busier than any other time. This is the time when tourism kicks off, where people from all over the world will come and be entertained by the other parts of the world. Acton was on the map.
Belle’s Bakery is one of those places, and as I hunt down a table to meet Rosemary at, I secretly curse tourist season.
Thankfully, Rosemary was on top of it, and no one was messing with the glare she was shooting at each and every person who dared to try to steal the chair from her table.
I plop down, throwing my bag between the wall and the floor by my feet, and blow out a breath.
“Wow. It’s insane in here today.” I glance around the shop, the chatter loud enough you could barely hear the music that plays over the speakers.
“Damn tourists.” Rosemary shakes her head, nodding to the drink on the table in front of me. “I told Aveline I was meeting you,” she says, referring to Aveline Hart, Belle’s daughter. “She said this was your current favorite.”
“Oh, bless you,” I say, taking the iced drink in hand and taking a long sip.
Glancing at the counter, I spot Aveline, and she catches my eye, smiling and nodding when I hold up the drink in thanks.
Perks of the small-town life, your barista always remembers your order.
“Ah, ah, ah.” Rosemary’s scolding tone startles me, and I look at her, but her eyes are set on a man in brand-new hiking clothes, his hands wrapped around the back of the third chair at our table. “That’s not for you, city boy. Move along.”
Thankfully, the guy seems to believe she might do something—heck, I believe she might do something—and he moves on to another table.
I glance at the third chair, smiling to myself. “Don’t like all this fanfare, huh?”
“I live here in this peaceful spot of the world for a reason. If I wanted crowds, I’d go to New York City. Been there once, never again.” She shakes her head, her perfectly done hair swaying gently with the movement. “Subways are a disgrace to our way of life.”
I snort and shake my head. “I went to New York last year. My sister lives there for school. I might be inclined to agree with you. I felt like I needed to scrub my hands when I accidentally had to touch one of the poles to hold on to.”
Rosemary makes a face, and I chuckle, settling into the seat. I pull up my phone, the one with my list of plans for our charity night, and we launch into it. Rosemary was ready to go knocking door to door to get the word out.
“That would actually be good.” This small town, and even Fall Springs next door, isn’t all inclined to get online all that often. “I’ve got Ms. Meryl on the ball with spreading the news as well.”
Rosemary huffs and sits back. “So what are we even doing? She’ll have the news spread to China before I can leave this bakery.”
I smile broadly at her and shrug. “Double the effort, double the outcome.”
“Fine, fine,” she replies, then looks toward the door, where a woman pushing a stroller comes in. “Oh, there she is. Sienna!”
I glance over in surprise. Ah, so the third chair really is for someone.
Standing, I smile politely at the girl. Her red hair is tied back in a braid, and despite how gorgeous she is, the dark circles under her eyes suggest that she is exhausted.
“Hi, I’m Juniper.” I hold out my hand for hers, and she eyes it for a moment before settling her hand in it. I have no idea why she is here or what she is to Rosemary, but she looks like she could use some kindness.
“Sienna,” she says, taking the third seat when Rosemary tells her to. She positions the stroller next to the chair, but the baby inside is covered with the sunshade.
“June, this is Sienna, practically my daughter.” Rosemary beams at the girl and smiles politely when Aveline brings over a third drink.
“Oh, thank you,” Sienna says shyly to Aveline, then looks back at Rosemary. “Better not let Ben hear you say that.”
Rosemary scoffs and throws her hand. “What’s he gonna do to me?”
“Probably throw a fit. He’s good at those.”
I smile in confusion, wondering who they are talking about. It is obvious that they’d spoken on the subject before.
“Sorry, honey.” Rosemary pats my hand. “Ben is my son and Sienna’s best friend.”
“Ex-best friend,” Sienna says. Her voice is strong, but her eyes tell a different story.
“No worries. You don’t need to tell me the nitty gritty.”
“So what is it you wanted to discuss, Rose?” Sienna asks. Her entire demeanor tells me the girl needs a nap and maybe a bottle of wine.
I bet she would go for the nap.
“This is Juniper Weaver. She’s got a good plan that’s going to save Four Foxes.”
I sit up straighter, wondering what my role is when it comes to Sienna.
The girl eyes me skeptically. “Really?”
“She is. We’re going to get a good charity concert going at her bar and then use the proceeds to pay off the tax liens.” Rosemary leans forward, her eyes connecting with Sienna’s, and pats her hand. “ Everyone’s tax liens.”
Sienna shows some emotion here that makes me wish I knew more about her, about her situation. Because it looks like she could use the help—and maybe a good friend too.
“That…would be great.” She clears her throat, her hand going to her lips as she looks away. “I don’t know how it’s possible, but it would be great.”
I nod my head. “Well, I’ve got a lot of volunteers. I just need to get some extra security for the night and get some more talent involved. The security, I think, can be handled by the Iron Horses.”
Sienna snorts. “Don’t count on it.”
I keep my expression neutral, wondering why she is not a fan of the MC and knowing it’s none of my business. That isn’t an uncommon comment for people to make, especially people who don’t know them very well.
Rosemary surprises me by saying, “Now, those are good boys over there. They just have a wild streak.”
“I’m actually dating Hero, so I know they’ll help me out. They work shifts at the bar sometimes when he’s out of town.” The information feels so personal that I nearly blush when it escapes my mouth. I don’t call Mitch by his road name, but I know in that world that’s who he is.
“You’re dating Hero?” Sienna’s question is laced with curiosity. “He’s one of the good ones there.”
I feel my hackles rise slightly, but tell myself to calm down. If there is one thing I know about Mitch, it is that his eyes don’t stray. “He’s the best person I know.”
“Quit fretting.” Rosemary taps the girl’s hand, her gaze softening. “They’ll just be there for security.”
“Well, I can’t exactly bring my baby to a bar, so I’m not worried about that.”
“Oh.” I get her attention again, getting back to my normal, nice self. Claws in, Juniper. “It’s actually a restaurant with a bar. We have families all the time. Obviously, the later it gets, the rowdier it becomes, but my sister—she co-owns the bar with me—she brings her son in frequently.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks.” She looks around the table at the never-touched drink and sighs. “I’d better go. I need to get her to daycare and then get to work.”
Rosemary frowns. “Why don’t I take her? You don’t want her in a place full of germs.”
“She goes often, Rose. She’s okay. I can’t ask you to do that anyway. Ben would be furious.”
Again, I feel like an intruder considering I have no idea what kind of situation she is in, but Rosemary obviously knows this woman and cares deeply.
Rosemary glares. “Now you let me handle that son of mine with a whooping. He doesn’t get to dictate how I help my friends and family.”
Sienna’s eyes soften, and she looks back at the baby. Something in her posture shifts, and she lets her shoulders loose with a big breath. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. Gimme that.” Rosemary stands and turns the stroller until it’s right by her chair. “Let me have your keys. We’ll swap until you’re off work.”
Sienna pauses again. “Are you really okay with this, Rose? I hate dumping on you.”
Rosemary stands and gets close enough to Sienna that when they speak, it’s in a tone low enough that I can’t hear. Probably a good thing, as Sienna’s eyes tear up, and she pulls Rosemary into a hug so tight that I feel myself getting emotional.
After Sienna leaves, Rosemary sits back down, arranging the baby stroller the way she wants it. She opens the top and the most beautiful little baby is sleeping peacefully inside. She looks tiny, so I’m guessing she’s not that old at all.
“Now.” Rosemary turns and gives me her fiercely blue eyes. “Tell me what this is about you dating a brother in the MC.”