Eliza watched them slip past her, noticing the longing look Louise gave Devin. But he seemed to not notice. His bright blue gaze was trained steadily on her. Her heart skittered into a faster pace.
Once the group was out of earshot, he touched her elbow, leading her to the now-vacated chairs. “I truly don’t want to make things more difficult for you.” His face was etched with deep lines. He was tired. And serious.
She’d done that to him. Guilt flooded her and she felt theheat rise to her face. They sat and Eliza pulled out her handkerchief, needing something to occupy her nervous hands.
“But I can’t meet with Dr. Masterson and pretend I’ve written a paper I know nothing about. I think you need to come with me.”
She swallowed against the lump forming in her throat. “So ... you’re going to tell him you didn’t write it?” Biting her bottom lip, she considered the possibilities. Dr. Masterson would know that she’d lied. What would he say?
He huffed and studied her for several seconds. Then palmed his face and let his hand fall. “No. I’ll play your little charade this once. I’m not out to embarrass you in front of the man. I know how much you admire him and have wanted to meet him. It’s not my place to burst your bubble and take you to task. But remember, I don’t know what I’m talking about. I need you there. And I need you to somehow give me a crash course on whatever it was that you wrote so I will not appear the fool when I’m speaking with him.”
Relief washed through her. “Thank you, Devin. I know I don’t deserve it. But thank you.” She looked down at her hands, which had been twisting her handkerchief into a knotted mess. “Are you still mad at me?”
He shifted his gaze to the mountains in the distance. “No. And I apologize for my outburst of anger.”
“It was justified.”
Releasing a short half-laugh, he turned back to her and their gazes connected. “Yes, it was. You’ve seen my temper over the years, but nothing like that.” His words had softened along with the crease in his brow.
Staring into his eyes, Eliza started. Oh.... So that was it.
These unexpected feelings were because she was attracted to him! In a very real—a very strong—way. It hadn’t just been in the heat of an argument. Or when he’d held her when she cried. Or when he’d simply looked at her. Her heart hadknown. Her stomach had known. All the crazy flutterings, flippings, and uneasiness.
She had a crush on her best friend.
The thought was ludicrous.
But then it wasn’t.
“I’m sorry I’m the one that made your temper flare. It was wrong of me. It was selfish. I allowed my pride to get in the way. Please forgive me? I feel horrible for the position I’ve put you in.”
He tipped her chin with his knuckles. Teasing in his eyes. “Don’t do it again and I guess I can forgive you.” He lowered his hand and stepped away, but she still felt the warmth of his touch zipping through her. “Like I could ever stay mad at you.”
“Hey, that’s my line.” She smiled. Usually, it had been Eliza’s temper that had gotten them into a tiff. She’d always said it when they worked things out. Usually when she had to apologize for flying off the handle at him. Gracious, what a horrible friend she’d been all these years!
“I stole it.” He shrugged. “But it’s true. I guess I understand now why you said it so much.”
“Our friendship means the world to me, Devin. I hope you know that.”
He blanched a bit and the warmth slipped from his face as he dropped his gaze to the ground. “I do. You better get back to the girls. But I’ll meet you at the Meyer ranch in a bit. I wish I could read the paper, but you’ll just have to fill me in on the high points as best you can.”
Eliza frowned. Had she said something wrong? Why the sudden shift in his expression and posture?
They stood and walked toward the porch stairs. Movement out of her periphery snagged her attention. Why was the front door open? Her gaze connected with Louise, whose face wasin the open crack. The young woman gasped and pushed the door shut.
Had she been listening all that time? How much had she heard?
“Hello? Are you paying attention?” Devin waved his hand in front of her face.
“What?” She blinked. “Oh. I’m so sorry. I got lost in thought for a moment. Yes, I’ll be sure to fill you in. We are meeting with him on Monday for lunch.”
He dipped his chin at her and walked toward his horse. His broad shoulders filled out his suit coat.
Images of Devin through the years floated through her mind. His thick, wavy hair used to fall over his forehead before he tamed it to look the part of a university professor. His blue eyes had always held a smile and sparkle for her, whether they were studying together or out in the dirt digging.
The way he looked at her had always made her feel special. That’s what friends did, right?
But there was so much more to it. At least, for her now.
