“If that’s what you want.” He stepped back but he took her hand and brushed his lips against her knuckles. It was a gallant, romantic thing to do. And right in front of Teddy. His eyes held hers for a moment, then he released her hand.
She pulled her gaze away from his. “Thank you for a lovely afternoon.” She picked up the basket then passed through the gate, where Teddy still sat on his horse a few feet away. She turned once. Jake was still watching her, his intense gaze making her feel warm and tingly. She gave him a slight nod, then walked over and turned her attention to her nephew. “Were you spying on me?”
“No, but someone has to watch out for you,TiaEvie.” He looked down at her, but only briefly as his unrelenting glare returned once more to Jake. The warning was silent, but clear.
“We’ve had this discussion before,” she all but hissed at him. “I am a grown woman. I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions. Up to now, you have agreed with many of them, so what’s different?”
“He’s a maverick,TiaEvie.” Again, another quick glance in her direction and then his intense focus went back to Jake, who started walking toward them in that loose-hipped swagger he had. “I’ve seen his kind before. Follows his own rules without regard for honor. A man, I suspect, who breaks hearts wherever he goes. I don’t want your heart to be among the many.”
“You don’t know Jake at all. He isn’t like that.”
“I see he has you fooled.” The sarcasm in his voice was thick.
“Teodoro Augustus, you have no right to speak to me that way. I am no fool. Apologize.”
“I’m sorry.” Even though he said the words, it was obvious to her that he didn’t mean them. The expression on his face hadn’t changed. There was still anger there.
She paused for a moment to still her own ire. “Why are you here?”
“I was looking for you. I didn’t expect to see you…kissing him.”
She ignored his comment. “Why were you looking for me?” A sudden thought had apprehension racing through her. “Is someone hurt? Is it one of the children?”
“No one is hurt. You just have a visitor. He’s been waiting for quite some time.”
Another kind of anxiety rippled through her. “Who is it?”
He shrugged. “Don’t know. I was riding up to the house when Antonio flagged me down and asked me to fetch you.”
Evie really didn’t want to meet whoever had come to see her, probably another ‘husband,’ not after the lovely afternoon she’d spent with Jake. Not for the first time, she asked herself why Lucy had started all this ‘mail-order husband’ business. She repressed a sigh then focused on her nephew. “This conversation is far from over, Teddy. Go back to the house. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Actually, I’d like a word or two with Jake.” He tugged on the reins before she could respond, and made his way through the gate, coming up on Jake in a slow walk. Evie watched him, her heart in her throat, waiting for that first punch to be thrown or a kick from his position in the saddle. Neither happened.
Instead, Teddy slipped from the saddle to stand beside Jake, and started talking, their voices low, surprising her. She couldn’t hear what they were discussing, but it didn’t matter. There were no punches thrown, no sharp angry words. Relieved, she continued toward the house, determined to send her visitor on his way, then tell Teddy exactly what she thought once they could have a moment alone.
CHAPTER 11
Evie entered the house to the sound of laughter. Hilde, Antonio, Uncle Charley, and Aunt Felicity were sitting at the kitchen table, enjoying glasses of lemonade with a man she’d never seen before. A handsome man—almost as handsome as Jake. Strands of silver were woven into his thick sheaf of wheat-colored hair, concentrating mostly at his temples, and fine lines radiated from the corners of his startling cobalt-blue eyes.
“Ah, here she is.” Uncle Charley rose from his seat and took the basket of blackberries from her. “Miss Everleigh Miller, please meet Mr. Ryland Parrish.” He performed the introduction, then placed the basket on the kitchen counter near the sink.
Her guest rose from his seat as well and offered his hand. His grip was warm and firm, but not overly so. “Please pardon my unexpected visit. Your charming niece suggested we meet.”
Evie smiled. “Knowing Lucy, it was more than a suggestion.”
“That is true. She has a forceful way about her, but she seems like a delightful young woman. Strong-willed and determined. Qualities I admire.” He smiled and it was a lovely smile, but itdidn’t make her stomach do flips. He laughed. “And might I add, rather persistent.”
“She is all those things and more.” She glanced at her loved ones around the table, all watching her with anticipation. Hilde cocked an eyebrow, her expression full of hope as if to sayhe might be the one. “Would you like to sit outside on the patio? It’s a lovely afternoon.”
“I would.” He grabbed his hat and glass from the table then gave a slight bow to Hilde and Aunt Felicity. “Ladies, it’s been a pleasure.” He then turned to Uncle Charley and Antonio, who had resumed their seats. “Gentlemen, if you will excuse us.” He looked at her, and flashed a smile, then held out his hand. “Lead the way.”
Evie held open the kitchen door for him to pass through, but in fine gentlemanly fashion he insisted she go first, which she did, but not before giving Hilde, Aunt Felicity, Antonio, and Uncle Charley a warning look. She knew they’d be at the window in no time at all, watching and listening.
As they stepped outside, Mr. Parrish paused. “What a lovely garden.”
“Thank you. It’s my pride and joy.”
“I see you like roses. My late wife, Fanny, loved roses as well, particularly the yellow ones. It’s a shame, in a way, we never stayed in one place long enough for her to grow her own.”
