I suspected he’d had something to do with Anna’s sudden disappearance, but that was something I had to ask him about later. Without little ears listening.
“How about milkshakes for my girls?” Rhett suggested. Since we all liked ice cream and would never say no to free food, it was an unanimous decision to go down to Joe’s, only two blocks from the courthouse.
When we walked in, every head swiveled our way. Damn small towns.
Rhett ushered us to a corner booth, and as soon as we were seated, a waitress came over. “Hey, Rhett,” she greeted, twirling her hair. Was there anyone in this town who didn’t know him? I shot daggers at her, not happy with her blatant flirting. Josie was sitting on his lap, I was next to him and Freddie and Oma were opposite. How did that scream ‘available single guy’ to anyone?
Rhett, as perceptive as ever and sensing my rage, put his arm around me and pulled me into his side. I instantly relaxed.
“What can I get y’all?” she asked, pointedly looking at Rhett’s arm around my shoulders.
“One cookies and cream milkshake, one caramel milkshake and one kid’s vanilla milkshake. And a coffee, black, and a tea, milk and sugar. Thanks.”
It shouldn’t surprise me anymore how much attention Rhett paid to everyone around him yet it still did. He’d only bought us milkshakes once before and he still remembered our orders.
His reputation in business was that of a ruthless tycoon, yet he showed kindness and affection at home. We were the few that saw the real him, the one who would do anything to protect his family. And it was in that moment I realized that it was exactly what we were. His slightly crazy, a little damaged but loyal family.
I kissed his stubbly cheek, something else that was only ours. He would never go into the office without a clean shaven face. “I love you,” I said, for only him to hear. He smiled at me in return, and I was so happy in that moment I couldn’t stop my own smile from spreading on my face. The milkshakes were just what we needed and we finished them quickly.
I was still smiling big when we got home and Freddie called me a creep, since she hadn’t seen me that happy in years. All was as it should be.
