“We better,” Rhett said. “I don’t trust our company legal issues in anyone’s hands but hers.”
“No vote needed,” Dash said. “Cassie, you’re pretty quiet.”
“I’ll admit I’m as surprised as all of you. I can’t help but wonder if it has anything to do with Wynn. They had some horrible fight.”
“You didn’t tell me,” Rhett said.
“I found out this morning when Wynn called, looking for her. It has to be their first fight because they’ve gotten along beautifully. He was very upset. I encouraged him to do whatever it took to clear things up. They’re so good together.”
“I agree,” Rhett said. “Scarlett’s had a hard time trusting men ever since Dad left. He was a charming drunk who deserted his family. Every time she starts to get close to a man, she pulls back. I think she’s remembering all of Dad’s empty promises. It seemed different with Wynn. Like he’d been able to knock her walls down and wrap her in love.”
Wynn swallowed, moved by Rhett’s words. He thought he better make his presence known and walked around the corner. “Hello, everyone.”
The group greeted him and Dash said, “I invited Wynn to our monthly status meeting to give him an idea of how we juggle and evaluate projects.”
“We’re happy to have you here, Wynn,” Rhett said cordially.
“It’s good to see you getting back into the swing of things. You’re looking good. Strong. Healthy.”
“I’ll still be working with my physical therapist for a few more weeks but I’m starting to feel like myself.”
Jayla entered the room, her phone to her ear. “Let me put you on speaker, Breck.” She placed her cell in the middle of the table.
Wynn half-listened as Breck began to talk, still wondering why Scarlett had done something as permanent as cutting ties with Lymon McGraw. If she’d torpedoed her career because of him. If that weasel Henry Lymon had kept the knowledge of Wynn leaving from Scarlett, delighting in her resignation. He vacillated between anger at Henry and despair over whether Scarlett would ever consider taking him back.
Jayla reached for her phone and Wynn realized he’d missed out on the entire conversation. The mathematician in him had always been able to compartmentalize things and he decided he better do so now. Dash had given him a great opportunity and Wynn better soak up everything he could in this meeting.
When it ended, though, he would go straight to Scarlett’s house and throw himself on her mercy.
CHAPTER 23
After picking up her prescription, Scarlett did something she never did in the middle of the afternoon. She crawled under the covers and took a nap. When she awoke, she felt more rested than she had in days and was glad the nausea was gone. She dressed and headed for Keely’s, stopping at a bakery for macaroons. She and Keely had bonded early over their love of the cookies, especially the dense, moist, sweet coconut ones dipped in chocolate. If she couldn’t drown her sorrows over wine, macaroons were the next best thing.
She rang the doorbell and heard Jax’s odd warble. Keely opened the door and the basenji seemed to smile when he saw Scarlett. She handed the bakery box to Keely and bent to love on Jax.
“Macaroons?” her friend asked hopefully. “Come on in.”
Keely padded barefoot to the kitchen, setting the box on the table and taking two dessert plates from the cabinet. “This is a wonderful treat.” She looked at Scarlett and, in unison, they said, “Life is short. Eat dessert first,” then giggled.
“Remember the first time we saw that slogan?” Scarlett asked.
“We were at some craft fair. It was stitched on a pillow. I’m glad we adopted it as our mantra.”
Scarlett opened Jax’s treat jar. “If we get treats, Jax should, too.” Holding the treat high, she cooed, “Who’s the best auntie to Jax? Sit. Shake. Good boy.” She rewarded the dog with the crunchy treat.
“You spoil my fur baby,” Keely chided playfully and then rubbed her small bulge. “I can imagine what you’ll do with my human one.”
Scarlett burst into tears.
“Oh, honey, what’s wrong?”
Keely enveloped her as she sobbed, rubbing her back, and Scarlett blubbered away. Finally, she got herself under control and Keely released her, reaching for a tissue box on the counter.
“Come sit. Tell me everything. And you can have every macaroon.”
Scarlett smiled through watery eyes. “You are a great best friend,” she proclaimed. “But I’m going to share.” She opened the box and placed two macaroons on both of their plates and then pulled out a tissue and wiped her eyes.
“It has to be Wynn,” Keely said. “Did he do something awful?”
“Only after I did,” she admitted.
With that, Scarlett led Keely through everything.
When she finished, Keely said, “I can definitely see things from both sides. There’s no question that you needed to be with Rhett and Cassie. I was there. I know how serious the situation was and how much Rhett means to you. He’s not only your brother but he took over and became the man of the house after your dad split. He’s as much a brother as father figure to you. And a trusted friend now that you’re adults. I know you run all major decisions by him.”
“I do.” Scarlett bit into her macaroon and chewed thoughtfully, thinking about her spontaneous decision of this morning to quit her job. “I’ve realized that not everyone is as close to their families as I am to mine. Plus, Wynn and I were very new together the day Rhett was shot. Wynn loves Del and Cady but he doesn’t see or even talk to them that much. He wouldn’t have understood how close we Corrigans are and how much I wanted—needed—to be there. Attending the signing at Rylon with him was out of the question.”
“On your behalf, you did make sure he had The Tornado representing him. No one would dare push Wynn around or suggest a last-minute change and dare face
