Page 105 of Power
Chapter twenty-one
Reece
“Howarethingsback home?” I ask Tash.
“Crazy is an understatement. So many people are coming into the bookstore to ask about you. They’re camped out the front of my house, even the news has trucks following me.”
My heart sinks for Tash. “I’m sorry for getting you involved in this.” I stand and walk to the slider, checking to see where Emily is. “This is a mess.”
“Ah, yeah it is. But you don’t have to worry about me, I’m fine. The bookstore hasn’t ever been this busy before.” Tash chuckles. “Good for business. At this rate, I’ll be able to pay you back what you lent me to buy it.”
“You know I’m not interested in your money.”
“It’s only fair,” she pauses for a moment. “How’s Emily handling this?”
“Well, I can’t find her,” I say with ease.
“What do you mean you can’t find her? Where is she?” Panic sets in for Tash.
“She’s probably holed up at May’s reading. I’m not worried. I know she’s looked after there.”
“What’s small-town living like? Have you met all five residents yet?”
“Smart-ass.” I roll my eyes but can’t hide the smile. “Emily and I have been hanging out here on the farm. We haven’t gone anywhere. May’s been so hospitable. The fridge and cupboards have been full of food, she hasn’t asked for a single cent, and she allows Emily to hang out in her guest room where her library is.”
“Hey, don’t you dare!”
“Don’t I dare what?” I ask, confused.
“Don’t even think about moving there. I’ll kick your butt if you decide to stay there.”
“Truth be told, Tash, it’s nice here, but it’s not my home. And, I know I’m going to have to come back at some point and face the media. Although it makes me sick to my stomach thinking about what Emily is going to go through. If it were just me, I would never have left, but I have to think about what’s best for Emily.”
“Yeah, I know. Hey, listen, there’s something I need to tell you.”
My gut churns as I rub at the spot between my brows. I feel sick. “What is it?” my voice flattens as I brace for the worst.
“I spoke with Bennett.”
I had a feeling she was going to say those exact words. “When?”
“It was sometime last week, just after you left for Hope River.”
“I don’t want to sound like a schoolgirl, but what was said?”
“I called him a jackass and told him he hurt you. He asked me if you and Emily are safe, and I said you were. But I promise you, I didn’t tell him where you are, and I hung up on him too.”
A small snicker vibrates through my chest. “A little while ago he was Mr. President, now he’s Bennett to us.”
“To you maybe, to me he’s Jackass-in-Chief. Yep, that’s his new name.”
“I love you, Tash. But he still deserves to be addressed as—”
“Jackass,” Tash cuts me off. “Until there’s an apology, that’s my new name for him.”
“He’ll apologize to the American public. His advisors will be pushing him to do that. I’m surprised he hasn’t addressed it yet.”
“He needs to apologize to you, Reece.”
