Page 57

The door opened, and Constance appeared, beaming at him. The soft glow of her face bathed in early evening light knocked the breath out of him. How did he go so many years pretending indifference? What an idiot he’d been.

“Hi, Jack.” She opened the door wide to let him in, and he eased past her into the entryway.

“Hi, Constance.” Was that a new dress she was wearing? He’d never seen it before. It was rosy pink like her lips, which he couldn’t seem to stop starting at. “You look beautiful.”

Could he kiss her? Just one quick taste before a long dinner on his very best behavior.

As if she was thinking the same thing, her eyes darted up the stairwell. No sign of anyone. Rising on her toes, she caressed his cheek and pressed her lips to his.

He was kissing Constance inside the Pritchard residence, something he never thought he’d dare do. Getting carried away was out of the question, but her gentle touch and naïve enthusiasm were filling him with a hunger that even his basket brimming with treats couldn’t sate. Constance Pritchard, I am never going to get enough of you.

A clatter of pans from the kitchen startled them both back to the present. She blushed all over as she stepped back.

Holding out the roses, he said, “I got these for you.”

“They’re gorgeous.” She reached for them and cradled them in her arms. “Although everyone’s going to know there’s something going on between us the moment that I walk in with these.”

“Good. I want them to.” He was tired of keeping his feelings hidden. “If I could manage to tell Ernie, then I can handle talking to your parents.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Don’t forget the twins. They’ll give you the third degree the moment they suspect.”

Of course, they would. He smiled at the thought of Prudence and Verity dragging him to an interrogation chamber and shining a flashlight in his eyes while they peppered him with questions and tried to get him to break. “I’m ready.”

“So am I.” Squaring her shoulders, she took his hand and led the way to the dining room, where the whole family aside from Mrs. Pritchard was already gathered.

The moment they stepped inside, all conversation ceased. Prudence and Verity stared. Ernie crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes. Millie gave him a friendly wave and a smile. At least someone here was on his side.

But it was Reverend Pritchard he was most worried about—the family patriarch, the leader of his flock. How did one convince a minister to let one court his daughter? Just looking at him made guilt twist in Jack’s gut over the things he’d already done with Constance.

The minister’s eyes darted from the roses Constance carried to the basket of goodies on Jack’s arm to their still-clasped hands, and his eyebrows rose. He cleared his throat, and everyone leaned in to listen. “What, may I ask, are your intentions toward my daughter?”

Jack gulped. Reverend Pritchard had always been kind and friendly to him, a sort of honorary uncle. But that didn’t mean he approved of Jack’s interest in Constance any more than Ernie did.

“Pop, for heaven’s sake,” Constance objected, looping her arm through Jack’s and standing by his side. While he appreciated the vote of support, he wasn’t sure their sudden closeness helped one bit with her father.

The minister tilted his head to the side, his gaze boring into Jack, as if he could rain down fire and brimstone on him at any moment.

Jack had seen that look directed at Ernie countless times for his boyhood shenanigans, but he’d never been on the receiving end himself. Until now. Sweat dripped down the back of his collar. “Umm…honorable ones, Reverend.”

A corner of Reverend Pritchard’s mouth twitched up, and a hint of amusement twinkled in his eyes. “Well, it’s about time,” he said at last.

Jack’s shoulders lowered several inches, and he let out a long breath. Did everyone but him know how bad he had it for Constance? “Yes, Reverend.”

Grinning, Reverend Pritchard shook his head. “I’ve been telling you to call me Samuel for years.”

“I can’t do it, I’m afraid. I’ve been calling you Reverend Pritchard since I was this high.” He held out his hand at waist level. “It’s too late to change now.”

Reverend Pritchard shrugged. “Suit yourself. Hey, Bee, come out here and see what Jack brought to dinner,” he called to the kitchen.

Mrs. Pritchard came out, wiping her hands on her apron, and stopped short when she saw Constance holding roses with her arm looped through Jack’s. “Land’s sakes. What is all this about?”

“Jack’s sweet on Constance,” Verity said with a smirk.

“Finally. Constance has been sweet on him for ages,” Prudence teased.

Constance stiffened beside him. “How would you know anything about that?”

Prudence shrugged. “I read your diary.” Her grin was utterly unrepentant.