Page 59 of Rumor Has It

“No, Rumor.” I stop her with a sigh. “Boone is hurt, and I’m the one who hurt him.”

“How?” her brows knit. “I don’t understand.”

I rub my forehead, on the verge of a migraine. “Because I’m a bad liar, and now he thinks he was right all this time.”

“You shouldn’t have lied.” She shrugs. “But we all do it, even Boone.”

My breath hitches. “What makes you think he lied?”

“The way he looked at you when you walked into the room, and when you walked away.” She rubs my cheeks dry.

“And how did he look at me?”

She smiles, coyishly. “Like you were a cold glass of sweet tea on a hot Carolina day.”

“Did the tea have lemons in it, because he was sour!” Curling my lip, she begins to giggle. It’s infectious. “Let’s go buy two gallons of ice cream and order a pizza. It’s a girls kinda night!”

“Sounds like a plan, Stan.” Rumor laughs louder, and I can’t hold it back any longer.

“Who’s Stan?” I crinkle my nose, helping her into the seat of my favorite truck.

She spins in the seat, reaching for her belt. “I have no idea, but he’s a funny guy.”

“That he is, sweetie.” I climb in behind her, settling in. “Rocky Road and Moose Tracks?”

She twists her mouth. “Is there any other kind?”

“Strawberry, to cut the sweetness of the chocolate.” I wink to her delight.

“I like how you think!” She attempts a wink, but blinks instead. “I love you, Momma.”

“I love you, Rumor McKenna. Always.” I lay my hand in the seat between us, and she takes it willingly.

We’re quiet on the way home, even when we duck into the grocery store to grab our comfort food. She holds my hand, like she did years ago. I silently admonish myself for the spectacle she had a front row seat to; I’m sick about it.

Once home, I put away our ice cream and head into the bathroom. Running a tub full of warm water and bubbles calls for candles. I want to do everything I can to erase her memories of today and the man I know Boone isn’t.

“Hey, my love,” I call her, lighting the last candle. I’m hoping this will help to ease my pounding head. “I have one more surprise before dinner.”

I hear her feet slapping against the hardwood before seeing her. She stops in front of the door, staring at me and the bubbles. “Are you kidding me?”

“Nope.” I drop my robe, stepping in. “You better hurry; it’s getting cold.”

She strips in seconds, making me worry about her ability to do that and her future as a stripper, before jumping in. Water and bubbles slosh, spilling into the floor. She peers over the side, covering her mouth.

“Sorry.” Her eyes widen, and I can’t help but laugh.

I hold up a single finger, leaning over the edge. I drag a towel off the hanger and over the wet spot. “Fixed!”

“Shew! I was worried. It’s been a day.” She leans back, bubbles covering her.

“Tell me about it, kid.” I splash her so I can listen to her laughter fill this empty house and my vacant heart.

We stay until our fingers are pruned, and I’ve refilled the tub three times. I slip my robe on and call in the pizza, while she runs to find clothes. I set our candles around the living room, taking out our finest dinnerware.

“Wow!” Her face lights up as she looks around the room. “This is so pretty.”

I sigh, falling into the couch. “Yeah, I tend to like the simple stuff.”