And she longed for more than just friendship with him.
She’d never cared to explore a relationship with a man. No one had ever stricken her fancy—never. She’d never had a crush. Never even entertained the idea of a suitor because she thought every man was after her family’s money. And to be honest, every other man seemed boring and only concerned about their own lives and wealth.
Every man except Devin.
Why hadn’t she seen it before?
Deep in the back of her mind, she compared everyone to him. Oh, she’d acknowledged that some men were handsome and appreciated their looks. But that was as far as it had gone.
Why?
Because she had Devin. Her best friend. The best-lookingman, in her opinion. The only person who knew everything about her. The most caring and compassionate man she’d ever known. She’d never longed for anything else other than him.
Her heart shifted into a faster rhythm. Her mouth went dry.
Her insides couldn’t decide which way was up.
Devin was completely different. Always had been.
He was her favorite person.
She swallowed against the lump in her throat...
She loved him.
And he was leaving in just a couple days.
FRIDAY, JULY14, 1916•ADAMSFARM
Devin stepped off the porch of the Adams’s house and walked to the barn, hoping the shade and water were helping his poor horse. This insufferable heat was about to do both of them in. As much as he hated leaving Eliza, he wanted to get back to Pittsburgh and its cooler summers.
“Mr. Schmitt,” a soft voice called after him as he entered the barn. He turned and saw Louise Adams enter behind him. She closed the barn door and leaned against it.
“Is everything all right?” He studied her.
Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession, and she pushed off the door and stepped toward him. “I wanted to make sureyouwere okay.” Her voice was breathless. “Everyone knows you and Eliza had a terrible falling-out.”
“That’s why I came here today. Don’t worry, everything is fine now.” He sent her a big smile to ease her concern.
But her face lifted, and her eyes widened. Sending her own smile back, she stepped toward him again.
Oops. He hadn’t meant to encourage her inthatway. But apparently, he had. He retreated a couple steps and held uphis hand. “I need to go, Miss Adams. But I appreciate your concern.”
The smile slipped, and she bit her lip. “Can I pack you a lunch or anything? Where will you be today? I could bring it to you.”
“That’s very kind of you to offer, but I believe Eliza has everything we need. Thank you.” He made a wide circle around her to reach his horse and rushed out of the barn as if his pants were on fire.
Once he was outside, he mounted and urged his horse to a fast gallop. He didn’t dare look back, for fear that would encourage her.
It seemed his admirer was getting brave.
Now how was he supposed to deal with this?
SATURDAY, JULY15, 1916•JENSEN
A little poison here, a little poison there.
Who cared? She’d make death quick. These people didn’t need to suffer like her husband had.
