Saltwater Secrets - Amelia Addler Page 0,59
everything out of her arms. “You have to let me at least pretend to help.”
“Pretend! You are helping. Thank you sweetie.”
He nodded. “You’re welcome love. Did I tell you that I talked to Eddie?”
“No,” Margie stopped to look at him. “Did you send him my regards?”
Hank laughed. “I didn’t need to. He was already terrified. And I guess we’ll see him today.”
“What? How dare he show his face at Jade’s presentation!”
“Now honey, do I need to frisk you before we go to make sure that you’re not bringing any weapons?”
He set down the platters and pretended to pat her down.
Margie wiggled away, giggling. She was very ticklish. “I don’t have anything on me right now, but now that I know he’s going to be there, maybe I should!”
“I don’t think you have to worry about it. Half of the sheriff’s department will be there. Including me – remember me? Did you know that Chief isn’t just a cute nickname?”
Margie laughed. “Yes, I know. Alright, you’ve convinced me. I’ll leave my weapons at home.”
They carried the rest of the supplies out to Hank’s car, which was running and warmed up, waiting for her. She loved all the little things that he did – warming up the car, replacing the glass of water on her bedside table…there were a hundred little ways that he showed her that he loved her. Love, it turns out, shined through in the small and quiet moments.
As she’d expected, he was neither upset nor surprised when he heard about her snooping and subsequently accusing Eddie. He was a bit surprised that she pepper sprayed him – but that was quickly replaced with admiration.
He insisted that she shouldn’t get too big of a head, though; he’d known she was up to something, but decided to let her get away with it for a while.
Margie appreciated the trust they had in one another. It was a kind of love she’d never dreamed of having – one she sometimes couldn’t believe was real.
But there he was – driving along, quietly humming to the music on the radio.
The county council rented a theater for the presentations and when they got there, Jade and Morgan were already busy setting up. After giving Jade a quick hug and kiss, Margie busied herself with setting up the table of treats that she had made.
“You know,” said Morgan, eyeing the spread. “Some people might be above bribery, but not me. Margie, you won my vote.”
“Oh stop,” Margie said with a laugh. “Jade had better have your vote! How’s she doing? Is she nervous?”
“About as nervous as expected,” said Morgan, reaching out to grab a chocolate chip cookie. “But she’s practiced a lot, and she’s ready. Did you know that they’re broadcasting this online so that everyone who can’t come will get a chance to see it?”
“I didn’t know that.” Margie bit her lip. “Does Jade know? I think that’s going to make her nervous.”
“It was her idea!”
Margie smiled. “Of course it was.”
Poor Jade was always terrified of public speaking. Even when she was in kindergarten, they had to practice for the entire week leading up to her show and tell days. She was just painfully shy.
It got a bit better over the years, but Jade was always hyper-aware of any errors that she made when speaking, and worried that people would remember them forever. Margie was worried that this presentation would push Jade over the edge – but even from afar, she looked calm and collected.
Maybe it would all be okay.
People began filing in, and Margie didn’t want to disrupt Jade’s concentration, so she quickly wished her good luck and took her seat. Tiffany joined her, giddy with excitement – or, as giddy as Tiffany got. Margie didn’t know why she was so invested in this project, but it was so nice to have her girls working together. It was a shame that Connor didn’t live closer, or he could’ve come to support Jade as well. He’d remembered to send Jade a text, though, which was a lot considering that he was basically living in the mountains right now as a tour guide.
Jade sat up on the stage at a table with Morgan; the county council members had their own table, and then Burke Industries had a table with several people who looked overdressed. Eric Burke himself was still weaving through the crowd, charming people, laughing as if he were making a new best friend every minute.
Matthew came in and took a seat next to