“Yeah.” Another sigh.
Coming from him, that meant something weighty indeed.
He looked at her. “I know we’ve got this dinner ahead and I didn’t want to make things harder for you, but there’s something I need to tell you. It is of great import.” His jaw was tight, his eyes serious.
“All right.” Maybe he didn’t feel comfortable having dinner with strangers. Had she bothered to even ask if he wanted to, or had she once again dragged him along for whatever she wanted?
“Your grandmother asked me to come see her before I left.”
“Oh?” Maybe this wasn’t about dinner after all. Even so, she should work on being a better friend to him.
“It’s a—”
“Eliza! Eliza!” Louise and Adelaide ran toward them from the fenced-in yard. “You’re here!”
She sent a look to Devin and leaned over. “Sorry. I didn’t realize they would be waiting for us.”
He directed a smile at the welcomers. “It’s all right. We can talk later.”
“Louise, Adelaide.” Eliza steered her horse toward the gate. “I’d like you to meet Mr. Devin Schmitt. He’s my oldest anddearest friend.” Her horse stopped at the fence, and she dismounted. She handed the reins to Louise, who hadn’t moved, said a word, or even blinked since she caught sight of Devin. Eliza leaned close to the girl’s ear. “Louise.”
“Oh!” Louise glanced down at the reins in her hands and then back up at Devin. “It’s lovely to meet you, Mr. Schmitt.”
“Please. Call me Devin.” He dismounted and removed his hat. As he approached the sisters, he nodded at each one. He handed his reins to Louise as well. “Thank you for taking such good care of Eliza.”
Adelaide giggled and twirled. “It’s wonderful having her here, she tells us such wonderful stories about digs and fossils and the museum. Don’t you just love her stories?”
Devin looked over the top of the girl’s head to Eliza. The twinkle in his eye warmed her. “Oh, yes. I love her stories. Always have.” He turned to the other sister as he followed Eliza toward the house. “How about you, Louise?”
But the eldest girl just stared at him.
Adelaide grabbed her arm. “What is wrong with you? Come on, I’m starved.” She took the reins from Louise and wrapped them over the hitching post.
Louise shook off her sister’s hand, her face turning bright pink. She turned on her heel and ran into the house.
Eliza tucked her hand into the crook of Devin’s arm. “Looks like you have an admirer.”
His eyebrows danced up and down. “Oh good. I’ve always wanted one of those.”
She giggled and squeezed his arm. Amazing how he could lift her spirits no matter how low they were.
They walked up the porch steps, and he opened the screen door for her.
“Mrs. Adams? We’re here.” Eliza led him to the kitchen to meet her host. Introductions and pleasantries were exchanged and then the large group settled around the table.
At first, the Adams family was as quiet with Devin as they had been with Eliza her first couple of weeks at their house. But the awkwardness gradually melted away as Devin asked questions of Mr. and Mrs. Adams and then each of the girls.
To their credit, the four sisters kept their manners, being gracious and sweet. Every time Devin asked Louise a question, she blushed before answering.
Her wide eyes and soft smile as she watched him made Eliza smile to herself. Whywouldn’tthe eighteen-year-old be smitten with Devin? He was a very handsome man. And brilliant.
He took that moment to glance at her. The intensity of his blue eyes sucked her in and made the rest of the room disappear. He was entertained by her host family, but she also saw concern and care for her in his gaze. They’d shared so much over the years. She could never ask for a better friend.
As Devin looked back to Mr. Adams, Eliza’s heart screamed for the connection to return. Now that Devin was here, she felt whole and complete again. Why had she ever thought leaving him was a good idea?
Mr. Adams pointed his gaze at her. “Eliza, have you heard about the trials Mr. Meyer is enduring?”
She blinked and focused her attention on her host. “No. Is Mr. Meyer all right?” She’d hoped to go out to the ranch and survey more of the creek after church again.
