“Yes,Tia. Iamsorry. Truly. I should never have embarked on trying to find you a husband.” Her smile dimmed. “I have learned my lesson.”
“Have you?”
Lucy backed up a step, and her eyes widened in shock, already beginning to well with tears. “You’re still upset with me.”
“I am.”
“I don’t like it when you’re upset with me.”
“I know, but Lucy, you have to think of the consequences before you do something.” Evie raised her hand and reached out to lay a gentle hand on her shoulder. “But I still love you and I will forgive you. Eventually.” She dropped her hand. It was the truth. She would forgive her. “I know you did what you thought was…helpful, but Lucy, it really wasn’t. We have been lucky that everyone who has come here has been decent, even sweet, if a little strange.”
“I know that. Now.” Her voice was low and hoarse.
Evie simply stared, unmoved by the sparkle of tears in her eyes. “I hope you do. All this could have turned out so badly.”
Lucy walked to the chair recently vacated by Mr. Ambrose and flopped into it. She swiped at her eyes then took a deep breath. Evie could feel her gaze on her back and it grew quiet in the room. The silence didn’t last long. “I understand you’re going for a drive with Mr. Parrish tomorrow.”
“Yes, I am.” She stayed at the window, making sure Mr. Ambrose wasn’t coming back, then turned back to her niece, utterly frustrated. “Did you not understand what I just said?”
“I did, but you’ve already met Mr. Parrish. He enjoyed his visit with you.”
“Lucy, just stop.” She raised her voice. “You are the most stubborn…” She paused, realizing she was describing herself as well, then relented a bit and answered the question. “I have no romantic interest in him.”
“Why not? He’s a handsome man.” Lucy grabbed one of the cookies from the platter and took a bite.
“Ah, Lucy, there’s more to it than being handsome, as we’ve discussed before. Someone could be the handsomest man or the most beautiful woman in the world, but if their heart isn’t kind, then it’s only half the story. Looks fade. A good heart does not.”Evie shook her head and stepped away from the window. “Mr. Parrish seems to be a very nice person and he does seem to have a good heart, but he’s still in love with his late wife, which is obvious if you talk to him for more than a moment.”
She joined her niece but didn’t sit. Instead, she grabbed her coffee, though it had gone cold, and took a sip. “He’s not looking for a replacement, as if any woman could ever replace his Fanny. He’s just looking for companionship, and I wouldn’t mind that at all. Don’t make it more than it is.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Lucy rose from her seat and grabbed the tray with the coffee service. “I should work on the payroll. I’ll take the coffee with me.”
“I’ll bring you a clean cup.” She removed the cup Mr. Ambrose had been using and followed her niece from the parlor. They parted ways in the hall, Lucy heading for the study, Evie heading toward the kitchen.
“Is he gone?” Hilde asked, as Evie entered the kitchen.
“Yes, he’s gone.” She dumped the contents of both cups in the sink then grabbed a clean one from the cabinet for Lucy.
“I’m glad,liebchen. He wasn’t for you.” She shook her head and went back to kneading dough. “Never saw a man so pale in my life. Or so skinny. Like someone took the stuffing out of him and just left skin and bones.”
“He’s not coming back. Too much dirt.” She laughed as she left the kitchen and headed down the hall, Lucy’s cup in her hand.
Before she left Lucy, she said, “Come out to the riding ring when you’re done with the books.”
“Why?”
“I’m teaching Jake Hannigan how to ride.”
“On Clementine?”
“Of course, on Clementine. She helped all of you learn how to ride. I wouldn’t trust that job to another horse.” She paused thenadded, “For a man who said he didn’t know how to ride, he’s doing remarkably well. He’s learning to train, too.”
Lucy smiled. “You like him.”
Already feeling the heat rising to her face, Evie gave a slight nod, then escaped the room before her niece could ask more questions, but the thought remained in her head. Yes, she did like him. Very much so. He, at least, seemed to be honest in his intentions, without any other motives such as marrying her to own this ranch or so she could be his workhorse. That in itself was refreshing.
CHAPTER 13
He’s here again.
