Bud studied her, lips moving to the side. “Now, don’t feel like you need to answer right away. I can give you some time to examine your schedule.”
“No, that’s not necessary.” She should do it, for the good of the town, right?
Her eyes swept the park, filled with all—almost all—of the people she loved best. There were Evan and Madison, and Shannon and Bella and Ben, and Ms. Josephine and Aunt Jules and Mom and Dad. Even Carlotta Jenkins, who sat like a queen in a chair surrounded by her hive of honeybees, brought something to the town.
“You can’t be all things to all people.” Kyle’s voice was in her head.
Bud’s eyes twinkled. “I hope that smile means you’re considering saying yes.”
“Actually, I’m going to have to say no. I would love to help you out, but my plate is pretty full right now.” She looked down. “And I don’t just mean the one in my hand.”
He chuckled.
Here went nothing. “I also have to admit that I don’t think I’d have the level of passion for the project that I should.” She cringed as the words rushed out. What would he say to her honesty?
Nodding, he stroked his beard. “I’m disappointed, but I understand.”
Incredible. Bud genuinely wasn’t mad at her. Kyle had been right—those who loved her would keep loving her, no matter what she did or didn’t do for them.
“Know anyone who might be available and good at the job?”
Her mind immediately latched on to the perfect answer. “Kyle Mahaney. He’s the kind of guy who won’t be able to sit still in retirement for long.”
“I know the feeling.” Bud scratched behind his ear. “I’ll give him a call next week and see what he thinks. Thank you for the suggestion. I’d better let you go eat now.”
“Of course.” She waved goodbye and turned to look for an opening on her family’s blanket, which was sheltered by the trees ringing the large grassy area that took up most of the park.
Aunt Jules waved Ashley over, patting the spot next to her. “Well, if it isn’t the newest Baker family business owner.”
Sitting between Jules and Bella, Ashley settled her plate on the soft blue blanket. “Thanks for making room for me.”
“There’s always a place with us.” Jules nudged Ashley’s shoulder. “We’re all very proud of you.”
Ashley peeked at Bella, who watched her. Blood rushed to her cheeks. She hadn’t seen her friend since dropping off her and Ben’s new—and correctly printed—invites a few days ago. They’d both been in a rush to get out the door, so Ashley hadn’t been able to tell if the couple was still upset about her screwup.
She shrugged. “Kyle ended up giving me the business, which was very kind of him.” Picking up her fork, she poked at some of the food on her plate. “It was a gift, but I’m determined to do my best with it.”
“Any bride will be lucky to have you in her corner.” Bella bit her lip.
Ashley’s chest constricted.
Ben took a swig of Coke from his can. “We really appreciate all you’ve done for us, sis.”
“Agreed.” Bella paused. “And I shouldn’t have freaked out like I did. Will you forgive me?”
Did she even have to ask? “If you’ll forgive me for messing up your invitations.”
“Nothing to forgive. It was an honest mistake.”
They hugged, and Ashley finally tucked into her food. That first bite of her charcoal-grilled burger was heavenly. Ms. Josephine’s husband, Arnie, had outdone himself this time.
Behind her, the band ended their compilation of all the armed forces’ theme songs with a squeak, and the crowd clapped.
Ashley lifted her burger for another bite.
“Excuse me.”
Her eyes widened at the voice coming over the microphone, and the burger in her hands tumbled to her plate.
Derek?
Ashley twisted to see him up on the stage, the microphone tucked under his arm as he led the crowd in clapping. What was he doing? He hated being in the spotlight. Had nearly failed his public speaking final in college—or so he’d told her.
What would possess him to be up there now?
“Hi, everyone. Thanks for coming out today. Not that I had anything to do with the whole thing, but … uh, yeah.”
All around her, townspeople murmured.
He ran a hand through his hair and pulled the mic back to his mouth. “I confess that I may have slipped Mark West a twenty to commandeer the stage for a moment.”
“I’m donating it to the Legion, don’t you worry, Arnie!” Uncle Mark called from his spot to the right of the stage.
Arnie Radcliffe banged his tongs against the grill. “You’d better be!”
A laugh rippled through the crowd.
But Ashley couldn’t laugh, couldn’t do anything but swallow hard at the sight of the man who had broken her heart again. She barely felt the hand Bella placed on her knee.
Derek waited for the laughter to die down. “I know you’re all wondering what I’m doing up here, but much as I like you guys, this really has nothing to do with any of you.” A pause. “Well, that’s not true. It has to do with exactly one of you.”
He stepped to the very edge of the stage. Then his eyes found Ashley’s, and she froze.
Despite the size of the park and the number of people in it, the only sound Ashley heard was the whoosh of pounding blood in her ears and the drumming of her heart.
“Most of you know that I was supposed to be getting married today. I’m sure there are a lot of rumors floating around about why my fiancée and I ended things.”
Another rustling of whispers.
“But let me tell you the absolute truth of the matter so there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind. I never loved Claire and she never loved me. We had our reasons for getting married, and when those things didn’t work out, we
