She hesitated, then told the truth, as she’d always done with Marisol. “He’s got the most amazing smile. And the nicest eyes. Kind. Soulful. Yet I have the feeling he doesn’t miss anything.”
“Then what’s holding you back? You talk to everyone, Evie. That was the first thing I noticed about you when we met. You were a regular little chatterbox, so why are you avoiding him? What makes him so different?”
She didn’t know how to even begin getting to know him, but before she could admit that, Ana, the young woman she was training to be a housekeeper, came out to the yard, carrying a fresh pitcher of lemonade. Ice tinkled as she refilled their glasses. “You have a visitor, Miss Evie.”
“Who is it?”
“He said his name is Oscar Peña. He said you were expecting him.”
His name was not familiar, and she wasn’t expecting anyone, but it wasn’t unusual for someone to call without an invitation. Montaña del Trueno had a reputation for some of the finest horseflesh in the area. It wouldn’t have been the first time someone just stopped by to purchase one of their horses. “Where is he?”
“In the parlor.”
“Thank you, Ana. I’ll be there in a moment. Please offer him some coffee or lemonade.”
“I already have. He declined both.” Ana lifted her head just a fraction and smiled, pleased she’d done what was appropriate, then went back in the house.
Evie placed her mending in the basket beside her, then slowly rose to her feet.
She turned toward Marisol, who had gone back to watching Jake.
“Come with me, Marisol. Meet Mr. Peña with me.”
“And miss this wonderful view?” She gestured toward Jake swinging the axe high, sweat glistening on his skin, his biceps prominent. “I don’t think so.”
“Fine, you stay, but don’t blame me when you get a crick in your neck.”
Marisol laughed. “The pain would be well worth it, I think.”
Evie headed across the lawn, following the path Ana had taken just a moment before, and let herself into the kitchen. Hilde stood at the counter, kneading dough, an apron tied around her ample waist. A smudge of flour stood out against the redness of her cheek. “You have company.”
“I know.” She pushed through the swinging door and strode down the hallway.
She met her Aunt Felicity coming down the stairs. “I hear you have another gentleman caller,” she remarked, as she tugged on her gloves.
“Perhaps. I don’t know who he is, but I’m about to find out.”
“Charley and I are heading into town. I thought we might stop by and see Lucy. Do you need anything?”
“No, thank you, but give Lucy my love.”
Felicity buttoned her gloves. “Of course.” She took another step down the risers until they were eye level, Felicity being the shorter of the two of them. Kindness showed in the older woman’s light-green eyes as they roamed over Evie’s face. She reached out and gently laid her hand on her cheek. “You’re a beautiful, vibrant woman, Everleigh. You deserve every happiness. I’d like to see you find it.”
And with those words, she stepped off the stairs and headed down the hall.
Evie frowned as she watched Felicity stroll toward the kitchen—probably to conspire with Hilde before she and Uncle Charley drove into town. She patted her hair to make sure every strand was in place, then stepped into the parlor to see her guest standing at the window, hands on his hips, his gaze focused on the view outside. She stood for a moment, silently comparing him to Jake. He wasn’t as tall, or as muscular. He did have darkhair, though not quite as black as Jake’s. And there were no strands of silver. “Hello. I’m Everleigh Miller. May I help you?”
He turned quickly, bumping into the potted plant beside him. The heavy brass stand wobbled, but before it could fall to the floor, he caught it and set it right. He mumbled an apology then rushed forward, tripping over the edge of the rug in his haste. He took a few awkward steps, but managed to keep his balance, then grabbed her hand. For a moment, she thought he was going to drop a kiss on her knuckles, but he simply shook her hand instead. “Oscar Peña. How nice to meet you in person.” He smiled, showing a full complement of pearly white teeth in his young, much younger than her, face. His smile did not make her heart flutter the way Jake’s had done, but it was charming, nonetheless. Friendly. Full of confidence.
And his eyes? No, they didn’t make her want to melt, either.
“Please, have a seat.” She gestured to an overstuffed chair beside a small table holding one of the photographs Lucy had taken with the camera she’d received as a gift, this one of Miguel, Teddy’s son, when he was just a baby. The entire table jiggled as he bumped into it in his haste to sit. The frame holding Miguel’s photograph rocked. She caught it before it could fall and possibly break the glass. “How may I help you, Mr. Peña?”
A flush colored his face even as he flashed a sheepish smile. “I…uh…I’m here in…response to your letter.”
That little minx! Lucyhadcorresponded to two men!
“I see. May I see the letter?” She had briefly looked at the letter Jake had handed her long enough to recognize Lucy’s handwriting and the letterhead, but hadn’t read anything except the first few lines.
