Page 64 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“Sorry, I’ve got a big meeting tomorrow morning, and Melody is back to school, so I just have a lot on my mind.” I glanced over at Winnie, who appeared to buy it, as did most of my family.
But Bridger raised his eyebrows as if he knew exactly what I was thinking about. And when I looked over at my brother, Axel, he also had a goofy grin on his face.
“Anyway,” Lulu said, “I was just about to read this week’s ‘Taylor Tea.’”
“I love when she reads it in that mischievous voice,” Emilia said.
“The Taylor Tea” had already written about my new nanny moving to town, and they’d spoken about me like some pathetic man who needed assistance in order to survive daily life. Luckily, they hadn’t brought it up again for the last few weeks.
“Go ahead, Lu.” Henley took a sip of her wine.
“‘Hey there, Roses, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. Things have been busy in Rosewood River, so buckle up because the tea is boiling hot today,’” she said, looking up and waggling her brows.
“What does that even mean? Isn’t tea always hot?” Bridger grumped.
“No. I drink iced tea,” Emilia said with a laugh before encouraging Lulu to continue.
“‘Word on Main Street is that our favorite mailman may be delivering mail from the doghouse for a while, because he was seen canoodling with a tourist who was not his baby mama. Looks like his lady might be sending him a big fat goodbye letter and overnighting it to the dog £, where the man should stay.’” Lulu laughed. “I mean, they really call people out, don’t they?”
“I feel bad for Cara,” Emilia said, empathy painted all over her face.
“Cara Carmichael egged your flower shop,” Bridger hissed. “We caught her on camera.”
“And that was because you told her that I write ‘The Taylor Tea,’ remember?” She chuckled and kissed his cheek. “I can still feel bad for her that her man has a wandering eye.”
“Agreed. Continue,” Eloise said.
“‘In other breaking news, our favorite single daddy has been moping around town because his nanny isn’t around to take care of him. But apparently she arrived back in town, and we expect our favorite Daddy O to be all smiles again.’” Lulu paused, her mouth hanging open as she glanced at me.
“‘Daddy O’? What is that about? And I was hardly moping around town—that’s ridiculous,” I said.
Everyone laughed, of course, because my family found the whole thing to be hilarious.
“I actually think you were mopey for a few days.” Bridger shrugged as he reached for another dinner roll.
“You’re always mopey, so who are you to judge?” I snipped.
“Takes one to know one. And I’m not the topic of conversation, Daddy O.”
I rolled my eyes. “Can we be done with this ridiculous column, please?”
Winnie’s gaze found mine, and she smiled.
Great, now she’d think I was a stalker.
I did miss her when she was gone, but I was hardly moping around.
“We can absolutely be done with the column, honey,” my mother said, tossing me a wink.
“How’s the book coming along, Winnie?” Aunt Ellie asked.
“Really good. I’m at around seventy-five percent of the way.”
“It’s so good. She’s letting us read it as she finishes each chapter,” Emilia said.
“Yes, we’re so lucky to be reading while she’s writing it.” Eloise beamed at Winnie, and I laughed.
“Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?” my father asked.
