and accept the truth: Men didn’t want to do forever with her.
“Go on back to New York, Valentine,” she said. “It’s where you belong. I don’t need you. I don’t need any man.”
She turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Chapter Nineteen
Reba had once thought she’d be celebrating with champagne when Valentine Sterling’s fine butt finally left the boardinghouse. But as she stood at the window of her office and watched him get into his sleek gray Lexus, her heart wasn’t filled with joy.
Her heart was gone.
Aunt Gertie had been right. Reba had never loved Billy Bob. She’d only felt used and sad after learning about his fiancé. Now, she felt like there was a gaping hole in her chest. The hole grew bigger and bigger as Valentine pulled out of the parking lot and drove away without once looking back.
Which proved he’d only been interested in her for sex. Nothing more. If he had cared about her, he would’ve fought for her. He would’ve stopped her from leaving the kitchen and pulled her into his arms and told her how much he loved her. He hadn’t because he didn’t love her.
At least, this time, she hadn’t turned into a needy wimp. At least, this time, she had acted like a strong woman instead of a pathetic fool and broke it off first.
“Miss Reba?”
She brushed the tears from her cheeks before she turned to Mike, who was standing in the doorway.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She forced a smile. “I’m fine. I’m just . . . worried about Aunt Gertie.”
He glanced at the window and then back at her. “Are you sure it doesn’t have something to do with Val? He seemed upset when he dropped off his keys.”
“I’m sure he’ll get over whatever is bothering him.” She pulled the blinds closed with a snap and moved away from the window. Butler was sleeping on a pile of bills on the desk with his cute pink belly exposed. She went to give it a rub, but drew back when the cat opened one evil eye.
“I’ll miss Val,” Mike said. “He was a good guy.” He paused. “With Ty gone, I guess that only leaves me.”
She liked Mike, but she needed to make things perfectly clear. “Just so you don’t have any misconceptions, I have no plans to ever get married, Mike. Even if Aunt Gertie was to decide to leave you her share of the boardinghouse, I’m not included in that share. But my aunt’s crazy scheme has made me realize that I need help. Since you know the business so well, I would love for you to stay and help me out. I won’t be able to pay you much more than room and board at first. But if things pick up, I’ll pay you what I can. And someday, maybe we can be business partners.”
He smiled. “I would like that, Miss Reba.”
She held out her hand. “Then it’s a deal.”
“A deal.”
The bell on the front door jangled and both she and Mike moved out to the lobby to see her entire book club coming in the door with all kinds of casserole dishes and Tupperware containers.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“What do you mean ‘what’s goin’ on?’” Luanne said. “You’ve lived in this town long enough to know it’s only proper to drop off a little food when someone’s loved one is in the hospital.”
“A little being the key words.” Evie carried in a big bag. “But we thought whatever you don’t eat, you can save for the Halloween party tomorrow night. Although this we’re drinking now.” She held up a bottle of wine.
Reba was struck speechless by their generosity and love. She might not have a man, but she had the best friends a girl could ask for. “Thank you, y’all,” she said before she burst into tears. Since she wasn’t much of a crier, all the women looked at each other with surprise before Evie passed off her bag and the wine to Penny.
“Y’all take everything into the kitchen and give Reba a second to get over our grand gesture.”
As the women headed for the kitchen, the lobby phone rang. Mike looked all too happy for the excuse. “I’ll get that.” He hurried off while Evie directed Reba back into the office.
Once there, Evie pulled a tissue out of the box on the desk and handed it to her. “Since I’ve never known you to cry over food, Reba Dixon, what in blue blazes is going on? Aunt Gertie